The resignation of a long-time district employee and meeting the newest employees were on the agenda when the Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education met in regular session on Monday.
Diane Peters, who is currently a bookkeeper for the district, submitted her resignation, effective Dec. 31, 2025. Peters has been employed with the district for 43 years. The district hopes to have a replacement in place in time to have some training prior to the end of the year.
Monday's meeting began with the introduction of new staff members in the district.
These include:
Jessica Loberg, first grade; Carlie Anderson, Early Learning Center and Elementary Special Education; Carrie Williamson, fourth grade; Tiyah Spaans, sixth-eighth grade school counselor; Tyler Prauner, junior high Social Studies; Berkly Brummond, high school Social Studies, and Kelsey Heath High School Special Education.
In addition, Teresa Tiedtke was welcomed as the new Food Director.
Board members received both the American Civics Report and Multicultural Report.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan explained to the board what the district does in regard to American Civics, how the information is documented and where the public can find this information on the district's website.
He also noted that the activities that take place within the school align with the Nebraska Department of Education standards. These include such things as Presidents' Day, Native American Heritage Day, Constitution Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day.
In regard to Multicultural Education, Dr. Lenihan gave the board a list of examples of different types of education offered by the district to eliminate stereotypes and discrimination or harassment of others.
Board members approved two payments to Hausmann Construction for the renovation/building project.
The first of these was for $40,956.40 and included several change order items.
The second payment was for $111,655.50 for additional work done on the Dr. Lenihan explained what parts of the project were not part of this payment. He said that warranty work will continue in coming weeks before a final payment is made at the September board meeting.
Board members voted to take action to increase the district's base growth percentage used to determine the school district's property tax request authority by up to 6%.
Taking the action does not mean the district will do so, but gives it the ability to do so should it become necessary.
During the administrator report portion of the meeting, all the administrators thanked the board for allowing them to attend Administrator Days in Kearney recently.
Each shared the highlights of the various sessions they attended.
Misty Beair, Special Education Director, informed the board that the school has been notified that it is the recipient of a Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant. The purpose of the grant is to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading and writing for all children from birth through grade 12.
Beair said the grant worth more than $50,000 and is renewable up to five years. The school will get reimbursed after submitting the proper paperwork.
Approval was given to transfer $15,000 from the district's General Fund to the Athletic/Activity Fund. This was necessary to have money to fund some of the fall activities before revenue comes in.
The renewal of a property/casualty police in the amount of $122,194 from All Lines Interlocal Cooperative Aggregate Pool (ALICAP) was approved for a full year's coverage. Dr. Lenihan noted that this amount did include coverage on the Early Learning Center and was lower than the previous carrier.
During his report to the board, Foundation Director Rusty Parker highlighted some of the summer activities he has been involved with, including the sending of scholarship money to the schools/colleges that were awarded to 2025 graduates.
Parker also talked about a Partners in Education donation from Elkhorn Valley Bank in the amount of $6,919, contributions to the Angel Fund to assist with paying for school lunches and the plans for installing a donor board on the playground at the Early Learning Center.
The Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education will hold an end-of-year claims meeting on Monday, Aug. 25 and the next regular meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. in the junior high/high school library.
