Oakland-Craig Board of Education July 11 Minutes


The regular monthly Board of Education meeting was held Monday, July 11, 2016 in the Board Meeting Room in the Elementary Building. Administrators present were Superintendent Smith, Secondary Principal Droescher and Elementary Principal Bland. President Thiele called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. and noted the Nebraska Open Meetings Law. Notice of this meeting was properly posted and/or published by advance Public Notice in accordance with Board Policy #2008 with notice and advance agenda given to the President of the Board and all members prior to the meeting date.

 

Pille moved that Aaron Anderson, Kiley Johnson and Gus Ray are absent, excused. Richards seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll Call was called with the following members present: Brett Johnson, Magnusson, Pille, Richards, Schmidt and Thiele.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

            Schmidt moved that the agenda be approved as presented. Magnusson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

REGULAR AGENDA

 

APPROVAL OF JULY 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE GENERAL FUND

Magnusson ­­moved that the July 2016 claims from the General Fund, in the amount of $95,102.99 be approved as presented. Pille seconded the motion. There was some discussion regarding an invoice from Tek-Hut for a web filter. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

APPROVAL OF JULY 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE BUILDING FUND

Pille ­­moved that the July 2016 claims from the Building Fund, in the amount of $33,346.81 be approved as presented. Magnusson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

APPROVAL OF JULY 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE SAVINGS AND DEPRECIATION FUND

Pille ­­moved that the July 2016 claims from the Savings and Depreciation Fund, in the amount of $8,370.37 be approved as presented. Richards seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

APPROVAL OF JULY 2016 CLAIMS FROM THE LUNCH FUND

Magnusson ­­moved that the July 2016 claims from the Lunch Fund, in the amount of $3,828.65 be approved as presented. Pille seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 13, 2016 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Pille moved to approve the minutes from the June 13, 2016 board meeting as presented. Schmidt seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

            President Thiele welcomed approximately 10 visitors. 3 patrons addressed the board.

 

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

The AdHoc Committee has met several times since the last board meeting.

 

BOARD DISCUSSION WITH JIM GESSFORD OR A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PERRY LAW FIRM AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM D A DAVIDSON CONCERNING THE PETITION TO CONSOLIDATE WORDING OPTIONS, BALLOT OPTIONS, LAND PURCHASE OPTION OR ANY OTHER LEGAL/FINANCIAL QUESTIONS IN THE POSSIBLE CONSOLIDATION PROCESS

Jim Gessford from Perry, Gethery, Haase & Gessford and Andy Forney from D A Davidson were in attendance to answer any questions the Board had about the petition to consolidate wording options, ballot options, land purchase option or any other legal/financial questions in the possible consolidation process.

 

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION PETITION AND PLAN RESOLUTIONS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE JULY 18 SPECIAL MEETING

            Magnuson moved to approve the reorganization petition and plan resolutions to be approved as presented. Richards seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF A BALLOT OPTION FOR THE JULY 18 SPECIAL MEETING

Richards moved to approve the wording in ballot option 2, be approved as presented. Magnusson seconded the motion. After some discussion, it was decided that ballot option 2 explained more concisely what the patrons could be voting on.   Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

Schmidt moved to approve the proportional share of $38.5 million be included as the dollar amount being asked for on ballot option 2. Magnusson seconded the motion. Some discussion followed. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF A LAND PURCHASE OPTION FOR THE JULY 18 SPECIAL MEETING

            Magnusson moved to approved the land purchase option be approved as presented. Brett Johnson seconded the motion. The land purchase will only take place upon the successful passage of a $38.5 million bond in the November elections. Richards stated that the decision to possibly sell the proposed land was not an easy one for the current landowners. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

PRESENTATION BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF D A DAVIDSON ON THE REFINANCING OF OUR EXISTING ELEMENTARY BONDS INTO A LOWER INTEREST RATE

            Andy Forney from D A Davidson explained to the Board how bond interest rates have fallen and that it would be very beneficial to refinance our elementary bonds. The potential savings is $458,173 and they would be paid off at least 1 year earlier than projected.

