Mentors needed for TeamMates program

McCOOK, Neb. -- The "TeamMates" mentoring program at McCook Schools is not about fixing the child, or for fun and games.

Rather, it's about building relationships with the student, said McCook TeamMates coordinator Darcey Hansen at the regular McCook School Board meeting Monday night.

The program currently has 58 matches of students/mentees but is in need of mentors, Hansen said, with 35 kids still waiting for a match.

Students in the program experience improved grades, attendance and behavior and are eligible for scholarships in their senior year, she told the board. In addition to meeting with their mentor at least once a week, the students participate in various activities, such as manning the concession stand at football games, doing service projects, such as folding newsletters at Bison Alumni newsletter gatherings and fundraisers.

Teachers can nominate students or students can nominate themselves, Hansen said, and once they get parental approval, can participate in the program. So far this year, most of the student/mentor matches are at McCook Junior and Senior High, with 25 matches each. Other schools with matches are at Central Elementary and St. Patrick's School, with four each.

But there are still 35 kids this year waiting for a mentor, Hansen emphasized, who encouraged the board to look into the opportunity.

Other presentations Monday night included those from Paul Calvert, of Educational Service Unit 15 and former McCook Mayor, Dennis Berry.

Berry spoke about the impact of the McCook Economic Development Corp. on job creation and retention. Citing jobs created/retained at Valmont Industries, the Work Ethic Camp and at other business it has assisted, Berry said the MEDC has a 20 percent impact on the total labor force in McCook and without it, there would be 1,500 fewer residents in McCook. How this impacts the school district is that without the MEDC, there would be fewer residents, fewer students in the schools and a smaller tax base.

ESU 15 covers more than 5,000 square miles, six counties and nine schools, helping a total of 3,500 students, Cavert told the board. ESUs get their funding from property taxes (up to $0.015 per $100 of assessed valuations), state aid, contracts with schools and grants from state, federal and private sources.

McCook board member Loretta Hauxwell asked what services the McCook School District receives from ESU 15 and Calvert answered that it helps with technology issues and with staff training. Superintendent Grant Norgaard added that the district also contracts for a school psychologist and pathologist.

Each ESU is governed by a 10-member board, with members on the ESU 15 board being: McCook, Jason Loop, Jesse Stevens, Dennis Chipman and Warren Everts; Danbury, Don Remington; Curtis, Dave Jibben; Hayes Center, Kate Repass; Imperial, Cheri Burke; Benkelman, John Metzer; Wauneta, Allison Sandman.