Beatrice Public Schools board approves consent agenda, hires high school principal and green-lights security camera bid

The Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education approved multiple routine and substantive items during its April 8 regular meeting, including personnel actions, an athletic co-op, the hiring of a new high school principal and a contract for security cameras at the district’s new elementary school.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the March 11 regular meeting, committee minutes, March 2024 budget receipts and expenditures, and several personnel items. A board member moved the consent agenda and the presiding officer seconded; ‘‘motion passes’’ was announced after the roll call (consent agenda motion as presented, including listed resignations and contract approvals).

The board then approved a cooperative agreement with Dela Odell for baseball beginning with the 2024–25 school year. Board members asked whether the co-op would change the school’s athletic classification; a district representative said it would remain Class B. The motion carried.

On personnel, the board approved the hiring of Philip Voigt as the high school principal for the 2024–25 school year. Administrators described the search and interview process, saying they reviewed two external candidates and one internal candidate and convened teams of administrators and teachers to interview and evaluate finalists. The administration said the panel’s recommendation was unanimous; the board voted to approve the hire.

The board approved a bid from Oak View Technologies to install security cameras at the new PK–5 elementary school. District staff said they acted as construction manager for this portion of the project, solicited three proposals and that Oak View was the lowest responsible bidder. The administration also said it had written a grant application to the U.S. Department of Education and expected a decision within days; if awarded, the grant could cover the project cost. A board member asked whether local vendors were given an opportunity to submit proposals; administrators said two of the three proposals received were from local firms.

Other routine items acted on during the meeting included approval of budgetary receipts and expenditures for March 2024 and recognition items. The board set its next regular meeting for May 13, 2024, and adjourned.