 

BOARD TO CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE EARLY REDEMPTION OF A PORTION OF THE DISTRICTS OUTSTANDING GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS, SERIES 2012

Pille ­­moved to approve the Resolution Calling for the early redemption of a portion of the District’s outstanding General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2012 as presented.  Magnusson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

BOARD TO CONSIDER AND POSSIBLY APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $5,900,000 OF GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2016, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFINANCING THE DISTRICT’S SERIES 2012 GO BONDS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE INTEREST COST SAVINGS

Magnusson­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­­moved to approve the Resolution to authorize the issuance of NOT TO EXCEED $5,900,000 of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2016, for the purpose of refinancing the District’s Series 2012 GO Bonds in order to achieve interest cost savings. Pille seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

POLICY HEARING, REVIEW AND POSSIBLE REVISION

            President Thiele conducted a hearing to consider possible revision to the following Board Policies: 5018 – “Parent Involvement in Education Practices”; 5045 – “Student Fees”; 5055 – “Bullying”; and 5058 – “Parent Involvement in the Title I Program”.

 

Magnusson moved that Policy 5018 – “Parent Involvement in Education Practices”; Policy 5045 – “Student Fees”; Policy 5055 – “Bullying”; and Policy 5058 – “Parent Involvement in the Title I Program” be approved as presented.   Pille seconded the motion.   Superintendent Smith explained that these policies are reviewed annually and there were no changes in them from last year. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3.   Motion carried.

 

After some discussion, it was decided to table the approval of the following policies until the next regular board meeting: Policy 2005 – “Conflict of Interest”; Policy 3014 – “Use of School Property”; Policy 3018 – “Denial of Access to School Premises”; Policy 3038 – “Procurement, Suspension and Debarment”; Policy 4051 – “Use of Social Media by Staff and District”; Policy 4060 – “School Vehicle Use”; Policy 5004 – “Option Enrollment”; Policy 5016 – “Student Records”; and Policy 5063 – “Recording Policy”.

 

 

REVISION UPDATE PRESENTED BY ANNIE MAGNUSSON

            Annie Magnusson gave a little bit of history of the Revision grant process. She also explained the ESU2 is working on Pathways 2 Tomorrow to help schools offer more electives to students.

 

APPROVAL OF 2016-2017 TEACHER HANDBOOKS, CLASSIFIED HANDBOOKS, ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND 1:1 HANDBOOKS

            Pille moved to approve the Teacher Handbooks, Classified Handbooks, Elementary, Secondary and 1:1 Handbooks for the 2016-2017 school year as presented.   Magnusson seconded the motion.   Mr. Smith, Mr. Droescher and Mrs. Bland gave brief summaries of changes to each of the handbooks. Major changes to the secondary student handbooks include the addition of a job shadow day for sophomores, juniors and seniors and changing the college visit days for juniors from one to two.   Mr. Smith reviewed the new 1:1 handbook.   Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF HOT WATER HEATER BID

Mr. Smith explained that he had received 2 bids for new water heaters in the elementary. After some discussion, Magnusson moved to purchase 2 new water heaters in the amount not to exceed $10,000 from Jensen Plumbing & Heating. Be approved as presented. Schmidt seconded the motion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

FOOD SERVICE PRICES FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR

Richards moved that the school food service prices for the 2016-2017 school year be set as follows: $2.60 for elementary student lunch; $2.80 for 7 – 12 grade student lunch; $1.50 for elementary student breakfast; $1.50 for 7 – 12 grade student breakfast; $0.30 for reduced price breakfast; $0.40 for reduced price lunch; $2.00 for adult breakfast; and $3.45 for adult lunch. Magnusson seconded the motion. Smith explained lunch prices are remaining unchanged. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3. Motion carried.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

            Elementary Principal Jess Bland reported that NeSA results will be released on July 13th but not made public until sometime this fall. The school day will run from 8:20 am to 3:25 pm Monday – Thursday and 8:20 am to 2:20 pm. Mrs. Bland reported that she plans on having parent involvement activities on a monthly basis. She also reviewed some of the upcoming activities.  End of the year PK-6th grade enrollment was 257 students. Projected enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year is 249.

