Collaboration in the Nebraska Panhandle

In May 2015, leadership from the Buffett Institute began working with colleagues in the Nebraska Panhandle. More than 400 miles from Omaha, the Panhandle enjoys a rich tradition of collaboration and working as a region to build on strengths and address challenges of those who live in the area. Institute leadership began meeting with representatives from early learning organizations and school districts, as well as Educational Service Unit (ESU) 13 and the Panhandle Partnership, Inc., a nonprofit that serves as a catalyst for enhancing and sustaining family and community life.

It was quickly apparent that there was an interest in adapting the Institute’s “School as Hub” approach from the Omaha area Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan (described in Chapter 4) to a rural context. Over the ensuing months, and based on collaborative discussion, the following priorities for early childhood development in the region were highlighted:

• Map regional early childhood resources, and conduct a needs and capacity assessment.

• Develop a Panhandle vision and strategic plan for a sustainable, school-based early childhood initiative.

• Create and implement a regional professional development plan for educators and professionals who provide services and resources to young children and their families.

• Develop a long-term early childhood sustainability plan that aligns local resources and leverages new resources through public-private partnerships and other means.

The first two strategies, which involved compiling school and community data, have been completed. Local facilitators conducted 15 community-based focus groups that attracted more than 200 stakeholders who described community strengths, challenges for families with young children, and priorities for early care and education. These findings contributed to a vision statement describing guiding principles and aims for improving the learning and development of young children and their families.

The Buffett Institute, ESU 13, and the Panhandle Partnership produced a summary report of this early work, The Nebraska Panhandle: An Assessment of Birth–Grade 3 Care and Education, and released it on April 17, 2019, at a public forum in the Panhandle. State Commissioner of Education Matthew Blomstedt gave opening remarks, with more than 100 local stakeholders in attendance. Extensive media coverage across the state highlighted what the commissioner called a model for how rural schools and communities can and should work together.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic brought much of the Institute’s work in the Panhandle to a halt, though relationships and connections continue. The Institute remains interested and committed to determining how to work most effectively in this part of the state, where communities come together in unique and vital ways to support and care for each other.

The Nebraska Panhandle: An Assessment of Birth–Grade 3 Care and Education Report presented in Gering, April 17, 2019

During a panel discussion at the event, community and education leaders from Bayard, Chadron, and Sidney spoke to the strengths of their communities as well as the challenges facing young children and families. Featured speakers included:

• Matt McLaughlin, principal, Bayard Public Schools

• Lori Retzlaff, owner, Lori’s Daycare, Chadron

• Caroline Winchester, superintendent, Chadron Public Schools

• Whitney Hurt, special education coordinator and lead teacher, Sidney Public Schools

• Tiffany Jones, director, Kid’s Korner Child Development Center, Sidney