Member Update 5-5-22

Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association Member Update

May 5, 2022

Photo Credit: Deshler Public Schools

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NRCSA Calendar

NRCSA Events NRCSA Golf Tournament July 26, 2022 Meadowlark Hills Golf Course in Kearney More about this event 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 Committee Meetings NRCSA Executive Committee June 15, 2022 Held in conjunction with Western Nebraska Administrators Meeting 9:30 AM Bayside Golf Club Meeting Room NRCSA Consultant Meeting June 15 & 16 2022 Younes Convention Center in Kearney 6:30 PM & 8:30 AM Ruby 4 Meeting Room 2022-23 NRCSA Executive Committee July, 2022 Held in conjunction with Administrator Days in Kearney Time and room TBD

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.

Arapahoe-Holbrook Public Schools Search Complete

O’Neill Public Schools Search Complete

Arthur County Schools Search Complete

Potter-Dix Public Schools Search Complete

Bayard Public Schools Search Complete

St Edward Public Schools Search Complete

Educational Service Unit 11 Search Complete

Heartland Community Schools Search Complete

Leyton Public Schools Search Complete

St Paul Public Schools Search Complete

Tri County Public Schools Search Complete

Wheeler Central Public Schools Search Complete

Newman Grove Public Schools Search Complete

North Bend Central Public Schools - Interim Application Process Complete Finalists Selected: May 9, 2022 Interviews: May 12 or May 16, 2022 Contract Starts: July 1, 2022

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NRCSA Leadership

Two NRCSA elections have been completed.

Mark Lenihan, Superintendent at Wayne, has been selected as President-Elect for the 2022-23 year. Paul Sheffield, Superintendent at Exeter-Milligan, has been re-elected to a second term as the Southeast District Representative on the NRCSA Executive Board. Congratulations to both and I look forward to working together with you!

Del Dack, Past President.

Paxton Consolidated Schools

Ginger Meyer, President Chadron Public Schools

Dr. Dawn Lewis, Pres-Elect.

Arlington Public Schools Jane Davis, Secretary.

Hershey Public Schools

Several committee appointments will be made by the Executive Committee at its June meeting. I will contact appointees soon after that meeting.

District Representatives: _____________________________________ Congratulations to all of our award winners at the Spring Conference.

One of the more enjoyable features of the Spring Conference is our recognition of people doing great things in our rural schools. It is always very emotional and surprising as most often these recipients do not even know they have been nominated. The Scholarship and Recognitions Committee does a great job of working with the school district to bring in family and close friends to the awards ceremonies as a surprise to the recipients.

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 Outstanding Superintendent - Chad Denker, David City Public Schools

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 Outstanding Board Member - Bob Sykes, Wilber-Clatonia Public Schools

Jim Widdifield Minden Public Schools

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Outstanding ESU Staff Member - Jamen Hall, Educational Service Unit 6

Gary Fisher Outstanding Music Teacher - Misty Michelman, Sidney Public Schools

Outstanding Classified Staff Member - Robert “Ozzo” Osmotherly, Crawford Public Schools

Outstanding Principal - Sandy Pohl, Minden Public Schools

The Music Groups are always a highlight of the Spring Conference. Superintendents nominate their outstanding groups for the opportunity to show off the talents in their rural districts.

Outstanding Elementary Teacher - Patti Meysenburg, East Butler Public Schools

Ord 18th Street Singers

Outstanding Secondary Teacher - Twila Knehans, Adams Central Public Schools

Hershey High School Jazz Band 3

requirement on behalf of the state for admission to teacher education programs, and (2) provide up to $5,000 per year for up to five years of teacher loan forgiveness for young teachers. There is still a lot of clarification that needs to take place on the PRAXIS I, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. We were not sure the bill would even be put up for consideration in the waning days of the session, but it finally was and did pass in an amended form.

LB 742 (Erdman) Allows minutes from Board of Education meetings to be kept in either written or electronic form.

