Bellevue Public Schools' August 3, 2026 Board of Education meeting is largely focused on preparing the district for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. The most significant action before the board is approval to publish the proposed district budget and required public hearing notices. The proposed General Fund budget totals $144,681,028, while the proposed maximum expenditures across all district funds total $170,372,814. Publication is a required step before formal budget and tax hearings later this year.
The board will also consider routine year-end financial authority allowing the Board Treasurer, working with the superintendent, to complete fiscal year closeout transfers and payments after the fiscal year ends. While procedural in nature, this action helps ensure encumbered obligations are paid and district accounts begin the new fiscal year with appropriate balances.
Several informational presentations highlight district priorities beyond finances. Administrators will announce a newly awarded Department of Defense educational facilities grant supporting modernization and maintenance projects for military-connected schools. The board will also receive an update on Strategic Plan Priority 2, which focuses on creating supportive learning environments throughout the district.
Additional reports include a review of summer school programming that served 3,394 students, updates to curriculum and wellness administrative regulations, approval of more than $1.65 million in claims, hiring of a new certified teacher, and routine personnel changes. Together, the agenda reflects the district's transition from summer operations into the new academic year while advancing long-term facilities, instructional, and strategic initiatives.
Major Discussion and Action Items
2026-27 Budget Publication and Tax Hearing Process
The board's largest policy and financial action is consideration of the proposed 2026-27 operating budget. District administration reports that the budget was developed within parameters previously established by the Board of Education and complies with applicable state and federal requirements.
The proposed budget includes:
- General Fund budget of $144,681,028
- Maximum disbursements across all district funds of $170,372,814
Rather than adopting the final budget at this meeting, the board is being asked to authorize publication of the required Budget Summary, Budget Hearing Notice, and Notice of Hearing on the Final Tax Request. Publication begins Nebraska's required public budget process before later hearings and final adoption.
This item is significant because it establishes the framework for district operations, staffing, instructional programming, transportation, maintenance, and other services during the upcoming school year.
Fiscal Year-End Budget Transfers
Administration requests authority for the Board Treasurer, in consultation with the superintendent, to complete year-end accounting transfers necessary to close the 2025-26 fiscal year.
These transfers allow the district to:
- Pay encumbered obligations.
- Move funds between accounts where legally authorized.
- Ensure appropriate balances entering the new fiscal year.
- Complete fiscal closeout without requiring additional special board meetings for routine accounting adjustments.
The recommendation is procedural but supports efficient financial management.
Military-Connected Schools Facilities Grant
One of the meeting's major informational presentations is the announcement that Bellevue Public Schools has received a Department of Defense educational facilities grant through the Military-Connected Schools Construction, Modernization and Facilities Maintenance Program.
The agenda indicates administrators will present details regarding this modernization and maintenance award. Although the packet summary does not specify the dollar amount, the grant represents an important outside funding source supporting district facilities serving military-connected students.
Because Bellevue serves many military families associated with Offutt Air Force Base, investments in educational facilities can have long-term impacts on students, staff, and community infrastructure.
Strategic Plan Priority 2 Update
The superintendent will present an update on Strategic Plan Priority 2, Supportive Learning Environment.
The presentation is intended to provide the board with an overview of progress toward one of the district's strategic priorities. While the packet summary does not provide detailed performance metrics, the update is expected to explain current initiatives supporting positive learning environments, student success, and school climate.
Strategic plan updates help board members monitor implementation between formal plan revisions.
Summer School Program Results
The annual summer school report documents extensive student participation across multiple educational programs.
Highlights include:
- 3,394 students participated in traditional summer school.
- Elementary summer school served 46% of elementary students.
- Middle school participation reached 39%.
- Approximately 20% of high school students participated.
- STEM camps served 111 students entering grades six through eight.
- World Language Camp served 90 students in grades four through six.
Elementary programming emphasized enrichment and remediation using MAP assessment data to guide instruction.
Secondary programming included transition courses, credit acquisition, credit recovery, physical education, health, and newly added personal finance opportunities intended to provide greater scheduling flexibility during the regular school year.
Administrative Regulation Review
The board will review revisions to Administrative Regulation 603.01 concerning curriculum along with a scheduled review of Administrative Regulation 508.13 regarding wellness and nutrition.
These reviews are informational and part of the district's regular governance process to ensure administrative regulations remain current and aligned with district policies and educational practices.
Personnel Actions
Consent agenda personnel items include election of a new certified teacher and approval of two voluntary contract releases.
The administration recommends election of Cecilia Carman to the certified staff for the 2026-27 school year, effective August 7, 2026, contingent upon release from any existing contractual obligations with another district.
The board is also asked to approve contract releases for Julie Larsen and Amy Weiss effective May 21, 2026.
Financial Matters
The meeting contains several significant financial items.
The proposed 2026-27 General Fund budget totals $144,681,028, while proposed maximum district-wide expenditures equal $170,372,814. Board action authorizes publication of required notices rather than final budget adoption.
The board is also asked to approve $1,656,234.35 in payment of claims covering district obligations.
Year-end budget transfer authority would permit the Board Treasurer to make required accounting adjustments necessary to close the fiscal year and pay outstanding encumbered expenses.
Summer STEM Camp charged $100 per child per week, while the World Language Camp was provided without charge through support from the DoDEA IMPACT-WL grant.
