Member Update 12-8-22 ver 2

Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association

Member Update

www.nrcsa.net www.twitter.com/NRCSA1980 www.facebook.com/nrcsahome/

Photo Credit: Eustis-Farnam Public Schools

NRCSA Calendar

NRCSA Events

NRCSA Legislative Forum

February 16, 2023

Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln More about this event

NRCSA Spring Conference

March 23-24, 2023

Crowne Plaza & Younes North Convention Center in Kearney More about this event

NRCSA Golf Tournament

July 25, 2023

Meadowlark Hills Golf Course in Kearney More about this event

Committee Meetings

NRCSA Executive Committee

January, 2022 Date, time, Location TBD

NRCSA Legislative Committee

January, 2022 - June 2022 Every other Thursday

Via Zoom - Links to be distributed prior to meetings

1/19/23 9:30 AM

2/2/23 9:30 AM

2/16/23 2:00 PM - After Leg Forum

3/2/23 9:30 AM

3/16/22 9:30 AM

3/30/23 9:30 AM

4/13/23 9:30 AM

4/27/23 9:30 AM

5/11/23 9:30 AM

5/25/22 9:30 AM

6/8/23 9:30 AM

6/22/23 9:30 AM

NRCSA Scholarship & Recognition Committee

February 8-9, 2023 Conference Room 173 Holiday Inn in Kearney

NRCSA Search Service

Please let Jack Moles know where superintendent vacancies occur, so that NRCSA Superintendent Search can make direct contact. We need to hear as soon as possible in anticipation of getting promotional materials specific to that board of education ready. It is critical that Board Presidents have the NRCSA contact information so that if they choose to consider a Superintendent Search Service, NRCSA is one they hopefully will consider.

Educational

Medicine

Southwest Public Schools Search Complete

Tekamah-Herman Schools Notice of Vacancy Apply for this Vacancy

Application Deadline: Dec 14, 2022 Finalists Selected: Jan 4, 2023 Interviews: Jan 11 & 12, 2023 Contract starts: July 1, 2023

Thayer Central Community Schools Search Complete NSAA

North

Thayer Central Community SchoolsPrincipal Search starting soon!

Other Vacancies

Freeman Public Schools

Freeman Public Schools in Adams, NE is seeking highly qualified applicants for a 7-12 PRINCIPAL position for the 2023-24 school year. Come join our growing district, amazing faculty, and supportive community! A successful 7-12 principal candidate will be responsible for duties including leading a strategic vision for staff and students, communicat ing with parents and community members, building positive relationships, monitoring student achievement growth, and hiring and evaluating faculty.

Freeman Public Schools is located in Adams, NE created by the consolidation of Adams and Filley in 1998. Our district averages nearly 35 students per grade and has a PK-12 enrollment of approximately 480 students. We are a growing dis trict with expanding curricular options and a history of success in athletics, music, and activities. A competitive salary and benefits, including family insurance, are offered. Freeman Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants must possess a Nebraska Educational Administrative certificate with an applicable principal endorse ment or be working towards certification. Interested can submit a letter of application, resume, references, and credentials to: Holly Klein, Business Manager, Freeman Public Schools, P.O. Box 259, Adams, NE 68301 or e-mail hklein@freemanschools.net.

Applications will be accepted through January 9th. Questions can be directed to Andrew Havelka, Superintendent, at 402-988-2525 x103 or andrew.havelka@freemanschools.net.

Buy, Sell, Trade

NRCSA will share information with all of our members about items for sale. This is a service that NRCSA enthusiastically provides–we can help to spread the word if you have any items for sale (or to give away). And the price for this service is great–FREE! If you have such items, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Hopefully we can help!

Sioux County Schools

Sioux County Schools is looking to purchase between 1-4 modulars to serve as classrooms. If your district has a modular(s) you would like to sell or if you have contact information on modular classrooms, please contact Brett at:

Dr. Brett Gies

Sioux County Schools Superintendent bgies@siouxcountyschools.org 308.668.2415

NRCSA is excited to add a new feature to the Member Update. We want to do a “shout out” to our member schools/ESUs for special things happening in rural Nebraska. For example, we will try to recognize things such as:

• State Champions in NSAA Activities

• Special awards or recognitions received by the district or staff members.

• Extraordinary accomplishments by individual students or student groups

• National or regional level recognitions for schools, students, or staff members.

• Special grants received.

This month we celebrate:

*

2022-23

*McCook won the Class B State Championship in Boys Tennis.

*Howells-Dodge won the Class D-2 State Volleyball Championship.

*Hitchcock County won the Class D2 State Football Championship.

*The co-op of Clarkson and Leigh won the Class D1 State Football Championship.

*Pierce won the Class C1 State Football Championship.

Wayne Superintendent (and current NRCSA President-Elect, Mark Lenihan was named as NASA’s Outstanding Superintendent for 2022-23.

Outstanding Superintendent Mark Lenihan of Wayne

*Many students in NRCSA member schools were selected to NMEA All State music groups. The largest number of selections was in the All State Chorus, with 85 students from NRCSA member schools honored to be picked. Twenty students made the All State Band, with two each selected to the All State Jazz Band and All State Orchestra.

*Brenda Moeller of Shelton and Lucy Streeter of Wisner-Pilger were named Para Educators of the Year at the Nebraska Para Educator Conference.

*The National Federation of State High School Association named its 2021-22 State High School Coaches of the Year. Coaches from NRCSA-member schools who received this honor were Kelly Cooksley of Broken Bow (Girls Golf), Brian Fleischman of Overton (Boys Golf), Joe Hesse of Humphrey (Boys Basketball), Sam Jilka of Lexington (Boys Cross Country), Josh Johnson of Wayne (Girls Bowling), Joel Lemus-Leon of Lexington (Boys Soccer), Matt McKay of Sidney (Boys Track & Field), Ryan Mraz of Sutherland (Boys Wrestling), Melinda Nielsen of Ogallala (Unified Bowling), Mike Spiers of Howells-Dodge (Football), Aaron Sterup of North Bend Central (Girls Basketball), and Donna Wiedeburg of Sidney (Girls Cross Country).

*Plattsmouth High School is a wall-to-wall academy school. Every student is in one of three academies. Each of the three academies received Model Status from the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC).

*Abby Jones, a Spanish teacher at Gibbon, was chosen by the Rural Schools Collaborative and the National Rural Education Association as a National Signature Project Award Runner-up. As a grant recipient she was chosen to attend NREA’s National Forum to Advance Rural Education in Green Bay, Wisconsin in October.

