Other Vacancies

Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Schools

Sumner-Eddyville-Miller is seeking qualified applicants for a K-12 Principal. The position will begin August 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year. Applicants should be able to possess or be able to acquire a Nebraska Administrative Certificate with the proper endorsement.

SEM is a D-1/2 school district located in south-central Nebraska approximately 30 miles west of Kearney, NE with an enrollment of 223 students in grades PK-12. SEM school has a tradition of academic excellence, enjoys strong community support, and has established a positive, caring, and connected environment. The district is seeking candidates who possess competencies for working with staff, students, and parents.

Candidates must be able to communicate with and work effectively with community members, students, and staff. They must also possess strong leadership skills and knowledge of:

• School Improvement

• Curriculum

• Technology

• Career Technical Education

• Student Behavior

Applicants should email application materials to Dr. Candace Conradt, Superintendent, cconradt@semmustangs.org. Please include a cover letter, resume, credentials, references, and any other appropriate application materials.

Please reach out with any further questions.

Contact Information

Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Schools

205 E. 5th Sumner, NE 68878 https://www.semmustangs.org/

Dr. Candace Conradt

(p) (308) 752-2925 Ext. 1004

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The 2023 NRCSA Spring Conference is in the books and was a huge success. We had the highest actual attendance that we’ve had in at least 10 years, maybe ever. Most of the feedback we received on the conference was very positive, but we did receive some suggestions to consider on how we might improve things. We will definitely take those under consideration. Thank you to all who attended and participated. It was awesome to see all of you there!

NRCSA Leadership

Dr. Dawn Lewis, President. Arlington Public Schools

Ginger Meyer, Past President Chadron Public Schools

Mark Lenihan, Pres-Elect. Wayne Community Schools

Jane Davis, Secretary. Hershey Public Schools

District Representatives:

Eugene Hanks, West Crawford Public Schools

Dale Hafer, North Central Ainsworth Community Schools

Dr. Jon Cerny, Northeast Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schs

Panel members for the “So, What Makes a Good Board Member” discussion at the Spring Conference were: Jason Richtets (Centennial), Megan Kozisek (East Butler), Heidi Proskocil (Ord), Brad Wilkins (Ainsworth), and Matt Hothen (SEM).

The musical performances are always a highlight of the conference. Thank you to those who took the time to display the talents they are developing in our rural schools.

Paul Sheffield, Southeast Exeter-Milligan Public Schools

Jon Davis, South Central Alma Public Schools

Alan Garey, Southwest Medicine Valley Schools

Executive Director:

Jack Moles

Lobbyists:

Jon Edwards

Trent P. Nowka

Russell Westerhold

Legislative Co- Chairs:

Dr. Jason Dolliver Pender Public Schools

Scholarship & Recognition Co Chairs:

Tim Heckenlively, Falls City Public Schools

Jim Widdifield Minden Public Schools

Congratulations to this year’s NRCSA Award winners! One of the favorite features of many who attend the NRCSA Spring Conference is the awards presentation. Each year NRCSA recognizes an Outstanding Superintendent/ESU Administrator, Board of Education Member, Principal, Secondary Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Music Teacher, ESU Staff Member, and Support Staff Member. Most often the recipients do not even know they have been nominated. NRCSA works with the recipients’ school/ESU to sneak family and friends in to make the presentation even that much more special for the recipient. Of course, many of the messages from the recipients are very emotional. It is just rewarding to recognize some of the many great people working in our rural schools. Congrats to all!

NRCSA is excited to add a new feature to the Member Update. We want to do a “shout out” to our member schools/ESUs for special things happening in rural Nebraska. For example, we will try to recognize things such as:

• State Champions in NSAA Activities

• Special awards or recognitions received by the district or staff members.

• Extraordinary accomplishments by individual students or student groups

• National or regional level recognitions for schools, students, or staff members.

• Special grants received.

This month we celebrate:

* Cailyn Erickson (Auburn) and Landon Classen (O’Neill) received the Bill Lewis Memorial Scholarship through the Nebraska School Activities Association. They were recognized at the Boys State Basketball Tournament.

