BROKEN BOW – The Broken Bow Public School Board met for its final regular meeting before the year’s end at 6 p.m. Board member Amy Staples was excused by the board.
The treasurer’s report was approved unanimously. Treasurer J.B. Atkins said that the discrepancies between last December and the end of this year are almost nonexistent.
“We’re scary identical to last year. It’s about a $2,000 difference in a $3 million range.”
The school board was visited by the Broken Bow FBLA who recapped their trip to the National Fall Leadership Conference in Denver, which, according to FBLA member Justin Johnson, was an enriching, eye-opening experience: one that teaches that a handshake can do more than just seal a deal.
“I learned a lot about the business world, and all the people I met as well, expanded my view of America as a whole. This gave me the opportunity to see what’s outside Broken Bow, to meet people with different views, and learn about their experiences in the world.”
Twenty-seven of the FBLA’s 35 members attended the two-day conference; the total cost for the group’s ticket was $14,000, every penny of which was raised by the group’s own sweat and business ingenuity through selling wreaths, concessions, and other fundraising efforts.
Superintendent Darren Tobey revealed preliminary MAPS testing results. The end-of-semester testing period had just wrapped up the week prior. Based on the numbers four years ago, Tobey said, Broken Bow, at the elementary level, is almost unrecognizable.
“Across the board, at the elementary level, we set every record we’ve ever had as far as highest scores.”
Elementary winter MAPS scores have skyrocketed from a 54% in reading and math to 80% and 86%, respectively, and an 85% language score, up from scores in the 58th percentile. Science has gone up to 82% from 61%.
Only two categories have dropped, middle school reading and language, but Tobey says those numbers aren’t necessarily an accurate comparison of what’s happening day-to-day in school.
“Those aren’t really apples to apples, because those classes have changed over the last four years.”
High school testing numbers are expected by the board’s next meeting.
The board weighed the idea of closing school on Thursday due to the predicted forecast of near-50 below zero temperatures; they came to no decision, though an announcement will be made should school be canceled.
The board unanimously accepted Shelly Scott’s formal resignation as an educator at North Park Elementary; she will be retiring at the end of the school year. In her place, the board approved a contract for Paige Krejdl, who will be taking over Scott’s position next school year.
The board approved the superintendent’s incentive pay, and set the next meeting date: the Broken Bow School Board will reconvene in the new year on January 16, 2023 at 6 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
