May 8, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

STRIVE  -  COMMIT  -  SUCCEED  -  District Mission Statement

Schuyler Community Schools in partnership with parents, students, and the community is committed to educate students to become skilled, knowledgeable and responsible citizens in a global society - District Vision Statement

Notice of this meeting was given in advance according to State Law 84-1411, by giving notice of the meeting to the public.  Notice of this meeting was also given in advance to all members of the Board of Education

Rationale: 

This meeting has been preceded by advance notice and is hereby declared to be in open session.  A copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the front of the meeting room.

Nebraska Open Meetings Act:  http://nitc.nebraska.gov/documents/statutes/NebraskaOpenMeetingsAct_current.pdf

Rationale:  Discuss, Consider and Take Action on the consent agenda

Rationale: 

Rationale:  This committee is responsible for budget, finance, and contract negotiations with administration, certificated staff, and support staff.

Rationale: 
Over the past years, Schuyler Community Schools has deposits at both the Pinnacle Bank and Homestead Banks.  While the main depository is at Pinnacle, We keep the lunch fund and depreciation fund at the Homestead Bank.

With the recent opening of The Bank of the Valley, the finance committee is recommending depositing funds with all three banks in the community.  The committee's recommendation is to deposit the Activities Fund with the Bank of the Valley.  See attached resolution.

Rationale: 
Resignations
1.  Renee Miller:  Preschool Teacher
2.  Flornsia Ramon:  SCHS Admin Asst.
3.  Edgar Herrera:  District Maintenance/Custodial
4.  Paola Vera:  SES Para Educator
5.  Jaden Cover:  SCHS Language Arts Teacher
6.  Ashlie Stone:  SCHS Special Education Teacher
7.  Lynn Hanson:  SCHS Voc. Ag. Teacher
8.  Troy Schlueter:  SCHS Physical Education/Leadership Teacher
9.  Chase King:  SCHS Language Arts/Speech Teacher
Retirement
1.  Deb Gonsier:  Dual Language (Retirement)

Rationale: 
1.  Colton Spahr:  SCHS Language Arts Teacher
2.  Jaidy Lopez:  SMS Admin. Asst.
3.  Heather Cline:  SCHS Alternative Education Teacher
4.  Jennifer Torpin:  SCHS Language Arts Teacher
5.  Anthony Bolen:  SCHS Physical Education Teacher

Rationale: 
Attached are the recommended support staff salary changes and schedules for 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.

Rationale: 
See attached list and corresponding assigned positions for the 2023-2024 school year.

Rationale: 
Attached are the School Nurse and Sixpence Home Provider salary schedules. 

The board finance committee moved nurses to this salary schedule for the 2022-23 school year.  This schedule was approved for nurses to place them on a salary position comparable to both Columbus and Fremont Public Schools.

The Sixpence Home Providers were already on this salary schedule.  See attached recommendation.

 

Rationale: 

Preschool and SES 3-5 Principal's Report:  Mr. Comley
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  This month I would like to highlight Dr Hoesing. Dr Hoesing has helped Schuyler Schools grow as a whole. The facilities and  programs have grown tremendously  under his supervision. On a personal level, he has helped me grow as an administrator and become a better leader. I will forever be thankful for that and want to thank him for all he has done for me!

SES K-2 Principal's Report:  Mrs. Keairnes
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight all SES staff members this month! They are finishing out the year with flying colors. From dance breaks over the school intercom and field trips, to grade level dodge ball tournaments, our students are so fortunate to have individuals that continue to work so hard at creating lifelong memories and learning experiences.
Staff Member Spotlight:  I would also like to highlight Dr. Hoesing for supporting me in my journey of becoming an administrator in Schuyler. With his support and the support of our district admin team, I am ecstatic about starting my second year with more wisdom and knowledge that can assist my amazing staff and the wonderful students we serve. 