*Twenty-seven students from NRCSA-member schools were selected as 2022-23 Believers and Achievers Award recipients by the NSAA. Those students are: Mariano Perez Armendanz (Dorchester), Kaleb Baker (St. Paul), Samuel Bennett (Syracuse), Linden Biskup (Alma), Samantha Bonifas (Silver Lake), Natalie Briggs (Plattsmouth), Emma Bullerman (Aurora), Kyler Cox (Hayes Center), Alex Farwell (Pawnee City), Blair Fiala (Howells-Dodge), Ruthie Loomis-Goltl (Bridgeport), Deema Haidle (Callaway), Madison Hammer (Thayer Central), Grace Johnson (Bancroft-Rosalie), Kaia Johnson (Ravenna), Emma Krusemark (Pender), Ian Kuchar (Bloomfield), Leighton Medina (Plainview),Scout Simmons (Amherst), Greyson Stengel (Sutton), Dalton Svoboda (Pierce), Blaine Tewahade (Chadron), Tyler Theiman (Malcolm), Chiana Tubbs (Stuart), Alexander Wolf (Central Valley), Ryan Zohner (Battle Creek), and Dalton Zulkoski (Leigh).

*The JH STEM and HS STEAM Programs at Crawford were recognized with WOZ Pathway School Status at the WOZ-ED Conference in Arizona. WOZ Pathway Schools exemplify teaching and learning designed for students to explore their futures in a technology-based economy.

*Lexington won the 2022 Class B State Unified Bowling championship.

Access the Members area of www.nrcsa.net anytime.

Login: member Password: playground

Seasons Greetings from NRCSA! As you prepare to head into the second semester of school, take a little time to relax and recharge yourself. It is my be lief that 2023 will be a big year for education in Nebraska, especially for rural districts and ESUs.

The 2023 legislative session will begin early in January. The upcoming session is a 90-day session. With a new Governor and several new Senators there will be both opportunities and challenges. We will attempt to keep you updated on bills that directly affect rural education.

Also on tap is Governor-Elect Pillen’s School Funding Task Force. NRCSA has been invited to be at the table for this group that includes representation from bigger districts, medium sized districts, and the rural districts represented by NRCSA. As I can, I will keep you posted on the work of this group.

Milford Board of Education President and member of NRCSA’s Legislative Committee Dave Welsch has been working on a funding plan that he is calling the “Nebraska Plan”. From Dave: “Attached is the most recent Nebraska Plan and the Word document which explains it in more detail. In a nutshell, it lowers ag land values within TEEOSA to 42%, other real property to 86% and has a minimum 10% basic funding component. Total cost $348M. I think that could fit within the long range budget for Nebraska especially with the current revenue available. I’m also proposing that the unclaimed LB1107 income tax credit funds be reallocated to fund the Nebraska Plan. Currently 40% of $550M is unclaimed or about $220M. If we could access those funds which are already budgeted that would help a lot.”

“The component breakdown is ~$135M to drop ag land to 42%, ~$189M to lower other real property to 86% and ~ $24M for the minimum 10% basic funding. These three components were put together to try and garner more support from the education community but also to try and gain support within the legislature.

“The Nebraska Plan will double the number of equalized schools from 87 to 177. And it will provide funding for 56 non-equalized schools to have at least 10% of their Basic Funding paid for by the State. There will also be 14 schools that will get both equalization aid and basic funding support.”

Please access the following documents for an explanation of the plan and modeling of the plan in its current form.

Nebraska Plan Spreadsheet

Nebraska Plan Highlights

NRCSA Leadership

Dr. Dawn Lewis, President. Arlington Public Schools

Ginger Meyer, Past President Chadron Public Schools

Mark Lenihan, Pres-Elect. Wayne Community Schools

Jane Davis, Secretary. Hershey Public Schools

District Representatives: Eugene Hanks, West Crawford Public Schools

Dale Hafer, North Central Ainsworth Community Schools

Dr. Jon Cerny, Northeast Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schs

Paul Sheffield, Southeast Exeter-Milligan Public Schools

Jon Davis, South Central Alma Public Schools

Alan Garey, Southwest Medicine Valley Schools

Executive Director: Jack Moles

Lobbyists: Jon Edwards Trent P. Nowka Russell Westerhold

Legislative Co- Chairs:

Randy Page, Thayer Central Community Schs Dr. Jason Dolliver Pender Public Schools

Scholarship & Recognition Co Chairs: Tim Heckenlively, Falls City Public Schools Jim Widdifield Minden Public Schools

On November 15, 2022, 60 area high school students attended the ESU 4 Future Educators Academy at the ESU 4 Conference Center in Auburn to learn about multiple occupational opportunities in the field of education. Students from 10 schools participated: Auburn, Falls City Public, Falls City Sacred Heart, HTRS, Johnson County Central, Johnson-Brock, Lewiston, Lourdes Central Catholic, Nebraska City Public, Sterling.

The day began with a welcome from ESU 4 Administrator Gregg Robke and a brief introduction to a variety of professionals serving in schools. Each student selected four sessions during which they learned about specific positions. Several professional from our region provided insight regarding the day-to-day expectations, benefits, challenges, preparation requirements and participant questions:

• Preschool Teacher - Clarissa Ross

• Elementary Teacher - Dr. Tara Gossman

• Secondary Teacher - Jen Madison

• Special Education Teacher - Dr. Helane FolskeStarlin

• Counselor - Brittany Rogers

• Principal - Scott Siegel

• Superintendent - Jon Rother

• School Psychologist / Behavioral Specialist - Catie Niedermeier, Sydney Looper

• Occupational Therapist - Kelsey Meyer

• Physical Therapist - Julie Saathoff

• Speech Language Pathologist - Kendall Hallstrom,

• Health & Nurse - Felicia Martin

• Administrative Assistants - Steph Floyd, Jodie McConnaughey, Kathy Taylor,

• Paraeducator - Lori Broady

• Technology Director - Dusti Buggi

• Early Development Network / Educator - Rose Petersen

• Instructional Coach, Extra-Curricular Coach - Dani Niss

• Bus Driver, Food Service Provider, Custodian, Media Specialist - Jeff Koehler

The experience culminated with insights from Peru State College education program students Brandel Riekenberg, Alan Simpson, Jaelynn Muhr and Naomi Wilson with closing remarks from NRCSA Executive Director Jack Moles and ESU 4 Special Education Coordinator and Instructional Coach, Dani Niss.

The password to the ‘Members’ Only’ section of the NRCSA website will change in December. Members who have not renewed will no longer have access or receive email communications after the change. The login and password combination will now be:

Login: member Password: playground

NRCSA scholarship applications and awards nominations are now open to all NRCSA members. Packets including nomination forms, instructions, and rules are available for download on the home page of the NRCSA website: www.nrcsa.net, or by clicking the links below. All nomination materials must be postmarked by February 3, 2023 to the address listed on the forms.

Download the Scholarship Forms 2023 NRCSA Scholarships 2023 Gary Fisher Fine Arts Scholarships

Download the Awards Forms

Gary

NRCSA had representation in the annual “Market 2 Market Relay” on Saturday, Oct. 8. The team, made up of a mixture of runners from a variety of NRCSA-related entities, had an amazing day that included a very early start, some tough running conditions, way too many inclines, but a great deal of bonding. The team was made up of NRCSA President Dawn Lewis (Supt. at Arlington), John Skretta (ESU 6 Administrator), Jon Rother (Johnson County Central Supt.), Megan Kozisek (East Butler Board of Education

President), Michael Eldridge (East Butler Supt), Megan Sieh (Freeman Elementary Principal), Lynne Walz (Nebraska State Senator), Kraig Lofquist (ESUCC Executive Director), and Jack Moles (NRCSA Executive Director). Team NRCSA had the theme of “Running For the Rurals”. A good time was had by all. Thanks to all of the team members.

