By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
From the resignation of a teacher, to the hiring of a high school principal and from discussion of adding another sport at the school to adding three new teaching positions, the Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education was met with a lengthy agenda during the February meeting.
Lisa Janke, who has been teaching science classes at Wayne High School for 23 years, submitted her resignation.
She will be retiring at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
Terran Sievers was hired to fill the position created with the retirement of Dale Hochstein, a science teacher at the school. Sievers, who is currently teaching in Wakefield Community Schools, has worked as a paraprofessional at Wayne Community Schools.
Russ Plager, current elementary principal, will move into the position of high school principal following board approval at the meeting.
Plager was one of three candidates interviewed for the position and according to Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan, "we are glad he is going to be with us."
A re-scheduled presentation from elementary teachers included information on the need for both an elementary art teacher and High Ability Learners (HAL) teacher for the elementary school.
Emily Rockhill and Emily Sims spoke to the board on the current status of art education for elementary students.
The two noted that while all elementary teachers have had very basic art education while earning their degrees, having a "qualified art teacher" would allow for students to get a better foundation into art.
Sims told the board that without a designated art teacher, students are missing out. She also shared information about the art programs in surrounding schools. She questioned the current situation, asking whether "we're teaching art or are we teaching students how to use art supplies."
Also during the communications from the public portion of the board meeting, Kyler Parker, an eighth grade student, spoke to the board on his request for swimming to become a school sport at Wayne Community Schools.
Parker told the board he has been swimming for seven years and the last five has been part of the Norfolk Aqua Ducks. He talked about his success during his swimming career and the friendships he has formed with the sport.
Under new business the board voted to move forward with authorization for the creation of an additional Skilled Technical Sciences (STS)/Ag position.
Dr. Lenihan said having the additional position would allow for additional offerings in areas such as construction, woodworking and robotics. He told the board there is support from the business community for this position and indicated that the current classes being offered in this area are full.
Another position that could be added to the district is an additional Special Education teacher.
Misty Beair, Special Education Director, told the board that there are currently 14 children in the district in the birth to age five category that need services. Some of these are being handled by ESU #1 and Beair said that adding the position would allow the district to provide better services.
Board members authorized Dr. Lenihan to advertise for both these positions and noted that the district will "look for the right person or leave these positions open."
The board authorized the creation of an additional EL teacher position and noted that "the needs of the district are changing."
At the present time there are 51 students at the elementary school in need of services.
Considerable time was spent discussing a swimming co-op between Wayne Community Schools and Norfolk Public Schools. It would be a one-year agreement and involve only boys' swimming at this time.
Activities Director Dave Wragge has researched the proposal and surveyed students who may be interested in taking part in the sport.
Stipulations for the co-op would include parents being responsible for transportation of students; those taking part can not leave school before 3:30 p.m. for practices; working at least one concession stand to help off-set the costs associated with the sport and if school closes early because of weather, the students will not be allowed to go to Norfolk.
Final details of the agreement will be completed prior to the board's next meeting.
During administrator's reports, Dr. Lenihan went over a timeline and the process that will be used to fill the position of elementary principal. He said he hopes to have applications for the position by March 1 and a recommendation to the board by the March board meeting.
A payment to Hausmann Construction in the amount of $1,163,071.80 for work on the Early Learning Center/remodel project was approved.
Dr. Lenihan gave an update on the project and showed pictures of work on the addition to the east of the high school. He told the board "things are going well and there has been a good job of communicating between the architect, contractor and the school."
Board members voted to approve an interlocal agreement with the City of Wayne in regard to recreational facilities.
Dr. Lenihan told the board this agreement is the same as the one the board entered into in 2022 when the city put a sales tax vote to the public.
The city's plan is to move forward with putting the issue on the May 2024 primary ballot. Board members indicated they want to have a public meeting with both city council and board members present.
The Wayne Community Schools Board of Education will next meet in regular session on Monday, March 11 at 5 p.m. in the junior-senior high school library.