LB 758 (Brandt) Expands the Nebraska Farm to School Program Act to also include early childhood The Spring Conference traditionally closes with some programs. This merely cleans up an oversight in the prize drawings. A new feature was added a few years ago original law. as a special prize is awarded to the winner of the “Heads or Tails” contest. This year’s winner was George Griffith, LB 852 (Day) Requires that a Behavioral Health Point Superintendent of HTRS Public Schools. George won of Contact be appointed in each school building. This a football that was graciously donated by Eric Crouch. person must be knowledgeable of local behavioral The football was obtained by Eric at this year’s Heisman health providers and services. The local school district Trophy Awards Ceremony and has over 20 signatures is required to report the name(s) of the behavioral from past Heisman Trophy winners. We thank Eric health point(s) of contact to NDE. An amendment to Crouch, owner of Crouch Recreation, a NRCSA Purple the bill from Sen. Morfeld requires NDE to develop Ribbon Partner! mental health first aid training. Lottery funds will be _____________________________________ used to provide the training through grants to schools or ESUs. The NRCSA Joe Toczek Golf Tournament is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday July 26, 2022. LB 888 (Day) Requires that the Holocaust and other Planning for the event has begun and registration forms forms of genocide, as well as financial literacy, to be will be available at the end of May. This event is held included in the Social Studies standards. annually on the Tuesday before Administrator Days.

This has become an extremely popular event and we are LB 1024 (Wayne) Adopts the Economic Recovery Act, working to expand the field of teams as much as possible. in which the Legislature appropriated $250 million in federal funds under ARPA to the Department of This event is always event a fun way to start the week in Economic Development. $40 Million is allocated to Kearney the Third Congressional District for grants in cities of _____________________________________ the second class or villages. Broadband infrastructure projects are eligible uses of these funds.

LB 1057 (Brewer) Changes conditions for a Class III school district to remain operational. The minimum student count is changed from 35 students in grades 9-12 to 45 students in grades K-12. In addition to a The 2022 Legislative Session is now complete. public vote to remain open, an option to simply allow Some bills of interest (unless otherwise noted, all of for a public hearing before the local Board of Educathese bills have an effective date of July 21, 2022): tion, then a vote by the BOE is added.

LB 1218 (Education Committee) This bill provides two pieces that should serve to help address the teacher shortage: (1) eliminate the “PRAXIS I” test as a

LB 1112 (McKinney) Requires a 5-credit hour high school course in computer science as a graduation requirement. Sen. McKinney says he realizes substantial changes may be in order in the interim. I have been 4

invited to be part of a meeting including other Education groups, some Business groups, along with Sen. McKinney and Sen. Walz to discuss “cleanup”. I plan to take three recommendations, including (1) allowing the class to be offered in grades 7-12 instead of 9-12, (2) allow school districts that are 1:1 in all curricular areas to satisfy the requirement via a report to NDE, and (3) ensuring that there is no endorsement requirement placed on teachers for the class. I will report back to you the outcomes of the meeting which will be held in June,

LIFT Up Attendance can be used in conjunction with other family engagement initiatives or as a standalone engagement strategy.

Interested and want to learn more? Check out our website (https://sites.google.com/view/lift-upattendance) or contact Hayley Didriksen (hayley_ didriksen@gse.harvard.edu) for more information. ____________________________________

The National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) at Harvard University seeks to bring together a national cohort of rural districts to pilot an evidence-based program designed to increase student attendance rates. During the 2022-23 academic year, NCRERN will support the expanded implementation and evaluation of Leveraging Interactions with Families To (L.I.F.T.) Up Attendance, a lowburden, research-based program proven to reduce absenteeism rates.

LIFT Up Attendance is a user-friendly messaging program that integrates with your student information system (SIS) to provide personalized messages that inform caregivers about their student’s total number of absences each month. Caregivers are provided with information on how to contact the school if they need support to address barriers to their student’s attendance. LIFT Up Attendance aims to engage and empower families and caregivers as partners in their students’ education by providing transparent, real-time information about attendance patterns.