Dual Language, Fisher’s, & Richland Principal's Report:   Ms. Bebout
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  My highlight this month is Dr. Hoesing!  It is my distinct pleasure to highlight Dr. Hoesing for his leadership in bringing the Dual Language Program to Schuyler. In response to the community's requests for a program that teaches students in both English and Spanish, Dr. Hoesing has made an enormous impact on the lives of over 129 students and their families.  The program's success is evidenced by the upcoming graduation of our first group of 5th-grade students, a remarkable accomplishment that would not have been possible without Dr. Hoesing's tireless dedication to the community. His commitment to promoting bilingualism and biliteracy will have a lasting effect on the community, and the program's positive impact will continue to be felt for years to come.  This program embodies the critical importance of biliteracy in today's globalized world.  Dr. Hoesing's vision for the future and his ability to produce impactful ideas will be sorely missed.  I am truly grateful for all that he has done to enrich the lives of Schuyler's students, families, and community.

Middle School Assistant Principal's Report:  Mr. Banahan

Spotlight Staff: This month I would like to spotlight and give a huge thank you to Dr. Dan Hoesing. Over the last three years, I have learned so much from Dr. Hoesing, helping me become a better leader and a better person, dad, and husband. He has taken the time to get to know my family, and my kids have enjoyed getting to know him over the past three years. I am thankful for his vision, and giving heart to the community of Schuyler, and in my time here I have seen the various things he has done to help improve not only Schuyler Community Schools but the entire community of Schuyler. We are thankful for his leadership over the last ten years and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors! Thanks, Doc!

Spotlight Upcoming Event: The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and we have so many events packed into the last couple of weeks of school. We have Academic/Athletic Awards night on May 10th, and then our R-Time Celebration on the 17th and 8th-grade graduation on the 18th. Also want to give a huge shout-out to all of our teachers and nurses this week as we celebrate them this week, especially those working at SMS. We appreciate all of you!

Middle School Principal's Report:  Mr. Zavadil
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  This Month I would like to highlight the work of Mr. Andrew Hall.  Mr. Martin has worked for Schuyler Community Schools for 31  years as a coach and teacher.  Mr. Hall has been an extraordinary teacher and professional for Schuyler Community Schools and his family is a big part of our community!  Mr. Hall builds great relationships in the building and holds both himself and his students to a very high standard..  Mr. Hall’s daily "dad joke" is a great way to start a math class.  Mr. Hall’s 31 year tenure at Schuyler shows a dedication and commitment to a district that is becoming more and more rare and we are grateful for the time that he and his whole family has given our students and staff. 
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Since this is the last board report that I will be writing under his tenure, I would like to thank Dr. Hoesing for all of the hard work and dedication that he has put into our district!  He always had time to mentor and work with me and my colleagues.  He gave me an opportunity to be an administrator when he hired me in a very competitive market and I will always be grateful! 
Upcoming Events:  We have already had a couple of fun year-end events that went great!  The 6-12 Bandfest was a hit and the home track meet went very well.  Last Friday we had our annual 6th Grade Track and Field day and, unfortunately, we were only able to get through about a third of it before the rain forced us to return to SMS
We have already drafted our incoming 6th graders for next year into our R-times and our teachers are planning to reach out to those students soon!!   NSCAS season is wrapping up and our teachers did a great job administering the tests.  The preliminary data is coming in and we are already diving into that information to help inform our practices.  Below is a list of remaining end of year activities that we have scheduled.

1. 1. Honors Night May 11th Athletic and Non-athletic awards
   2. R-time celebration May 17th
   3. 8th Grade Graduation May 18th