I would encourage you to voice your support to Erica Andeweg, Erica_andeweg@fischer.senate.gov.

Some talking points from Sen. Markey’s office include:

• Since its inception, the Emergency Connectivity Fund has helped 15 million students connect to the Internet. But the program will soon be out of money. This is unacceptable.

• ECF funds are critical for schools to ensure that students have access to reliable, high-speed broadband at home. Without those resources, they are at a distinct disadvantage compared to their classmates with internet access.

• These funds are particularly important for rural schools and schools in low-income communities, where students often do not have devices or broadband connections.

Front Row, L-R: Erin Sieh, Dawn Lewis, Megan Kozisek

Back Row, L-R: Lynne Walz, John Skretta, Jon Rother, Jack Moles, Michael Eldridge, Kraig Lofquist

We have received a “call to action” from NREA Executive Director, Dr. Allen Pratt, and hope all can help with this. The Emergency Connectivity Fund, which Congress created last year to provide students and educators with internet connections at home, has helped roughly 15 million students connect to the internet. Unfortunately, the program is running short of money. The Federal Communications Commission does not have sufficient funds to cover all applicants that applied for ECF funds in the third application window last spring. The agency is short about $1 billion.

Sen. Markey is working to build support for Congress to provide additional funds for the program as part of the end-of-year spending bill. While schools understand the importance of this program, many others are unaware of its incredible success. We are requesting that schools and other education organizations contact staff in their senators’ office to explain the need for additional funds, particularly senators in the following states: Alaska, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, and West Virginia. If you need contact information for staff in those offices or if you do reach out to staff, please be in touch with Sen. Markey’s telecom staffer, Danny Vinik (danny_vinik@markey.senate.gov).

I have been in contact with Danny Vinik in Sen. Markey’s office. He suggested that we contact Sen. Deb Fisher’s office to voice support for the legislation. I have contacted her office on behalf of all of NRCSA, but Mr. Vinik urged individual districts to also contact her office.

• Schools also made investments in laptops, hotspots, and other devices expecting that the ECF program will continue. Without additional funding, these devices risk becoming stranded assets. That is fiscally irresponsible.

• We strongly urge you to support Sen. Markey’s request for an additional $1 billion in funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund in the yearend spending bill. With those funds, the Federal Communications Commission can fund all existing applications for this school year.

The 2022-23 NRCSA membership drive is winding down. Annual dues are set at $850 and have not been raised in several years. Last year we had 216 school districts, ESU’s, and State colleges and we are hoping to continue our annual growth. When we finalize the membership list I expect that we will have around 219 members. Thanks to you for being a member. This energizes our representation and advocacy for rural Nebraska, no matter who we are engaged with on education, legislation, or community issues. Without your support, there is less rural advocacy. Whether we like it or not, the outstate and rural population does not create a legislative majority anymore. In fact, rural Nebraska lost another seat in the Unicameral in last fall’s redistricting. Finding success, whether passing, amending, or stopping legislation comes from membership, relationships, and focus. Thanks to your membership in NRCSA, rural is at the table and making a difference on behalf of our rural students, schools, and communities.

We welcome our newest members: Wausa Public Schools, Bloomfield Public Schools, and Randolph Public Schools. Welcome VIKINGS, BEES, and CARDINALS! We do hope to continue to pick up a few more members this year and we will keep you posted if and when that does happen. Thanks to all of you for your membership and partnership!

The 2022-23 NRCSA District Meetings are in the books. NRCSA Executive Director Jack Moles met with members in the six NRCSA Districts to provide updates concerning NRCSA and provided services, as well as to share information on State level activity in the Unicameral and November elections. About half of the member entities were represented at a district meeting. The dates and locations of these meetings were as follows:

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT–Tuesday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. at NCSA Conference Room in Lincoln (app.40 members attended)

NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT–Monday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. at Pizza Palace in Burwell (app. 15 members attended)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT–Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 1:00 p.m. at ESU 15 in Trenton (8 members attended)

SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT–Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 9:00 a.m. at ESU 11 in Holdrege (app. 18 members attended)

NORTHEAST DISTRICT–Monday, Oct. 24 at 11:00 a.m. at The Granary in Norfolk (app. 28 members attended)

WEST DISTRICT–Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 p.m. at ESU 13 in Scottsbluff (app. 15 members attended)

to speak and attend the Luncheon with Senators will be out after committee chairs are elected at the start of the Session. Superintendents and Board of Education members, please plan to attend. It is more important than ever to attend and encourage your senator to attend and meet with you. This is a face-to-face endeavor. Registration forms for this event will be available in December.

There are rooms available at the Cornhusker Hotel at a discounted rate of $114.00 per night for Monday February 15, 2023. The Cornhusker is a Marriott Hotel; they have instructed customers to use the central reservation line to reserve a room.

*Cornhusker Marriott Hotel: 1-866-706-7706*

Ask for the NRCSA-Rural School Group Rate of $114.00 per night for Monday, February 15. You must reserve before February 1, 2023 to secure the special rate.

The NRCSA Spring Conference is also approaching! Mark your calendars for March 23 & 24, 2023 at the Crowne Plaza and Younes North Convention Center in Kearney. There will be many informative and timely sessions regarding law, TEEOSA, school finance, curriculum development, updates from the Department of Ed, staff and board development, updates regarding current federal and state legislation and others. Sessions highlighting special programs and initiatives are always a plus. A total of 35 sessions will be provided at the conference. As always, the general sessions will feature music groups, speakers on Thursday and Friday, scholarships, awards, recognitions, and the traditional meals that have become a mainstay of the conference. Be sure to make plans for you and your board members to attend.

Also, we need ideas and session proposals and music groups to perform on the mornings of Thursday March 23 and Friday March 24. The performance time for Thursday March 23 is from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM. The performance time for Friday is from 10:30 AM to 11 AM. We try to have one vocal and one instrumental group each year. Contact Jack with your ideas for topics and specific presentations or if you have a group that would like to perform.

Preparations for the 2023 NRCSA Legislative Forum on Tuesday, February 16, at the Lincoln Cornhusker Marriott are underway. Invitations

L-R: Southwest District Rep Alan Garey (Medicine Valley Supt), Jack Moles, Paul Calvert (ESU 13 Administrator), Cinde Wendell (NCSA Ambassador) at the Southwest District meeting.

2023 NRCSA Legislative Forum

The 2023 NRCSA Legislative Forum will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln.

This year’s program will feature remarks by many educational policy leaders.

There will again be the opportunity to discuss issues of local interest with senators over lunch. This provides an invaluable opportunity to network and discuss issues with your senator.

Be sure and make plans to attend!!

