Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
The reduction of staff when Cabela’s was sold to Bass Pro lead the Sidney School District to plan cost-saving efforts. The plan included a reduction in staff, primarily by attrition.
Between retirements and resignations, the plan has worked. However, Cheyenne County Assessor Sybil Prosser announced a decrease in valuation, resulting in less revenue from property taxes. Monday night, Sidney Schools Superintendent Jay Ehler was asked what the impact will be and if the State will increase it’s support to the school district.
“Our allotment is going to go down,” he said referring to the property tax revenue.
He added the amount of State aid should increase. The question that couldn’t be answered is what the state legislature is doing with the school aid and property tax credits. In an April 6 story from Unicameral Update, the Nebraska Legislature’s official news source, said lawmakers were debating a proposal to provide a minimum amount of state aid to each public school district. The report said an amendment is pending that would replace the bill and raise the state sales tax rate to fund additional school aid and property tax credits.
Sen. Curt Friesen, of Henderson, is sponsoring the bill. Sen. Friesen is quoted saying the bill would ensure districts receive no less than 25 percent of its basic funding needs. In the article, Friesen added about 70 percent of the State’s school districts receive no equalization aid.
Monday, Ehler said he expects the state aid to increase.
“All in all, I thought it was good news,” he said.
In other business, the school board approved an agreement with Turf Management and Weed Control and discussed changes in graduating with honors requirements. Honors graduates with a 3.75 gpa or higher will be recognized, up from 3.50 presently. Changes will include Honors students must complete 85 credit hours. The changes are set to be instated in 2019.
The board also accepted resignations of Amber Burnett, Kelly Whipple and Victoria Ingram, and teaching contracts for Eamonn Feeney, Carissa Rayburn, Erin Dunn and Amelia Schuessler.
The board also approved a contract with Wamsley Construction for $36,225 to replace and update the front door at West Elementary School.
The board also recognized the Sidney High School choir for its invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
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