* Pawnee City’s Elementary team of staff members received the ASD Friends of Autism Team Award. Team members include Joni Hegemann (Elementary Special Education Teacher), Beverly Smith (paraeducator), Julie Kettelhake (paraeducator), Maria Hippen (Speech Language Pathologist), Mandy Bredemeier (Occupation Therapist), Rachel Jackson (Physical Therapist), Heidi Koster (classroom teacher), Angela Sholty (Art teacher), Laura Dieckgrafe (vocal music), Mason Amundson (physical education), and Brian Rottinghaus (Superintendent/ Elementary Principal).

* Johnson-Brock won the Class D1 State Boys Basketball Championship.

* Freeman won the Class C2 State Boys Basketball Championship.

* Schools recognized as Sportsmanship Award winners at the State Boys Basketball Tournament were Pierce in Class C1 and Shelton in Class D2.

* Milford recently won the ProStart Culinary Arts State Championship for the 2nd year in a row. The management team got 2nd. The Culinary team will represent Nebraska at the national ProStart competition in May held in Washington DC.

* History Nebraska honored Dr. Sara Crook of Peru State College with the Excellence in Teaching Award.

* Science teachers Jennifer Jones (Ogallala High School), Kristen Benton (Kenesaw High School), and Chelle Gillan (Central City Public Schools) were selected as finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

* Jeffrey Horner of Minden was recognized as the 2022-23 National Federation of State High School Associations Outstanding Educator in Speech and Debate Award recipient.

* State Champions in NSAA Speech included David City (C1), Elmwood-Murdock (C2), Wausa (D1) and Stuart (D2). 39 entries from NRCSA-member schools won gold medals!

* Wayne voters passed a $28 million bond issue.

* Students from NRCSA-member districts who were chosen “Best of the Best” (best among all classes in each event) from NSAA State Speech included Claire Woeppel of Chambers (Program Oral Interpretation), Jenason Spady of Garden County (Extemporaneous), Eden Coppersmith of Paxton (State Speech Spotlight), Keetyn Valentine of David City (Poetry), and Drew Leisy of Bridgeport (Humorous Prose).

* Many students from NRCSA-member districts were selected by the Omaha World-Herald or the Lincoln Journal-Star to their All State Basketball Teams. Honored were: All-Nebraska (All Class) Girls First Team, both papers: Kaitlyn Emanuel, North Bend Central. First team all-state honorees by class were: C1 Girls for both papers: Kaitlyn Emanuel (North Bend Central), Ruthie Loomis-Goltl (Bridgeport), Halle Dolliver (Malcolm), and Olivia Loomis-Goltl (Bridgeport). C2 Girls: Maya Dolliver (Pender), Chaney Nelson (Oakland-Craig), Sadie Nelson (Oakland-Craig) each by both papers,, Tori Sklenar (Ravenna) and Josilyn Miller (Niobrara/Verdigre) by the World-Herald and Chloe Hanel (Clarkson-Leigh) and Samantha Ehlers (Ponca) by the Journal-Star D1 Girls: Sydney Davis (Centura), Tori Sklenar (Ravenna), Josilyn Miller (Niobrara/Verdigre) each by both papers. D2 Girls: McKenna Yates (McCool Junction), MaKenna Willis (Shelton) by both papers and Amber Lawson (Wynot) by the World-Herald.. C1 Boys: Jeron Gager (Ogallala) and Ben Brahmer (Pierce) by both papers. C2 Boys: Carter Ruse (Freeman), Taylan Vetrovsky (Freeman), Carter Siems (Tri County), and Tayje Hadwiger (Amherst) by both papers. D1 Boys: Camden Dalinghaus (Johnson-Brock), Carter Erickson (Elm Creek), Jackson Kerchal (Dundy County Stratton), and Hayden Kramer (Maywood/Hayes Center) by both papers. D2 Boys: Riley Bombeck (Shelton) by both papers, Clayton Moore (Mullen) and Austyn Saul (Santee) both by the World-Herald, and Isaiah Zelasney (Osceola) and Kale Gustafson (Osceola) by the Journal-Star..