High School Asst. Principal's Report:  Mr. Steinhoff
All Staff Spotlight:  I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding effort put in by our entire staff during the conference track meet. When we host a conference event, it is a point of pride for our school, and I'm proud to say that our staff pitched in and made the event a great success. 
Our maintenance staff worked tirelessly in setting up the track, while our coaches put in a lot of effort to ensure that the athletes were well-prepared for their events. Ms. Brabec's work was exceptional, and the kitchen staff did an excellent job providing delicious lunch and hospitality. Our teachers were also instrumental in running the various events, concessions, and the gate.
The effort and hard work of our staff did not go unnoticed. We received many compliments from fans, coaches, and administrators from other schools. It's great to see that our staff's work was appreciated, and it's a testament to their dedication and professionalism.
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  Lastly, I would like to spotlight Dr. Hoesing for his support, mentorship, and guidance throughout the last two years. As a new administrator when I arrived at Schuyler, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to learn from such a knowledgeable and compassionate leader. I truly admire Dr. Hoesing’s ability to find solutions to problems that most have been struggling with for years and his willingness to go out of the box to implement them. Furthermore, I greatly admire his willingness to do the right thing even when it was difficult or when it went unnoticed by the public eye. His dedication to upholding ethical principles is truly admirable.
          On a personal and professional note, I cannot overstate how grateful I am for the countless ways that Dr. Hoesing has supported me and my family during my time at Schuyler. His guidance and mentorship have been instrumental in my growth as an administrator, and his unwavering support has helped me navigate challenges both in and outside of the workplace. Dr. Hoesing's kindness and generosity have made a significant impact on my life, and I am honored to have him as a mentor.

High School Assistant Principal's Report: Mrs. Ladwig
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to thank Dr. Hoesing for his mentorship, guidance, and giving heart. When I first started teaching at Schuyler Middle School, my husband and I had just welcomed our first child into the world. Dr. Hoesing and his wife, Jill, were gracious enough to provide us with a home-cooked meal to help relieve the stress of starting a new job and having an infant at home. It was at that moment that I knew coming back to my hometown as an educator was the right decision. Since that day, Dr. Hoesing has been nothing short of a mentor to me as I have navigated my career. He is always willing to listen when I am struggling, offers guidance when I have questions, and trusts me as a professional to do what is best for our students. Dr. Hoesing pushes me to grow both as an administrator and as a person, and he cheers me on as I continue my own educational journey as I strive to become a superintendent someday down the road. Dr. Hoesing has taught me many valuable lessons, but one of the most important ones is that, as a leader, I must become less in order to help others become more. For the above reasons and many more, I will forever be grateful for Dr. Hoesing’s leadership.  
Notable Topics:  This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I would like to thank all of our teachers for their hard work every single day. Teaching is something that no one can truly understand unless you’ve been a teacher yourself. Our staff works tirelessly to plan lessons, meet with students as a trusted adult, sponsor activities, and coach sports, and their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed. Thank you to our teachers at SCHS!

High School Principal/Student Services Director's Report:  Dr. Lefdal
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to spotlight Dr. Hoesing.  I have had the pleasure of working with Dan for a number of years.  His ability to challenge the average person to the best of their ability is what I appreciate most about Dan.  He has made me a better administrator over the last 15 years that I have known him.  I look forward to seeing where he lands for his next adventure!  Good luck, Dan!
Notable Topics:  We had the opportunity to host two track meets this past few weeks.  The workers and work that it takes to put together a meet like this is excessive and our team hosted two amazing track meets.  Thank you to all that put their time and efforts into helping out.
Looking ahead:  I can’t wait to see how our soccer and track teams finish out the year. I am also excited for our students and the end of the year.  Our students have worked hard this year and I know they are pushing to stay positive and focused.  Many are excited about seeing the end of this school year and getting on with a fun summer.

Rationale: 

Youth Sports Director's Report:  Mrs. Keairnes
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I would like to highlight Arturo Adame! Arturo is our school district grounds keeper. With youth soccer games occurring every Sunday afternoon, we have relied heavily on him to ensure that the youth athletic fields are prepared for the day and he never fails to impress us! He comes to the fields early in the morning to set up and the fields always look fabulous, whether it is 60 degrees and sunny or cloudy with 25 mph winds. I truly appreciate all of his hard work and dedication to our programs. 

Warrior Academy - AfterSchool Program Director's Report:  Ms. Bebout
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  I am excited to highlight the incredible work of Dr. Hoesing! Eight years ago, Dr. Hoesing secured a grant that enabled us to establish the Warrior Academy, an after-school program that has since positively impacted the lives of over 2,500 students.

