School Board decides to keep local busing

LAUREL — Board members announced March 9 at their regular meeting that they intend to continue operating the bus service themselves.

A proposal from Mid States Busing in Wayne was declined, following a meeting with the school board and drivers and citizens about the issue.

The board also decided to increase substitute wages to match regular drivers.

They also determined the superintendentwill inform the board of anyincentives for attracting applicants for hard to fill positions.

Theschoolacceptedtworesignations from Evey Choat and Audrea Klassen.

Two applications were received for the mental health position and the board hired Brandi Settje, who was working previously at the ESU in the same type of work. Grant Settje abstained from voting on the approval.

The board also amended the school calendar since the boys basketball team qualified for state.

There will be no school March 12. Should the team not win their Thursday game, school will be held as regularly scheduled Friday.

The school has had five days of cancellations dating back to November. The school has some extra instructional time built in, however due to rule #10 of the state, more time will be needed.

The school day will be extended from 3:35 p.m. to a 3:38 p.m. dismissal to make up the time. The school will also have a day in April for students to work with community partners on how to have good credit, how to change a tire and other skills.

The school is planning a regional in-service with other schools. The ESU will support the project. An inservice is planned for March 25-26 to allow teachers to attend a technology conference on one of the days.

The board entered into a bond underwriting and consulting agreement with D.A. Davidson. Cody Wickham attended the meeting from the company.

Superintendent Jeremy Christiansen said the second community conversations meelingwas conducted in Coleridge and Laurel.

“The number attending increased. We talked about the mission and vision of the school and rolled out a survey,” Christiansen said.

People talked about what it is to serve as school board members and other topics, according to Christiansen.

Christiansen said the school is working on their response to the Coronavirus. The school nurse has been working with the school staff and reviewing cleaning agents and schedules for cleaning also talking with staff and students about good hygiene habits. Information was also sent home with students.

Christiansen recently participated in a conference call with the governor’s office and other agencies on the issue, including if the school would have to close due to the virus. As written, Rule #10 does not allow the school to count days for instructional time when students would be learning from e-technology at home. There was an exception last year due to flooding.

“We are trying not to create undue concern or fear about the issue,” Christiansen said.

He also gave a summary of the board’s retreat at Wayne State College.

It was noted, that the Conference speech meet included 17 schools.

Jack Moles of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association appeared before the board to discuss his organization.

The organization was formed in the spring of 1980 by a group of administrators from Class C and D school districts who saw the need for an organization dedicated to the interests of rural and small schools in Nebraska.

He said his organization works together with schools on legislation advocacy and helps do research. The organization hosted a legislative forum and will host a conference March 26 and 27. They also award outstanding individuals for work in rural schools at their spring conference.

“I know your school doesn’t get equalization funding and we are trying to change that,” he said. “We are also working on the shortage of rural teachers. Redistricting is an issue, as this will result in several less senators in rural areas. We are also working on a project with all three state colleges, Peru, Wayne and Chadron State Colleges to have a scholarship program patterned after RHOP (Rural Health Opportunities Program).”

Haley Hart shared her poem,

“Statebound.”

The student member board report included:

• Students attended the District Art Show at Wayne State College,

• FFA members had a March 4 competition,

• Dance members attended State, Yearbook is putting announcements out throughout the school

• Track season has begun with a March 2 meet and a March 4 meet,

• Students are working on prom, • FBLA attended a convention in Kearney,

• FFA members attended state convention in Lincoln,

• State Skills USAwas also in Kearney,

Principal Ken Swanson said the NSAA released football schedules and the schedule looks different for LCC with a seven-game schedule.

He commended Evan Haisch on setting a school record. He is also second in the state for 3-point shots.

The school Teammates attended a Wayne State College basketball game in February.

Parent teacher conferences for junior high included half of the families showing up, and the elementary celebrated kindness week to promote empathy skills.

The next meeting will be April 13.