Public Invited To Hear Results Of Feasibility Study

By Carrie Pitzer
[email protected]

After months of anticipation, the Nebraska Unified District #1 is moving closer to making a decision on site location and a possible future with Ewing.

Although no discussion took place Monday night on the topic, board members went over public meeting dates to answer questions and discuss the feasibility study, which will be presented on Monday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Orchard gymnasium.

“It’s nice it’s the 5th and not the 25th. I was worried it would be the end of December, so that’s a good thing,” said Unified Board President Joe Thiele, referring to having more time to seek input and ask questions on the study before decisions are made.

Superintendent Dale Martin said Gerald Ehlers will present his findings in Orchard because that is the central location. Martin said he anticipates the six Unified Board members and Ewing Board of Education to be seated at tables on the gym floor, while the Clearwater and Orchard Advisory Board and Verdigre Board members will be seated together in the front. 

“He’ll give his report to board members. To board members, if they have some comments and questions of him, then he’ll try to clarify as he goes on,” said Martin. “Then toward the end, he’ll open it up to any questions from anyone else that is there.”

Thiele asked if all board members from each school and the public would be invited to ask questions. 
Martin replied, “He said he would like all questions to be answered that night.” 

The Orchard News/Antelope County News team plans to livestream the meeting in its entirety for those unable to attend in person. The video will be archived immediately for online review. 

Martin said the Unified District and Ewing administrators will meet with Ehlers at 5 p.m to review the study. He said no board members will see the study until 6 p.m. when Ehlers publicly presents it via Powerpoint
Ehlers will attend a public follow-up meeting possibly Dec. 19 or 20 in Orchard to answer more questions regarding the study. That date and time has not been finalized, and it is unclear at this time whether public participation will be allowed. 

December’s regular Advisory Board meeting is set for Wednesday, Dec. 7, and The Unified Board will meet again on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Student Information System
After using Schoolmaster for several years, the Unified District unanimously agreed to move to Power School, a national student information system that has become quite popular locally. Martin said both O’Neill and Neligh-Oadkale recently purchased the software, and it has “a good reputation.”

Martin said the price is similar to current software, but due to advances, Schoolmaster is considered outdated and obsolete. A replacement has been produced by the company, but Martin said it is not the route they want to take. 

The board unanimously approved the new student information system, which will assist in grading, notifications and much more for better communication between the district and Department of Education, as well as district and parents. 

Verdigre FFA
After 26 years, there will be changing of the guard for Verdigre agriculture and FFA. Kevin Randa plans to retire at the end of the year and put his resignation in early as he groomed his replacement.

Verdigre principal Chuck Kucera said that upon receiving the resignation, the district immediately advertised. They then offered the position to his student-teacher, Alex Cunningham, who will graduate in December from the University of Nebraska.

Kucera said Cunningham of Wausa will continue the strong ag tradition for the entire district, not just Verdigre, since Clearwater-Orchard students also participate in FFA through the Verdigre chapter.

Verdigre Preschool
All sites of the Unified District will offer preschool as of next year. The board unanimously approved Verdigre’s request to fund the program. Martin and Kucera met with the Department of Education last week, and Martin said the officials were pleased with Verdigre’s arrangements.

Martin said there are two concerns for the board—funding the two part-time positions required and meeting the requirements for the playground. 

Kucera said parent groups and foundation have offered to help Verdigre with the playground, leaving only staffing for the Unified District. 

Martin said a first-year half-time teacher Monday through Thursday with students and doing paperwork on Friday would cost the district about $23,000 after adding benefits. A first-year half-time para-professional would be another nearly $11,000. 

Kucera said that even though the teaching position has not been advertised, he’s had four inquires about it already, including three from inside the community. 

The district unanimously voted in favor of adding the program and hiring two half-time positions to fill the need. 

Marketing The District
The board spent several minutes discussing ways to market the district to those who are either considering opting out of the district or coming into the district. Terri Hergert said personal conversation is key, and Thiele agreed. As for how to get them interested in the district, Martin said the school should consider brochures and advertising as well. 

No decision was made on how to market the district, but the board did vote to change the goal to including personal contact as well as brochures and advertising opportunities. 

Thank You
Leroy Hollmann of the Verdigre Education Foundation used public participation time to thank the board members.

“I’m not here to complain or anything; I’m just here to tell you guys thanks,” he said. “You’re making huge decisions about the future of our communities. You’re doing a very difficult job trying to find neutral ground for everybody to work together.”

Hollmann said it’s important to stay focused on education at all times, including the prospect of grooming current students for business roles in the community. 
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Hollman added that “bigger is never better” and called smaller classrooms “essential” for education. 
Site location discussion was the instigator in beginning the feasibility study, and Hollmann told the board that teachers should drive, not students. He also said “compromise makes a huge difference,” even if it’s not always easy.