Sidney students honored at board meeting

Numerous Sidney students were honored at the Sidney Public Schools District board meeting earlier this week.

Seven Sidney High School students recently received Academic All State honors: Andrew Myers and Megan Neal for music; Ryan Birner for golf; Hayden Lienemann and Jachob Wiedeburg for boys’ track; and Savanna Rosenbaum and Sara Von Seggern for girls’ track.

Sidney Superintendent Jay Ehler said the honors are limited to two students per activity and that sometimes there are more who qualify.

“They are great kids and represent us very well,” he said.

Sidney High School Principal Chris Arent also praised the accomplishments of the schools’ Envirothon team. The group of five students was recently named the state runner-up for the second year in a row.

The competition included several tests and also a formal presentation. The team had worked closely with the South Platte Natural Resource District, Arent said.

“It’s really nice to see both our teachers and our students working with an organization like the NRD and representing Sidney well,” he said. “And not only Sidney, but their educators and themselves as well.”

Later in the meeting, April students of the month were announced.

The award program recognizes students for academic performance, exceptional work effort, contribution to a class, leadership, citizenship and service to school.

The April winners were Caleb Luptak, seventh grade; Karli Christofferson, eighth grade; Connor Lindeman, ninth grade; Madison Couch, 10th grade; Madison Langley, 11th grade; and Tyler Miller, 12th grade.

Also at the meeting:

• A public hearing on student fees was held and then passed. Ehler said the fees must be passed every year. After being reviewed by principals, coaches, activity directors and the lunch director, the student fees policy was approved with only a minor amendment. An $8 fee for planners and agendas was added for students in third through eighth grades. Ehler said that fee has been charged in the past, but now it will be included in the policy.

• An overnight travel request for the high school boys’ basketball team was approved. The squad will travel to various team camps throughout the state between May 30 and June 19.

• The board unanimously approved the resignation of one teacher and the hiring of five teachers. Ehler said all teaching positions in the district had been filled, but a school nurse is still being sought.

• The district’s parental involvement policy was modified. Ehler said the changes are just updating the policy to reflect initiatives the district already has in place. The changes were necessary under new “No Child Left Behind” rules for schools that receive federal funding.

• The next Sidney Public School District board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the district administration building.