LIFT Up Attendance was developed by researchers and piloted in 8 rural districts in New York and Ohio during the 2020-21 academic year. Even amidst the uncertainty and disruption of the pandemic, the pilot study found the personalized messages reduced absences for rural students by up to 11% and saved instructional days.

We also know that schools have a lot going on. The messaging program is designed to be easy to use with minimal time required — just a few clicks per month!

Darron Arlt, Supt. at Plainview, asked that we share that they have two scoreboards for sale. He said they were purchased in 2014 and are in perfect condition. They are asking $13,000 per scoreboard. If interested you can contact Darron at darlt@plainviewschools.org.

NRCSA was recently asked to share with all of our members about some items that were for sale. Rob Gregory, Supt. at Axtell, asked us to spread As always, please let us know if you have any questions the news about lunch tables that they had available. about the session or bills that were passed or defeated. Soon after that, Brent Hollinger, Supt. at Cross County, asked us to advertise a SPED van with a lift that they _____________________________________ were making available. We sent both notices to all NRCSA member districts. Shortly after this, they both Nebraska rural school districts are being offered informed me that the items were all sold. an opportunity to participate in a pilot program designed to increase student attendance. Below This is a service that NRCSA enthusiastically provides– is information about the program. If this is something we can help to spread the word if you have any items your district would like to work on, this may be a really for sale (or to give away). If you have such items, please good opportunity. don’t hesitate to contact us. Hopefully we can help!

______________________________________ Big Red Leader Tuition Program The Big Red Leader tuition remission program offers reduced tuition rates for Nebraska resident students in P-12 School Leadership programs leading to an endorsement.

Big Red Leader Website Big Red Leadership Flyer _____________________________________

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Earlier this year, 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:

Planning, maintaining and updating your facility can often times be a daunting task for many schools, even school districts that have dedicated facilities maintenance and operations staff. Maintaining and updating facilities for our rural schools is an especially daunting task as our schools are faced with limited resources for facilities maintenance and also limited availability of qualified individuals to maintain those facilities. Wilkins ADP has a long history of coming along side rural school districts as they navigate various issues and challenges that may present themselves: issues ranging from aging facilities, enrollment or program growth, or perhaps even enrollment decline/surplus space to various code and life safety issues. Addressing these facility issues should begin with a comprehensive facilities assessment. In the comprehensive facilities assessment our expert team of architects and consulting engineers review and inspect all aspects of your facilities from building envelope to structure, finishes, building systems and equipment, along with classroom utilization and programming to identify what issues may be present, identify where there are deficiencies and develop strategies for addressing these deficiencies and determining what the costs are to correct those deficiencies. This same team also helps school districts to prioritize the needs and solutions and set a path for moving forward and implementing those strategies.

A comprehensive facilities assessment is not typically a large cost and is a good use of district resources as you consider and determine the best course forward for using district resources on the larger cost items of construction and renovation projects. Our team at Wilkins ADP is focused on meeting the assessment, planning and facility design needs of rural schools across Nebraska.

For more information please visit us at WilkinsADP. com or give us a call at (308) 237-5787.

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Purple Ribbon Partners Cheever Construction Doug Klute 3425 N 44th St Lincoln, NE 68504 Phone: (402) 477-6745 dklute@cheeverconstruction.com

Crouch Recreation Nicole Crouch 1309 S 204th St # 330 Elkhorn, NE 68022 Phone: (402) 496-2669 nicole@crouchrec.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

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

Network For Educator Effectiveness (NEE) Marc Doss 288 Maguire Blvd Columbia, MO 65211 Phone: (417) 581-0171 dossm@missouri.edu

DLR Group Emily O’keeffe 6457 Frances St, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68106 Phone: (402) 393-4100 eokeeffe@dlrgroup.com