 

Secondary Principal Rusty Droescher reported that the 7th through 12th grade end of the year enrollment was 186 students and the projected enrollment for the start of the 2016-2017 school year is 185.   Droescher reported that concrete runways have been poured in replacement of the asphalt runways for the long jump and the triple jump. Thank you to the City of Oakland for the use of their steel forms and dump trucks and to Helena for the skid loader used for demolition. A special thanks was given to Marc Rexroad, Shannon Harney, Joe Anderson, Mike Selk, Aaron Meyer, Jeff Smith, Lonnie Lierman, Pastor Sechler and Bryce & Wyatt Uhing for their work on this project. Barkley Asphalt will be in soon to start their part of the track resurfacing. Midwest Track will come in after that to complete the project. Upcoming summer and beginning of school activities were reviewed.

 

Superintendent Smith provided a list of upcoming Board Member workshops. McKinnis Roofing has completed preliminary work and will return to finish the fascia extensions in the near future.   Pave-The-Way construction will have our parking lot, sidewalk, and drain work done by mid-August. We have purchased a 2006 Ford Pickup with 130,000 miles for a price of $6,500 from Schinck’s Auto and Repair to be used as the custodians’ pickup. We will attempt to sell the old pickup. Mr. Smith recommended changing the date of the August board meeting from August 8th to August 15th due to the Burt County Fair and Julie Ehlers being on vacation at the end of July.

 

Pille moved to enter into executive session at 10:40 p.m. to discuss Superintendent Smith’s evaluation for year one. Schmidt seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3.

 

Schmidt moved to resume regular session at 10:56 p.m.   Magnusson seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Voting results were: For Motion-6; Against Motion-0; Other-3.

There being no further business on the agenda of this meeting, President Thiele adjourned this meeting at 10:56 p.m.

 

Secretary,

 

 

Julie Ehlers

 

 

GENERAL FUND  
ANDERSON HARDWARE $220.87  
ANDERSON HARDWARE $27.94  
ANDY’S QUIK STOP $54.16  
BARONE SECURITY SOLUTIONS $257.04  
BLAND, JESSICA $59.00  
BMI $81.46  
BROWN & SAENGER $37.96  
BSN SPORTS INC $19.52  
CENGAGE LEARNING $391.88  
CENTER POINT ENERGY SERVICES RETAIL $877.42  
CITY OF OAKLAND $507.56  
COMPUTERS ETC $45.76  
CONTINENTAL RESEARCH $919.74  
CORVUS INDUSTRIES, LTD. $150.00  
DAHLQUIST, CINDY $481.85  
DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE INC $25.00  
DOLLAR GENERAL $25.56  
EAKES OFFICE SOLUTIONS $2,097.44  
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT #1 $2,349.37  
EGAN SUPPLY $3.40  
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING & EQUIPMENT $714.42  
ELLSWORTH PUBLISHING CO $286.20  
ENGAGING TECHNOLOGIES $286.00  
ESU #7 $40.00  
ESU 2 $4,730.93  
ESU 9 $1,343.30  
EVERYTHING MEDICAL LLC $36.45  
FIRST BANKCARD $644.28  
FISHER SCIENTIFIC $9.82  
FOOD PRIDE $82.58  
FRANCISCAN CARE SERVICES INC $170.00  
GROTH, MARILEE $17.02  
HAIL VARSITY MAGAZINE $49.95  
HELENA CHEMICAL CO $585.74  
HIRERIGHT, LLC $88.20  
HOLMQUIST LUMBER $77.83  
HOMETOWN LEASING $816.89  
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT $4,430.56  
INDEPENDENT REPAIR $29.50  
INSTRUCTURE, INC. $2,970.00  
K C PARTS $120.02  
LAMPO GROUP, INC, THE $346.34  
MENARDS $198.99  
MERCY MEDICAL SERVICES $100.00  
MIDAMERICA ADMIN & RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS $43.74  
MIDWEST TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND SERVICE $31.22  
NCSA $1,059.00  
NEBRASKA PUBLIC POWER $5,340.78  
NORTHEAST INSTANT RAIN $235.75  
O’KEEFE ELEVATOR $213.20  
OAKLAND INDEPENDENT $327.48  
ONE CALL NOW $996.19  
PAPER 101, $2,722.40  
PERRY, GETHERY, HAASE & GESSFORD, PC, LLO $3,524.73  
PLAINDEALER PUBLISHING $55.00  
POPULAR SUBSCRIPTION $626.66  
PYRAMID SCHOOL PRODUCTS $943.56  
REALITYWORKS $1,247.15  
RENAISSANCE LEARNING INC $4,099.00  
SCHOOL SPECIALTY SUPPLY $465.51  
SECOND STREET STATION $142.95  
SHIFFLER $75.36  
SMITH, JEFFERY $266.00  
SPORTSMAN LAKE LLC $750.00  
STAPLES ADVANTAGE $275.11  
SUPPLYWORKS $374.37  
TEK-HUT $7,400.00  
TIME $40.00  
TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. $75.00  
VERN’S PLBMG & HEAT $1,213.60  
VIRCO INC $3,230.92  
WARDS NATURAL SCIENCE $178.55  
WELLS FARGO VENDOR FIN SERV $32,341.81  
$95,102.99  
 
