Superior Board of Education interviewing candidates

Members of the Superior Board of Education have scheduled multiple meeting with the goal of hiring a superintendent. Monday evening, they met in executive session and selected four candidates to interview from a pool provided by Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA). Two candidates were scheduled for interviews on Wednesday, and another two are scheduled for Friday, May 12. The interviews are open to the public, but public participation will not be allowed.

In regular session, board members approved expenditures from the general fund in the amount of $339,040.68.

Board members also approved $339,040.27 to pay bills to date for the current addition - renovation project.

They accepted the resignation of Jacob Nannen from his position as a fifth grade instructor and head girls high school basketball coach.

In addition, they approved offering teaching contracts to Judi Roach and Cheneal Benne. Roach will serve as an elementary instructor and Benne as an art instructor. Roach is currently a fifth and sixth grade science and social science instructor at Blue Hill where she has taught since 2019. From 2002 to 2019, she was an elementary teacher at in Sidney. She started her career as a licensed insurance agent in Sidney. She now has a Guide Rock address.

Benne is completing her student teaching in McPherson, Kansas. She will complete her bachelor’s degree this semester from McPherson College in graphic design and art licensure. She has an intense interest in digital design. She has Courtland, Kansas, connections.

Bob Cook, middle school and high school principal, released enrollment projections for the 2023-24 school year. Currently there will be 30 sixth grade students, 30 seventh grade students, 32 in eighth grade, 25 freshmen, 34 sophomores, 28 juniors and 23 seniors. Total middle school and senior high school enrollment is expected to drop 11 students.

In addition he reviewed the end of year activity calendar. The last day of school is Thursday, May 18.

Jody Fierstein, elementary principal talked about family fun night, testing, field trips and move up day. In recent days students from various grades have taken field trips to Edgerton Explorit Center, Law Day – Nuckolls County Courthouse, water festival, Stuhr Museum Prairie Loft Barn, Hasting Museum and Homestead National Historical Park.

Move Up Day involved kindergarten through fourth grade students moving up to the next grade level for one day. The activity is designed to ease the start of school jitters next fall. Currently 27 kindergarten students are enrolled for this coming school year.

A “Summer Kids Club) is planned for Monday through Thursday the weeks of June 12, 19, 26, July 10 and 17. A free breakfast and lunch will be served.

Supt. Kobza reported he plans to have a preliminary budget for the 2023-24 school year ready for a budget workshop in mid-June after the Nebraska Unicameral has finished its session. The Unicameral has not passed a school finance bill yet.

The front entrance construction project is ahead of schedule. Building materials seem to be readily available. Thursday, May 18, administrative offices will move and demolition will begin Saturday, May 20. By consensus, board members agreed to have the sewer line inspected with a camera when it is opened during work on the restrooms. Supt. Kobza hopes it is in good shape and can be slip lined to extend it life. Ferris Construction is hoping to hire two people to help with the office demolition.

The district may qualify for free lunch or all students for the next four years if there are enough students eligible for free and reduced lunch. By consensus, the board encourage, administrators to pursue the opportunity and do the grant writing needed.

Supt. Kobza also reported 15 students indicated an interest in playing football this fall. He recommended the board move forward with offering football in the fall. He said, “The football program affects the drill team, the marching band and homecoming. If you need to, you can change in August.”