BROKEN BOW—Tim Chancellor officially read his oath of office as he begins his term on the Broken Bow School Board. Chancellor attended the work session on January 7 but Monday night marked his first official meeting. Chancellor said he looks forward to working on a local board.
“I think with the school board it’s important to do everything you can to involve the community. That’s what the school is—it’s all of our kids coming together being educated. Everything you can do to inform and work with the community–I think that’s the most important factor,” Chancellor said.
Treasurer J.B. Atkins said the general fund is sitting at $1.55 million compared to $1.47 million this time last year. Atkins also said the board is behind on expenditures from this time last year.
High school English teacher and football coach Mike Garner had previously asked the board for an extension on his early retirement contract until May 2020. Tom Osmond said the board’s attorney recommended not extending the buy-out. Board members expressed concern of setting precedence for future employees also wanting an extension. Garner has been with the district 29 years and said the contract was made in 2000.
Pam Holcomb made a motion to grant the buyout for retirement for May of 2020 but no one on the board seconded the motion and the motion died.
Officer elections were held on Monday night and Tom Osmond will serve as President with Gerald Pirnie serving as Vice President. J.B. Atkins will continue as board treasurer and school paraeducator Penny Myers will continue as board secretary.
Superintendent Darren Tobey and Mike Garner announced high school student Grayson Garey has been nominated to play in the annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl, scheduled for June 2019 in Kearney.
The Nebraska Shrine Bowl is a fundraiser for Shriners Hospitals for Children. High school seniors from all classes in Nebraska play in the annual game. Garner said Nathan Scott, class of 2010, was the last Broken Bow player to participate in the bowl.
Teacher negotiations for 2019-2020 are ongoing but the board tabled the action item until the February meeting. Four staff resignations were approved with a motion by Atkins and a second by Pirnie.
The school board will host a work session on February 5 at 7:30 p.m. and a regular meeting on February 18 at 5 p.m.
