September Regular Board Meeting Minutes/Budget Hearing

September 10, 2025

Board of Education Budget Hearing

Monday, September 8, 2025 6:30 PM

Elementary Media Center in Diller
315 Smith St
Diller, NE 68342

Josh Carpenter:	Present
Angie Clifford:	Present
Adam Engelman:	Present
Kasey Murphy:	Present
Stuart Vitosh:	Present

 

Alissa Andersen:

Present

 

1. Open Meeting

1.1. Roll Call
Alissa Kostal was absent at the beginning of the hearing.  Her absence was excused.

She arrived at the hearing at 6:36pm.

1.2. Recognize the Open Meetings Act information

1.3. Accept public comment on proposed 2025-2026 Budget
Gary Rupprecht was present to make public comment.

His comments consisted of the following: The Board meetings are too short, taxes are too high, administration is overpaid, and that the Board hearings and meetings should be broadcast.

He noted that since valuations increased so much, that the levy should decrease more than the proposed tax request.  He continued by commenting that he hoped that the next Superintendent would be hired after a search for the best candidate.  Also, that any possible cuts should not involve teachers, but would be fine to cut administration or pay them less.

The Board generally does not engage in discussion during public comment, as it is not a Q and A session.

2. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Stuart Vitosh and a second by Josh Carpenter.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 6, Nay: 0

President Clifford adjourned the hearing at 6:45pm

Board of Education Tax Request Hearing

Monday, September 8, 2025 6:45 PM

Elementary Media Center in Diller
315 Smith St
Diller, NE 68342

Alissa Andersen:	Present
Josh Carpenter:	Present
Angie Clifford:	Present
Adam Engelman:	Present
Kasey Murphy:	Present
Stuart Vitosh:	Present

 

1. Open Meeting

1.1. Roll Call

1.2. Recognize the Open Meetings Act information

1.3. Accept public comment on proposed 2025-2026 Tax Request
Gary Rupprecht was present to make public comment.  He again noted that taxes are too high.

2. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Kasey Murphy.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 6, Nay: 0

President Clifford adjourned the hearing at 6:45pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Education Regular Meeting

Monday, September 8, 2025 7:00 PM

Elementary Media Center in Diller
315 Smith St
Diller, NE 68342

Alissa Andersen:	Present
Josh Carpenter:	Present
Angie Clifford:	Present
Adam Engelman:	Present
Kasey Murphy:	Present
Stuart Vitosh:	Present

 

1. Open Meeting

1.1. Roll Call

1.2. Recognize the Open Meetings Act information

1.3. Public comment
Gary Rupprecht was present for public comment.  He noted that taxes are too high.

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, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 6, Nay: 0

There was no discussion.

2. Instruction and Related Items

2.1. Student Report
No student report was available.

2.2. Principals Report
Principals Hinrichs and Mezger reported on the beginning of school.

3. Personnel Items
Superintendent Meyerle and the Board thanked the family of Russ Hicks for their generous donation to the school in the name of Russ.  Mr. Hicks was a true friend of Diller-Odell Public Schools.  Our school was one of few he chose to substitute for.  Mr. Hicks spoke at graduation ceremonies on two occasions and knew our students by name.  He was a beloved member of our school community and will be missed a great deal.

Superintendent Meyerle shared a nice communication he had with Tim Linscott of the Fairbury Journal News.  When Tim was in to take team photos, he complimented our kids and coaches on their behavior and how polite they all were.  He noted that was rare to encounter in his line of work, and he wanted to make sure the Board to knew what a class act our kids and coaches were to work with.

Superintendent Meyerle noted that Cindy Stohs was planning to retire from her para/bus driving position at the end of the school year.  Mrs. Stohs is also the concession director for volleyball and basketball.  Superintendent Meyerle will work on filling the open positions.

4. Support Service

4.1. Technology Update

4.2. Facility Update
Superintendent Meyerle noted that summer projects had been completed with the exception of the elementary entrance remodel.  The project completion is overdue, and is awaiting several companies to finish their work.  It will be a vast improvement when done.

5. Superintendent Items

5.1. Superintendent Report
To answer some of the concerns of Mr. Rupprecht from the public comments of the evening, Superintendent Meyerle shared the following:

The Board tries to keep the tax request at a minimum, but staffing costs will continue to increase.  The school's total tax request will only increase by $114,181 which is under the limit that would require the school to attend the Joint Public meeting and have the pink postcards go out.  If operations are at risk in the future, there may be a need to attend the Joint meeting.  Everything will depend on legislation.  There can always be cuts, but that will affect operations.

Regarding the length of meetings, Superintendent Meyerle gets information in the hands of the Board prior to the meetings.  Questions and concerns from the Board are to be directed to administration prior to meetings to save time.  Superintendent Meyerle feels like anything over a 45-60 minute meeting is a waste of time, and not how he chooses to run operations.

Superintendent Meyerle and the Board agree that they have no desire to broadcast hearings and meetings.  Patrons are welcome to come and attend the hearings and meetings as personal involvement is best.

Regarding the increase of valuations; that does drive the levy down.  However, it does not reflect the actual dollars needed to run the school. The benefit of valuations rising, is that the schools levy will decrease.  The school does not control what valuations are.  Superintendent Meyerle suggests the state grow revenue to help reduce property taxes.