Warrior Academy offers an impressive array of programming, including over 700 different clubs in areas such as homework help, arts & crafts, sports, spoon carving, beauty, cooking, book club, and much more! The program has provided working parents with a safe, fun, and educational environment for their children to be in after school and during the summer, and this has been much appreciated by the community.

Warrior Academy has helped support the social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development of students, while also promoting physical health and providing a safe and supportive environment for children and young people.  Dr. Hoesing's commitment to the community has had a profound and lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for his dedication to improving the lives of Schuyler's students and families through the Warrior Academy.

Middle School Activities Director's Report:  Mr. Banahan

Program Spotlight: I want to highlight our MS Track Teams. They recently competed in the A-Town Showdown in Aurora, NE. This was an invite-only track meet where the top 18 athletes/teams in each event were invited to compete. The region for this track meet spanned from Hwy 183 in the west all the way over to Hwy 77 in the east, and from Hwy 91 in the north down to the state line. Over 40 schools participated in this event and we had some great success in the meet as you can see below.

1st Place and new school record Boys 4x100 Relay (48.15)

2nd Place C. Vides-Lara 100 M Dash (11.92( and Boys 4X800 Relay (9:53.40) 

3rd Place C. Vides-Lara 200 M Hurdles (29.80) and Boys 4X400 Relay (4:06.18)

5th place- R. Delgado - triple jump (37’1") and J. Fajardo 100m (12.29)

7th place - J. Fajardo 200m (26.70)

9th place - R. Delgado Long Jump (-7’5.5")

11th place - Girls 4x800 relay (11:41.03)

14th place - R. Delgado 400m (1:02.96)

Spotlight Upcoming Event:  SMS will qualify a number of student-athletes for the Junior High State Track meet next weekend in Gothenburg! We have had a great track season and look forward to seeing what these athletes can do at their highest level of competition.

High School Activities Director Report: Mr. Steinhoff
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:   I would like to recognize the outstanding performances of our boys' and girls' soccer teams.  Our boys' soccer team has been performing exceptionally well this season, with a current record of 13-2. We are thrilled that they have a chance to advance to the state championships if they win on Saturday.  Regardless of the outcome, we are incredibly proud of their accomplishments this season. They have already achieved great things, such as winning the central conference by defeating Lexington, and their recent victory over Columbus Scotus in a thrilling shootout. The crowd's atmosphere was electric after this win, and we hope to see this energy continue on Saturday.

The girls' soccer team also deserves recognition for their significant improvement this season. With a record of 7-8, they have shown great progress from last year's 3-12 record. It's evident that the team has been working hard, as their improved playing style was apparent in each game. Although their season came to an end with a loss to Lutheran-Northeast on Tuesday, they had many highlights, including a big win over Lexington, which secured them a second-place finish in the conference tournament. This achievement is especially significant since it's the first time in eight years that our girls' soccer team has made the championship match. As most of our players are juniors and sophomores, we are excited to see what they will achieve next season.

Overall, both our boys' and girls' soccer teams have done a fantastic job this season. They have shown great determination and commitment, and we are proud of their hard work and dedication.

Special Education Director's Report:  Mrs. Vrba
Spotlighting an exceptionally passionate Superintendent: Dr. Hoesing
As I am sitting here in my office staring at this blank Board of Education report, my whole plan was to write a brief synopsis of what I have learned from Dr. Hoeing. I can't help to think about ten years ago when this gentleman dressed in a very sharp-looking suit sat through his interview sharing his years and years of educational experience and wisdom of numbers...aka...the budgeting process! (Personally, I want to add "what kind of a crazy person likes working with school budgets!! Honestly, that was my first sign!)

