Board of Education Regular Meeting

Monday, May 11, 2026 6:00 PM

High School Media Center in Odell
506 Perry Street
Odell, NE 68415

1. Open Meeting
The absences of Kasey Murphy and Josh Carpenter were excused.

1.1. Roll Call

1.2. Public Comment
No public comment was received.

1.3. Recognize the Open Meetings Act information

1.4. Approve minutes of last meeting
Motion to approve minutes of last meeting Passed with a motion by Alissa Andersen and a second by Adam Engelman.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 4, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

2. Instruction and Related Items

2.1. Student Report
Hannah Penner provided a student report.  She reported on numerous student activities, which included: track, baseball, cheer practice, the cheer Daddy/Daughter dance, K-2 field day, grade 3-6 track day, FBLA installation, Fine Arts Night, FFA Banquet, 8th Grade promotion and graduation.

Congratulations to Aidan McKinney for setting a new school girls long jump record, Drake Day for setting a new boys 400M record, Drake Day, Peyton Humphreys, Zach Schnuelle, and Jacob Novotny for setting a new boys 4 x 800 record.

Congratulations to Hannah Schnuelle for setting new JH track records in the girls 100M, 200M and 400M.

 

Mrs. Klaus and art students have been painting a mural in the concession stand at the ballfield in Odell.

Summer weights begin June 1.

2.2. Principals Report
Principals Hinrichs and Mezger reported on year-end activities as well as plans for the start of school in the fall.

2.3. Review Policy #5052 School Wellness Policy
Policy #5052 was reviewed.

3. Personnel Items
Superintendent Meyerle informed the Board that he planned to hire Deena Day as a .25 FTE to teach College Algebra next year.  The Board believes offering college Algebra as an advantage to our students.

4. Support Service

4.1. Technology Update

4.2. Facility Update
Facility projects this summer are general maintenance and repair.  No major projects are scheduled.

4.3. Approve milk bid from Hiland Dairy Foods as part of the Southeastern Milk Cooperative
No action was taken as the bid has not been delivered as of yet.

5. Superintendent Items

5.1. Superintendent Report
Superintendent Meyerle provided a 2026-2027 class schedule that is subject to change.  He reported on legislative changes.

He noted that financially the school was in solid shape.  He anticipates the upcoming tax request in the fall to be minor and just a reflection of staffing costs.  He does not feel it will be necessary to attend the joint public meeting (pink postcard meeting) in September.  Attendance in the joint public meeting is only necessary if a school goes beyond their allowed tax request.  Superintendent Meyerle anticipates the tax request increase to be modest at approximately $115,000 which simply reflects staffing costs.

6. Financial Items

6.1. Pay bills as presented
Motion to approve bills as presented. Passed with a motion by Stuart Vitosh and a second by Alissa Andersen.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 4, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

7. Board of Education Items

7.1. Update Policy #5087 Bed Bugs
Motion Passed with a motion by Stuart Vitosh and a second by Adam Engelman.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 4, Nay: 0
The Board updated policy #5087 "Bed Bugs" to read "the student will be excluded from school on the day of the diagnosis and will continue to be excluded from school until the parent(s) or guardian(s) have confirmed that successful treatment has occurred."

The change is recommended by health care professionals.

7.2. Committee Reports

7.3. Executive Session

8. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Alissa Andersen.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 4, Nay: 0
President Clifford adjourned the meeting at 6:40 pm so the Board could attend the High School Awards Night.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 at 7pm at the elementary school in Diller.

Bills:

At the 2026 Elementary Awards Day celebration, our school had the privilege of honoring two remarkable staff members whose dedication and service have left a lasting impact on our students, families, and community.

Mrs. Hennerberg was recognized for an incredible 34 years in education. Throughout her career, she has inspired generations of students through her commitment, compassion, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child. 

We also celebrated Mrs. Stohs, whose many roles have made her a familiar and dependable presence throughout our district. As a paraeducator, bus driver, and concession stand coordinator, her dedication has touched every corner of our community in her 16 years at Diller-Odell. 

We are deeply grateful for the years of service, hard work, and heart these two individuals have given to our school. Their impact will be felt for years to come. We wish them all the best in their retirement!

Claire is our April Student of the Month.  Claire is a true star who brings total dedication to the classroom, consistently giving her best effort while using her creative flair to elevate every project. As a classmate, she is always the first to lend a hand and go out of her way to ensure every peer feels accepted and valued. Beyond her hard work, her kindness and thoughtfulness truly makes her teacher feel amazing every single day.  Beyond her academic success, Claire has the rare ability to make those around her—including her teacher—feel truly appreciated. Her positivity and thoughtfulness make coming to school a joy. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor Claire!

With the 2025-2026 school year coming to an end, I would like to thank all the students, staff, and parents for another great year.  Time sure does fly by when you are having fun and learning lots  . It has been my pleasure to represent this school as the principal for the past 9 years, and I'm looking forward to summer and then year number 10 in the fall.  Wishing you all a wonderful end of the school year and an awesome summer when we get there.  Then we will see you back in August to kick off the 2026-2027 school year.  

If you have not marked your calendars, please do so for the following events 

May 11th awards night in the north gym at 7 pm

May 14th, 8th-grade promotion in the south gym at 6 pm

May 16th, sending off another amazing senior group in the south gym at 2 pm 

Diller-Odell would like to welcome Jerica Riesen as the new 5th Grade teacher.  Here is a little bit about our new Griffin.

My name is Jerica Riesen, and I am so excited to be part of Diller-Odell Elementary School!  I am originally from a small town and believe in the opportunities small schools offer.  In 2019, I graduated from Doane University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood.  Wanting to learn more, I returned to Doane University and received my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2021.  This will be my eighth year of teaching, having previously taught first and second grade

 My husband Kyle and I got married last summer and enjoy spending time together on the family farm. In my free time, I love chasing after our nieces and nephews, going for walks, and watching the sunset. I am very excited to be joining Diller- Odell Elementary School and can’t wait to get the school year started! 

The Griffin Track team apparel fundraiser is live. Get your Griffin gear. Click on the blue link to order. 

Apparel Link

Spring testing is wrapping up. We have chosen to award 3 students in each class with "Golden Griffin" awards for their testing efforts. Students are recognized as a Golden Griffin by: 

Working hard

Taking their time

Staying focused

Using their strategies

Showing outstanding performance 

Showing outstanding growth

Congratulations to 4th grade Golden Griffins- Victoria, Cash, and Darcy!

Congratulations to 3rd grade Golden Griffins- Revel, Abby, and Avery!

Stay tuned for more Golden Griffin announcements after our K-2 testing is completed.

Spring testing is wrapping up. We have chosen to award 3 students in each class with "Golden Griffin" awards for their testing efforts. Students are recognized as a Golden Griffin by: 

Working hard

Taking their time

Staying focused

Using their strategies

Showing outstanding performance 

Showing outstanding growth

Congratulations to 8th grade Golden Griffins- Catie, Aubrey, and Preston!

Congratulations to 7th grade Golden Griffins- Layni, Devin, and Sunday!

Congratulations to 5th grade Golden Griffins- Max, Claire, and Chloe!

#griffinpride