School board hears reports as staff prepares for new year
The Aurora School Board heard upbeat reports from administrators during Monday’s monthly meeting with unanimous consensus that they are excited to have staff back in the building making plans for students to start the fall semester later this week.
“We’re ready to roll,” said curriculum director Desiree Teahon during her brief report.
Each of the administrators offered brief updates during the 90-minute meeting, beginning with High School Principal Doug Kittle.
“Day 1 is in the books,” Kittle said after Monday’s training day for high school staff.
Kittle reported that students will begin classes Thursday, including 19 new students, minus 10 who transferred out of the district, and four exchange students.
Activities Director Jay Staehr noted that fall activities started on Monday, which meant a busy day for band, athletes and coaches. He also reported that the Nebraska School Activities Association has proposed changed guidelines regarding classification, which could shift classes A and B from the largest 61 schools in the state to the largest 65. Based on gender specific enrollment, Aurora’s boys and girls are listed at No. 63. Girls volleyball will compete in Class B this fall. Both boys and girls basketball are projected to compete in Class B, though that decision is not yet final. Football will remain in Class C1 since this is the first year of a two-year schedule.
Staehr also reported that when boys and girls enrollment is combined, Aurora comes in at No. 66, which means the cross country team will compete as the largest school in Class C this fall.
As for this fall’s sports teams, he reported rosters as of Monday at 62 for football, 40 for cross country, 26 for volleyball, 21 for softball and 13 for girls golf.
Elementary Principal Mark Standage said he expects approximately 517 students to begin classes Thursday, including 31 new students. Staff meetings were scheduled to begin Tuesday, and Standage said “We’re ready to go,” also mentioning a first-ever “back-to-school bash” planned for Aug. 29, which will replace the carnival traditionally held in the spring.
Standage also reported that there is no dirt visible on the west playground where grass was planted in the spring. New swings were also installed on the east playground during the summer and are ready for use.
Speaking of facility updates, Supt. Jody Phillips reported that 500 gallons of top coat were applied to the east parking lot at the high school, though the job is not yet complete. The company applying the top coat ran out of material and is scheduled to finish the job and also add a second coat at his request. In the meantime, Phillips said the parking lot is fully functional and should be completely done by Saturday.
The superintendent welcomed staff members with his annual address Monday morning, when he shared a message inspired by recent conversations with former students.
“I’ve had conversations with people over the summer and it dawned on me that all of our staff members are heroes to some kid, if not more than one kid,” he told the board, sharing part of his morning message. “This year we’re going to focus on being that hero. We have such an impact on kids lives and that’s one of the huge roles that people remember for a very, very long time.”
Legislative concerns
At the beginning of the meeting, Phillips said he is monitoring discussions and proposed bills in the legislature’s special session, concluding that at this point it’s difficult to know what to plan for from a budgeting perspective.
“There is a great deal of concern about what’s going on right now,” he said. “They are turning out amendments to this bill faster than they can analyze them and if they’re not careful something could get passed that has not been vetted and analyzed very well. They need time to study that, and a special session may not be the time to do that. Nevertheless, it’s there.”
Cole Ashby, the district’s business manager, offered a review of the 2023-24 budget and a preview of the 2024-25 budget, noting that “progress is being made” with a line of credit getting paid off this month, despite unexpected costs including insurance deductibles involving roof repairs. Ashby said he projects the district’s valuation to increase 5 percent this year, though that number will not be announced until on or around Aug. 20.
Ashby also cited several factors which could impact the next year’s budget, including new legislation, increased salaries and benefits, as well as any potential plans resulting from the district’s strategic planning process. A board workshop is scheduled for Aug. 19 to review the budget, with a public hearing expected on Sept. 9.
“It’s very hard for Cole and myself to plan what to do,” Phillips added. “It’s about positioning yourself, not knowing what’s going to come about the following year, while also looking at whatever comes out of the legislature. As of now, we do not expect to go over our property tax authority (which would trigger a “pink postcard” public hearing). It depends on how things transpire over the next few weeks.”
While addressing several action items on the agenda, the board spent considerable time discussing a proposal to consider two temporary easements and one permanent easement needed to set up directional boring on district property along 1st Street. A junction box estimated to be 3-foot high raised some concern with student safety.
“I hate saying yes to something I just don’t know about,” said board member Brock Wyatt. “It seems like a risk, in my opinion.”
Phillips advised the board that he will inquire about burying the J-Box underground, and make an attempt to learn more about safety concerns.
The board approved the two temporary easements and postponed a decision on the permanent easement until the special budget meeting later this month.
In other action Monday, the board:
* approved the pay rate for substitute teachers at $145 per day, while also introducing a new incentive with a $500 bonus for anyone who substitutes 20 days per academic quarter. Phillips said the incentive could make a difference for teachers who substitute in multiple districts, knowing that there is a bonus for hitting the 20-day minimum each quarter in Aurora;
* approved a policy changing the 12-month employees’ annual vacation time period to Aug. 1-July 31. Phillips explained that vacation periods now expire June 30, which results in many 12-month employees taking vacation during June, which is one of the busier months;
* approved the contract for Liz Peterson from Memorial Community Health as the new school nurse;
* approved four new policies involving fees for accessing school district records, communicable diseases, employment terms for classified staff, and the district’s mission statement;
* designated Supt. Phillips and board member Brock Wyatt as delegates for the purposes of joint public budget hearings, if needed.
* changed the names on the school nutrition fund and Snack Shack bank accounts to reflect a change in staffing.