Here we go...my version of the ABC's that I learned from Dr. Hoesing:
A is for achievement! I have learned especially as the Director of Special Education that we need to celebrate the biggest achievements (example: learning to read) to the smallest of achievements (example: learning to write the first letter in his/her name)! Achievements are reached every day through making a little progress on a day-to-day bases with an enthusiastic learner and a teacher that has unwavering commitment to our kids. Achievement looks different for every student, teacher, support staff, and administrative leader. But we all work towards the same goal: Making the best learning opportunities for our kids!
B is for belief. Dr. Hoesing has a strong sense of belief in our students, parents, and staff of Schuyler Community Schools. From day one, he has always believed that our school was the most encompassing environment for kids to learn and grow as young adults. His belief in "our kids and our people" is unending. Dr. Hoesing always told me..."we don't throw people away...we work with them and/or coach them until they have reached their full potential". Also, his belief in the power and the importance of family is at the very core of his being. He encourages the administrative team to make sure that we put our families first... we always help each other out if the need arises.
C is for our children. Our children, which may cover the ages from Birth to 21 years old, are the entire reason we give Schuyler Community Schools our all. Dr. Hoesing has shared with me that the most important gift you can give a child is to put the very best educator in front of them every school day! He has taught me the importance of spending money on staff development. I totally believe in APL with Dave and Jean along with Capturing Kids' Hearts. Our students know the importance of building relationships in life with his/her advocates, which leads to achieving his/her goals. Children are at the center of everything we do!
D is for Darli stop...you cannot write a Spotlight that is pages and pages long! (Dr. Hoesing is still in charge!) Yes, there were (and are) times I was scared and/or would get nervous around Dr. Hoesing. We have joked about it numerous times. I believe my feelings stemmed from wanting to do my best because he always had high, high expectations for me (really...all of us)! Working with Dr. Hoesing for ten years will have some lasting effects on me, such as: adapting to an extremely large yet meaningful career change, growing the confidence to share my feelings and beliefs, deepening my pride in our kids and understanding the multiple facets of Schuyler Community Schools with an open-mind.
Thank you, Dr. Hoesing, for your endless hours you spent helping me grow into a better version of myself...Darli
 

Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction Director's Report:  Dr. Gibbons
Program/Staff Member Spotlight - I am going to spotlight the MTSS Decision-making subcommittee. The subcommittee includes Alicia Keairnes, Jen Novak, Heather Bebout, Denise Stevenson, Samantha Ladwig, Andy Banahan, April Becker and Dave Gibbons. We have met three times in the last six weeks and had some awesome, spirited conversations.  Becoming a team like this often goes through four stages: forming - getting together and getting to know one another;  storming - this stage is characterized by pushing boundaries. Clashes often occur that can cause teams to fall apart; norming - team members show a stronger commitment to the team’s goals; performing - when a team is performing well, they are likely to achieve their goals efficiently.  I believe this team has reached the performing stage and is going to produce a great process.

State Assessments: We are finishing up our assessment windows.  We have 100% of our students who were taking the State ACT test done.  The 3rd - 8th grade NSCAS Assessment window closes on Friday, May 12th. Teachers and building coordinators (Meridth Riha and Paula Kment) are working to get 100% of their students done.

Curriculum Development Requests - We have teachers that would like to work on their curriculum documents this summer.  Many of our Math and Language Arts activities have been incorporated into our ESSERS III budget, so I have been able to approve more through that budget.  I have attached the list for your consideration.

Rationale: 
Program/Staff Member Spotlight:  This month the board finance committee reviewed support staff salaries for the 2023-24 school year.  The maintenance, custodial, food service, para-educator, and office personnel are all positions that are loaded with talent, dedication, and skills necessary to meet job requirements and connect with our students and families.  While the board does their best to offer competitive salaries and benefits, it will never match the impact these groups have on providing a safe, clean, and orderly educational environment, scheduling and program coordination, communication and support of our students and their families, and breakfast and lunch on a daily basis during the school year as well as summer.  Thank you to the support staff for your dedication to our school, students, and families in Schuyler.

Rationale: 
1.  Foundation Meeting:  Brian Vavricek and Amanda Jedlicka
2.  Extra Duty Assignments:  Brian Vavricek
3.  Board Communication:  Renee Sayer
4.  NASB Monthly Update:  See attached