Academic Performance

Early this month, the Nebraska Department of Eduction released the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) results.

The assessment gives insight into how students who tested are performing academically as part of the COVID-19 recovery effort.

NSCAS English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments were given in grades three through eight. According to the Dec. 6 press release made available in the Dec. 13 Sidney School District Board of Education meeting, the assessments are rigorous “with high expectations for college and career readiness.” The report says the state's participation rate is usually more than 99 percent of the students. With the pandemic, the numbers fell by about 8,500 students but maintained about 95 percent.

The report says 46 percent of the state's students across all grade levels were on track or met the benchmark for college and career ready in math and 48 percent were either on track or met the benchmark of college and career ready in English Language Arts.

Sheri Ehler, the District's Curriculum and Assessment Director, cautioned that the numbers could be misleading.

“Remember, its really not apples to apples,” she said referring to the typical school year and the school district's response to COVID-19. “Everybody's just doing their best.

She added that Sidney students are achieving better than the state overall.

“We're really proud of our teachers.

She said school officials are still trying to define absenteeism in consideration of the alternative education approaches applied during the pandemic. Sidney High School Principal Chris Arent said last year attendance dropped to an average of about 91 percent, but has recovered to about 93 percent.

The Sidney School Board approved the resignation of board member Matt Wallace in November. In his resignation, he said in his his new job he doesn't know one week to the next when he will be available for a board meeting. The school district sought applications for the seat and in the Dec. 13 meeting approved Kevin Challburg as the newest board member. Board member Brenda Smith said there were two strong candidates who submitted applications. Challburg was chosen because of the community activities he is involved in.

The board also accepted the resignation of Todd Ekart. In April of this year, the school board approved the resignations of Chris and April Koozer; both closed six years of teaching in Sidney schools. Ekart was hired in April as the new Sidney High School football coach. Koozer accepted the head coaching position at Norfolk High School.

The board also received a report on its 2020-2021 audit conducted by Rauner and Associates.