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Beatrice Board approves $1.73 million bond payment, accepts member resignation and opens appointment process
Summary
The Beatrice Board of Education approved a $1,729,050 payment on a 2010 refunding bond, accepted Marissa Centeno’s immediate resignation and authorized board leaders to contact two former members about filling the vacancy.
The Beatrice Board of Education voted to approve a $1,729,050 payment on a tax general obligation refunding bond series 2010b and accepted the immediate resignation of board member Marissa Centeno, then directed board leadership to reach out to two former members about filling the vacancy.
The payment was approved after a motion to pay the district’s outstanding "bullet" payment tied to QSCB (quality school construction) funds from 2010. Jason Alexander, the district administrator, described the balance as including approximately $48,300 in interest and a $750 annual bond processing fee, bringing the total to $1,729,050. "This general obligation bond payment has been in the works since 2010," Alexander said, explaining the original projects funded by the bonds and the mechanics of the current payment.
The board approved the motion on a recorded vote announced in the meeting as 6–0. The transcript records the motion, a discussion that reviewed the bond’s history and uses, and the chair’s announcement that the motion passed.
The board also accepted Marissa Centeno’s resignation. Centeno read a brief statement in which she said, "It is with mixed emotions that I submit my resignation ... effective immediately. Our family's timeline to leave the country has unexpectedly been moved up, and as a result I am no longer able to fulfill my duties to the board and our district community." Board members thanked Centeno for her service and the motion to accept the resignation passed.
After accepting the resignation, the board discussed the legal process for filling the vacancy under state statute 32-570 (which provides that vacancies in such boards are filled by appointment of the remaining members). The board moved, and then amended the motion, to direct board leadership to first ask former board members Lisa Pieper and Janet Byers whether either would be willing to complete the remainder of the term. The board said it will report back and, if neither is available, consider other candidates and bring nominations to the next regular meeting.
What happens next: board leadership will contact the two former members and return to the board with any responses, with a vote on an appointment expected at a future regular meeting.
