Board approves insurance renewal, accepts diesel rebate to buy new bus; consent agenda passes

The Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education voted to renew its property, liability, boiler and machinery, and errors-and-omissions insurance with ALCAP and accepted a Nebraska clean diesel rebate that will be applied to purchase a new route bus, the board confirmed at its August meeting.

The board also approved the consent agenda. A board member declared a potential conflict of interest and said they would abstain on a specific claim (identified in board materials as claim 322 for the month of August), but the remainder of the consent agenda passed in the board’s vote.

Why it matters: The insurance renewal and bus purchase are budgeted items that affect the district’s risk management and transportation fleet. The board discussed premium credits tied to the district’s workers’ compensation record and applied depreciation funds to the bus purchase.

Most important details - Insurance renewal: The board moved to renew property/liability, boiler and machinery, and errors-and-omissions coverage with ALCAP for the 2025–26 policy year. Board member Steve McNally moved the motion; Cindy seconded. The superintendent and finance staff noted the district’s workers’ compensation modifier has decreased from 1.03 to 1.00 and the district will receive an owner dividend credit of $3,459. The motion carried on the board’s roll call.

- Diesel rebate and bus purchase: The district was awarded $33,000 through the Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate program to replace an older diesel route bus. Finance staff said the district will recycle (disable) the older 2005 diesel bus per program requirements and purchase a 2026 fuel-efficient, gasoline 65-passenger route bus using depreciation funds. The total purchase price is $137,292; after the $33,000 rebate, the district’s net cost is estimated at $104,292. Tom moved the motion to accept the rebate and purchase the bus; Patty seconded. The motion carried.

- Consent agenda: The board approved minutes, claims, and routine business reported on the consent calendar. A board member declared a potential conflict and stated they would abstain from voting on a single claim (claim 322 for August); the consent agenda otherwise passed on the roll call.

Board comments and clarifications Finance staff described the insurance dividend as tied to years of participation and overall ALCAP performance; last year’s dividend was described by a board member as roughly $1,500. On the bus replacement, board members asked how the old vehicle would be handled; staff said the program requires disabling the vehicle (piercing the engine block) and that the disabled vehicle would be taken to a recycler.

Votes at a glance - Renew insurance with ALCAP for the 2025–26 policy year — motion by Steve McNally, second by Cindy; outcome: motion carried (roll-call result reported as carried). Note: staff reported a workers’ compensation modifier drop and an owner dividend credit of $3,459. - Accept Nebraska Clean Diesel Rebate and purchase new route bus (replace 2005 diesel with 2026 gas 65-passenger bus) — motion by Tom Stanton, second by Patty; outcome: motion carried. Net district cost after rebate: $104,292; total vehicle price: $137,292. - Approve consent agenda (minutes, claims, routine items) — mover and seconder not specified in transcript excerpt; outcome: motion carried on roll call. One board member declared a conflict and said they would abstain on claim 322 (August); the member stated intent to vote on remaining consent items.

What’s next The board’s future meeting schedule was announced: a second monthly meeting is set for Aug. 25, 2025, at noon and the regular meeting on Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. (both at MPS Central Administration offices). The board will continue routine budget and facilities work in committee and at future meetings.