FFA students, parents, boosters express concerns

McCOOK, Neb. -- FFA Boosters, parents and supporters of the ag industry expressed their concern and frustration about the FFA program at the high school Monday night at the regular McCook School Board meeting.

As there was no item on the agenda concerning the FFA program, no action was taken and board members did not comment. Board president Tom Bredvick asked those attending not to mention specific names as that would be considered a personnel issue and not allowed in an open meeting.

Concerns brought up included lack of leadership for students, failure to prepare students for competitions, declining numbers in the FFA program and perceived lack of interest about the program from administration.

Former school board member Shane Messersmith told the board that there were 78 students in the program in 2013 and now there are about 30. "Is it something that the school board, teachers, parents have done?" he asked. He went on to say that farmers and ag leaders support the annual labor auction every year, pledging large sums of money and that communities smaller than McCook seem to be able to have a thriving program, citing Eustis-Farnam, with one of the biggest FFA chapters in the state. But McCook has had six teachers in the past eight years. "Why is it we cannot keep a good thing?" he asked. Messersmith said he "followed the chain of command" by contacting teachers and administration about his concerns and is now ending with the school board. Something needs to change, he said, and support from the administration is needed.

"If the backing doesn't come from administration, we need to change administration," he said.

Parent Pam Gaston urged the board to take comments from parents and boosters seriously. "We represent not just our children, but those with an ag background," she said. "Please ... fervently listen to these people." She added that to speak to the board was not something these parents and boosters took lightly, as they were aware that there may be repercussions to their businesses or children. Still, their concerns were valid, Gaston said, reminding the board that about a year ago, these same parents and boosters had approached the board and asked to be included in some capacity with the hiring of a new ag teacher.

Larry Pollnow alleged, along with another parent, that students were not being prepared for state competitions due to lack of teaching and organization and asked for a concerted effort to give students what they needed.

Another former school board member, Larry Shield, detailed the history of past FFA teachers, with two popular teachers leaving the school to be closer to their home community. He questioned the recent hiring process of the new FFA advisor and felt that administration did not listen to parents' concerns at that time. "The success of your group lies in the strength and success of your leader," he said.

In an agricultural-driven economy, it doesn't make sense for the local FFA program to go downhill, said parent Brad Riemenschneider. Tough decisions have to be made and "we need someone who has drive and enthusiasm," he said. He pointed to other successful programs in the school, such as the football program, with students at a young age wanting to be a part of it. He maintained that needs to be replicated with FFA program, where the skills learned can be life-long and beneficial to the community.

At the end of the discussion, Bredvick thanked the parents and boosters for sharing their information, adding that "it takes active parents as well as active teachers" for a successful school district.

Two others also addressed the board during the public comment portion, for unrelated issues.

Cathy Bryant thanked the administration for the new girls basketball coaches, Matt Wiemers and Joel Bednar, who replaced the prior coach. ("Parents protest coach's ouster," http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/2155797.html) Bryant said by the end of the season, "it was a totally different team." She did question that the concerns about the prior coach were brought up by parents "years ago, (and) should have been handled previously."

Also commenting Monday night was Tim Daum, a member of the Leadership Institute, who thanked administrators who recently presented a program on professional learning communities (PLCs).