Bow School Board elects officers, welcomes newest member
BROKEN BOW - The newest member of the Broken Bow School Board took the oath of office Monday evening at the board’s regular meeting. Amy Staples was elected to the seat left vacant when board member Gerald Pirnie decided to not run for re-election.
During Monday’s meeting, Tom Osmond was re-elected president, Pam Holcomb was elected Vice-President and J.B. Atkins was re-elected treasurer. Also on the board are Mary Shaw and Tim Chancellor. BBPS Business Manager Kay Einspahr was re-elected secretary.
Attending the meeting were five members of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter. - senior Cami Schweitzer, sophomore Lainey Palmer, junior JR Schaaf, junior Carsten Fox and junior Daine Wardyn. Carsten explained that they attended the meeting to obtain a “Connect to Business” ribbon. While visiting with school board members, Cami talked about her interest in pursuing a career in accounting. JR and Daine talked about job-shadowing at local banks to learn more about financial careers.
The board was served a lunch by Lunch Time Solutions, the provider of the school lunches for Broken Bow. The contract with Lunch Time Solutions states that one meal will be provided to the school board each year. The menu offered was the same offered to students earlier in the day - a choice of sandwiches, salads and hot items including scrambled eggs and sloppy joes.
“Mine was good,” Holcomb said after the meal. “I’m full and I was hungry. “Shaw and Staples agreed. “The salad was good,” Shaw added.
The board accepted the resignation of Candice Dollar from her position as Dual Credit English teacher and One Act Director. Dollar has accepted a position with Holdrege Public Schools. In her resignation letter, Dollar said her decision was made in large part because there is greater access to Fine Art facilities and resources in Holdrege, however, she added, “I am thrilled to know that the Broken Bow community is interested in providing better Fine Arts facilities and resources for our students.”
The board approved the academic calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. The first day of school is slated to be Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. “It creeps earlier and earlier every year,” Atkins observed of the start of the school year.
Superintendent Darren Toby agreed, explaining that there is a certified number of days that must be in the calendar and in order to end the year when people want, it must start early. “The rule of thumb,” he said, “is to get out (of school) before State Track.” Though the calendar is approved, Tobey said changes can be made if necessary. “We can adjust as we go,” he said.
Tobey asked the FBLA students to comment on positive things about the school to which Cami replied, “We’re here, in person,” referring to the fact students are able to physically attend classes rather than remotely. Daine expressed appreciation of new hires. “You filled positions of teachers who left,” he said.
Tobey provided copies of the Annual Report so board members can work on it. A committee comprised of Holcomb, Staples and Osmond will review the civics curriculum. The board decided to not move bond money to a CD as the account where the bond money is currently held is earning the same amount of interest.
Tobey said there has been one meeting of the Fine Arts committee formed to look over facilities and about 20 people attended. Other committees will look at Agriculture; Athletics/Activities; Career and Technical Education; and Science and Education.
The board will meet at noon Feb. 8 for a work session. The next regular meeting is set for Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited and welcome to attend.