Piper Sandler & Co Jay Spearman 2900 S 70th St, Suite 310 Lincoln, NE 68506 Phone: (402) 432-9268 jay.spearman@psc.com 7

Renaissance Learning Heather Mille 2911 Peach St Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 Phone: (402) 290-4379 heather.miller@renaissance.com

Wilkins Architecture, Design, Planning

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

Blue Ribbon Supporters Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

Clark Enersen Partners

Davis Design

Sparq Data

On to College

US Bank

Red Ribbon Friends Sampson Construction BD Construction

Boyd Jones Construction

Student Assurance Services

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Southern School District

Mascot: Raiders Enrollment: 384 Location: Wymore & Blue Springs, NE Interesting Fact: Jake Diekman was a 2005 Southern graduate and he is currently a professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.

Superintendent: Dr. Christopher Prososki

Principals: Jerry Rempe & Jeff Murphy

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Board Members: Dave Zimmerman, Jim Zvolanek, Dana Dorn, Angela Meyer, Aaron Whitwer, Betsy Frerichs

Programs Program 1. The 2021-2022 Southern Raider Cheerleaders have put a lot of time and hours of hard work in this school year. They are ending the season on a high note after competing at the State Cheerleading Competition in Grand Island on Friday, February 18th. They received State RunnerUp with their performance in the Non- Tumbling Category, missing first place by just one point!

They also received 4th place for their performance in the Game Day Category. This was their first time competing in two categories and placing in both at the state competition!

Program 2. In 2019, Southern’s show choir only had 9 members and very little competition experience. They now have 20 members and a competition season that includes 5 performances, not to mention the 4 additional performances they have throughout the year. They even changed the show choir’s name to “Revolution!” to give them a competitive edge while competing. This season they have received 1st place and the People’s Choice Award at the Glenwood Invite, 4th place and the People’s Choice Award at the GISH invitational, and a few performers have won Outstanding Performer Awards!

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Dundy County Stratton Public Schools

Mascot: Tigers Enrollment: 384 Locations: Benkelman Elementary, Benkelman Jr./Sr. High, Stratton Elementary Interesting Fact: Each Dundy County Resident student who has attended high school here for three of the last four years of school is eligible for a $7000 scholarship that is renewable each of 4 years if they remain in good standing.

Superintendent: Jackie Anderson Principal: Mike Rotherham, elementary; Ethan Sullivan, high school

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Board Members: Left front: Jordan Stroup, Shad Stamm, Sandy Noffsinger, Brad Baney, Steve Guernsey.

Left rear: Nick Ladenburger, Jason Frederick, Toby Marlin, Kent Lorens

Programs Program 1. As a new Superintendent, I wanted to know what the student opinion of the value of education from the district is. I formed a “Senior Advisory group” that was voluntary with 6 members. We have met several times throughout the school year to discuss issues such as attendance, traditions and systems they value and things they would like to see change. This has given me great insight into the real culture of the school and the true value of student leadership. Going forward we will have a meeting with these students and next years recruits / volunteers together to introduce the new group into student leadership. Not only was it great to meet the students on a more individual basis but it formed a connection I would not have had otherwise.

Program 2. One of the first challenges I faced when beginning my superintendency was the immediate need for daycare for our staff. A community daycare had closed and there were no openings for those children at the only other daycare in town. I had an administrator and 3 teachers who would be unable to teach without a plan going forward. We hired a paraprofessional with daycare experience and started a temporary daycare in the elementary. Soon, it was full with a waiting list. We collaborated with community leaders and are now in the process of building a new facility to house a community day care that is partly managed by the school. This will be a “win” for our community for the future!

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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 57 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.

are instructional leaders who are instrumental in increasing student academic achievement.

