Outdated school policy to be brought back next month

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

McCOOK, Neb. -- A school district policy that was slated to be approved Monday night by the McCook School Board will instead be sent back to the drawing board to be tweaked.

The student fee policy, mandated by state law, must be approved annually by the school board. It allows the school district to set aside funds in the budget to pay for costs associated with school activities, such as clubs and sports, for those students who qualify for free or reduced lunches. Superintendent Grant Norgaard said Monday night that the student fee account is something the district never had to utilized, due to donations from the community that took care of students who couldn't afford the costs of a certain activity.

The policy also lists fees for student activities in the district, including some obsolete fees that are no longer used, such as the high school offering driver's education, a locker usage fee and parking fee.

School board members decided to send the policy back to the policy committee, update the policy and place it on the September agenda for approval.

Another policy that was approved unanimously and must be reviewed annually per state law was one on bullying prevention. It states that the school principal will be responsible for handling complaints of bullying and internet bullying.

The board also approved with gratitude the donation of 30 desks from Victory Christian Academy.

Positive comments from the board and administration included:

* board member Diane Lyons: cited Sharon Bennett, a teacher at Central Elementary, and her German shepherd, Molly, a certified training dog, who visit area nursing homes and more recently, the McCook City Library's summer reading program. "The kids loved being around her," Lyons said.

* board member Brian Esch: commended the McCook Football League and its 30-year legacy of leadership. The football program, originally sponsored by Cornbelt Chemical, has high school students as coaches for kids in 5th through 8th grade. Through the years, "The number of kids who have gone through the program is astounding," Esch said. "It's a huge mentoring lesson for high school kids." The mantle of director was passed on this year by Bison football coach Jeff Gross to Joe Vetrovsky, a teacher at McCook Public Schools and former Bison football player. Vetrovsky got to learn "how to keep kids and parents happy," Esch said.

* board secretary Loretta Hauxwell: thanked the Salvation Army for its recent backpack give-away program

* board member Bob Elder: congratulated Superintendent Norgaard on his recent recognition by Nancy Osborn for his participation to the TeamMate program. Board president Tom Bredvick added that Norgaard takes his mentoring time seriously. "If he's busy with his mentee, you can't bump him off his schedule," Bredvick said.

* board vice president Teresa Thomas: related that the fall sports meeting of parents, student athletes and coaches was very informative and included details on concussions and parental behavior/conduct.

* board president Tom Bredvick: commented on the generosity of the community to the school, whether it was time or resources, mentioning the recent donation of desks and the skill of the maintenance staff in refurbishing classrooms. He encouraged the board to take the time to thank those people when out in the community.

* business manager Rick Haney: commended Royce Clapp of K-Lawn and John Beideck of the Kugler Co., for volunteering their time in getting the turf back up to speed at Weiland Field. The grass was torn up last year due to several games played in the rain and Clapp and Beideck have been helping out in repairing it.

* Superintendent Grant Norgaard: cited teachers Megan Soundy, Tara Fries, Bev Klein and Brooke Gregg who have taken the time to work with new teachers this week. Also commended those teachers who met on Sunday with "Nebraska Loves Public Schools." Teaching "is not about the money, it's about making a difference," he said.

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