The newly announced Department of Defense facilities grant represents additional external funding for district modernization and maintenance projects, although the agenda summary does not specify the award amount.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
Governance matters primarily involve routine board oversight.
Administrative Regulation 603.01 regarding curriculum is presented for revision, while Administrative Regulation 508.13 covering wellness and nutrition is presented for periodic review.
The board will also receive the Treasurer's Report, approve prior meeting minutes, consider personnel recommendations, and authorize fiscal year-end accounting procedures.
The budget publication action also initiates the formal public hearing process required before adoption of the district budget and final property tax request.
Major informational reports include:
- Announcement of the Department of Defense Military-Connected Schools Construction, Modernization and Facilities Maintenance Program grant.
- Strategic Plan Priority 2 update focused on supportive learning environments.
- Comprehensive Summer School Report documenting participation, instructional programming, and program outcomes.
- Treasurer's Report for July 2026.
- Board member reports regarding meetings attended, including Bellevue Public Schools Foundation activities.
These reports allow board members to monitor strategic priorities, educational programming, facilities investment, and district finances without requiring immediate policy action.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
Personnel recommendations include:
- Election of one new certified teacher for the 2026-27 school year.
- Approval of two contract releases.
- Routine acknowledgement of board and administrative reports.
The personnel agenda primarily reflects normal staffing adjustments as the district prepares for the beginning of the school year.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
Facilities and operations receive significant attention through the newly awarded military-connected schools facilities grant.
Although project-specific improvements are not identified in the agenda summary, administrators will introduce the modernization and maintenance grant and explain its purpose.
Operational updates also include:
- Summer instructional programming.
- Curriculum administration.
- Wellness regulation review.
- Fiscal year-end financial operations.
- Preparation for opening schools in August.
No public comments were submitted for this meeting under the district's policy requiring comments on non-agenda topics to be submitted five days before the meeting.
However, board approval of budget publication will begin the public budget process.
Upcoming opportunities include:
- September 23: Sarpy County Property Tax Request Act Joint Public Hearing.
- Future budget and tax request hearings following publication of required notices.
Residents may also attend the August 3 meeting and future board meetings according to district procedures.
Students and families are affected by the proposed operating budget, which supports instructional programs, transportation, staffing, and school operations for the coming year.
Military families may benefit from modernization and maintenance investments funded through the newly announced Department of Defense grant.
Teachers and employees are impacted through staffing decisions, fiscal planning, and preparation for the new academic year.
Taxpayers should note that the board is beginning the formal budget publication process that precedes required public hearings on both the district budget and final tax request.
Summer programming data demonstrates continued investment in academic support, enrichment, transition programming, and career readiness opportunities before students return to school.
- How does the proposed 2026-27 budget differ from the current year's budget?
- What major priorities drove increases or decreases in district spending?
- What projects will be funded through the Department of Defense facilities grant?
- How will modernization projects affect students and school operations?
- What measures are used to evaluate Strategic Plan Priority 2?
- What academic outcomes resulted from the district's summer school programs?
- Will successful summer programs be expanded in future years?
- What changes are included in the revised curriculum administrative regulation?
- Are additional staffing needs expected before the school year begins?
- What issues will be addressed during the September tax request hearing?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- August 3, 2026: Board considers budget publication, personnel actions, fiscal transfers, and informational reports.
- August 7, 2026: Proposed effective date for election of the newly hired certified teacher.
- August 11, 2026: Vendor Expo at Bellevue East Cafeteria from 7:30-8:15 a.m.
- August 11, 2026: All-Staff General Session at Bellevue East Gym beginning at 8:30 a.m.
- August 12, 2026: Years of Service Recognition Luncheon at the Welcome Center.
- August 13, 2026: First day of school for grades K-9 and new students.
- August 14, 2026: First day for returning students in grades 10-12.
- September 14, 2026: Regular Board of Education meeting.
- September 23, 2026: Sarpy County Property Tax Request Act Joint Public Hearing.
- September 24, 2026: Special Board of Education meeting.
Key Takeaways
- The board begins the formal 2026-27 budget adoption process.
- Proposed General Fund budget totals $144.68 million.
- Proposed district-wide maximum expenditures total $170.37 million.
- More than $1.65 million in claims are scheduled for approval.
- Bellevue Public Schools received a Department of Defense facilities modernization grant.
- Strategic Plan Priority 2 focuses on supportive learning environments.
- Summer school served 3,394 students across multiple programs.
- STEM Camp enrolled 111 students.
- World Language Camp served 90 students and was grant-funded.
- The district is preparing for students to return beginning August 13.
- Budget publication will be followed by required public hearings on taxes and the final budget.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Bellevue Public Schools
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: Bellevue, nebraska
- County: Sarpy
- Provider: sparq
Keywords
Bellevue Public Schools, Bellevue Board of Education, Nebraska school district, 2026-27 budget, General Fund, budget publication, tax request, fiscal year transfers, Treasurer's Report, payment of claims, Department of Defense grant, DoDEA, military-connected schools, facilities modernization, maintenance grant, Strategic Plan Priority 2, supportive learning environment, summer school, STEM Camp, World Language Camp, curriculum regulation, wellness and nutrition, teacher election, personnel, Bellevue East, Sarpy County, Board meeting, public hearing, education finance
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