Teaching positions filled at PCS
By Becky Uehling
Grant Tribune-Sentinel
The Perkins County School Board filled two teacher positions at its Wednesday, Jan. 25 meeting. Rehired as a music/band teacher was Jasmine Lehl, and hired for a first grade teaching position was Maaika (Mestl) Schilz.
Lehl took a year sabbatical last year to further her eduction and is returning to the district to a similar position. Schilz, who is currently working at Kearney Public Schools, will fill a position that will open up when current first grade teacher Sarah Loeffler moves into a full-time elementary Special Education duties for the district next year, according to Superintendent Phillip Picquet.
In other related teaching position news, Picquet reported that upper elementary teacher Tara Schwanebeck will move from the fifth/sixth grade social studies position to the open secondary math position, opening up with the recent resignation of Rebecca Jones.
“With Mrs. Schwanebeck’s move, in conjunction with looking for a science/reading position at the fifth/sixth grade level, the administrative team is reassessing needs and discussing options with (current) teachers that may be interested in moving (to a different position),” Picquet said.
Make-up Days
Picquet reported to the board that snow has definitely made the 2022-23 year a challenging one for the district.
Because of the amount of snow days that have been taken this year, the district will have to make up days before the end of the year to meet the required number of hours the state sets for students to be in school for the year, he said. However, as of press time on Tuesday, no firm plan was ready for publication.
“We have a (potential) plan, but we are checking on a few things before moving forward,” Picquet said.
Picquet told the board, however, that it is preferred to make up the days in the next month or so instead of extending the length of school in May.
Snow Removal
Like many other entities, the district faced challenges in dealing with the amount of snow that has fallen since the middle of December, he said.
“Our maintenance staff has done the snow removal this school year and we are grateful for all the work they have done,” he said.
However, with the large amount of snow received with the storm in January, along with a piece of equipment breaking down, the maintenance crew was unable adequately move all of the snow to prepare the facilities for the students, staff, and public, he said. Because of this, Jason Noyes of Grant was hired to help.
Noyes also was hired to move snow Trinity Lutheran Church on Road 768, which the school uses as a bus pickup and drop-off for rural students.
“The church has been more than gracious to allow us to use their property,” he said, saying the district felt it was right to clean their property
The district is using their own parking lots and open spaces to house the large amounts of snow.
Backup Bus Drivers Needed
During the meeting Picquet said the district is looking to hire back-up bus drivers for both activities and regular routes.
He said because of a number of events involving schedules and illnesses, and the timing of those events, the district has been short-staffed for activity drivers and backup drivers. Fortunately, he said, area community members have stepped up to help when the district was in a pinch.
“We really appreciate them taking their own personal time to help transport our kids. We can’t thank them enough,” he said.
Picquet gave credit to Brandon Wood and Tim Bishop for helping, and also praised their employer, Great Plains Communication, for allowing the men to assist with the school’s driving needs.
“Without those two community members stepping up, Jeff and Rex would be overwhelmed,” he said.
Picquet also praised Jim Koop and Larry Seger from Wallace and Ken Bartells from Grant for helping the schools as various times.
Currently the school has four activity bus drivers: Jeff Marquardt, Rex Burge, Tim Bishop and Brandon Wood. Regular route drivers Richelle Janssen and Jeff Criag also drive activities when requested, but are limited in their licenses on the buses they can drive, Picquet said.
Picquet said that routes pay $42 for each run, while activity driving pay starts at $16 hr. with experience is factored in. For those interested in obtaining their bus CDL license the school will pay for classes, certification, physical and any ongoing fees that are associated with maintaining their license. Those interested are asked to contact Picquet at 308-352-4735.