Board discusses property sale in executive session

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Public School District may have some property up for sale in the future.

At Monday nights' regular Board of Education meeting, the board met in closed session after the regular meeting, to discuss the sale of district properties.

The closed session is allowed under state law as there was reason to protect public interest.

One building that could be under discussion is the one on North U.S. Highway 83, that currently houses LIFT alternative education students.

These students will attend the former Armory building that is being updated.

If improvements are completed, students could move into the facility after the holiday break.

In other business Monday night, board members and administration spoke during the "Positive Comments" section of the meeting. Comments included:

* Diane Lyons thanked the support given by the FFA boosters to the school board and school system, concerning the current project to add a classroom for ag students. She also thanked the teachers and others involved at McCook Elementary for the "Holiday Shop" program at the school.

Earlier in the meeting, Laurie Brenning of the PTO talked about the program, where students at McCook Elementary are given an opportunity to purchase a gift for their immediate family. The items offered are very inexpensive, usually worth less than $5 and are wrapped by volunteers. If a child does not have money, funds are provided for the student.

* Sandy Krysl: also thanked all the work put into the "Holiday Shop" program, as well as McCook Senior High Principal Jerry Smith and Norgaard for their support of ag instruction at the high school

* Rick Haney: reported that a MPS student recently scored a perfect score on the "Explore" test, a college and career readiness test. The test covered math, English, reading and science. This is a test given to younger students who would like to prepare for the high school ACT test, Haney said.

* Shane Messersmith: thanked Chris Wallace and the maintenance staff at MPS for their timely manner in removing snow at the school buildings.

* Tom Bredvick: thanked fellow school board members for their extra time outside of board meetings, such as with conferences and fielding phone calls from patrons; recommended that parents and students be aware of the "Prep" program for students preparing to take the ACT. The program helps the student to be more confident in taking the test.

The ACT, typically taken by students beginning their junior year, helps determine scholarship opportunities and in some cases, college entrance requirements.

The computerized program, which takes a couple of weeks, is available at the high school and can increase scores by up to four points, Haney said after the meeting.

* Superintendent Norgaard: thanked the elementary teachers coming in early once a week and discussing the book they've been reading about education.

According to McCook Elementary Principal Lynda Baumbach, the book explores several theories on student learning, offering several alternatives and also confirming that what staff is doing at the school is correct.

Norgaard also recognized Central Elementary and Junior High staff for the assessment data "that helps make decisions for students success."