N-O Board Approves Laptops, Principal Contracts & Duties

More than 50 people attended the Neligh-Oakdale school board meeting on Tuesday night, forcing the group to move into the school library. 

Six audience members, including three Neligh-Oakdale High School students, spoke about the resignation of Supt. Kim Lingenfelter, which was later accepted on a 3-2 vote. Traci Jacobsen and Krista Schindler cast dissenting votes. Del Ames was absent. See video of audience below:

In other matters, the board:
• Voted 5-0 to approve 2015-16 contracts for principals George Loofe and Mary Schrader. Loofe, who currently serves as the principal for grades 3-12, will be the 7-12 principal next year. His salary will remain at $99,500, but his annuity will increase by $600. Schrader will take on grades 3-6 next year, in addition to the grades P-2 she is currently serving. Her salary will increase from $73,000 to $80,000. Both will have the ability to trade four sick days for one personal day. 

• Approved the 1:1 Initiative on a 4-1 vote, going with the technology committee's recommendation of purchasing 175 Lenova laptops, 21 wireless access points, 15 MacBook Pros, anti-virus software, Microsoft Office updates and other various software. The machine with gear (sleeve, warranties) has a monthly lease payment of $4,721 over a four-year period. This will allow students in grades 9-12 to have laptop computer access in school and at home and students in grades 7-8 to have laptops at school. Board members discussed using monies from the depreciation fund and REAP grant money to cover the cost. Higgins cast the lone dissenting vote.