Program Highlights

Thursday February 16, 2023

8:00 AM - Welcome & Announcements

8:05 AM - Education Committee

8:35 AM - Revenue Committee

9:05 AM - Rural Senator

9:35 AM - Other education or Ag Group

10:05 AM - Appropriations Committee

10:35 AM - Other education or Ag Group

11:05 AM - NE Retirement System Cmte

11:35 AM - Rural Senator

12:05 PM - Lunch with Senators

Room Reservations

There are rooms available at the Cornhusker Hotel at a discounted rate of $114.00 per night for Wednesday February 15, 2023. The Cornhusker is a Marriott Hotel; they have instructed customers to use the central reservation line to reserve a room.

*Cornhusker Marriott Hotel: 1-866-706-7706

*Ask for the NRCSA Rural School Group Rate of $114.00 per night for Wednesday, February 15. You must reserve before February 1, 2023 to secure the special rate.

1:10 PM - Speaker of the Legislature

1:30 PM - Closing & Adjourn

Please note: This is a DRAFT schedule and is subject to change in time schedule, sequence, and/or speaker availability.

2023 NRCSA Spring Conference

The 2022 NRCSA Spring Conference will be held on March 23 & 24, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza and Younes North Convention Center in Kearney.

There will be many informative and timely sessions regarding law, TEEOSA, school finance, curriculum development, updates from the Department of Ed, staff and board development, updates regarding current federal and state legislation and others. Sessions highlighting special programs and initiatives are always a plus. A total of 35 sessions will be provided at the conference. As always, the general sessions will feature music groups, speakers on Thursday and Friday, scholarships, awards, recognitions, and the traditional meals that have become a mainstay of the conference.

As usual, there will be many opportunities for networking and informal discussions with attendees from other schools!

Be sure and make plans to attend!!

Room Reservations

There are several hotels in and around the area. Attendees will need to make room arrangements for the conference.

This hotel participates in group rates for Spring Conference

Crowne Plaza (308) 238-7000

These hotels do NOT participate in group rates

Holiday Inn (308) 237-5971

Comfort Inn & Suites (308) 236-3400

La Quinta Inn & Suites (308) 237-4400

America Inn & Suites (308) 234-7800

Fairfield Inn (308) 236-4200

Hampton Inn (308) 234-3400

Holiday Inn Express (308) 234-8100

Microtel Inn & Suites (308) 698-3003

New Victorian Inn & Suites (308) 237-5858

Wingate Inn (308) 237-4400

Program Highlights

Wednesday March 22, 2023

6:30 PM Exhibitor Check-In and Set-Up

7:00 PM Early Registration and Hospitality Rooms Open

Thursday March 23, 2023

7:15 AM Registration & Exhibit Hall Open

8:00 AM General Session

11:00 AM – 11:50 AM Select-a-Session I

12:00 PM General Session

2:20 PM - 3:10 PM Select-a-Session II

3:35 PM - 4:25 PM Select-a-Session III

6:00 PM Country Buffet

7:00 PM Hospitality Rooms Open

Friday March 24, 2023

7:30 AM Registration Open

8:00 AM- 8:50 AM Select-a-Session IV

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM Select-a-Session V

10:00 AM Brunch

10:50 AM Closing Session

12:50 PM Gifts, Prizes, & Giveaways

The NDE School Safety Team has three contracted employment opportunities available to help us with continued success. Click the links below to see a job description.

Program Associate Program Specialist Safe2Help NE

Program Specialist

Please email Jay Martin directly with which position title they are interested in along with a cover letter and resume.

Jay Martin

Director, School Safety and Security Office of Coordinated Student Support Services 500 S. 84th St., 2nd Floor Lincoln NE, 68510-2611

P: (402) 471-2944 E: jay.martin@nebraska.gov

New Collaboration Seeks to Address Principal Shortage and Strengthen Professional Development

A new collaboration designed to address the shortage of future principals and strengthen professional development of current school leaders is underway. The project, entitled, Growth-Oriented Leadership Development (GOLD) is being coordinated by members of the UNL Department of Educational Administration, in partnership with NRCSA, NCSA, ESUs, and NDE.

“We’re seeking federal funds to develop current and future principals from within—a grow your own model, said Nick Pace, chair of the UNL Educational Administration Department. Over the next several months, Pace says a team led by professors Jiangang Xia and Scott Sturgeon will be inviting districts to join the effort. The team is inviting approximately 60 schools to participate, with half receiving focused training while the other half continues its current efforts without the training. Districts not initially selected for the training group would be first in line for the next round of the program, if funded.

Districts interested in participating should watch for information through NRCSA updates, ESU superintendent meetings, or by contacting Pace, Xia, or Sturgeon.

Nick.Pace@unl.edu, Jxia@unl.edu, ssturgeon2@ unl.edu

Southern Superintendent Chris Prososki recently shared a sample Superintendent Checklist that he uses. I thought this was a great instrument, one that I wished I had available to me when I was in the Superintendency. Thanks to Chris for sharing this! You can access the checklist here:

Superintendent Check List

The ESUCC and ESU 3 have shared a document which outlines all of the trainings and mandates that are required of districts. The document, “School District Plans, Policies, and Annual Trainings Requirements”, is a handy reminder for districts. Thanks to ESUCC Executive Director Kraig Lofquist and ESU 3 Administrator Dan Schnoes for developing and distributing this handy tool. The document may be accessed here: School District Plans, Policies, & Annual Trainings Nutrition leaders introduced a comprehensive proposal to address and prevent child hunger. Below are links to a press release about the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act (HR 8450) and a webform that can be completed to urge support of the act.

Healthy Meals Healthy Kids Press Release

Healthy Meals Health Kids Support Webform

NRCSA developed a corporate sponsorship/ partnership program. The program is designed to provide our corporate partners with more opportunities for contact with the decision makers in our member school districts, ESUs, and the colleges through increased exposure. Corporate partners are able to choose among three levels of sponsorship: Purple Ribbon Partners, Blue Ribbon Friends, and Red Ribbon Sponsors. Different forms of contact with our members are made available in each of the three levels.

Purple Ribbon Partners

Cheever Construction

Doug Klute

3425 N 44th St

Lincoln, NE 68504

Phone: (402) 477-6745 dklute@cheeverconstruction.com

CMBA Architects

Troy Keilig

208 N Pine ST, Ste 301 Grand Island, NE 68801 Phone: (308) 384-4444 keilig.t@cmbaarchitects.com

Cognia

Shannon Vogler

7744 Olive Creek Rd Firth, NE 68358 Phone: (888) 413-3669 ext 5801 shannon.vogler@cognia.org

Cornhusker International Trucks

Russ Folts

3131 Cornhusker Hwy Lincoln, NE 68504

Phone: (402) 304-4016 russ.folts@cornhuskerinternational.com

Crouch Recreation

Nicole Crouch

1309 S 204th St # 330 Elkhorn, NE 68022

Phone: (402) 496-2669 nicole@crouchrec.com

DA

Davidson

Paul Grieger

450 Regency Parkway, Suite 400 Omaha, NE 68114 Phone: (402) 392-7984 pgrieger@dadco.com

DLR Group

Emily O’keeffe

6457 Frances St, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68106 Phone: (402) 393-4100 eokeeffe@dlrgroup.com

Facility Advocates

Dave Raymond 13504 Stevens St, Suite C Omaha, NE 68137 Phone: (402) 206-8777 draymond@facilityadvocates.com

