By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
"There are so many things to celebrate" was the message Wayne Community Schools' Board members got during a board retreat on Monday.
Kari Stephens with the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) shared information via Zoom on the district's strategic plan.
She highlighted a number of things the district has accomplished since beginning the process a year ago.
Among those are the passage of the bond issue for the building/renovation project and the adding of staff to handle larger classes.
"This is a 3-5 year plan. There is no way you (the district) can accomplish it all in one year," Stephens said.
She shared information from a report put together based on information provided by school administrators.
Items covered included constantly evaluating the curriculum, the High Ability Learners (HAL) pilot program, the addition of a second counselor through Heartland Counseling, board governance and re-engaging with stockholders and community members.
"I am so very proud of you and happy the bond passed. You (as a board) are doing exactly what you are supposed to do," Stephens said.
The other major item on the retreat agenda was the budget.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan talked with the board members about the results of new legislation passed during this year's session, including property tax relief and Special Education reimbursement.
He shared with the board several scenarios for the upcoming fiscal year's budget and talked about the sources of non-property tax revenue.
Budget numbers are preliminary at this point with additional discussion taking place during the board's August meeting.
Present numbers call for a 4% increase in the 2023-2024 budget. However, due to the changes in the amount of state aid received by the district, the actual property tax asking should be smaller.
Also during the retreat, board members got updates on the various facility projects that have been completed over the summer and those planned in coming months.
New fire alarms have been installed at the elementary school and the work on the HVAC system has been completed. The gym floor has also received updates.
Dr. Lenihan told the board that the school staff will be meeting with representatives of Carlson West Provanda (CWP) to go over the design for the new Pre-K through second grade facility and renovation project. He showed renderings of what the building could look like.
A meeting will be scheduled in coming weeks to go over the budget for the project.
It is anticipated work will begin this fall.
Other "wish list" projects were discussed by the board to be scheduled in coming weeks.
The Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education will next meet in regular session on Monday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. Note that this is a different time due to the Back to School Open House scheduled for that evening.