DEPRECIATION  
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS $8,370.37  
SCHOOL LUNCH FUND  
EGAN SUPPLY $27.10  
FACELICLEAN $300.00  
HOLIDAY INN-KEARNEY $269.85  
MIDWEST RESTAURANT SUPPLY LLC $2,974.00  
PYRAMID SCHOOL PRODUCTS $124.85  
STAPLES ADVANTAGE $47.85  
VERN’S PLBMG & HEAT $85.00  
$3,828.65  
BUILDING FUND  
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS $7,600.00  
DLR GROUP $19,246.81  
SCHINCK AUTO SALES & REPAIR $6,500.00  
$33,346.81  

 

Home Alone Program Held in Tekamah-Herman 3rd Grade Class


Tekamah third graders get some hands on experience making healthy snacks during the Nebraska Extension Home Alone program last week. Alex Braniff, Cale Belfrage and Eden Roberts work on the tricky job of getting peanut butter to stick to the apple slices snack. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis, Extension Associate.

Tekamah third graders get some hands on experience making healthy snacks during the Nebraska Extension Home Alone program last week. Alex Braniff, Cale Belfrage and Eden Roberts work on the tricky job of getting peanut butter to stick to the apple slices snack. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis, Extension Associate.

To Consolidate or Not to Consolidate, That is the Question


I have not personally made a decision on how I will vote on Oakland-Craig and Tekamah-Herman Schools consolidating or not. Below is just a brief thought on the subject and how to come to your own decision. Please remember to thank a school board member if you see one from either district. This has been a very difficult task for each of them and they deserve our appreciation.

“I don’t envy the position the local school boards, Oakland-Craig and Tekamah-Herman, are facing. With the prospect of consolidating two schools, or maybe not consolidating, many things are to be taken into account. I don’t doubt that the board members are taking everything into account. This will also be an issue for the voters of each school district. When deciding on how to vote on such an important issue, please take into account BOTH sides of the issue. If need be, go to a meeting. They are open to the public and will provide the information needed to make a decision. Generations of children to come will be affected by the outcome. Their education is what’s important.” Denise Gilliland Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Lyons-Decatur Northeast and Tekamah-Herman Closed


Lyons-Decatur Northeast and Tekamah-Herman Schools are closed tomorrow. 

Social Speaks: Thoughts on Local Schools Consolidating


As editor, I wanted to hear what people have to say about local schools, such as Tekamah-Herman, Oakland-Craig, Lyons-Decatur Northeast and Bancroft-Rosalie, possibly consolidating. Below are several very interesting, informed and insightful responses.

