August 19, 2026 - Kearney R-1 Board of Education Meeting

The August 19, 2026 Kearney R-1 Board of Education meeting included a City of Kearney presentation on the 19th Street complete-street project, which has federal grant support and is expected to reach construction in 2028. The city requested permanent and temporary easements and small property transfers from the district; the board took no action, and the request is expected to return next month. The project would add bike lanes, sidewalks and trail connections, drainage work, and turn lanes serving Hawthorne Elementary and other schools. The board also received building-condition assessments and a bond-project update, including completed flooring work and ongoing South View roof work; staff reported savings from prior bond projects, without stating an amount.

The board approved an agreement with Newkirk Novak related to construction-manager-at-risk services, bond-counsel engagement and post-issuance disclosure-compliance services with Gilmore Bell, and underwriting engagements with Piper Sandler for general-obligation bonds and lease-purchase certificates (August 1, 2026–August 1, 2028, with an option for an additional year) and a potential future general-obligation bond. It also approved agreements with USI for insurance-related services, with no fee increase noted since 2023, and Summit 7 Creative for district-magazine production and advertising; the district will cover postage. Other actions included setting a tax-rate hearing for September 23, approving the 2026–27 tuition rate, and adopting the updated special-education compliance plan.