In Nebraska, there are two institutions that offer graduate programs of study for teachers who want to add the PreK-12 school librarian endorsement to their NDE teaching certificate. The University of Nebraska Omaha and University of Nebraska at Kearney both offer Nationally Recognized School Library programs that meet national and state standards for developing high-quality, digital-age librarians. The coursework includes a focus on the many roles of today’s school librarians from how to teach information evaluation and research skills to how to assess curriculum materials for every subject area to promotion of reading and technology integration. Both programs offer fully online coursework on a schedule that is flexible for the needs of today’s practicing educators.

On Monday, April 11 I attended meetings at Elm Creek, Amherst, and S-E-M. On Monday, May 16 I am scheduled to attend BOE meetings at ESU 2 and ESU 7.

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. Strong educators who love reading and serving both Let me know and we will try to make the connection. students and staff are excellent candidates for school ______________________________________ library positions. Certified teachers who take two graduate library courses (6 credit hours) in a calendar UNL Tuition Discount year are eligible to serve in a school library position, without a full or provisional endorsement. This allows We have a new tuition discount program aimed at administrators to “grow their own” school librarian better serving folks from rural districts who are seeking and meet the Nebraska Department of Education school leadership degrees (MEd – principalship, EdD requirements for accreditation.

– superintendency) or endorsements. The program provides a 15% tuition discount for educators who serve Both institutions offer their students the opportunity in NRCSA member districts or are in an area classified to complete a master’s program along with their school

by NCES as rural or town. We think this is a small library endorsement. This can benefit local districts but important step toward helping rural schools be by fostering experience and creating highly-qualified teachers within our schools. Since the school library intentional about growing their own leaders. endorsement is a 30-credit hour endorsement, earning If interested, please contact Dr. Nick Pace at nick. a master’s degree typically only requires two additional pace@unl.edu. classes. Students in either program can also take 2-3 additional graduate technology courses to qualify ______________________________________ for a supplemental NDE endorsement in PreK-12 Instructional Technology Leadership.

Graduate School Library Programs in Nebraska (from Dr. Sara Churchill, Ed.D., UNO; and Judy Because there is a shortage of school librarians in Henning, Ed.D., UNK) Nebraska, graduate students pursuing a school librarian endorsement are eligible to apply each spring for the Today’s school librarians are not just managers of a Enhancing Excellence in Teaching Program (EETP). collection of resources, but also educational leaders who EETP is a forgivable loan program from the Nebraska collaborate with the classroom teachers on a daily basis Department of Education that pays partial tuition for and teach essential information evaluation and research classes towards an endorsement in a shortage area or skills to students. In fact, many administrators include towards an advanced degree. Graduate students who librarians on the school improvement team because of are eligible may apply for up to $175 per credit hour for their overall curricular knowledge of the school. In some a maximum of $3,000 per year. Students may reapply schools, librarians are the school’s technology leaders each year for up to five years. See the Nebraska facilitating the use of technology for the classroom Department of Education EETP Information teachers. Research demonstrates that school librarians website for additional information.

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There are many supports available to administrators who are looking for a dynamic, high-quality school librarian.

Dr. Judy Henning, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, is the administrator of UNK’s program.

Dr. Sara Churchill, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, is the coordinator of UNO’s program. Drs. Henning and Churchill are eager to help administrators fill this valuable position. They can help take some of the burden of finding a school librarian off of administrators.

Their expertise can guide potential candidates through the admissions process, help them navigate the program choices and endorsement requirements, and provide institutional verification to NDE once a program is completed. Additionally, the School Library programs serve as two of the biggest networks for the profession in the state. Informing candidates about open positions, both now and in the future, is something that occurs regularly. UNO operates a school library mailing list that reaches hundreds of school librarians across the state and beyond.

Both Dr. Henning and Dr. Churchill are available to discuss how you can “grow your own” school librarian, help answer questions about EETP or endorsement requirements, as well as connect you with quality candidates and even facilitate access to professional development in the area of school librarianship. Please consider reaching out to either program coordinator to discuss how we can help support you in filling this highimpact position.