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen If we have to consolidate, I wish they had done it with Lyons when the option was there! Not real crazy about my kids having to travel out of town.
 Leann Canarsky Jorgensen Not sure how the people of Decatur would have felt about coming to Oakland, Tekamah would be closer.
Amy Wheaton Why if oakland and lyons went together would the school be in oakland?

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I always thought it would be ideal to have one half way between on hwy 77.

Amy Wheaton I’m so glad my kids are out of school…small towns are disappearing…and so are the schools. Sad to say!

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I wasn’t meaning that it would be in Oakland, I was meaning that it would be further for Decatur if they merged & went half way??? Wouldn’t it be ideal to meet half way than to choose towns? Would you expect it to be in Lyons?

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I’m hoping my kids are out of school before anything like this happens, but we still have 9 years left in school! I hate to see any small town school close….we love our school & the convenience of it being a few blocks from home!

Amy Wheaton No not at all! I thought that’s what you meant since you stated you didn’t want your kids to have to travel!
Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I would be much more comfortable going 3 1/2 miles on hwy 77 than I would going 7 miles on 32 if we had to consolidate with T-H. That highway just stinks in the winter! Or even worse, out into the country!

Cara Schulzkump Raabe I’m so glad that my daughter graduates this year. But I still worry about all the kids. In a perfect world, right?

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen In a perfect world, every one will be happy!! Sadly, that will never happen! We need to keep the best interests of our kids & their education in mind & stop worrying about sports! 

Krisa Brown The towns of Decatur, Craig, and soon to be closed Herman have already lost their schools. So those families along with all the country people have been driving or riding the bus for decades. I understand that no town wants to lose their school house, but things change whether we want them to or not. I think people need to look at community on a larger scale than just their own town. The local small town rivalries are gone. No one has to agree, this is just my opinion.

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I just don’t agree with putting more kids on the road…..

Krisa Brown Logan View has been doing it for years.

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I realize that, & I see what your point is, I just think if they consolidate with T-H, I would probably choose to put my kids in The L-D school instead…..just my choice. Hwy 32 is a terrible road. When we lived in Uehling, we drove our kids to school in Oakland, instead of Logan View & when we lived out by Craig, we chose O-C over T-H ( yes, whoever owned that house chose the T-H school district for less taxes when they were given the choice). I guess any way you look at it, no one will be happy, but I as a parent, have the option to open enroll. I am not opposed to my kids traveling a short distance, but I also need to consider their safety.

Sarah Gramke Completely against. We are a strong school, and doing well financially. There is no “need” for consolidation. There is a need for more classes to be added, but with technology, distance learning with community schools would solve that. If we consolidate we will be a small B school, and not that winning is everything but we will not compete with other big schools, will not get playing time, and will have to try out for everything. Also hwy 32 would be a horrible road to commute on for our kids. I could go on and on with other reasons why its not a good idea. If you look at all of the facts, the negatives of consolidation definitely outnumber the positives. Hope the community members who are against consolidation continue to attend meetings and speak up for what is best for our kids, and our community as a whole.
Leann Canarsky Jorgensen Amen!!!! I cannot imagine my kids traveling on hwy 32 or out in the country to Bertha!! No thanks!! I love our school!!

Kris M Feauto Wow I think that would be a really bad idea.

Teresa Tobin I know I’m not from O-C but just a question to think about. Financially you may be doing great now- what about 10-20 years from now is O-C growing? Are young couples staying in town and raising their kids? I know I’ve seen small town schools here in MO. That did not consolidate and were forced too 5-10 years later cause they didn’t have enough kids! Just a thought!

Sarah Gramke Oakland-Craig is growing. Young people are staying or returning.

Cherry Hanak Why don’t they just build a new high school building , and tear down that old ugly one.

