December 2025 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

December 09, 2025

Board of Education Regular Meeting

Monday, December 8, 2025 7:00 PM

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

1. Open Meeting

1.1. Roll Call

1.2. Recognize the Open Meetings Act information

1.3. Public comment
Public comment was received.

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 Josh Carpenter.
Alissa Andersen: Yea, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Kasey Murphy: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 6, Nay: 0
Kasey Murphy requested some corrections to the November minutes to read as follows:

Generally, the public was NOT  saying not to promote from within -- 
"the general consensus from the public was in favor of a transparent, open application process with the promotion of Matt if he was the best candidate after the process had been completed"

Kasey's comment -- with Angie's during 3.1 discussion:

Kasey Murphy valued Kayleigh Snyder's comment in stating that a strength of Matt Mezger is that he makes staff feel valued and appreciated. Personally, Kasey's kids enjoyed Mr. Mezger as a principal.
Overall, the feedback Kasey has received from constituents, community members, staff, fellow parents is that an open, transparent process is needed for the upcoming superintendent position.  Kasey agrees that a formal process, with an open posting, is best practice and will elevate our school's processes and standards. With that said, Kasey does not hesitate in recommending that Mr Mezger apply for the superintendent position.

Superintendent Meyerle, who takes the minutes, apologizes for the error or omission.

2. Instruction and Related Items

2.1. Student Report
Carly Meyerle presented a report on recent student activities that included the beginning of basketball, the play production season, FFA activities and fund-raising activities.

2.2. Principals Report
Principals Hinrichs and Mezger reported on MAP testing, MTSS and CPR updates, the state Principal's conference and the upcoming student STEM trip to Washington DC.

3. Personnel Items

3.1. Discuss, consider, and take any necessary action on the transition and hiring process of Diller-Odell Public Schools Superintendent for 2027-2028
Motion to hire Matt Mezger as Superintendent effective July 1, 2027 for the 2027-2028 school year. Passed with a motion by Stuart Vitosh and a second by Adam Engelman.
Alissa Andersen: Nay, Kasey Murphy: Nay, Josh Carpenter: Yea, Angie Clifford: Yea, Adam Engelman: Yea, Stuart Vitosh: Yea
Yea: 4, Nay: 2
Discussion was held on promoting Mr. Mezger to Superintendent as an internal candidate vs. seeking outside applicants.  President Clifford read letters of support for Mr. Mezger's promotion from area educational leaders Jeff Koehler, Doug Goltz and Brenda McNiff.  Kasey Murphy and Alissa Andersen support Mr. Mezger and feel he would be successful as a Superintendent, but both feel it would be good to open up the process to get the best possible candidates to apply.  

4. Support Service

4.1. Technology Update
Principal Mezger reported on the upcoming Civil Rights data collection.

4.2. Facility Update
Superintendent Meyerle reported that a new motor would need to be installed on the elementary boiler.  He also noted that outside groups, such as youth sports and the craft fair, have been having issues with leaving the building unlocked when done or leaving messes that need to be cleaned up later. After the craft fair this year, there were a number of scratches left on the old gym floor. Superintendent Meyerle will visit with the school’s legal counsel on recommending policy revisions to outside groups using the school facilities.  Revisions may include monetary deposits being made and holding them more accountable for damages. 

5. Superintendent Items

5.1. Superintendent Report
Superintendent Meyerle reported that he was pleased with the recent AQuESTT Classifications from NDE.  Diller-Odell Public Schools had a district rating of "Great".  The grade level breakdown of ratings were: High School - Excellent, Middle School - Good and Elementary-Great.  Superintendent Meyerle is very pleased with the staff and education the students receive at Diller-Odell.  Some schools are listed as "Needs Improvement."

Superintendent Meyerle distributed some financial data to emphasis how fortunate Diller-Odell is, as Diller-Odell has the 6th lowest tax levy of 35 area schools.  Our current overall levy is 0.5541.   He also noted that the district has no debt after the cycle of facility updates have concluded.  Those updates included a new gym, two office/entry remodels, two fitness centers and a track.  Out of 28 area schools, Diller-Odell's gym (7th year) is the third newest.  JCC has the oldest gym at 59 years. The average age of a gym of the 28 schools is 28.5 years.  He is very glad that our gym build was finished in 2019 as the cost would be much higher today.

 6. Financial Items

6.1. Pay bills as presented
Motion to approve bills as presented. Passed with a motion by Adam Engelman 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
There was no discussion

7. Board of Education Items

7.1. Approve Negotiated Agreement with DOEA for 2026-2027 and 2027-2028.
Motion 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 Board had all of the data previously.  The DOEA has approved the agreement. The base salary for teachers will be $41,650 in 2026-27 and $42,650 in 2027-28. There was no discussion.

7.2. Committee Reports
The Board shared some of their takeaways from the recent NASB conference in Omaha.  Kasey Murphy noted how educational it is to attend such events as it is an opportunity to network and learn the latest in legislative, financial or school operation issues.

Superintendent Meyerle thanks Board members Clifford, Engelman, and Vitosh for their work on the Negotiation Committee.  Teacher negotiations were clean and concise.  Superintendent Meyerle works to get both the teachers and the Board the same information which is a lot more reliable and efficient then both sides bringing in their own numbers etc.  This was the last negotiation period that Superintendent Meyerle will be involved in, as the next one will be in the fall of 2027.

7.3. Annual Superintendent evaluation
President Clifford gave Superintendent Meyerle a copy of his evaluation for him to review.  He will set up a time to discuss with the Board if needed.

7.4. Executive Session

8. Adjournment
President Clifford adjourned the meeting at 8:38 pm.  Due to MUDECAS basketball, the next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:30 pm at the high school in Odell.

Bills: