BB School Board Congratulates Fall Activities, Amends Superintendent Contract

BB School Board Congratulates Fall Activities, Amends Superintendent Contract
The Broken Bow School Board met on Monday, November 16. Gerald Pirnie (back left) has one meeting left before his term with the board ends. He did not run for another term and Amy Staples (front right) was elected to the board following this month's election.

BROKEN BOW—The Broken Bow School Board held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, November 16 as Thanksgiving break approaches. Superintendent Darren Tobey congratulated all participants in fall activities saying “fall sports were a huge success” and announcing that the One Act Team recently won first place at a competition in North Platte and took home awards for Overall Best Actor Isak Chancellor and Overall Best Actress Minji Haynes.

The middle school 6th-8th grade fall concert is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17 in the Broken Bow High School gym to allow for more distancing. Household members only, masks required.

Regarding an increase in COVID-19 cases in the area, Board President Tom Osmond said he appreciates all of the teachers and staff who continue to educate students. Mr. Tobey said there are currently two teachers and two non-certified staff members who have tested positive for the coronavirus. About 41 students will return to school this week after being in quarantine.

Tobey said if someone was not wearing a mask when exposed to COVID-19, he/she is required to quarantine. However, if a member of a teacher’s household tests positive but the teacher has not and shows no symptoms, he/she is able to continue working because he/she is considered an essential worker.

Broken Bow Public Schools is currently scheduled to begin Thanksgiving break following the conclusion of school on Tuesday, November 24. There will be a teacher workday on Wednesday, November 25 (as of Monday night).

Also on Monday night, Treasurer J.B. Atkins said the district is behind in expenses when compared to last year and the claims report was approved in addition to the annual audit report. The board updated district policies and also approved the signed contract for science teacher Rachelle Kruml, who will begin in January.

The board discussed a Side Letter Agreement to the superintendent contract “to resolve uncertainty over two provisions of the contract, which were impacted by unforeseen circumstances at the time the provisions were created, including COVID-19 and a track project.” J.B. Atkins summarized the discussion by saying the board is “amending the contract due to outstanding circumstances this year.”

Contract incentives are usually awarded to the superintendent following the academic performance of fall and spring MAPS testing and the financial performance of the district staying within budget. Due to spring MAPS testing not taking place because of COVID-19 shutdowns, the board decided not to issue the academic performance incentive.

Instead, the board approved a $10,000 discretionary bonus intended for pandemic planning and ongoing changing situations related to the coronavirus. A $10,000 incentive was also approved to Mr. Tobey for financial performance of the district. Pam Holcomb made the motion, J.B. Atkins seconded, and the motion was approved 6-0.

The next school board work session is scheduled for Monday, December 7 and the next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 14, both at 7:30 p.m.

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