Tekamah-Herman School Considering Future of School

May 15, 2015 Leave a comment


By Brandon Lavaley, T-H Superintendent

As I discussed in a previous article, the Tekamah-Herman Schools Board of Education contracted Jerry McCall with Educational Consulting Services to evaluate the options for the district. Through his work, he considered many factors including current facilities, school population trends, regional population trends, financial ramifications, and many others that the district could not have interpreted on its own. Through his work, he came to a recommendation to the Board as to a direction to pursue concerning the facilities and future of the district. His recommendation was to pursue a consolidated effort with Oakland-Craig and Lyons-Decatur Northeast. The initial presentation would suggest PK-8 attendance centers in Tekamah, Oakland, and Lyons, with a high school for grades 9-12 constructed between the communities at an undetermined location.

With that recommendation, a letter has been sent to the two districts to gauge their Board’s respective interests in pursuing a joint venture. The Tekamah-Herman Board has asked for a response in short time regarding any interest, or lack thereof. As this process moves along, as it is envisioned from our Board’s perspective, the three districts would establish committees composed of Board members and community members to work with Mr. McCall through the process. Eventually, a proposal would be brought to the voters of participating districts for backing of construction needs. At this time, the Tekamah-Herman Board is reaching out to determine the interest levels of the two other districts. If there is no interest on their parts, the Board will continue to work with Jerry to find a second solution that may work.

This time of year also means the end of the school year for most teachers and students, and the end of careers at Tekamah-Herman for graduates and retirees. While graduation is focused on those seniors moving on, I would like to recognize those behind the ceremony that make it possible. The custodial staff responsible for setting up the gym, Mr. Gross for organizing the ceremony, Mr. Steinke and Mrs. Niewohner for their preparation of music performed at the ceremony, Board President Gordy Bryant for the presentation of diplomas, and Sarah Chatt with the Tekamah-Herman Schools Foundation for her representation and the Foundation’s continued support of graduates through scholarships. Lastly, I would like to commend Ms. Nuss for her tireless work tracking student progress, encouraging students with scholarship applications and meeting graduation requirements, her work with the Foundation to get the students applications out and back to the Foundation, and preparing for the graduation ceremony. She does an excellent job for our district and our students. Finally, congratulations and good luck to our retirees: Jaccie Mencke, Kathy Mussack, Jim Steinke, Priscilla Warren, and Marsha Weise.

As is always the case, all articles, past and current, can be found at http://suptcorner.blogspot.com. Please communicate with a Board member or myself about any questions, comments, or concerns with Tekamah-Herman Schools. Have a great summer!!

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

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Tekamah-Herman Schools Asking for Patron Input

April 24, 2015 4 Comments


   By Brandon Lavaley, Superintendent of Tekamah-Herman Schools

As is the case with most decisions involving the district, the Board is asking for patron input. This week, however, it is a topic more immediate than improving our facilities. The Board of Education has made a commitment to addressing transportation needs, specifically before- and after-school bus routes, for the 2015-16 school year.

Over the past two years, the district has been unable to attract and hire any new drivers, while losing drivers for various reasons. At one point this spring, we were unable to fill all obligations made at the beginning of the school year and paid parents mileage to bring their children to school because of a shortage of drivers. There are currently teachers that drive routes creating concerns because of after-school practices, before- and after-school meetings, and other obligations with the respective teaching contracts. With these concerns considered, the Board would like input from the public, especially those affected by routes, concerning a potential change.

The first consideration is paying mileage to parents and eliminating daily routes. The parents would be reimbursed the mileage from home to school at the state rate, which generally changes every January 1st. Parents would be required to turn in documentation to receive the mileage, for accounting purposes, and be reimbursed on a monthly basis.

The second alternative being considered is to establish pick-up points for riders. If the routes were condensed down to three or four, for example, the buses would drive to a predetermined location and meet all parents and students at that site. Parents would obviously be responsible for transporting their students to and from that location. The driver would establish a time at which they would be at the site, provide a wait time they will sit, then return to the school or on to a second site, if necessary.

With both of these possibilities, the amount of time the students spend traveling will be greatly reduced. As our routes currently run, especially with a shortage of drivers, there are times students are on the bus for over an hour to get to or from school. The Board recognizes and understands that there is uncertainty with change and these alternatives may create some inconveniences, but they want to be as fair to the patrons as possible while falling in line with regulations. Most importantly, they want to do what is in the best interest of the students and district of Tekamah-Herman Schools. Please feel free to provide feedback to any articles and read archived copies at suptcorner.blogspot.com or personally contact a Board member. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of our students and Tekamah-Herman Schools.

Brandon Lavaley

Brandon Lavaley

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