Kristi Bacon How many of u r paying land taxes in the Oakland school district. We have two farms in this district. We can not afford to pay anymore. We r at almost a 100 dollar an acre. OC needs to forget about building n look at other options

Jasmine Haeffner Helzer What should have been done is a school at Bertha. I could care less about sports as that is not what is going to pay the bills when these kids get older. Education is first and foremost. The outlook for rural communities are to hopefully sustain and the likely hood of growth is small. When looking at the numbers there is no tax benefit for a Tekamah-Oakland consolidation all we can hope for is better education.

David Mallette I always thought a merger with LV when the opportunity was there. Good highway to travel…already a new building in existance….I don’t feel a new building for the town and tax payers is the way to go. Oakland will always be my home town, but 10 years from now who knows what young families will be in town to support a new building.

David Mallette When it comes to sports…the BEST athletes make the teams…yes you have to try out and either make a team or your don’t.

Cherry Hanak I don’t even live there , just saying , how many years can people talk about this , nothing ever happens, just saying, again
Susan Reynolds-Seery Living 5 miles out of town is bad enough. My kids ride the bus, so no I don’t drive them, but just recently they got stuck in the snow and was almost 45 minutes late to school. I couldn’t imagine them having to travel farther. I hope they graduate before this goes down or we might be going to West Point and I don’t want to take my kids from their friends, but their safety is more important.

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I agree Susan!! I’m hoping this will be years down the road & my kids are out of school too! If everyone would stop complaining about this school or that school & worry about their education, it would be a small miracle! No one wants their kids to travel, but if they have to, wouldn’t the shorter, safer route be best? 
Susan Reynolds-Seery Yes definitely! It’s not the first time they have gotten stuck either. I worry about them every time they go out. We have a great bus driver and I trust him, it’s the weather and roads I don’t trust. I hope in the end it works best for the kids.

Abby Simonsen As a young child I rode the bus from 7 am till right up till school time every morning. Back in the day when we had snow on the ground from Halloween till the end of March. I have so many fun memories of this free time with other kids. Weather you travel two miles or ten, getting the education required to succeed in this wildly changing world is what is important. Sports teaches discipline to fight and succeed when you are out in the big bad world. Consolidation only makes sense if the dollars it takes to run an education establishment are being spent efficiently.

Tekamah-Herman Voters Down Proposed Bond


The voters from Tekamah-Herman spoke loud and clear voting against the proposed bond to build a new school. This leaves other options on the table such as repair the existing school facility or consolidate. I wonder what the future will hold now? Stay tuned!

All Eyes on Tekamah-Herman


By Brian Depew, Lyons Area Resident

At a special meeting on April 23, the Tekamah-Herman School Board decided they needed to hear more from the public about consolidation. Patrons had previously voted 70% to build a new school in Tekamah, but Board members voiced concern that those attending the public meeting were not a representative sample of the district.

To gather more input, the Board decided to mail a survey to registered votes in the district. The district hopes to have enough surveys returned ahead of their regular May 12, 2014 meeting to use the result to guide their decision. The board suggested that a 25-30% return rate would be sufficient and that they will proceed however the survey directs them.

70% Tekamah-Herman Residents Want New Tekamah School


By Brian Depew, Lyons area resident

Can also be viewed at burtcountyschool.com

A crowd of over 300 people gathered in the Tekamah-Herman gymnasium this evening. Following two hours of presentations comparing costs, levy rates, curriculum and activities offerings, Tekamah-Herman residents voted overwhelming to build a new school in Tekamah.

70% of those voting chose the option of building a new school in Tekamah. Only 23% chose county-wide consolidation. Applause broke out in the room when the tabulated results appeared on the overhead screen. Superintendent  Brandon Lavaley called the results “helpful direction for the School Board to make decisions with going forward.”

The fiscal impact of Tekamah-Herman building a new facility on their own rather than joining the proposed Burt County School is 7.4 cents on the levy, or $74 per $100,000 of valuation. Tonight, residents indicated they were willing to pay that extra levy to maintain their community school closer to home.

All options presented included closing the Herman location.