Sara Churchill, Ed.D., UNO 402-554-3485. schurchill@unomaha.edu Judy Henning, Ed.D., UNK 308-627-6807. henningja@unk.edu Data for SL Revisions ______________________________________

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.

Chadron State College Special Education Para- Things for your consideration: to-Teacher Program Initiative.

1) To qualify for this program participants must hold at Purpose: This “Grow Your Own” Special Education least an Associate’s Degree or the equivalent in college Teacher program is designed to provide school districts credit hours. (CSC will work with those applicants to with the opportunity to cultivate and participate in the provide them with the needed coursework leading up training of their para-professionals who wish to continue to program entry). their education to become special education teachers.

2) Districts must agree to maintain para-professional Who: Any individual who holds a minimum of an employment throughout the course of the program— Associate’s Degree (or equivalent credit hours) from including during the student teaching experience. an accredited higher education institution, and who is employed as a para-professional within a school district.

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Please contact Dr. Adam Fette for more program through the COVID-19 pandemic. information, at afette@csc.edu. ______________________________________ The Counseling and School Psychology Clinic is a training clinic in which graduate students in counseling The UNL Department of Educational Psychology and school psychology work with clients under the has received a grant from the Swanson supervision of licensed psychologists. Services are Foundation which allows them to offer mental available to all on a sliding scale. For clients from SE Nebraska communities, services will be paid for health services to rural schools. through UNL Foundation funds supplied by a donor From Dr. Michael Scheel, Chair of the UNL Department who cares deeply about the welfare of schools and communities in SE Nebraska. Counseling services are of Educational Psychology: offered to improve well-being, improve academic and The UNL Department of Educational Psychology behavioral issues, stabilize mood, manage stress, and would like to offer counseling and psychological improve life-adjustment issues. services, as well as consultation services to the schools and communities of Southeast Nebraska. We run a For more information, please visit our clinic website: mental health counseling and therapy clinic and we are offering counseling and consultation services to https://cehs.unl.edu/edpsych/clinic/ teachers, administrators, students, and community ______________________________________ members of Southeast Nebraska. Services will be provided through remote and confidential means A common theme from some of the decision (i.e., Zoom conferencing). We are hoping that schools, makers on the state level is that “out of control” families, and individuals contact us to schedule an local spending is to blame for the property tax appointment for a telehealth counseling or consultation problem. NRCSA, along with many other educational entities, maintains that we do not have a school spending session. issue, but instead have a school funding issue. Attached We have recently learned that a donor will support our are two reports, one from NRCSA, the other from Open work with individuals living in rural Southeast NE by Sky, that discuss the myth of “out of control” school paying all fees for services. Thus, whoever seeks out spending. It is my hope that administrators and Board our services will simply have to indicate they live in of Education members will read, then use these reports Southeast Nebraska, and any services we provide will to counter those claims. When you do please tell your be paid for through the UNL Foundation. Individual, district’s story as that is the most powerful way to get couple, and family counseling will be provided without this message across. financial expense. Additionally, we can provide teachers, school administrators, school counselors, and NRCSA Spending Study school social workers consultation services for students A Look at School Spending in NE from Open Sky of their schools without charge. ______________________________________ We are very excited to enter a partnership with schools and communities of SE Nebraska to promote mental We urge you to consider making use of the health and well-being. We are aware of the mental NRCSA Partner OneCard as a tool for you in health counseling disparities that exist in Nebraska managing school expenditures, both large and small. rural areas, and our department, our College of Certainly, the card can help reduce/eliminate any issues Education and Human Sciences, and UNL are highly relative to unverified cash expenditures. You decide interested in offering our expertise and resources with who uses it, can get cards for each of those users, keep the goal of enhancing the well-being of SE Nebraska all cards wherever you wish, determine the amount individuals, schools, and communities. We are a group to load it with, and how long the time frame of use is. comprised of licensed psychologists and psychology It is a terrific management tool and clearly identifies graduate students who regularly provide services each expenditure/name/date/amount. Whether small through our clinic to the Lincoln community. We are purchases or very large purchases, the card is a terrific seeking to reach beyond Lincoln to connect more with tool. NRCSA owns the state contract, so liability for surrounding rural areas. We also are acutely aware of misuse falls to NRCSA, not the district user. We have the importance of addressing mental health concerns only had three circumstances of fraud and all three have right now as we all are experiencing the stress of going been the theft of the card number information, not any 15

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 2020-21, the rebate was over $16,000 to NRCSA, showing that use is increasing, and large purchases are being included.