* The newest members of the Nebraska School Activities Association’s Student Advisory Committee for the next two years include the following students from NRCSA-member districts: Emma Kennedy (Ainsworth), Emma Brown (Bertrand), Calah Archibeque (Burwell), Karelin Deras-Hernandez (Fairbury), Tristen Boehle (Malcolm), Christian Burton (Lexington), and Cordell Frerichs (South Platte).

* Elected as State FFA Officers for the 2023-24 school year were: President Thomas Perrin (Ogallala), Secretary Alex Boudreau (Minden), Vice-Presidents Keetyn Valentine (David City), Paige Bunn (North Bend), Brayden Binger (Hay Springs), Abby Hodges (Johnson-Brock), and Bethany Nichols (Bridgeport).

The 2023 legislative session has been slowed down dramatically by Senators reacting to a pair of bills aimed at transgender youth. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh and Sen. Megan Hunt has led the move to filister all bills as they oppose two bills by Sen. Kathleen Kauth, LB 574 and LB LB 575. As a result of the filibuster moves, no bills have reached the Governor’s desk yet. Several committees are now putting together “Christmas tree bills” that will include several bills hung on one bill in order to try and move things as time is running out. Remember, that the Unicameral still must adopt a state budget.

There are still several bills out that are important to NRCSA-member schools and ESUs. Some of them likely will end up in a Christmas tree bill. The flip side of that, however, is that there are bills that are opposed by NRCSA that will end up on those same bills.

The major issues still to be finalized are the Governor’s school funding plan, Sen. Linehan’s “Scholarship Opportunity Act”, and several others that we are constantly monitoring. As things start to break we will attempt to keep you updated.

Governor Pillen’s School Funding Plan. The plan comes in three pieces:

1. LB 583 (Sanders) has two parts: (A) it provides $1,500 in foundation aid for every public school student (this would be inside the TEEOSA formula and would count as a resource, and (B) raises reimbursements for SPED expenditures up to 80% of allowable costs (this would be outside the formula and would not count as a resource). NRCSA testified in support of of the bill.

2. LB681 (Clements) has its hearing on March 15. The bill would provide $1 billion dollars for the creation of an Education Future Fund. An additional $250 million would be placed in the fund annually. The fund will be used to do several things, including (A) ensure that foundation aid payments can be made, (B) ensure that SPED reimbursement remains at 80%, (C) provide for one time projects focused on teacher recruitment and retention, CTE programs, or student mentorship programs.

3. LB 589 (Briese), as originally introduced, would provide for a 3% allowable growth rate on property tax requests. A Board of Education would be able to vote by a 75% majority to exceed the 3% limit. A district with 471 students or under could go up to 7%, a district with 472 to 3,044 students could go up to 6%, 3,045 to 10,000 students could go up to 5%, and over 10,000 students could go up to 4%. The issue could also be put to a vote of the people for an unlimited increase on a 60% majority affirmative vote. NRCSA planned to be in opposition to the bill. Sen. Briese dropped in an amendment just prior to the hearing that he let the Education groups know about ahead of time. The Governor supported the amendment. Included in the amendment, he changed the majority vote of the Board of Education from 75% to 70%. Of course, this has no different impact on a 6-member Board. The biggest impact of the amendment, though, is that the 7%, 6%, 5%, and 4% allowable increases would now be placed on top of the 3% base. As an example, a district with 471 students or less would have the ability to increase its property tax request by up to 10% (3% base plus the 7% allowable increase). NRCSA testified in a neutral manner, citing the late amendment in our position. Some other education groups and individual districts also came in neutral on the bill.

LB 753 (Linehan)--The “Scholarship Opportunities” bill passed onto Select File on Wednesday. This has been a hotly debated bill for several years. NRCSA, along with all of the other education groups, has stood in opposition to the bill.

