Superintendent: Partnerships can drive boredom from learning

McCOOK, Neb. — Extended day programs that take place after school can be more than reading, writing and arithmetic.

“After a long school day, putting students into another long learning session is not always beneficial,” Superintendent Grant Norgaard told the McCook School Board Monday night at the regular meeting. “It’s not just about learning objectives but learning experiences.”

That means structured play experiences that are fun and educational, such as swimming and playing games. A partnership with the McCook YMCA could help achieve that, Superintendent Grant Norgaard told the McCook School Board Monday night. Norgaard said he and principals Greg Borland (McCook Elementary), Chad Lyons (Junior High) and Joel Bednar (Central Elementary) recently met will Mitch Gross of the McCook YMCA concerning a partnership for extended day programs. Discussions are still in the preliminary stage, Norgaard said, with a number of objectives still needing to be worked out, such as curriculum, number of students and a calendar.

The program would launch probably by January 2022, simply because the logistics will take some time, Norgaard said. It would be funded with ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) Funds, part of the CARES Act. Funding schools receive must use 20% for loss of learning, where extended day/after-school programs fit in.

Greg Borland said the meeting was productive and he’s very enthusiastic about the partnership.

“I’m always the one to go-go-go, but we want to make sure we go slow and do it right,” he said. The partnership could be the foundation for other future partnerships with organizations in the city, Norgaard said.

As for summer school, staff is in place and registration is open, Norgaard said. As summer school for junior high and high school students is for class credit recovery, he said, a decline in enrollment is usually seen after sixth grade. Norgaard added that for summer school “enrichment opportunities” would be used “to make it more fun,” in addition to math and literacy skills.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, the board unanimously approved an ESCO (Energy service company) resolution that authorizes the superintendent, following a “request for qualifications” competitive process, to sign an ESCO contract with Facility Advocate, for the amount not to exceed $400,000 for the Energy Conservation Measure projects.

The project is for air handling at the junior gym and for the area immediately around the gym, such as the locker rooms, said McCook Schools business manager John Brazell after the meeting.

Two other companies responded but did not give a proposal, Brazell said. Board president Tom Bredvick said the contract is essential for timing of the project and added that the facilities committee will meet to discuss this project. The resolution is one of two options. Another option is to hire an architect or engineer and bid out the project.

Facility Advocate will bid out the project and bring back the bids to McCook Public Schools. Norgaard said the project needs a manager that will provide oversight of the project for MPS.

The project is eligible for ESSER funds.

In other action, the board unanimously approved a cooperative agreement that allows students at Medicine Valley High School in Curtis, Neb., and Southwest High School in Bartley, Neb., to compete on McCook High School’s swim team.

Norgaard said a similar agreement was made in the past with these schools for tennis. As of now, only two students from the schools will compete for McCook. This may change as more students could sign up once they know it’s available, said board member, Tom Bredvick.

Board member Loretta Hauwell asked about insurance and Norgaard said both schools will have insurance on its own but that it would be coordinated so there wouldn’t be double or overlapping coverage.

The agreement states that daily transportation for practice will be the responsibility of the home school district and McCook will pay for expenses associated with the program, transportation to all away contests, banquets and awards and coaches’ meetings and workshops.