First National Capital Markets

Matt Fisher

2223 Second Ave Kearney, NE 68848 Phone: (308) 380-3831 mfisher@fnni.com

Network For Educator Effectiveness (NEE)

Marc Doss

288 Maguire Blvd Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: (844) 793-4357 dossm@missouri.edu

Piper Sandler & Co

Jay Spearman

11422 Miracle Hills Dr, Suite 408 Omaha, NE 68154 Phone: (402) 599-0307 jay.spearman@psc.com

Renaissance Learning

Heather Miller

2911 Peach St Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494

Phone: (402) 290-4379 heather.miller@renaissance.com

Trane Technologies

Jonathan Hoesch

11937 Portal Rd La Vista, NE 68128 Phone: (402) 290-4379 jonathan.hoesch@trane.com

Tremco Roofing

Jim Wolfsohn

3735 Green Road Beachwood, OH 44122 Phone: (816) 716-7345 jwolfsohn@tremcoinc.com

Wilkins Architecture, Design, Planning

Jacob Sertich

2908 W 39th St, Suite A Kearney, NE 68845 Phone: (308) 237-5787 jsertich@wilkinsadp.com

A year ago, the NRCSA Executive Committee approved the start of a corporate sponsorship/ partnership program. One of the benefits for our upper level Purple Ribbon Partners is the opportunity to submit an article for the monthly Member Update. This month we proudly recognize:

CMBA Architects

CMBA is recognized as a regional leader in educational design. At CMBA, it’s not what we do, it’s who we do it for. Like you, our focus is your students – their learning, their experience, and their overall well-being. We focus on designs that directly improve the educational experience for both students and teachers, while working in harmony with your approach to education.

Learning your educational needs is the foundation of our approach. Our unique design philosophy we call Upward Thinking, enables a student-first mentality for K12 schools and helps us deliver on the promise to create a better experience for students and staff.

The landscape of K12 design has become increasingly dynamic, there is not a “one size fits all” solution –we know each District is unique and solutions should reflect that. Understanding your approach to education is our top priority at the beginning of the design process. We seek to discover and understand your educational outcomes to ensure that your desired curriculum needs are met within your future space.

We also look at the facts! We confirm your capacity needs by looking to other school districts of similar size. We analyze everything from enrollment trends to square footage per student ratios; and we analyze the current conditions of your facilities including the useful lifespan of your buildings and active space utilization.

We value input from your staff, your administration, your students and your community. We know that your students are the heartbeat of your school and your student body culture is something that makes your school unique. That’s why we see no substitute for receiving input directly from students. The insight into their needs is invaluable and helps us to design spaces specifically with your students in mind.

Schools are an important part of any community. By educating our children, schools lay the foundation for the future. The majority of Districts that we work with typically need to bond to finance their building projects. CMBA has a dedicated Communications Specialist that can assist you in developing your communication strategy. By having our team engaged from the very beginning, we are able to provide a single source of information for consistency and transparency throughout the process. In our experience working with multiple districts, we have been able to develop best practices when determining communication strategies and provide an entire communications package of materials.

By engaging with your staff, students and community we can lay the groundwork for a successful project and create an environment that is focused on your students – because it’s not what we do, it’s who we do it for!

Some of the Member Districts that we have recently been honored to serve include:

Centura Public Schools

Central City Public Schools

Lakeview Community Schools Stanton Community Schools Wakefield Public Schools Wilber-Clatonia Public Schools Kenesaw Public Schools Minden Public Schools

Crawford Public Schools

Mascot: Rams Enrollment: 172 Locations: Crawford, NE Interesting Fact: Crawford Public Schools which is located in the scenic Pine Ridge area of Northwest Nebraska has its own sawmill and a very strong Industrial Technology Department.

Superintendent: Eugene “Mo” Hanks Principals:

Program 1: Our STEM Program in the Junior High grades and our STEAM Program in the High School Grades are taught by our two Science Teachers, Mr. David Keim and Mr. Ryan Osmotherly. These programs have been very successful and at the recent WOZ-ED Conference in Phoenix, AZ, we were recognized with WOZ Pathway School Status. The award was presented by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computers and founder of WOZ-ED. WOZ Pathway Schools are an elite group of schools

and learning designed for students to explore their futures in the tech economy.

that exemplify teaching

Board of Education: J.R. Wasserburger, President; Joe Vogel, Vice-President; Don Edelman, Secretary; Marie Wohlers, Treasurer; JoElla Norman, and Alicia Hunter-Robertson

Program 2: Our Elementary Principal, Mrs. Keri Homan; and our Secondary Principal, Mr. Darin Lovercheck created a Herd concept for our district. The entire school is divided up into 12 Herds with student representatives from the lower elementary, upper elementary, junior high, and high school. Throughout the year, our Herds participate in activities that promote unity and a family atmosphere. This has also helped to build a positive culture throughout the district.

Stanton Community Schools

Mascot: Mustangs

Enrollment: 383

Location: Stanton, NE

Interesting Fact: Stanton has an award-winning local newspaper. In 2022, the Stanton Register (Pitzer Digital) received ten national awards from the National Newspaper Association. Including four categories where the paper was named the best in the nation. Since 2019, Pitzer Digital has won 48 awards from the National Newspaper Association, more than all other Nebraska newspapers combined.

Superintendent: Darren Soucie

Principals: Sarah Remm (Elementary Principal) & Dr. David Cunningham (Secondary Principal)

Programs

The Stanton Agriculture Education program has grown tremendously over the past years. The program currently has over 95 students who take Agriculture classes as an elective and over 74 members actively involved in the FFA program. The program focuses on providing opportunities to students that they wouldn’t see in other programs. Classes are being transitioned to work-based learning to allow students to gain knowledge of careers in our area. Allowing the students to go out and see first-hand what businesses in our area have to offer has changed their career and college paths. The Ag classroom also provides numerous hands-on activities such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and a foods class. The FFA Chapter has really focused on community involvement recently. Allowing these students to be engaged in the community has created a stronger bond between both the community and the school.

The Lil’ Stangs Preschool is in its fourth year of operation under Stanton Community Schools. Five years ago, Head Start was considering closing its Stanton doors. Knowing how critical early learning is for young children, the school district applied for an early childhood grant. The moment our application was approved, we were off and running providing full-day, four days a week preschool fun for three and four-year-olds.

We have a tremendous staff that work hard to provide diverse learning opportunities for the students. Elementary staff have noted how much smoother the transition from preschool to kindergarten has been with the programs we have put in place. Lil’ Stangs Preschool has been a wonderful addition to our school district and the community. The support and resources we have through our partnerships with ESU 8 and Head Start are greatly valued. We are excited to see where our early childhood adventures take us next!

