4R school board seeks input on strategic plan

Aurora 4R Supt. Jody Phillips is inviting local parents, staff and students to participate in a survey pertaining to the district’s strategic plan.

(Click the survey link here)

Speaking during Monday’s regular monthly meeting, Phillips said a link was sent out in various formats last week, noting that the survey will remain open until April 19 at 5 p.m.
“Once the survey is closed, the data will be reviewed by the board of education,” he said. “The final step of the strategic planning process is to develop a plan, with goals for the district to work towards. Your feedback and responses to this survey is very much appreciated and will be used to develop the goals of the plan.”
A link to the survey is posted on the News-Register’s website at auroranewsregister.com, as well as several other local resources.
Phillips said he will work with ESU 9 to complete the data analysis, adding that he plans to share results with the board April 24 during its annual retreat.
During a brief administrative report, Phillips reported the district hit a three-year high of enrollment this week, totalling 1,251 students for the first time in his three years at the helm.
He also offered the board a legislative update, noting little progress on any education-related bills in Lincoln, or any proposals at all for that matter. He noted that the ongoing filibuster strategy waged by two state senators will likely result in a number of bills being attached to other bills toward the end of the session.
“This week will be a big week for the Legislature,” he concluded.
In other action during Monday’s meeting, administrators reported a busy schedule as the final month of the school year begins.
High school principal Doug Kittle reported that 1,954 people attended four performances of “The Little Mermaid” musical, noting that additional seats were added in the back each night. He also said that the decision to move this year’s prom to The Leadership Center was well received, as more than 80 students were waiting for the doors to open at 8:45 p.m. and all stayed until midnight. He said the plan is to utilize the same venue next year.
Kittle concluded by noting that there are 28 days of school remaining, with only four of those scheduled to have all students in attendance due to a busy schedule of sports and other extracurricular activities.
Addressing action items at the end of the one-hour meeting, the board:
* accepted with the regrets the resignation of Emily Hoegh as the district’s licensed mental health practitioner;
* approved a $160,000 bid for the roof flashing restoration project, which involves portions of the elementary, middle and high school roofs;
* approved the hiring of Lynette Finley as a new business, marketing and information technology teacher. Finley, who will replace the retiring Lois Hixson, comes to Aurora from Omaha Westside;
* approved a bid from Data Vision for $127,947 to replace a number of routers that have gone bad throughout the district;
* approved a bid from Midwest Floor Covering out of Lincoln for $43,392 to replace the carpet in the Middle School commons area which was installed in 2007. Phillips reported that several bids were considered involving carpet, tile and a combination of both, though carpet was chosen as the best option;
* approved a $218,777 contract with ESU 9 for special education services for the 2023-24 school year, though Phillips said that is an estimated amount based on time served. The actual amount could be more or less, depending on hours worked;
* noted a correction from last month’s meeting, when Phillips reported that the hourly rate for classified staff had been approved at $10.60 per hour. He clarified that the actual negotiated amount was $10.30 per hour, which represented a 6.85 percent total package increase.