Broken Bow School Board Discusses Evaluations and Negotiations

Broken Bow School Board Discusses Evaluations and Negotiations
(Left to Right) School Board members Carl French, Tom Osmond, J.B. Atkins, Pam Holcomb

BROKEN BOW—The Broken Bow School Board met on Monday night for a regular session. Previous minutes were approved as were the Treasurer’s Report and Claims Report.

Treasurer J.B. Atkins reported the month of September brought in $2.3 million in revenue with expenditures coming to $897,000. He said last year the month of September saw $1.9 million in revenue and more than $1 million in expenditures. He also gave the stats on the general fund balance for last year and this year: last year started with $572,000 in general fund; $1.2 million this year. At the end of September last year, the general fund balance was $1.5 million; $2.7 million this year.

“I want to repeat that for effect: last year was $1.5 this year $2.7 so we’re in really good shape,” Atkins said.

Superintendent Tom Bailey congratulated Coach Amy Taylor and the girl’s golf team, who came in fourth at the state competition. Bailey also applauded Business Manager Heather Nichols for keeping accurate records, which was noticed by state auditors.

“[I] want to congratulate Coach Taylor for the girl’s golf team—fourth at state—outstanding year they’ve had,” Bailey said. “[I] just wanted to acknowledge Mrs. Nichols and her work with keeping our books solid and doing our financials,” Bailey added.

No one spoke during the Public Comment period.

The board approved the strategic plan and superintendent evaluation tool. The evaluation form was changed to match the job description of the superintendent. Discussion centered on the timeline for the superintendent and board evaluations as well as whose input is included in the final version.

Evaluations of the superintendent are completed by the administration and the board; however, the board will use the information from the administration only as a reference when completing the final product. Evaluations are to be completed and discussed in the next few weeks. The board also approved the Board Self-Assessment Tool and Policy 4015 Prohibiting employment of board members.

A motion passed four to two to hire KSB law firm to represent the board in negotiations for next year’s teacher contracts. Pirnie, Osmond, French, and Atkins voted in favor of hiring the school’s law firm and Shaw and Holcomb voted against.

The school board will meet for a work session on November 6.

Administrator Comments:

Kim Jonas:
• Fifth and second-grade music program on Tuesday
• Fire Prevention week was last week–applauded the local fire department
• Third graders visited Adams Land and Cattle
• Nebraska Public School Advantage did an article on the success of the Character Works program

Nikki Altig:
• Fire week for preschoolers also last week
• Successful Family Literacy Night on September 19
• More fees might come into play at preschool—future discussion needed
• October 6 immunization clinic

Rusty Kluender:
• Sophomore class ring orders due Tuesday
• Seniors in process of ordering caps and gowns
• Seniors applying for colleges, Mr. Hogue assisting with FAFSA prep

Ryan Hogue:
• Absent

Tom Bailey:
• Becton Dickinson and Custer County Public Power have been involved with a grant for a county-wide STEM lab. A mobile trailer will include robotics, maker space, 3D printing, electronics, and other stations and would travel to area high schools. More information to come.

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