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Wauneta‑Palisade board approves bus purchase, budget expenditures and staff contracts
Summary
The Wauneta‑Palisade Public Schools board on Feb. 16 unanimously approved a 2013 activity bus purchase, accepted $416,751.79 in monthly expenditures, adopted a 2026–27 negotiated agreement with a $950 base increase, and approved several vendor contracts and personnel actions.
The Wauneta‑Palisade Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on Feb. 16 to approve a series of routine business items, including the contingent purchase of a 2013 International Shuttle activity bus for $23,500 and district expenditures totaling $416,751.79.
Board President Allison Sandman moved to approve the bus purchase contingent on a mechanical review; the motion was seconded by Laurie Maris and carried with all members voting yea. The board also accepted payroll and accounts-payable expenditures (Payroll $309,234.38; General Fund accounts payable $107,517.41) after a motion by Board Member Laurie Maris and a second by Marty Wheeler.
In personnel and compensation matters, the board adopted the 2026–2027 negotiated agreement, which includes a $950 raise to the base salary (new base $40,250), keeps BCBS insurance terms unchanged, and adds a retention-incentive addendum. The adoption was moved by Allison Sandman, seconded by Laurie Maris, and approved unanimously.
Several facility and service contracts were approved: Longhorn Lawn Care’s 2026 estimate of $7,291.76 was accepted; a KCAV proposal to update the competition gym sound system for $35,018.69 (with an approved down payment of $17,509.35) was accepted; and Rutt’s estimate of $10,422 for a dishwasher hood was approved. The board also approved disposing of three surplus buses via sealed bids, accepting bids submitted to the school office by March 12, 2026.
Other business included approval of 2026 dues to the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) and the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA), approval of the district’s 2026 employer HSA contribution, acceptance of teacher Trent Herbert’s resignation effective at the end of the 2025–2026 school year, the approval of a 2026–2027 teaching contract for Iris Alondra Torres Almanza, and an amendment to the calendar to make March 24, 2026, a student holiday and staff professional development day for the RPAC Instrumental Clinic and Concert. All motions were passed by unanimous voice vote as recorded in the minutes.
Votes at a glance
- Activity bus purchase (2013 International Shuttle, $23,500 contingent on mechanical review): Moved by Allison Sandman; seconded by Laurie Maris; vote: Hondo Fanning Yea; John Jutten Yea; Laurie Maris Yea; Aaron McKinney Yea; Allison Sandman Yea; Marty Wheeler Yea; outcome: approved.
- Approval and signing of Jan. 12, 2026 minutes: Moved by Aaron McKinney; seconded by John Jutten; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Acceptance of monthly budget reports and expenditures (Payroll $309,234.38; GF AP $107,517.41; total $416,751.79): Moved by Laurie Maris; seconded by Marty Wheeler; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Adoption of 2026–2027 negotiated agreement (base increase $950 to $40,250; BCBS unchanged; retention addendum): Moved by Allison Sandman; seconded by Laurie Maris; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Longhorn Lawn Care estimate ($7,291.76): Moved by Hondo Fanning; seconded by Marty Wheeler; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- KCAV gym sound system proposal ($35,018.69; down payment $17,509.35): Moved by Laurie Maris; seconded by Marty Wheeler; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Rutt’s dishwasher hood estimate ($10,422): Moved by Hondo Fanning; seconded by John Jutten; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Disposal of three surplus buses via sealed bids (bids due 3/12/2026): Moved by John Jutten; seconded by Laurie Maris; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- NASB and NRCSA dues: Moved by Hondo Fanning; seconded by Aaron McKinney; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- 2026 employer HSA contribution: Moved by Laurie Maris; seconded by John Jutten; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Accept resignation of teacher Trent Herbert (effective end of 2025–2026): Moved by Allison Sandman; seconded by John Jutten; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Approve 2026–2027 teaching contract for Iris Alondra Torres Almanza: Moved by Laurie Maris; seconded by Marty Wheeler; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Amend school calendar for RPAC Instrumental Clinic and Concert (March 24, 2026; student holiday/staff PD): Moved by Hondo Fanning; seconded by John Jutten; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
The board set its next regular meeting for Monday, March 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. MT (6 p.m. CT) and adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
