September Budget Hearing/Tax Request Hearing/Regular Board Minutes

September 18, 2026

Board of Education Budget Hearing

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 6:30 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. Accept public comment on the proposed 2026-2027 budget
No comment was received.

2. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn Passed with a motion by Kasey Murphy 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
President Clifford adjourned the hearing at 6:45pm

Board of Education Tax Request Hearing

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 6:45 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. Accept Public comment on the proposed 2026-2027 Tax Request
No comment was received.

2. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn 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

President Clifford adjourned the hearing at 7:00pm

Board of Education Regular Meeting

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 7:00 PM

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

1. Open Meeting

1.1. Roll Call

1.2. Public Comment
No 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 Adam Engelman 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
There was no discussion.

2. Instruction and Related Items

2.1. Student Report
Sidney Engelman and Liam Goeking presented a student report.  They reported on the start of the school year and student activities.  They noted how they appreciated the culture of the school and school spirit, and community support that is reflected at ball games.

2.2. Principals Report
Principal Hinrichs reported on the teacher evaluation process, MAP testing and the start of the school year.

3. Personnel Items

4. Support Service

4.1. Technology Update
It was reported how the students are being encouraged to be safe online and practice good digital citizenship.

4.2. Facility Update

5. Superintendent Items

5.1. Superintendent Report
Superintendent Meyerle noted that Deputy Hager has not been able to be on site much to start the school year due to a lack of staff at the county level.

He encouraged the Board members to register for the NASB Conference as it is a great educational opportunity for them.

Superintendent Meyerle reported that he had just finished with a DOT transportation audit. Such audits occur every 7-10 years.  The audit went very well and the school had no violations or corrective actions. 

Superintendent Meyerle also noted as of October, the school will no longer post the agendas of School Board meetings in public places, or have a meeting notice in the Fairbury Journal News prior to every meeting.  This is per advice of our legal counsel based upon some legislative changes.  As the new law specifies, four times per year, the below notice will run in the Fairbury Journal News.

Diller-Odell Public Schools generally schedules regular board meetings for the second Monday each month.  Regular meetings are typically held at the elementary school in Diller or at the high school in Odell.  Official meeting notices for each regular and special meeting, including the date, time, and location, will be posted on the school district's website.  Please check our website for all meeting notices as the date, time, or location may change.

6. Financial Items

6.1. Adopt the 2026-2027 School Budget
Motion to pass the 2026-2027 budget as presented Passed with a motion by Alissa Andersen 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
The Board supported the budget recommendations.

6.2. Approve the 2026-2027 Tax Request
Motion to approve the 2026-2027 tax request 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
The Board supported the tax request recommendation.  The General Fund levy will increase from 0.496191 to 0.501410.  The Special Building levy will decrease from 0.057920 to 0.047864.  The overall levy will be down from 0.554111 to 0.549274.

The overall tax request increase will be minimal at $102,523.  Staffing salary and benefits alone will be increasing by over $182,000.  Superintendent Meyerle is confident that amount can be absorbed this year while keeping the tax request increase minimal.

 6.3. Pay bills as presented
Motion to approve bills as presented. 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
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 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
President Clifford adjourned the meeting at 7:25pm.  The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday October 14 at 7pm at the high school.

Bills: