BB School Board Hosts Brief Meeting During Back to School Week

BB School Board Hosts Brief Meeting During Back to School Week
Broken Bow School Board on Monday, August 15, 2022.

BROKEN BOW–In less than 20 minutes the Broken Bow Public Schools Board of Education concluded its regular August meeting on Monday, August 15 leading up to the first day of school. A back to school open house is scheduled for Tuesday, August 16 and the first day of school is Thursday, August 18.

During Monday night’s board meeting, the board excused member Tim Chancellor and approved the minutes of previous board meetings.

The treasurer’s report and claims report were approved with Treasurer J.B. Atkins saying revenue for the last month is up slightly compared to last year and that things look to be “on track.”

As for the looming task of approving the next year’s budget, talk was light on Monday as the district anxiously awaits the anticipated August 20 county valuation numbers. Depending on the valuations and where the district sits on an allowable growth rate, a public hearing may or may not be held this year due to new state laws.

However, the board is currently planning a budget meeting and work session on Tuesday, August 30 at 6:30 p.m. The budget is due to the state by a newly amended date of September 30.

During a budget interview with KCNI/KBBN last week, Atkins and Superintendent Darren Tobey said the school district is looking at an estimated increase of 3% to 5% (roughly $300,000 to $500,000) in order to keep up with the increases in wages, gas prices, and to replenish the deprecation accounts used for earmarked projects such as new vehicles, curriculum, technology, etc. This would be the first increase to the budget through the tax ask in several years.

Click here to listen to the August 8 budget interview.

As for it being back to school week, board member Pam Holcomb said she is ready to start a new year and feels a sense of excitement going into the week.

Mr. Tobey said new staff members were welcomed last week and are anxious to begin their time with Broken Bow schools. He said the Sixpence program recently heard from a guest speaker and former Nebraska Cornhusker football player DeMoine Adams will be speaking to the middle and high school students as part of the “best first day ever.” Adams is the current Chief Executive Officer for Nebraska TeamMates.

The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

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