It was a well-attended meeting on Monday, March 21 for the Broken Bow Public Schools Board of Education. While there was a large attendance, of approximately 40 people, the meeting itself was fairly uneventful. Only three individuals spoke during the public comment period regarding a parent meeting with BBPS Superintendent Darren Tobey a week prior, the resignation of Elementary Principal Kim Jonas, and the harmful effects of rumors and lies and the negative effect it has on the culture of the school.
Following public comment, Board President Tom Osmond reiterated his statement from last month that if anyone has personnel matters, they need to take them up with Tobey as the Board has very little say. He stated it is in the employee’s best interest that the board not get involved with personnel matters and allow those to go through the administration.
Kim Jonas briefly gave a report to the board about the happenings with the Early Childhood programs. She stated the Sixpence Program continues to serve the area providing home visits and serves multiple children. She noted the grant requires a minimum of 24 kids from prenatal to three years old be served. Currently, the program serves 27 children.
Jonas said the move to the new building at the New Discoveries Preschool has been a major success. She stated when they were first starting out on how to get four-year old’s through a meal line it was a “little rough,” but noted the kids can now almost do it all themselves. This year, New Discoveries served 37 three-year-olds and 42 four-year-olds. Next year that number will balloon as 36 students will return, 43 students have been accepted, and 11 other students are on a waiting list for the upcoming year.
Resignations and new hires were approved by the board which included the resignations of Elementary Principal Jonas, MS/HS Principal Rusty Kluender, and six other teachers and staff. In addition, five new staff members were hired which now only leave three open positions within the school, two special education teachers and a school psychologist. One of the open special education positions is a carry-over from last year that was never filled.
Also approved by the Board was a policy reiterating the school will maintain control of its curriculum, the ELA curriculum, approving the use of an outside counselor in the school, and approving the handshake agreement with the teachers regarding negotiations where the base salary increased $300.
The next BBPS Board of Education work session will be held on Monday, April 4 at noon, while the regular meeting will be on Monday, April 18 at 7:30 PM.
