The hiring of six new staff members and the resignation of a long time teacher were on the agenda when the Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education met on Monday.
The board approved the hiring of Tiyah Spaans as a middle level counselor; Carrie Williamson as a fourth grade teacher; Jessica Loberg as a first grade teacher; Carlie Anderson to fill a Special Education position; Rylee Shaw to fill an elementary PE/Art position and Kelsey Heath to fill a Special Education position.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan talked to the board about these positions and those who will be filling them. Several have served in various positions within the district already, including as a paraprofessional and as a long-term substitute teacher.
The resignation of Brendon Dorcey was accepted. He has spent all but one year of his teaching career at Wayne High School teaching World Studies and American History.
During the Celebration of Success portion of the meeting, members of the Mock Trial teams and the FFA Junior Livestock Judging team were recognized.
Under old business, the board on second reading revisions to Policy 3132 - Internal Controls. Among other things, the policy deals with cybersecurity and contracts for federal purchases.
Board members approved the ESU 1 contract for the 2025-2026.
Special Education Director Misty Beair told the board the overall total was lower than last year, in part because the district has fewer students receiving services at Tower School. She also said the amount of the contract is not necessarily what the district will spend, but instead reflects the numbers of hours of services requested at this time. The actual amount will be based on what services are provided throughout the coming school year.
New business included accepting a bid from Korth Roofing, LLC for asphalt shingle roof repair to the elementary school.
Maintenance Director Jordan Widner explained that the work is for an insurance claim and talked about what would be done. He said the work is scheduled to begin May 27, after school is out for the summer.
Administrator renewal agreements for the 2025-2026 school year were approved.
Dr. Lenihan said the agreement calls for a 3.5% increase and noted that the district "has a good team of administrators."
Payment No. 18 in the amount of $691,204.99 to Hausmann Construction was approved.
Updates on the project were given and upcoming plans discussed. A 'punch list' of items that still need to be completed at the high school will be addressed in coming weeks.
During administrator reports, Dr. Lenihan shared information on how Kindergarten Round-Up will be handled this year.
Because the incoming kindergarteners will be attending classes in the new Early Learning Center, there is not going to be a formal Kindergarten Round-Up this spring. Instead, registration will take place with the parents later this spring and some type of event will be held later when the students and parents will be able to tour the building and see the actual classrooms students will be using.
School hours for the coming year were announced at the meeting.
These include: preschool - 7:50 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday (except for early-out on Wednesdays) and 7:50 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday; kindergarten through second grade - 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.; third through sixth grade - 8:05 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. and seventh through 12th grade - 8:05 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. Wednesdays will continue to be 2 p.m. dismissal.
Memberships were approved for the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) for the coming year and Wayne America, Inc. in the non-profit category.
Foundation Director Rusty Parker gave an end-of-year financial report for the foundation, noting that the district "has some very generous donors and I can't thank them enough for their support of the school."
The Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education will next meet in regular session on Monday, March 10 at 5 p.m. in the junior senior high school library.
