Millard Public Schools board elects officers, adopts policies and approves two administrator hires

The Millard Public Schools Board of Education held its regular meeting Dec. 1, conducting an election of officers under a policy that limits members to two consecutive years in the same office, approving multiple policy readings and voting to hire two district administrators.

Board members cast ballots for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer in accordance with district policy; the president opened the meeting and noted the Public Meeting Act was posted for inspection. After public comment produced no speakers, the board moved to routine matters and approved the minutes dated 12/01/2025, the bills and the treasurer’s report by roll call.

In unfinished business the board conducted second readings and adopted two personnel-related policies. Committee member read Policy 41-60 (Human Resources Evaluation) aloud and the board voted to adopt the policy following a roll call. The board also approved Policy 66-35 (Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment — Students with Disabilities), which the presenter said aligns the district’s procedures with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Nebraska Department of Education requirements.

The board approved two administrator hires. A committee member moved to approve Dr. Colleen Ballard as the district’s director of recruitment and retention; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. The transcript records congratulations from multiple board members following the vote. On the assistant director level, the board moved to approve Dr. Michelle Klug as assistant director of special education; members expressed support and the motion passed by roll call.

Why it matters: The adopted policies set evaluation and special-education procedure expectations across the district; the new hires place senior staff in roles tied to recruiting educators and overseeing special education services.

Board action and next step: Policy 82-30 (internal board policies on remuneration and insurance) received first reading and will return for a second reading at a future meeting. The board also reaffirmed several rules (H3–H7) and approved routine personnel actions before moving to reports later in the agenda.

Quotes from the meeting: "All students with verified disabilities will be provided with a free appropriate public education," the presenter said when reading Policy 66-35.

"Move to approve Dr. Colleen Ballard as the director of recruitment and retention," a committee member moved during the administrator hire discussion, and the board approved the motion on roll call.

The meeting then proceeded to reports, contract approvals and a motion to enter executive session for negotiations.