School’s tax asking down by over $730,000
The Perkins County School Board unanimously approved a budget that will decrease property taxes by just over $730,000 at their meeting last Monday, Sept. 17.
This is due in large part to making the final payment on the building addition last month.
The 2018-19 $9.4 million budget includes a tax asking of nearly $59,000 for the special building fund, down approximately $950,000 from last year. The general fund tax asking of $5.35 million is up $220,000.
Superintendent Phillip Picquet explained there is still a tax asking for the building fund as there are building projects and maintenance planned. There are also still funds remaining in the account from the addition project.
Principal reports
Junior and senior high school enrollment sits at 152, with 23 in seventh, 20 in eighth, 34 freshmen, 25 sophomores, 28 juniors and 22 seniors.
High School Principal Dean Friedel and Elementary Principal Nicole Long are currently performing classroom evaluations using a new evaluation model.
Long said part of the new evaluation process includes teachers developing a student learning objective. Students are given a pre-assessment, from which the teacher determines the area of need. A measurable goal is then set for improvement.
The PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) team is currently looking at expectations regarding being safe, responsible and respectful in the cafeteria and hallways. Surveys will be sent to the staff to identify three expectations in each one of those areas.
Long said they have seen great improvements after making some adjustments to their lunch periods at the elementary. The goal of the change was to give students more time to eat.
The elementary building has recently been equipped for key card entry.
Curriculum
Curriculum Coordinator Deanne Bishop said the Nebraska Department of Education released new science standards to be implemented this year. She noted the standards are vastly different from previous standards in both scope and the way they are approached. ESU No. 16 is hosting workshops to teach science teachers how to write lesson plans and curriculum maps that meet the new standards.
Bishop has been invited to attend an all-expenses paid conference for science teachers hosted by Society for Science in Washington D.C. Sept. 27-29. She has been given the opportunity to give a presentation on the curriculum for the district’s basic mechanical engineering course, experimental science. Stay tuned to the Tribune for more when she returns.
Athletics
Athletic Director Jeremy Struckman reported that the school is hosting SPVA
cross country, volleyball, junior high track and junior high music this year.
He has requested the school to host district cross country and track as well. Picquet asked what the odds were of receiving district track, and Struckman said five other schools in the district have put in a request to host.
Struckman said they’re looking at dropping the Cozad volleyball tournament next year and picking something else up that fits the team’s size.
Technology
Technology Director Renee Seiler said the PA amplifier has been replaced in the high school so bells and announcements can now be heard throughout the building. A PA unit and speakers are scheduled to be installed at the elementary.
REAP (Rural Education Achievement Program) funds were used to purchase new TVs, an Apple TV, PA system repair, iMacs, MacBook Airs and three Epson BrightLinks.
Seiler said there are 10 students in the entrepreneurship class this year, and they will be going downtown to seek sponsorship ads from businesses for Striv.
Local and some away games are streamed on Striv for fans to watch live from home.
Seiler said a direct line to the new TVs in the commons area will prevent delays they were previously experiencing during the games.
A 150-inch high resolution screen and projector will soon be installed in the northeast corner of the gym. Striv sponsorship ads are one of the things planned for projection.