Beatrice Public Schools board approves K–5 reading adoption, hires assistant principal and ratifies teacher contract

The Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education on March 10 approved three major actions: adoption of a K–5 reading curriculum, the hiring of a new high school activities director/assistant principal, and ratification of the 2025–26 negotiated agreement with the Beatrice Education Association (BEA).

The board voted to adopt Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) from Amplify for grades K–5 at a cost of $272,597.92 for a seven-year adoption. Doctor Nielsen summarized the selection process, saying the curriculum review team examined seven programs, narrowed options through presentations and rubrics, and “the team overwhelmingly thought that CKLA was the best selection.” The district plans professional development to support implementation and cited the state goal of 75% of students reading at grade level by third grade by 2030 as a rationale for the selection.

Board members moved and seconded the motion to adopt CKLA; after discussion the motion passed. The board did not provide an individual roll-call tally in the public record during the meeting.

The board also approved the hiring of Cale Kaiser as the high school activities director and assistant principal for the 2025–26 school year. Mister Alexander described a search that drew roughly 13 applicants and used three interview panels composed of teachers, coaches and community members; Kaiser, a nine-year district employee, was the committee’s top choice and the board approved the hire.

Separately, the board approved the 2025–26 negotiated agreement with the Beatrice Education Association. Doris, summarizing negotiations, said the committee met eight times and BEA members approved the agreement on Feb. 6, 2025. Key elements cited by the board include placement options for new hires (including limited use of a 10% initial placement in specific circumstances), changes to the sick leave donation bank (discussed earlier in the meeting), a $1,000 base increase, continuation of the $1,200 insurance deductible, and minor adjustments to the extra-duty schedule for the next three years. Doris provided summary dollar ranges for starting and median compensation packages under single and family insurance; the board characterized these as highlights of the agreement.

Motions on the consent agenda and these actions were moved and seconded on the record and each motion was noted as carried. The meeting record did not show a public vote tally by member for these motions.

The board announced its next regular meeting for April 14, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Administration Building.

Actions recorded at the meeting should be considered formal approvals pending any required administrative completion of contracts or purchase orders; the board's meeting minutes will provide the final official record.