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Nebraska City school board approves counseling curriculum, vendor subscriptions, equipment and a bus; accepts teacher resignation
Summary
At the Oct. 13, 2025 meeting, the Nebraska City Public Schools Board unanimously approved purchase of the Character Strong elementary counseling curriculum (funded by Project Aware), a Parchment transcript subscription, a kitchen disposal bid, and a 14‑passenger bus, and accepted the immediate resignation of a 2nd‑grade teacher.
Board Vice President Brent Shanholtz presided over the Nebraska City Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Oct. 13, 2025, where trustees approved several operational purchases and accepted a staff resignation.
The board voted unanimously, 7–0 (Kent Blum and Lisa Chaney absent), to approve procurement and personnel items. On a motion by Stacie Higgins and seconded by Jim Nemec, the board approved continuing use and purchase of the Character Strong elementary counseling curriculum, to be funded with Project Aware grant funds and made available for seven years. Superintendent Mark Fritch said Character Strong is currently in use at the elementary buildings and that the grant funding will cover the purchase.
The board also approved subscribing to Parchment, a service that will allow current students and alumni to request transcripts online 24 hours a day, in a motion by Pattie Lant and seconded by John Hodges. Administration said the subscription will streamline transcript requests.
For facilities and operations, trustees approved a bid from IS Restaurant and Design Company for a middle school kitchen garbage disposal after receiving three bids; the award (moved by Stacie Higgins, seconded by Rob Elson) included equipment, shipping and installation. The board also approved the purchase of a 14‑passenger bus (motion by Jim Nemec, seconded by John Hodges), which administration said will help provide a safe, reliable and diversified fleet of district vehicles.
The board accepted, on a motion by Brent Shanholtz and seconded by Jim Nemec, the immediate resignation of Brett Soderlund, a 2nd‑grade teacher. No discussion was recorded on the resignation motion.
In routine business, trustees approved minutes from the Sept. 22, 2025 tax request hearing and special meeting, and approved claims and accounts. The bills approved at the meeting included the following fund amounts: General Fund $698,907.19; Payroll Fund $1,257,401.56; Payroll Benefits Fund $219,081.16; School Nutrition Fund $159,740.56; Depreciation Fund $160,778.18. Brent Shanholtz reviewed the bills and noted higher expenditures typical at the start of the school year; the treasury balance reported was $4,292,482.64 and the board was reminded a bond payment is due in November.
Trustees received committee and superintendent reports: the Education, Americanism and Civics Committee met with Kate Sherwin and counselors; Building & Grounds outlined roofing and gym floor projects and visitor bleacher work; the Finance Committee discussed financial planning for facilities and vehicle needs; and the Policy Committee reviewed scheduled policy updates with an itemized list including policies 3022, 3023, 3025, 3040, 3044 and 3045. Vice President Shanholtz named Kent Blum, Lisa Chaney, Pattie Lant and himself to serve on the 2026–2027 BOE negotiations team, and appointed Jim Nemec as the NASB delegate to the 2025 State Education Conference.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 6:59 PM. All motions noted above passed by recorded votes of seven in favor and two absences.
