Prior to the start of Monday's meeting of the Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education meeting, board members were able to tour the new Pre-K — 2 school.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan and Colby Hansen with Hausmann Construction, Superintendent for the project, talked about various areas in the new facility and the work that still needs to be completed.
First reading approval was given for handbooks for the Pre K Early Learning Center, K-2 Early Learning Center and Elementary (3-6).
It was noted that while the Pre-K and K-2 are in the same building, having separate handbooks was 'less cumbersome.'
During the Communications from the Public portion of the meeting, members of the Wayne High School Jazz Choir were on hand to perform a musical selection.
Vocal music instructor Tracy Anderson thanked the board for making the improvements made in the school's auditorium and noted the positive feedback she has received.
Wayne Music Boosters President Justin Raulston shared information with the board on both the fundraisers undertaken by the group and the ways the funds have been spent.
He also thanked the administration for their support of the students in their various performances.
Board members approved payment application No. 22 in the amount of $433,226.58 to Hausmann Construction for the building and remodeling project.
Dr. Lenihan told the board that there is approximately $1.22 million left to pay on the project and explained some of the work that is taking place at the present time.
Maintenance Director JordanWidner told the board he would like to see everything moved into the new building by mid-July.
A quote of $67,388 to Sterlling was approved. This is for the purchase of 200 Chromebooks.
Dr. Lenihan told the board that freshmen are given a Chromebook that they have all four years of high school. It is checked each summer for any needed repairs and when the student graduates, they are able to take the device with them. He noted that four years is an estimated life expectancy for these devices.
Additional Chromebooks are needed throughout the district as they are used for testing each year and updates on the devices are needed.
The purchase is an annual expense for the district.
Also approved at Monday's meeting was the 2025-2026 Nebraska ESUCC-Sysco Food Service Agreement. This allows the district to purchase food and equipment through the program, although not all purchases are made this way.
Considerable time was spent discussing voluntary student accident and catastrophic insurance for the district.
Dr. Lenihan shared information on the two levels available to schools and the costs for each of these levels. He told the board that while the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) provides insurance coverage for extra curricular activities for high school students, it does not do so for those students in seventh and eighth grade.
It was noted that Wayne is one of the few schools that does not have this type of coverage.
Additional discussion was held on what types of medical situations would be covered.
The board asked Dr. Lenihan to do additional research on these items and bring information to the board at its next meeting.
During administration reports, Dr. Lenihan shared information TIF financed projects in the city of Wayne and the impact these projects have on the district in terms of lower tax dollars and the number of students that have been added to the district.
School lunch prices were discussed and a possible change will take place in the future. Wayne is among the lowest price for lunches as the average throughout the area is $3.10 per lunch while Wayne students pay $2.45 for Pre-K through sixth grade and $2.55 for grades seven through twelve.
An enrollment update showed the following numbers of students at Wayne Community Schools:
The Wayne Community School
Early Learning Center - 57 students;
Kindergarten - 70 students;
First Grade - 68 students;
Second Grade - 59 students;
Third Grade - 77 students (at capacity);
Fourth Grade - 72 students;
Fifth Grade - 65 students;
Sixth Grade - 92 students (at capacity);
Seventh Grade - 64 students;
Eighth Grade - 85 students;
Ninth Grade - 75 students;
Tenth Grade - 85 students;
Eleventh Grade - 92 students;
Twelfth Grade - 65 students for a total of 1,026 students.
Several of the administrators' reports included the fact that testing for the year has been completed and listed a number of year-end activities.
High School Principal Russ Plager told the board that the school is planning to add a theatre class to its offerings and he has already gotten positive feedback from the students.
Upcoming summer projects include installation of the playground at the Early Learning Center and shingle replacement at the Elementary School.
The Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education will next meet in regular session on Monday, June 9 at 5 p.m. in the junior-senior high school library.
