Resignations accepted for principal, business manager

McCOOK, Neb. — Two McCook Public Schools administrators submitted their resignations Monday night at the regular school board meeting.

The resignations of Rick Haney, business manager, and Kate Repass, Central Elementary principal, were accepted by the board.

“There’s nothing set in stone...this is a true retirement,” Haney told the Gazette Tuesday, adding there were a few things he still wanted to do.

Haney taught business at McCook High School for 18 years, before becoming the athletic director and assistant principal. He’s been the school district’s business manager for the past 12 years. In his resignation letter, Haney said he will be leaving at the end of his contract for 2018 to pursue different challenges and opportunities.

He is not eligible for the early retirement buyout incentive program, as that sunsetted a few years ago, Superintendent Grant Norgaard said.

Kate Repass has spent 32 years in the education field, according to her resignation letter. She was hired in 2012 as the curriculum director /Central principal by the McCook School District. Repass said in her letter that she plans to work through part of June, ending her tenure on June 7.

Board president Tom Bredvick noted that 70 years of experience existed between the two administrators.

Repass told the board that when she first made the decision to work at McCook Schools, she had her doubts but now believes “My best move was to McCook. I learned a lot and worked with a great team. It was well worth it.”

Haney said he appreciated and was humbled to be a part of the McCook School district, adding that he “didn’t achieve anything without huge volumes of people helping me.”

“You don’t make anything happen by yourself...projects can’t be a success without a team,” Haney told the board. “I’m confident that our district will grow because of the caliber of its people.”

Superintendent Grant Norgaard told the board that Haney and Repass will be missed by the school district. Board members also weighed in, including board president Tom Bredvick, who recalled how Haney has helped shaped the budget through the years and how during one construction project; Bob Elder, who praised Haney for getting people to volunteer on projects and keeping costs down; and Loretta Hauxwell, who thanked him for being patient with her during the budget process as “numbers are not my thing.”

During the regular meeting, the board approved unanimously two $700 donations by the McCook Sertoma Club to the high school tennis program and the high school math club.

After the regular meeting, the board met in closed session for the evaluation of Superintendent Grant Norgaard, with Norgaard present. Board members will most likely schedule another closed session at future meetings to finish up the evaluation.