Board of Education: John Mandl (President), Colleen Butterfield (Vice-President), Shad Pohlman (Honorary Secretary), Nelson Vollbrecht (Treasurer), Wendy Benson and David Morfeld

Program 1: Stanton Agricultural Education

Program 2: Lil Stangs

I would encourage districts to consider participating in the Academic Decathlon competition. Academic Decathlon is an activity that is dependent on students of different ability levels. A team is made up of students who are in the Honors (A average), Scholastic (B average), and Varsity (C average) levels. Students may move up, but they may not move down. The combined scores of the students in all 10 competition events are counted, thus each team member is very important. There is a defined course of study in each subject area each year. Subject areas are commonly Math, Language & Literature, Science, Social Science, Economics, Art, and Music which are covered in the Regional competition each year. At the State Competition, Speech, Interview, and Essay are added. There is a “theme” each year that many of the subject areas cover. The theme for 2022-23 is the American Revolution. Students on successful teams that place in the top three at Regionals and State also receive scholarships. Regional competition takes place in January and State competition takes place in February. The school can decide how to prepare for the competitions. Some schools have teams that have practices in the evenings or after school. Some simply provide the students with materials to study prior to competitions. Other schools offer a class to prepare.

Quiz Bowls are wonderful and fun activities, but they do not have a defined course of study like the Academic Decathlon. I find the Decathlon to be the best academic competition that I have experienced. To me, it is based on true study and learning.

On a personal note, three of my four kids participated in Academic Decathlon through high school and between them they won thousands of dollars in scholarships as they were on teams that had success. I currently serve on the Nebraska Academic Decathlon Board of Directors. I have been very involved with this activity for many years and highly encourage you to consider adding it to your school. A new school can have its enrollment fee waived the first year and may receive free study materials.

If you have any questions or have a staff member who is interested, please feel free to contact me. You could also contact the State Director, Vicki Deniston-Reed at dcthln.denistonreed@gmail.com.

UNL Tuition Discount & GOLD Grant

We have a new tuition discount program aimed at better serving folks from rural districts who are seeking school leadership degrees (MEd – principalship, EdD

– superintendency) or endorsements. The program provides a 15% tuition discount for educators who serve in NRCSA member districts or are in an area classified by NCES as rural or town. We think this is a small but important step toward helping rural schools be intentional about growing their own leaders. If interested, please contact Dr. Nick Pace at nick.pace@ unl.edu

Big Red Leader Website

Big Red Leadership Flyer

In addition, invite your participation in a federal grant application aimed at helping Nebraska school districts. Led by the UNL Department of Educational Administration, the Growth-Oriented Leadership Development (GOLD) Project is a collaboration across NCSA, NRCSA, ESUCC, and NDE. Goals include:

• Developing current and future leaders in a growyour-own model

• Strengthening School Leadership

• Improving Principal and Teacher Retention

GOLD Highlights:

• A focus on local, building/district level context, not a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach

• Research-based content aligned with Marzano’s Balanced Leadership and other recent work

• Use of existing professional development structures led by credible leaders and coaches

• No additional costs or duties to ESUs or districts

GOLD Includes:

• Regular, large group professional development for the principal and 2-3 teacher leaders per building

• Small group coaching and facilitation provided by grant-funded coaches

• Application of material presented in sessions to local school improvement priorities and integration with the new NDE Nebraska Teacher and Principal Professional Standards (NTPPS)

• A stipend to participating schools to support implementation of GOLD dimensions and materials

To Learn More: https://cehs.unl.edu/edad/gold-project/

Chadron State College Special Education Parato-Teacher Program Initiative.

Purpose: This “Grow Your Own” Special Education Teacher program is designed to provide school districts with the opportunity to cultivate and participate in the training of their para-professionals who wish to continue their education to become special education teachers.

Who: Any individual who holds a minimum of an Associate’s Degree (or equivalent credit hours) from an accredited higher education institution, and who is employed as a para-professional within a school district. What: Chadron State will provide required course work and enrichment activities via online, face-to-face (via Zoom), and on the job experiential learning, leading to a Bachelor’s in Education Degree, and a Nebraska Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Special Education (grades PK-12). With administrator input, program course work will be tailored to best fit your district practices and expectations. Each course will be offered in an 8-week format, with 12-13 credit hours to be completed each 16 week semester. How: Program participants will be advised, monitored, and supported by CSC faculty/staff, and a CSC Education Program liaison is specifically assigned to facilitate their progress. District para-professionals may enter the program at any time in the academic year.

When: once participants reach their senior academic year they will embark on completing their capstone course work, via online and Zoom class sessions. This course work has been pared down considerably with the understanding and assumption that these student teachers will be learning “on-the-job”. For example, one section covers classroom management practices. Clearly, one can argue and attest that these student teacher interns are learning more about managing a classroom from being mentored by veteran teachers within your school, and observing them in action. This is the belief and learning approach embraced during this senior year. However, to ensure and assess concept learning, Chadron State faculty will be meeting with your student teacher cohort twice per week for 1.5 hours, via Zoom conferencing technology.

Graduation: At the completion of this program students/candidates graduate from Chadron State College, and apply for teaching licensure resulting in a valid initial teaching certificate with and endorsement in PK-12 Special Education. Chadron State’s education program in nationally and State accredited. As such, interstate certification reciprocity is not a problem.

Things for your consideration:

1) To qualify for this program participants must hold at least an Associate’s Degree or the equivalent in college credit hours. (CSC will work with those applicants to provide them with the needed coursework leading up to program entry).

2) Districts must agree to maintain para-professional employment throughout the course of the program— including during the student teaching experience.

Please contact Dr. Adam Fette for more program information, at afette@csc.edu.

The UNL Department of Educational Psychology has received a grant from the Swanson Foundation which allows them to offer mental health services to rural schools.

From Dr. Michael Scheel, Chair of the UNL Department of Educational Psychology:

The UNL Department of Educational Psychology would like to offer counseling and psychological services, as well as consultation services to the schools and communities of Southeast Nebraska. We run a mental health counseling and therapy clinic and we are offering counseling and consultation services to teachers, administrators, students, and community members of Southeast Nebraska. Services will be provided through remote and confidential means (i.e., Zoom conferencing). We are hoping that schools, families, and individuals contact us to schedule an appointment for a telehealth counseling or consultation session.

We have recently learned that a donor will support our work with individuals living in rural Southeast NE by paying all fees for services. Thus, whoever seeks out our services will simply have to indicate they live in Southeast Nebraska, and any services we provide will be paid for through the UNL Foundation. Individual, couple, and family counseling will be provided without financial expense. Additionally, we can provide teachers, school administrators, school counselors, and school social workers consultation services for students of their schools without charge.