WIN, WIN, WN!!

NRCSA Search Service Experience NRCSA Planning Support Brochure ______________________________________

Global Teletherapy is a group with which NRCSA has had a long relationship. As a nationally renowned K-12 service provider, Global Teletherapy If you are considering joining the program and need offers virtual mental-health, speech, occupational, more information, please contact Jack Moles (jmoles@ physical therapy services, and psychoeducational nrcsa.net) or Jeff Bundy (jbundy@nrcsa.net). assessments to students across the nation. ______________________________________ NRCSA had a very successful year last year in assisting Boards of Education in choosing their next Superintendent of Schools. NRCSA has again been busy this year, assisting 14 districts (Arapahoe, Arthur County, Bayard, Heartland, Leyton, Newman Grove, North Bend Central, O’Neill, Potter-Dix, St. Paul, St. Edward, Tri-County, Wheeler Central) and one ESU (ESU 11) in identifying their next leader.

Currently serving approximately 100 schools in over 30 states around the U.S. with over 500 therapists, Global Teletherapy is prepared to help districts that find themselves short of the needed personnel to provide these services.. To learn more about Global Teletherapy’s caring therapists and reliable virtual platform please click here. ______________________________________

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.

From Dr. Jon Habben, NREA Past President: 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.

Below is the latest from the NREA. It appears to be more boatloads of money. As with such programs, access and application within the rules and regulations can be opportunities or barriers.

Legislative Corps 4-15-22

From the NREA: Below is a link to a fifty minute recording of a webinar Understanding Medicaid in Schools from the NREA. Understanding Medicaid in Schools SYRACUSE-DUNBAR-AVOCA is currently using the Medicaid in Schools Powerpoint NRCSA Planning Service. NRCSA Consultants Rob Hanger and Fred Helmink are assisting the district with its planning.

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U.S. Department of Education Announces Over $220 Million in Investments from Government, Private, and Public Sectors to Support Student Recovery.

Announcements coincide with the Department’s American Rescue Plan Recovery Summit focused on helping students recover academically and access mental health supports.

ARP provided $130 billion in funding to states and districts across the country to help K-12 schools reopen during the pandemic and recover. The Department acted swiftly to release these funds to states and has called on states to act with the same urgency to ensure ARP dollars are reaching districts and classrooms to meet the immediate needs of students, families, educators, and communities. All states are now in compliance with the requirement to release the first two-thirds of funds to districts by the one-year deadline since ARP was passed.

It is more important than ever that these funds are used to help students recover from the pandemic. ARP required that at least 5% of state funds and 20% of district funds be used to invest in evidence-based practices that address lost instructional time and at least 1% be used by states and districts to support afterschool programs, and at least 1% be used to support summer learning and enrichment programs. Consistent with President Biden’s Unity Agenda announced in his State of the Union address, the Department also has strongly encouraged schools and school districts to use ARP funds to support the health and well-being of students and educators by hiring more mental health professionals and school counselors, and has called on states, districts, and higher education institutions to use ARP funds to help address the educator labor shortage by investing ARP funds in educator pipeline programs. All three of these priorities will be discussed, and examples of districts using ARP funds for these efforts will be highlighted at the Department’s Summit on Wednesday evening.

