Welcome to our Board Meeting Bulletin series, where we highlight key takeaways from each board meeting to keep our community informed and engaged with the latest developments in our school district.

School Resource Officer Program Enhancement: The Board discussed a proposal to add a dedicated School Resource Officer (SRO) Sergeant position in partnership with the Papillion Police Department. Chief Chris Whited and Dr. Christopher Villarreal presented the benefits of this supervisory role, which would enhance coordination between law enforcement and schools, strengthen the existing SRO program, and provide more consistent school safety support. The position would split costs 50/50 between the city and school district, following a 20-year interlocal agreement model. Key responsibilities would include threat assessment leadership, agency coordination, school administrator support, SRO team supervision, and establishing a presence in elementary schools. The Board expressed support for the proposal, which will return as an action item at the next meeting.

Legislative Updates Discussed: The district is actively monitoring numerous bills in the current legislative session that could impact public education. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Brett Richards provided an update on key bills of concern. LB31 (student surveillance monitoring technology) was reported to have lost an amendment vote on the floor and appears unlikely to advance further, which district officials noted was positive as it would have created unfunded mandates.

Of particular concern are LB692 and LB424, which propose hard caps on property tax revenue that could significantly impact district finances and flexibility. LB714 would reduce the district's portion of motor vehicle tax revenue from 60% to 37%, potentially resulting in a loss of approximately $1.8 million in annual funding with no replacement mechanism.

Other bills discussed included LB135, which would restrict bond elections and levy overrides to only odd-numbered years during primary or general elections, potentially creating challenges during periods of rapid growth and affecting construction costs if multiple districts hold bond elections simultaneously. LB140 regarding cell phone policies in schools was noted as having good intent but needing amendments to address concerns about campus-wide bans that could affect parents and after-school activities.

Board members also inquired about bills related to teacher retention (LB411) and teacher school supply reimbursement (LB282), as well as legislation concerning student behavior and suspension policies. The Board will continue to engage with the district's legislative representative and advocate for policies that support local control and quality education.

Weather Make-Up Under Consideration: Superintendent Dr. Rikli addressed school closures due to extreme cold and snow (five days total), noting that the administration is currently examining options regarding instructional time requirements. Final decisions on potential adjustments will be announced after further assessment of weather patterns, as Nebraska winter conditions can sometimes extend into March. Dr. Rikli indicated that the district is particularly focused on the impact on seniors, who already have an earlier end date, and early childhood programming. The administration will work with the Board to determine the best approach and will communicate decisions to families once finalized.

Certified Staffing Approved for 2025-26: The Board unanimously approved staffing additions for the 2025-26 school year. The plan includes adding 1.4 FTE for School Psychologists and allocating 5.0 FTE positions (3.0 General Education and 2.0 Special Education) for potential growth if needed. Additionally, the district will utilize Learning Community Grant funding to add specialized positions including an Early Childhood Facilitator, Attendance Intervention Social Worker, and Literacy Intervention Support Assistant. These positions will enhance student support services across the district.

These are just a few of the topics discussed during our recent board meeting. For full access to agendas and minutes, please visit our website. Broadcast recordings of the meetings are also available on our YouTube channel.