We are very excited to enter a partnership with schools and communities of SE Nebraska to promote mental health and well-being. We are aware of the mental health counseling disparities that exist in Nebraska

rural areas, and our department, our College of Education and Human Sciences, and UNL are highly interested in offering our expertise and resources with the goal of enhancing the well-being of SE Nebraska individuals, schools, and communities. We are a group comprised of licensed psychologists and psychology graduate students who regularly provide services through our clinic to the Lincoln community. We are seeking to reach beyond Lincoln to connect more with surrounding rural areas. We also are acutely aware of the importance of addressing mental health concerns right now as we all are experiencing the stress of going through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Counseling and School Psychology Clinic is a training clinic in which graduate students in counseling and school psychology work with clients under the supervision of licensed psychologists. Services are available to all on a sliding scale. For clients from SE Nebraska communities, services will be paid for through UNL Foundation funds supplied by a donor who cares deeply about the welfare of schools and communities in SE Nebraska. Counseling services are offered to improve well-being, improve academic and behavioral issues, stabilize mood, manage stress, and improve life-adjustment issues.

For more information, please visit our clinic website: https://cehs.unl.edu/edpsych/clinic/

Board of Education meeting visits. Beginning in December, 2019, I started attending Board of Education meetings in member school districts. Since then, I have attended 71 such meetings. I have really enjoyed this and am willing to attend Board meetings when I can. I take a few minutes to cover NRCSA news and offerings, as well as some legislative news. When I am going to be in a specific area on Board meeting days I may send out a notice to near-by Superintendents to make an offer to visit. I’d like to be able to schedule two or three in the same evening if I can.

On Monday, Oct. 10, I attended the Maywood BOE meeting and on Wednesday, Oct. 12, I attended the South Central Unified #5 BOE meeting. I am scheduled to visit the Ravenna BOE meeting on Monday, December 12. If you would be interested in me attending a future Board meeting, please contact me to start the arrangements. I would also be willing to “attend” your Board meetings via Zoom if you preferred. I would still only do one at a time but would be able to do several in the same evening. Let me know and we will try to make the connection.

A common theme from some of the decision makers on the state level is that “out of control” local spending is to blame for the property tax problem. NRCSA, along with many other educational entities, maintains that we do not have a school spending issue, but instead have a school funding issue. Attached are two reports, one from NRCSA, the other from Open Sky, that discuss the myth of “out of control” school spending. It is my hope that administrators and Board of Education members will read, then use these reports to counter those claims. When you do please tell your district’s story as that is the most powerful way to get this message across.

NRCSA Spending Study

A Look at School Spending in NE from Open Sky

We urge you to consider making use of the NRCSA Partner OneCard as a tool for you in managing school expenditures, both large and small. Certainly, the card can help reduce/eliminate any issues relative to unverified cash expenditures. You decide who uses it, can get cards for each of those users, keep all cards wherever you wish, determine the amount to load it with, and how long the time frame of use is. It is a terrific management tool and clearly identifies each expenditure/name/date/amount. Whether small purchases or very large purchases, the card is a terrific tool. NRCSA owns the state contract, so liability for misuse falls to NRCSA, not the district user. We have only had three circumstances of fraud and all three have been the theft of the card number information, not any district employee misuse. Great job by all participating districts in protecting the card and program! Don’t forget, the NRCSA rebate from the transaction fee paid by businesses that choose to accept plastic is used for scholarship, awards, and special needs. For 2021-22, the rebate was over $23,000 to NRCSA, showing that use is increasing, and large purchases are being included. WIN, WIN, WIN!

If you are considering joining the program and need more information, please contact Jack Moles (jmoles@ nrcsa.net) or Jeff Bundy (jbundy@nrcsa.net).

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH & PLANNING

The NRCSA Superintendent Search Service helped Arapahoe, Arthur County, Bayard, Heartland, Leyton, Newman Grove, North Bend Central, O’Neill, PotterDix, St. Paul, St. Edward, Tri-County, Wheeler Central,

and ESU 11 in identifying their next leader. This year we have been asked to assist Educational Service Unit #16, Southwest Public Schools, North Bend Central Public Schools, Medicine Valley Public Schools, Randolph Public Schools, South Central Unified #5 (interim), Thayer Central Public Schools and TekamahHerman Public Schools in their searches for their next Superintendents. NRCSA was also selected to assist the NSAA Board of Directors in its search for the next Executive Director of the NSAA, We also are assisting Thayer Central on a Principal search.

If your district finds a need to locate your next school leader, please be sure to keep the NRCSA Superintendent Search Service in mind. For more information you can contact Executive Director Jack Moles at jmoles@ nrcsa.net or by phone at 402-335-7732.

It is a common practice for many Boards of Education and the Superintendent to conduct short and long-term planning. NRCSA does provide a quality service using experienced consultants. If you are interested in more information, please contact Executive Director Jack Moles.

From Dr. Jon Habben, NREA PAst President:

The mid-term elections are history, well sort of. I guess there is always one more thing to be settled in this incredibly contentious environment. While there has been quite a bit of talk about attempts to do something in this lame-duck session of Congress, we can always hope for a calm December.

Sometimes funny things happen when one is unsuspecting. I was on a federal (Dept of Ed) webinar on November 21 expecting to hear more about efforts to serve rural areas and education better with the next best federal thing. Fifteen minutes into the webinar, I began to realize it was about job openings in a federal experimental program available in just six states that were pre-selected. Nope, not including Nebraska, nor any of our bordering states. Joke was on me. All of a sudden, thirty minutes gone. I was not interested in a federal position paying from $38K to $70K, moving to another state, and being guaranteed employment until this federal program went away. But I learned something about rural in America. Nebraska rural isn’t nearly as poor as rural in a number of other states. And, we don’t have enough people in rural areas to be noticed much by federal programs. Maybe we should be glad?

NRCSA Search Service Experience NRCSA Planning Support Brochure

Below, you will find the latest Legislative Newsletter from Tara Thomas, representing AASA more than NREA. The coming months will peel back the onion on NREA work going forward regarding the NREAC and NREA legislative work. You will recall that the NREAC (National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition) was created back when Dr. Blomstedt was NRCSA Executive Director. Matt and I attended and began Nebraska’s participation in the NREAC over sixteen years ago. For the last few years, a few of us have been pushing for NREA/NREAC to work more independently, using other rural entities as partners. Thanks to Dr. Pratt’s efforts, NREA is growing that influence.

Don’t forget that the NREA Foundation is pushing forward. We have done some re-organizing and will be taking a look at growing outreach awards and recognition programs. I am in my third term as Foundation Treasurer and hope we will have more news on that in 2023. I am concluding my time in the president

SYRACUSE-DUNBAR-AVOCA used the NRCSA Planning Service in 2022. NRCSA Consultants Rob Hanger and Fred Helmink assisted the district with its planning.

4-year cycle, coinciding with more than six years on the Executive Committee under Executive Directors Dr. Hill and Dr. Pratt, with my last Executive Committee Zoom in a few weeks. Time flies.

