A presentation by Maggie Gubbels, Behavior teacher, was on the agenda when the Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education met on Oct. 13.
Gubbels told board members that "behaviors are a form of communication and we work to find a balance between empathy and structure." She shared information on what an 'average' day looks like, noting she often spends time at all three buildings each day.
Board members also recognized the students who were part of the "Celebration of Success" for the month of October. These included Early Learning Center Preschoolers Going Above and Beyond - Nolan Burbach, Marta Lopez Tambriz, Wyatt Westerhold, Cole Hoffman, Rhodes Whitt, Olivia Parra Coghian, Luke Dutcher, Beau Blake and Logan Staub; FFA National Horse Judging Team members Elijah Stecki, Lanee Rethwisch, Audrey Lutter, Allan Brenner and Drew Miller and FFA Champion Market Steer Exhibitor Hadley Dunklau.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan presented information on the district's option enrollment policy and said that at the present time, there are 77 students optioned into Wayne Public Schools and 44 optioned out.
Dr. Lenihan talked about the deadlines the school must follow for allowing students to option in and the number of students that can be optioned in at each grade level, depending on how many students are already enrolled at each of the grade levels.
Approval was given on a one-year contract with S2 for garbage and recycling for the district. The district will pay $898.72 per month for the services. This is up from the last contract due to the adding of an additional building this year.
Board members approved an adjustment to the 2025-2026 Classified Staff Pay Schedule. This will result in the bookkeeper position receiving a $1 per hour differential on the office base hourly rate of $18.05 per hour.
This number has not been changed in a number of years as the current bookkeeper has been employed with the district for many years. The hourly rate will also be adjusted depending on the experience and education of the candidate hired for the position.
During administrative reports, Dr. Lenihan shared a timeline the district will be following for the superintendent appraisal; discussed the district's interest spending exception for the rebates on the bonds issued for the building project; exempt school numbers (the 28 students in the district who are home-schooled) and the Nebraska Department of Education's Adjusted Valuation Certification.
He also noted that the audit team had been in the school to conduct the district audit and "was impressed. We have a clear audit and will get the documents in regard to it by Nov. 1."
Among the topics discussed during the remainder of the administrator reports were an increase in the amount of a Literacy Grant received by the district, which will be used on early literacy; a 98% attendance rate at the recent Parent-Teachers Conferences at the Elementary School; the Wayne Education Boosters' Fun Run and the Book Fair at the Early Learning Center that got books into the hands of all students.
A facility committee report noted that there are several spots on the roof of the elementary school that are starting to bubble and may need to be addressed. The roof on the building is approximately 25 years old.
The report from the Foundation and Community Relations Committee indicated that more than $1,900 had been raised for the Foundation from the Junck Family Farms tailgate and more than $1,600 from the Wayne America, Inc. tailgate. The Kevin Murray Fishing Tournament raised $20,000 for the school and the money will be presented in coming weeks.
The Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education will next meet in regular session on Monday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. in the junior-senior high school library.
