High Plains Educational Cooperative

Board of Director’s Meeting

April 17th, 2025

7:00 PM

1.      Call to Order

Diana Nuñez, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

2.      Committee Reports

         a.      RSC Report

Kim Mauk shared activities that will be held in the future.

         b.      Superintendents Council

Corey Burton gave the report.

3.      HPEC Benefits Usage

Shelly shared that there was a benefits committee meeting prior to this board meeting.  At this time, HPEC is unsure about insurance increases and we should know more about rates in July.

4.      Service Design Committee Meeting

Shelly shared that there was a service design committee meeting prior to this board meeting.  In this meeting, the openings and transfers for the upcoming 2025-26 school year were discussed.  Information was shared on the screen.

5.      Budget Committee Meeting

There will be a budget committee meeting at 6 P.M. prior to the May 15^th HPEC BOD meeting.

6.      Director’s Report

         a.      Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP)

Kim shared information about the TIP grant and what the funds are used for.

         b.      Indicator 13 Collection

The Indicator 13 collection window is open. HPEC is collecting information on transition services for children 16 and older. It is a compliance indicator and we must be 100% compliant.

         c.      Annual Performance Reports

APR (Annual Performance Reports) are available in draft form. The APR is the data that shows how special education students are performing in the districts. It is based on the Indicators from the State Performance Plan.

Deb Drohman entered the meeting at 7:10 P.M.

7.      Approve Consent Agenda

Brian White moved to approve the consent agenda with the following changes:  under the Director’s Report, add section e—additional local contribution; and to add an Executive Session after staff transfers and openings.  Bruce Loy seconded the motion.  Motion carries 9 yes, 0 no.

8.      Comments from the Public

There were none in writing.

9.      Staff

         a.      Resignations and Contract Considerations

Bruce Loy moved to accept the resignations, with regrets and appreciation, effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year from Makala Leichtenberg, IR teacher at Holcomb Middle School and Bene Garcia, Gifted Teacher. 

Brian White moved to offer contracts to Taneal Unruh IR teacher at Holcomb middle school, Cassandra Owens IR teacher at Elkhart elementary school, Leah Wright IR teacher at Sublette elementary school, and Shanya Loredo Interim teacher location to be determined for the 2025-26 school year.  Rhett Seyb seconded the motion.  Motion carries 9 yes, 0 no.

         b.      Staff Transfers and Openings

Shelly shared the staff transfers and openings for the 2025-26 school year.  Information was on the screen.

Kim Mauk left the meeting at 7:14 P.M.

Staff          EXECUTIVE SESSION

Diana Nuñez moved to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters concerning staff and that the board returns to the open meeting at 7:16 in this room.  The executive session is required to protect the privacy right of staff who is identifiable.  The executive session is to include board members, Superintendents, Director and Assistant Directors.  Rhett Seyb seconded the motion. Motion carries 9 yes, 0 no.

10.   VI-B Assurances

Brian White moved to approve the VI-B Assurances for 2025-26 school year.  Bruce Loy seconded the motion.  Motion carries 9 yes, 0 no.

6.      Director’s Report cont.

         d.      Budget Planning

State special education funding has not been determined for FY26.  We should have preliminary numbers for federal funding of special education soon.   Shelly will present a draft of the budget at the May Board meeting.

         e.      Additional Local Contribution

Shelly thanked the districts that have sent their additional local contribution funds and shared that we are still waiting on this money from a few districts.

11.   2025-26 District Calendars

Thank you to the districts for sharing their 2025-26 district calendars.  Those that have not yet shared these were asked to send them to Grace at grace@hpec611.net.

12.   Other

There was nothing else to share.

13.   Adjourn

Bruce Loy moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 P.M.  Rhett Seyb seconded the motion.  Motion carries 9 yes, 0 no.

HPEC Board President