Have a great Christmas! Jon

Legislative Corps 12-2-22

From the NREA

I. Policy Intelligence and Education News

• FY 2023 appropriations – Government funding –frozen at fiscal year (FY) 2022 levels and extended back in September – will expire next Friday, December 16, but Democrats and Republicans have not been able to agree on the total for non-defense funding. Reportedly appropriations leaders in both parties have settled the total for defense with a level in line with funding in the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which could be unveiled this week. That defense funding level is higher than what the President requested and what the House Appropriations Committee marked up this summer (the defense funding bill is one of the six – including the Labor-HHS-Education bill - that did not reach the House floor for a vote). Democrats are insisting on substantially more non-defense funding than Republicans want, so the process of writing bipartisan bills is at a standstill. Instead, Democrats are apparently preparing bills that reflect the agreed-upon defense level and their level of nondefense funding, which is reportedly $26 billion more than what Republicans offered. Going forward with a bill that doesn’t have bipartisan buy-in does not bode well for getting an omnibus appropriations bill enacted in 10 days. We won’t know the education funding levels until a final bill is released, but it sounds like what can finally get passed will have less non-defense funding – and likely smaller education funding increases – than the Democratic proposals proffered so far (you can see those education funding levels in CEF’s table here). Meanwhile, there almost must be another extension of government funding, either until right before Christmas to give Congress another week to get a full-year package done, or until January or February so a new Congress can take up the negotiation, or for the full fiscal year. A full-year extension at FY 2022 levels would involve

funding adjustments for certain programs, which also would involve behind the scenes negotiations. Given that the President proposed huge increases for education, and the House and Senate Appropriations Committee Democrats produced bills with slightly smaller but still large education increases, a freeze at FY 2022 levels would not only be a very disappointing outcome, it also would preclude a lot of necessary support for students, educators, and education services.

• House committee chairman for the 118th Congress – Tomorrow House Republicans are set to start choosing committee chairs for the next Congress. Rep. Virginia Smith (R-NC) has strong support from virtually all the House Education and Labor Committee Republicans in her quest for a time-limit waiver to serve again as chair; they sent the attached letter to the Republican Steering Committee endorsing her request for a waiver and her leadership of the Committee.

• CBO’s “Budget Options” to be released tomorrow – Every two years, the Congressional Budget Office releases a “Budget Options” report that lists ways Congress could reduce the deficit by either cutting spending or raising revenues. It lists the pros and cons of different proposals without making recommendations. The book is helpful because it includes updated costs estimate of the proposals, but I have always found it frustrating that the book often becomes a starting point for budgets that seek to dramatically cut non-defense funding, including education. For instance, CBO’s most recent option lists “Eliminate Head Start” and “Reduce or Eliminate Subsidized Loans for Undergraduate Students” along with similar reductions of support for education that would help the federal government’s bottom line –but would decrease access to education for millions of students.

• Report on with Higher Education-Based Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs – CEF member the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education just released a report on alternative preparation programs run by institutions of higher education (IHEs) that found that IHE-based alternative teacher preparation programs are bringing more educators to the strained workforce than alternative programs run by organizations other than colleges and universities. Although enrollment in university-based alternative programs declined by 8% between 2011 and 2020, the number of teachers completing these programs grew by 10%; in contrast, enrollment in non-IHE alternative

programs grew by more than 140% but the number of teachers produced by these programs declined by 12%.

• Former Secretary of Education John King named SUNY chancellor – John King, who was Secretary of Education for the last year of the Obama Administration in 2016, was just chosen to be the chancellor of the State University of New York, the country’s largest public university system.

II. CEF member action items

• Renewing your CEF membership for 2023 – Over the last several days CEF members should have received an email with information about our activities this year and the form to renew your membership for 2023. We hope everyone will renew, and that we will continue our advocacy as a strong and comprehensive coalition that relies on the input and participation of its members. Dues levels are not increasing. The 2023 membership form is also available here, along with a brochure describing CEF. Our bookkeeper will send an invoice for the dues after we receive your membership form that designates your dues category. If you want to use your 2022 form, just let us know.

• CEF’s annual meeting this Friday morning – I encourage you to attend CEF’s annual meeting this Friday, either in person (this option includes a hot breakfast starting at 9am!) at the AFSCME Boardroom, 1625 L ST, NW, Washington NW, or over Zoom from 9:30-11:30 am ET. Please RSVP here regardless of how you will attend so we know if we have a quorum and how to reach you if necessary for a vote. Those attending in-person will receive an online health survey the morning of the meeting. At the meeting CEF will elect new members to CEF’s 2023 Board of Directors, vote on CEF’s 2023 budget, and discuss plans for next year’s advocacy, events, and member services. See CEF Update of 11.22.22 for the slate and budget.

III. Events

• CEF’s upcoming schedule -

• Friday, Dec. 9 – 9:00-11:30 a.m. ET – Hybrid CEF Annual Meeting – Zoom meeting from 9:30-11:30, in-person option with breakfast begins at 9:00am at the AFSCME Boardroom, 1625 L ST, NW, Washington NW. See above for details.

• No more Friday meetings until January 6 – enjoy the holidays!

Contact Information

NRCSA

Jack Moles, Executive Director (402) 335-7732 jmoles@nrcsa.net

Jeff Bundy, Administrative Aide (402) 202-6028 jbundy@nrcsa.net

Legislative Contacts

U.S. Senators

Deb Fischer

Ben Sasse

U.S. House of Representatives

Don Bacon

Mike Flood

Adrian Smith

Nebraska Governor

Pete Ricketts

NE State Senators

Raymond Aguilar, Dist 35

Joni Albrecht, Dist 17

John Arch, Dist 14

Carol Blood, Dist 3

Eliot Bostar, Dist 29

Bruce Bostelman, Dist 23

Tom Brandt, Dist 32

Tom Brewer, Dist 43

Tom Briese, Dist 41

John Cavanaugh, Dist 9

Machaela Cavanaugh, Dist 6

Robert Clements, Dist 2

Jen Day, Dist 49

Wendy DeBoer, Dist 10

Myron Dorn, Dist 30

Robert Dover, Dist 19

Steve Erdman , Dist 47

Curt Friesen, Dist 34

Suzanne Geist , Dist 25

Tim Gragert, Dist 40

Steve Halloran , Dist 33

Ben Hansen, Dist 16

Matt Hansen, Dist 26

Mike Hilgers, Dist 21

Robert Hilkemann, Dist 4

Dan Hughes, Dist 44

Megan Hunt, Dist 8

Mike Jaconson, Dist 42

Mark Kolterman, Dist 24

Steve Lathrop, Dist 12

Brett Lindstrom, Dist 18

Lou Ann Linehan, Dist 39

John Lowe Sr. , Dist 37

John McCollister, Dist 20

Mike McDonnell, Dist 5

Terrell McKinney, Dist 5

Adam Morfeld , Dist 46

Mike Moser, Dist 22

Dave Murman, Dist 38

Rich Pahls, Dist 31

Patty Pansing Brooks, Dist 28

Rita Sanders, Dist 45

Julie Slama, Dist 1

John Stinner, Dist 48

Tony Vargas, Dist 7

Lynne Walz, Dist 15

Justin Wayne, Dist 13

Matt Williams , Dist 36

Anna Wishart , Dist 27

NRCSA Rural Community Schools Association

455 S 11th ST, Suite B Lincoln, NE 68508

www.nrcsa.net www.twitter.com/NRCSA1980 www.facebook.com/nrcsahome/