The Broken Bow Board of Education met in regular session Monday evening, March 16. Board President Tom Osmond called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the District Conference Room in the Broken Bow Middle School / High School Building.
Holcomb Provides Legislative Update for School-related Bills
Board Member Pam Holcomb provided an update of current movement in the Nebraska State Legislature that may have an impact on the school.
Holcomb noted that Governor Jim Pillen had recently transferred $7 Million to the Nebraska Department of Labor to fund a program providing scholarships to students attending private schools. The amount in the fund was later reduced to $3.5 Million, and the Legislature fell 2 votes short of removing the funding altogether. District 43 Senator Tanya Storer was among those voting to remove the funding. Nebraskans last voted to reject the program at the ballot box in 2024.
LB 1050, requiring students that do not reach reading proficiency by 4th grade be held back, and LB 1219, which provides for a cap on funds that can be levied by a school district are still under debate with amendments for both on offer.
Board Approves New Contract for Tobey
The School Board unanimously approved a new 3-year contract for BBPS Superintendent Darren Tobey, including a longevity incentive to help ensure he stays through the term.
In advocating for the extended 3-year contract, Osmond pointed to a number of metrics showing BBPS outperforming both peer schools and state numbers in English, Math and Science. Likewise, while the cost per student is slightly higher than peer numbers, the rate of increase has largely been held in check. In 8 years, Osmond indicated the cost per student increased only $800 at BBPS, compared to an average increase of $6,000 at peer schools and $5,000 per student in Nebraska overall.
Osmond noted that while the school staff and teachers play a large role in academic achievement, the support and leadership shown by Tobey has provided the opportunity for that success.
Other District Business
In the financial report, Board Treasurer Jennifer Jackson reported $586,000 of income against $1,061,000 in expenditures. Jackson noted a slightly higher expenditure under General Supplies of around $31,000. Tobey indicated this represents purchases in preparation for the next school year at North Park Elementary. The Middle School / High School will complete similar purchases toward the end of the school year.
The Board approved the hiring of new Kindergarten teacher Riley Denson and Band instructor Ally Phillips, and accepted the resignations of Science Teacher Joey Hajda Elementary PE Teacher Ryan Wetovick.
Tobey discussed state testing coming in April, noting that High School Freshmen and Juniors would be completing ACT testing April 1.
While the Freshmen and Juniors are testing, Sophomores and Seniors will be participating in the school’s 3rd Annual Community Cleanup Day. High school students not testing will be sent out in groups of around 10 to carry out various community service projects throughout town. Tobey indicated that any groups in the area who would like to take advantage of the program for some extra help on a community project should contact the school directly to schedule a team on that day.
The meeting of the Broken Bow Board of Education adjourned at 6:41 PM. The next meetings of the School Board are the Working Session at noon on April 6, followed by the Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM on April 20.
