Board approval sought for foreign language, higher lunch prices

McCOOK, Neb. — French will be added as a foreign language choice for high school students, if approved by the McCook Board of Education Monday night at its regular meeting, 6:30 p.m., at the junior high conference room.

The board will also be asked to approve a ten-cent increase in breakfast and lunch prices; re-adopt state standard updates for English / Language art and math; a resignation from a Central Elementary teacher and seven new teaching contracts.

French used to be offered at the high school but it was discontinued some time ago. The decision to offer it again came after a school survey indicated enough student interest and that the current Spanish teacher has experience teaching the language, said Superintendent Grand Norgaard. Foreign languages currently offered at the high school are Spanish and a distance-learning class for German.

Submitting her resignation is Vivian Wells, library media specialist at Central Elementary.

Teaching contracts the board will be asked to approve are those for Cory Degnan, junior high science, Cynthia Degnan, Central Elementary, Jill Lauer, McCook Elementary, Elizabeth Klein, McCook Elementary, Amanda Page, senior high English, Caitlin Eaton, fifth-grade science and Amy Scheil, senior high physical education.

The increase in school lunch/breakfast prices has been an annual voting item since 2011, as the McCook Public School District gradually increases the prices to match the federal level of reimbursement rate for free and reduced lunches. If the ten-cent increase is approved Monday night, lunch prices at McCook Elementary will be $2.50; Central, $2.60; junior/senior high, $2.75; and adult, $3.65.

Prior to voting on these agenda items, the board will hear reports from the PTO as well as from the policy, programs and activities committees; a presentation of the new English / Language art and math standards; the grading scale for advanced, honors and dual classified courses at the high school; and the assessment used for the superintendent’s evaluation.