LB 71(Sanders) and LB 374 (Murman) are two bills that deal with parental involvement and access to instructional materials. Many of the education groups worked with Sen. Sanders’ office on LB 71. NRCSA is supporting LB 71 as compared to LB 374.

NRCSA Bill Tracking

Milford Board of Education President and member of NRCSA’s Legislative Committee

Dave Welsch has been working on a funding plan that he is calling the “Nebraska Plan” and offers this update on School funding bills.

LB583 (Pillen Plan) had a hearing on February 7 before the Education Committee. The two main parts of the bill are to provide $1500 per formula student and to increase SPED reimbursement to 80% outside of the formula (it won’t be counted as a resource in calculating equalization aid).

Governor Pillen said that the bill will be amended to not provide $1500 to any Net Option students. The fiscal note on the bill came in about $100M higher than projected at $366M due to NDE using projected SPED costs while the Governor used actual SPED costs in calculating the reimbursement.

LB320 (Nebraska Plan) will have a hearing on February 14 at 1:30 before the Education Committee. The main parts of this bill is to lower ag land valuations within TEEOSA from 72% to 42% and lower other real property (mainly residential and commercial) from 96% to 86%. The reason ag is lowered so much more is due to ag values increasing over 310% since 2007 and residential and commercial going up much less at around 170%. This 170% also includes “new growth” which ag land does not have. LB320 also provides a minimum of 10% basic funding to all schools. These changes will double the number of equalized schools in the state.

Testimony has also been provided to the Education Committee to consider combining both LB583 and LB320. This combined bill would include increasing SPED reimbursement to 80% within the formula, lower ag land to 42% and other real property to 86% and provide a minimum of 10% of basic funding. Once these calculations are done, if a school still doesn’t receive a minimum of $1500 per student then additional aid would be provided to reach this level.

For more information please contact:

Dave Welsch

Farmer and Board President, Milford Public Schools

402-826-9691 dwelsch@westbluefarm.com

School Funding 3 Plan Comparison

School Funding 3 Plan Summary

Attendance at the event was strong as we had 95 at the Forum. That is the second highest attendance we have had for the NRCSA Legislative Forum. A big thank you to all who joined us!

The (rescheduled) 2023 NRCSA Legislative Forum held on March 7, at the Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott and was a big success. Those in attendance heard from several Senators: Lou Ann Linehan (Revenue Committee Chair), Robert Clements (Appropriations Chair), Steve Erdman (Rules Committee Chair), Tom Briese (Executive Board & Reference Committee Chair), and Tom Brandt (District 32). The day was highlighted by an address after lunch by Gov. Jim Pillen.

NRCSA Executive Committee election ballots were emailed to member leadership on April 3. Dr. Heather Nebesniak, Superintendent at Ord Public Schools, and Stephanie Kaczor, Superintendent of Riverside Public Schools are candidates for President Elect of NRCSA. In addition Chris Prososki, Superintendent at Southern, is seeking the position of Secretary on the Executive Committee. These are both statewide offices voted on by all NRCSA member institutions.

Paul Sheffield, Superintendent at Exeter-Milligan is also running for a second term as Southeast District Representative. Only members of the Southeast District vote on this position. One vote per institution is allowed and ballots are due May 1, 2023.

NRCSA is seeking candidates/volunteers for appointed positions for 2023-24. Interested persons may self nominate or be nominated by another person. If you would like to nominate yourself or nominate someone else please contact Jack Moles. Nominations will close at the end of the General Membership Meeting at the Spring Conference. Open positions are:

North Central District Representative - Dale Hafer is finishing his first term and is eligible to run for a second term of office. He has indicated that he will run again. District Representatives serve three-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms. District Representatives are voted on only by members in the NRCSA District, in this case the North Central District. Candidates must be from a NRCSA member school district and membership in NRCSA must be maintained throughout the length of service.

