USD 452 board approves 2025–26 fees, meal-price hike, hires and sets LOB cap

Vice President Bobbie Ehrlich presided over the July 14 USD 452 Board of Education meeting in the SCHS boardroom. The board approved several routine budget and personnel measures for the 2025–26 school year, including student fees, a modest meal-price increase, new extracurricular hires and the district's LOB and mill rate decisions.

The board approved an enrollment-fee schedule that includes a $30 nonrefundable textbook fee for students in kindergarten through grade 12; a $30 nonrefundable activity/athletic participation fee for grades 7—0; a $15 nonrefundable school-owned instrument fee for grades 5 and 6; and a $30 nonrefundable Chromebook usage fee for grades 7—2. Paige German moved to approve the fees and Bret Kendrick seconded; the motion passed 6 0.

On meal pricing, the board approved a $0.10 increase per meal across categories (adult, visitor, student, Jr/Sr high, elementary and district employee). The minutes list per-meal rates after the increase (for example, adult breakfast $3.45, Jr/Sr high lunch $3.25, adult lunch $4.85). Bret Kendrick moved to raise meal prices; Rhett Seyb seconded and the motion carried 6 0.

Budget and tax settings were also approved. Superintendent Dave Novack presented the annual Local Option Budget (LOB) action; the board voted to keep the mill cap at 4, set the LOB at 30 percent and adopt a "not to exceed revenue neutral" rate for 2025—26. Bret Kendrick moved and Val Zamundio seconded; the motion carried 6 0.

The board approved two extracurricular contracts: Jose Rodriguez as assistant high school volleyball coach (pending receipt of paperwork) and Soila Ochoa as head high school cheer sponsor. Bret Kendrick moved to approve the contracts; Paige German seconded and the motion passed 6 0.

Other routine actions approved unanimously included designation of district officers and depositories, approval of the substitute-teacher list, six nonresident student enrollment requests, adoption of an updated JBCC open-enrollment policy and selection of a copier-pricing option (leasing, Option B). The board also approved a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and accepted a Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal for employee insurance reflecting a 4.6% district cost increase for the year. Chantry Scott moved to approve the BCBS quote; Bret Kendrick seconded and the motion passed 6 0. The minutes note the district "pays for KE8 Insurance" as written in the record.

Board members approved a governance slate and elected Lettie Nickell as president and Bobbie Ehrlich as vice president for 2025—26 (motion by Bret Kendrick; Chantry Scott seconded). The board held two brief executive sessions — one on personnel and one on negotiations — and returned to approve the hiring recommendations.

Board member Rhett Seyb reported that High Plains Education Coop (HPEC) is pursuing unpaid invoices from Elkhart for prior and current services; HPEC is taking steps to recover the funds. Rhett also said he will step down as the district's HPEC representative and Val Zamundio volunteered to serve; the board approved Val as the 2025—26 HPEC representative.

In board comments, Superintendent Dave Novack and Board Clerk Melissa Wilson said they will prepare a letter for Stanton County taxpayers explaining which funds might be affected by a federal freeze on Title funds. The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. on a motion by Paige German that passed 6 0.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions in the minutes passed unanimously 6 0 (amendments to the agenda; approval of agenda; consent agenda; enrollment fees; meal-price increase; appointment of HPEC representative; BCBS renewal; substitute list; nonresident student approvals; JBCC open-enrollment update; copier lease Option B; CERP adoption; LOB and mill settings; hire approvals; election of officers; adjournment).