Regarding possible cuts, we don't know what the future holds.  Cuts are possible, but are not needed at this time.  Cuts could involve support staff, teachers or administration.  That would be a decision the Board will have to address in the future if needed.

Regarding administrative pay, administrative pay is subject to array studies with experience taken into account to calculate salaries.  Arrays are used to assist in setting a fair wage for teachers as well.

When looking at filling the role of Superintendent when Mr. Meyerle retires in 2027, Superintendent Meyerle supports Principal Mezger being promoted to that position.  Mr. Mezger understands the climate and culture of the district, and he is in his ninth year at Diller-Odell Public Schools, and is committed to us.  Consistency in leadership is a true strength of our school.  We have had four Superintendents in 26 years.  Several neighboring schools have had three different Superintendents the last 3-4 years.

6. Financial Items

6.1. Adopt the 2025-2026 School Budget
Motion to approve the 2025-2026 school budget. Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman and a second by Stuart Vitosh.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 6, Nay: 0
Superintendent noted everyone should feel fortunate that the overall budget will only increase 3%.  He also noted the best thing for our tax payers is to have a school.  If not, our valuation will be sent to a neighboring school, taxes will increase, and the kids will go to school somewhere else harming our communities.

6.2. Approve the 2025-2026 Tax Request
Motion to approve the General Fund tax levy at 0.496191 and the Special Building levy at 0.057920 Passed with a motion by Kasey Murphy and a second by Alissa Andersen.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 6, Nay: 0
The district's overall levy will be down from 0.610996 to 0.554111.  The school is in a very positive place.  The overall tax request between the two funds will only increase by $114,181.  Unless the world changes, public schools will primarily be financed by property tax dollars.

6.3. Pay bills as presented
Motion to approve bills as presented. Passed with a motion by Josh Carpenter and a second by Adam Engelman.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 6, Nay: 0
There was no discussion.

7. Board of Education Items

7.1. Committee Reports

7.2. Executive Session

8. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Stuart Vitosh and a second by Kasey Murphy.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 6, Nay: 0
President Clifford adjourned the meeting at 7:38pm.  The Board then toured the entry remodel.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday October 15 at 7:00pm at the high school.

Bills:

Payee	Amount
Allington, Dyan M	$33.60
Apple Computer Inc	$8,790.00
B & W Electric Inc	$202.28
Beatrice Community Hospital	$209.00
Cengage Learning	$287.10
Class Intercom, LLC	$75.00
Cornhusker Intl Trucks Inc	$13,247.71
Culligan	$45.75
Diller Telephone Co.	$561.68
Diode Technologies	$105.90
Diversified Drug Testing LLC	$145.00
Eakes Office Solutions	$1,775.00
Esu No. 5	$77,928.49
Fairbury Journal-news	$127.72
Farmers Cooperative Elev	$7,351.96
Follett Content Solutions, LLC	$1,990.80
Gumdrop Books	$1,751.64
Harris	$4,145.35
Hennerberg, Stacy J	$51.51
Hillyard Des Moines	$2,918.22
Hometown Leasing	$1,310.62
Husker Rehab	$165.00
Impressed Petty Cash	$611.25
Jessica Shaughnessy	$254.80
Kent's Lawn Service	$4,989.00
Klaus, Robin R	$168.00
KSB School Law, PC LLO	$423.50
Lampton Welding Supply	$25,690.80
Larkins Ace Hardware	$150.82
M & D Auto Service	$1,143.85
Mead Lumber	$1,053.12
Meyerle, Michael J	$476.00
Mezger, Matthew	$436.10
Mitchell Rengstorf	$1,197.34
NACIA	$290.00
Nacole Hicks	$420.00
NE Safety Center	$250.00
NewzBrain	$309.00
Noakes Refrigeration	$5,761.31
Norris Public Power	$6,213.00
Nun, Tanner S	$235.20
Odell Market	$125.46
Pioneer Manufacturing Co.	$2,939.45
Quill Corporation	$94.82
Ram Exterminators LLC	$72.00
Rider Classroom Spanish, LLC	$5,200.00
Rupprecht Fix N Fill	$2,993.88
Scholastic Magazines	$782.39
Scorebird	$600.00
Security Services	$2,458.03
Seesaw	$2,310.00
Spencer D Sutton	$3,199.08
Staples Advantage	$174.92
Theye, Jordie N	$84.00
Unite Private Networks, LLC	$754.90
Verizon	$82.69
Village Of Diller	$381.50
Village Of Odell	$391.50
Walmart Stores Inc	$173.01
Westlake ACE Hardware	$88.99
Weyer, Michelle R	$92.40
Wood River Energy	$413.22
A F L A C	$914.93
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Ne	$56,758.67
ESSDACK Consortium	$3,762.52
National Insurance Services	$1,130.60
Nebraska Dept Of Revenue	$7,821.93
Nebraska School Retirement	$39,873.31
Odell School Activity Fund	$3,202.15
State Bank Of OdellXX	$55,882.54
VSP	$352.30
	$366,403.61
Direct Deposit	$169,357.41
September Net Salaries	$9,825.99
	$545,587.01