When to Graduate

The Cheyenne County School District No.1 Board of Education announced the second Staff member of the Month in its Feb. 8 meeting.

The meeting was held as a modified Zoom conference with board member Brenda Smith participating via computer.

Anne Belieu is being recognized for her amazing service to students in the second grade. She has been at great leader for the staff and students at South Elementary, according to her nomination letter. She also meets the needs of every student, year after year, through the differentiation to ensure exceptional academic student growth.

Belieu is the second staff member of Sidney Public Schools to be recognized. The award is the joint effort of The French Door, Sidney Floral and Gifts and Dairy Queen.

The board also discussed Policy 3004 General Purchasing and Procurement. The policy addresses purchases made with federal funds, whether the funds are directly from the federal government or by pass-through awards from the Nebraska Department of Education. The policy says no employee of the district make make a purchase without board or administrative approval. Purchases or commitments of district funds that are not authorized by this policy will be the responsibility of the person making the commitment.

The board tabled decision on the policy to the March meeting.

The board also discussed the District's policy on mid-term graduation. Sidney High School Principal Chris Arent said he reviewed the policy with Tess Plummer (Director of Student Programs). He said the proposal is for early graduation applications to be submitted by September 1, and the board's decision made in the October meeting. Board members discussed how strict the policy should be applied. Board member Mike Palmer questioned if a student should be required to attend school if all of the graduation requirements have been met.

“We're only going off of the situations we've had over the years,” Arent said.

The board decided to table the discussion for more research.

About that time, the internet connection with Smith disconnected and the board approved an excused absence.

The board then approved the resignations of Kegan Douglas and Cindy Payne. Payne is presently a reading teacher for fifth and sixth grade at West Elementary School. Douglas, Sidney High School computer science and business teacher, stated he is resigning at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

The board also approved two overnight travel requests. The Sidney High School Cheerleaders are traveling to the State Cheer competition in Grand Island Feb. 19-20. The event will include 11 cheerleaders, and two sponsors/chaperones: Hope Feeney and Carrie Nesbitt. The Danz Team was approved to compete in the State Dance competition in Grand Island Feb. 16-17. Sponsors are Michelle Weimer and Mariah Mata.

The board also approved the 2021-2022 contracts for Jay Ehler as superintendent, Bryan Schoening as principal and Ellen Fiscus as school psychologist.