Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Members of Sidney High's state champion track and field team were honored at Tuesday's school board meeting.
Ensuring resources and training continue to be in place for Sidney schools to maintain a high level of academic excellence underscores the school board's priorities for the upcoming academic year.
At a Sidney Public School District board meeting on Tuesday night, board members passed a list of their goals for the new academic year that begins in one month. Most of the items were carried over from last year with slight revisions, and one was new.
Continuing with commitments to provide access to technology, a mentoring program for teachers and keeping up with leading trends in education, along with working toward a new elementary school, were carried over. The minor change entailed added "continue" to the front of the goals since most of the initiatives have already been implemented.
Reviewing the district's administrative structure and responsibilities was the new goal added to the five-item list.
The school board unanimously passed a motion articulating the goals this week after discussing them at a work session last week.
At that meeting, board members said the objectives would help the district continue to challenge itself to get better.
Superintendent Jay Ehler said the goals are communicated to administrators for implementation.
"I do emphasize to principals this is where we start, with school board goals, and branch off from there," he said last week.
Also at the meeting:
• The school board honored members of the Sidney High School boys' track team, which won a state championship in May. The athletes were accompanied by head coache John Ganser and assistant Teresa Rolls.
Ehler said the board wanted to recognize the team's accomplishments.
"You guys were amazing," Ehler said, adding he was at the state meet.
"It came down right to the last race, which was an amazing and exciting finish to a state track meet," he added.
Board member Doug Means said the victory would be something the athletes remember for the rest of their lives.
"And you should be very, very proud," he said.
• Rauner and Associates, a Sidney-based accounting firm, was approved to perform the school district's 2014-'15 financial audit.
"They do a great job and I am happy to have them," Ehler said. "They now our system know."
The audit will cost $15,500 – a slight increase from last year, the superintendent said.
• In his board report, Ehler highlighted summer maintenance and landscaping projects at the district's schools.
"Our landscaping is the best it's been," he said.
The exteriors of buildings were painted, lighting added at West Elementary School and the press box at football field improved, Ehler added.
• The next Sidney Public School District board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the district's administration building. While the July meeting was moved to a Tuesday, the August meeting will return to a Monday – the normal day for board meetings.
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