Southwest District Representative – Alan Garey will not be at a school in the Southwest District, so the Executive

Committee will need to appoint someone to fill the final year of his term. This person would then be eligible to run for and serve two three-year terms of office. Nominated for the position are Jane Davis (Hershey), Adam Lambert (Chase County), Jackie Anderson (Dundy County-Stratton), and Mark Bejot (Maywood). This appointment will be made at the Executive Committee’s June meeting.

Legislative Committee: These are appointed 3-year positions.

Randy Page is leaving Thyer Central and a new Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee will have to be identified. This appointment will likely come from the current members of the committee.

Bryce Jorgenson, Superintendent at Southern Valley (South Central Dist) is completing his first term on the Legislative Committee and is eligible to be appointed for a second term. He has indicated his desire to be reappointed.

Larianne Polk, Administrator at ESU 7 (Northeast Dist) is completing her first term on the Legislative Committee and is eligible to be re-appointed for a second term. She also has indicated her desire to be re-appointed.

Northeast District Representative – Aaron Plas is moving to a non-member district. The Executive Committee will appoint someone to fill the final two years of his term. Nominations have been received for Patrick Ningen (North Bend Central) and Daryl Schrunk (Randolph).

Southwest District Representative – Todd Porter (Southwest) is retiring. The Executive Committee will appoint someone to fill the final year of his term. Nominated is Jackie Anderson (Dundy CountyStratton).

West District Representative - Patrick Ningen is moving to a district in the Northeast District. The Executive Committee will appoint someone to fill the final year of his term. Nominated are Blake Dahlberg (Thedford) and Ginger Meyer (Chadron).

Scholarship & Recognition Committee

Drew Harris, Administrator at ESU 9 (South Central Dist); Chris Kuncl, Superintendent at Mullen (North Central Dist); Dr. Heather Nebesniak, Superintendent at Ord (North Central Dist); and Tony Primavera, Superintendent at Hayes Center (Southwest Dist) are all completing two years of service on the Committee.

Scholarship and Recognition Committee members are appointed by the Executive Committee and serve a term of two years. Four new members to the Scholarship and Recognition Committee will be appointed. If interested please contact Jack Moles.

Closing the Achievement Gap Research Team:

Julie Otero, Superintendent at South Central Unified System 5 (Southeast Dist) is retiring and a new Co-Chair will have to be chosen.

Closing the Achievement Gap Research Team members are appointed by the Executive Committee.

Rural Teacher Committee:

At the current time, there are no expected openings for 2023-24.

NRCSA announces the release of a new service! After several months of discussing possibilities, NRCSA is now offering a Principal Search Service. This service will be patterned after our successful Superintendent Search Service. Two options will be available. Both options will involve NRCSA consultants recruiting candidates for the position. One option will involve the NRCSA consultant making background calls, while the reduced version of the service will place that role with the Superintendent. If you are interested in getting more information about the service now, please contact Jack. Here is a brochure outlining the service.

NRCSA Principal Search Brochure

An outstanding opportunity is available for rural districts or ESUs to “grow their own” School Psychologist. I highly encourage someone in your school or ESU to apply for admission to the Prairie Nebraska Project through UNL.

With generous funding from the Behavioral Health and Education Center of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s School Psychology program is recruiting 10 rural Nebraska residents to complete an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology. The Prairie Nebraska project uses synchronous and asynchronous online instruction to deliver a program of study that is highly accessible for rural Nebraska residents. Students will be able to complete the training in their own community without having to relocate to Lincoln. Prairie Nebraska funds will pay for the trainees’ tuition and fees. Upon successful completion of the program, Prairie Nebraska trainees will qualify for an endorsement towards a Nebraska Department of Education certificate in School Psychology.

Successful applicants to the Prairie Nebraska program will:

• Live and work in any Nebraska county excluding Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Washington, or Cass Counties.

• Have a recommendation from an ESU or school administrator with a commitment by the school/ ESU to provide the experiences and supervision that trainees will need to complete the program.

• Apply to and be accepted into the University of Nebraska Lincoln Educational Specialist program in School Psychology.

