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Board approves HVAC contract, multiple handbooks and policy updates; attendance policy revised to reflect LB 937
Summary
The Norfolk Public Schools board approved a slate of action items including awarding a junior high HVAC bid to Rasmussen Mechanical, adopting 2026–27 handbooks and revised policies, and passing a change to attendance policy 5008 to implement LB 937 language.
The Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education voted through a package of 13 action items that included facility contracts, handbook approvals and policy updates during its regular meeting.
Motion and votes at a glance: the board carried the consent agenda (5–0) and approved the superintendent's appointment as board secretary (motion carried 5–0). The board awarded the junior‑high rooftop HVAC replacement contract to Rasmussen Mechanical for the low bid of $493,230; the superintendent said about $150,000 of that cost is expected to come from an insurance reimbursement. The motion to award the bid passed unanimously.
Handbooks and policies: the board approved a series of 2026–27 handbooks — certified staff, classified staff, substitute teachers, Little Panthers Preschool, elementary, junior high and high school — by recorded votes. The high‑school handbook, which added a new cell‑phone policy, passed with one recorded nay from board member Terry Bauer; all other handbook motions carried unanimously.
Policy revisions included a second and final reading of multiple board‑policy series (instructional and administrative policy numbers were read on the agenda) after attorney‑recommended updates tied to the recent legislative session; those updates were adopted by unanimous vote.
Attendance policy change: the board approved a second and final reading of revised policy 5008 (attendance) to implement LB 937 language. The new language specifies that a documented absence from a credentialed health professional will excuse a student's absence for that day and will not count toward truancy accumulation; board members asked clarifying questions about how the district will continue to notify families and track excused absences.
HVAC timing and procurement details: District staff told the board the equipment carries an approximate 11‑week production lead time and the district hopes to have installation complete in October if ordering proceeds promptly. The project followed an electrical failure in the rooftop unit and was presented as a facilities priority.
What the board recorded: most motions were carried unanimously; the clerk recorded votes as announced during roll call and for one consent‑agenda claim a board member filed a written conflict disclosure and abstained from voting on specified claims. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.; the board scheduled a budget preview for Aug. 10 and a final budget workshop and meetings in August and September related to fiscal 2026–27.