Due to restrictions associated with the ARPA funds, all project-funded activities must be completed by December 2025. Consequently, we will be recruiting very quickly – with review of applicants beginning on April 1, 2023 and continuing until the program is filled. Coursework and supervised practica will be tightly scheduled and offered one course at a time. Formal, synchronous courses and meetings will be scheduled outside of typical work hours (e.g., 5 PM or later) and will emphasize projects, assignments, and activities that have practical utility to prepare students for dayto-day practice as School Psychologists.

Interested applicants should email Beth Doll, bdoll2@ unl.edu and include their:

• Name, email, and phone number

• Mailing address, including county of residence

• The school district or Educational Service Unit that is likely to provide their recommendation and commitment for supervised experiences

Dr. Jim Sutfin presented to the NRCSA Executive Committee at its meeting on January 26. His message dealt with work being done in the area of workforce development and how rural schools could benefit. A copy of his presentation is available below.

Workforce Development Presentation

The 2022-23 NRCSA membership drive is now complete! Last year we had 216 school districts, ESU’s, and State colleges and this year we continued our annual growth. We now have 220 members. Thanks to you for being a member. This growth energizes our representation and advocacy for rural Nebraska, no matter who we are engaged with on educational, legislative, or community issues. Without your support, there is less rural advocacy. Finding success, whether passing, amending, or stopping legislation comes from membership, relationships, and focus. Thanks to your membership in NRCSA, rural is at the table and making a difference on behalf of our rural students, schools, and communities.

We welcome our newest member: ESU #13. Welcome to the NRCSA family!! Thanks to all of you for your membership and partnership!

New Collaboration Seeks to Address Principal Shortage and Strengthen Professional Development

A new collaboration designed to address the shortage of future principals and strengthen professional development of current school leaders is underway. The project, entitled, Growth-Oriented Leadership Development (GOLD) is being coordinated by members of the UNL Department of Educational Administration, in partnership with NRCSA, NCSA, ESUs, and NDE.

“We’re seeking federal funds to develop current and future principals from within—a grow your own model, said Nick Pace, chair of the UNL Educational Administration Department. Over the next several months, Pace says a team led by professors Jiangang Xia and Scott Sturgeon will be inviting districts to join the effort. The team is inviting approximately 60 schools to participate, with half receiving focused training while the other half continues its current efforts without the training. Districts not initially selected for the training group would be first in line for the next round of the program, if funded.

Districts interested in participating should watch for information through NRCSA updates, ESU superintendent meetings, or by contacting Pace, Xia, or Sturgeon.

Nick.Pace@unl.edu, Jxia@unl.edu, ssturgeon2@ unl.edu

Southern Superintendent Chris Prososki recently shared a sample Superintendent Checklist that he uses. I thought this was a great instrument, one that I wished I had available to me when I was in the Superintendency. Thanks to Chris for sharing this! You can access the checklist here:

Superintendent Check List

The ESUCC and ESU 3 have shared a document which outlines all of the trainings and mandates that are required of districts. The document, “School District Plans, Policies, and Annual Trainings Requirements”, is a handy reminder for districts. Thanks to ESUCC Executive Director Kraig Lofquist and ESU 3 Administrator Dan Schnoes for developing and distributing this handy tool. The document may be accessed here:

School District Plans, Policies, & Annual Trainings

Nutrition leaders introduced a comprehensive proposal to address and prevent child hunger. Below are links to a press release about the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act (HR 8450) and a webform that can be completed to urge support of the act.

Healthy Meals Healthy Kids Press Release

Healthy Meals Health Kids Support Webform

NRCSA developed a corporate sponsorship/ partnership program. The program is designed to provide our corporate partners with more opportunities for contact with the decision makers in our member school districts, ESUs, and the colleges through increased exposure. Corporate partners are able to choose among three levels of sponsorship: Purple Ribbon Partners, Blue Ribbon Friends, and Red Ribbon Sponsors. Different forms of contact with our members are made available in each of the three levels.