Today, the Department of Education announced major actions and investments from government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations to support student academic and mental health recovery as part of the Department’s broader effort to help students, schools, and communities recover from the pandemic and reemerge stronger. The announcements highlight how the American Rescue Plan has funded efforts to help students recover academically through summer learning and enrichment, and enhanced educational and mental health supports in districts across the country; how philanthropic partners are investing additional resources to help American Rescue Plan dollars stretch even further; and how the Department is leveraging over $160 million of its own grant funding to propel academic and mental health recovery for K-12 students across the country. The announcements will be made at the Department’s American Rescue Plan Summit, “From Recovery to Thriving,” broadcast on Department of Education channels at 5 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, and held in partnership with the National Public Education Support Fund.

Today’s announcements leading into the ARP Recovery Summit include: “As we move beyond reopening, the Biden-Harris Administration and the Department of Education 2022 Summer Learning and Enrichment will remain laser-focused on helping students recover Opportunities, and Technical Assistance Funded academically from the pandemic and access the academic, by the American Rescue Plan. mental health, and other supports they need to thrive,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “We During the Summit, the Department will highlight are already seeing the impact the American Rescue Plan commitments from national organizations, cities, is having on schools, students, families, and educators— community-based organizations, and school districts to from increased access to academic and mental health expand summer learning and enrichment opportunities supports to expanded summer learning and enrichment for summer 2022, funded by the American Rescue Plan. programs funded by federal pandemic relief funds. Commitments include: With additional investments from the Department’s grant programs and the philanthropic community, we New grant funding to match district investments of ARP can scale our recovery efforts, make ARP dollars have funds to support camp-school partnership programs. an even greater impact, and ensure every student—no The American Camp Association (ACA) and the National matter their background, family income, or zip code— Summer Learning Association (NSLA) are launching has the academic and mental health supports they need a new camp-school partnership program to create 10 to succeed. In states and districts across the country, new summer learning programs, in collaboration with American Rescue Plan funds are having a direct impact 10 public school districts, for low-income students as on student, family, and educators’ recovery.” they prepare for the next school year. The camps will receive $25,000 grants and ask schools to match the 17

camp financial contribution using their ARP funds. ACA website. and NSLA will provide camps and school districts with coaching, training, planning, convening, and assessment In early 2021, the Department recognized that states, support. districts, and their community partners needed support as they waded through the vast amount of information New tools to help families identify summer learning available to support summer learning and enrichment. and enrichment opportunities for their children. NSLA To address this need, the Department and the National is launching an updated DiscoverSummer.org and a $3 Comprehensive Center hosted the Summer Learning million public service announcement (PSA) campaign and Enrichment Collaborative (SLEC), a series of virtual to encourage families to identify summer learning and learning opportunities during the summer of 2021 for enrichment opportunities in their communities. The states, school districts, community partners, and other new and updated site will include over 30,000 summer stakeholders to discuss and share promising practices learning and enrichment programs in a searchable for planning and implementing summer experiences database, many of which have been funded or expanded for all students and student groups, especially those from American Rescue Plan funds. who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. More than 20 national partners contributed Technical assistance to help states, districts, and their time and expertise to build out the programming communities leverage ARP resources to support summer and supports, and the SLEC engaged more than 1,300 programming in 2022 and beyond. The National League individuals, including representation from 49 state of Cities is partnering with the Afterschool Alliance to education agencies, across eight virtual events. Today’s produce an interactive map, highlighting how districts announcements build off that groundwork that the and municipalities are investing in afterschool and Summer Learning and Enrichment Collaborative laid summer programming using various ARP funding over the past year. streams, so communities can see which cities are making investments in summer programming using ARP Nearly $60 Million in Philanthropic Efforts to funds as well as previous rounds of federal pandemic Scale Impact of American Rescue Plan Funds. relief funds. The Afterschool Alliance also is providing strategic support to the 50 state afterschool networks During the Summit, the Department also will highlight and additional allies and partners. Through this support existing and new investments from the philanthropic and with the unprecedented resources from ARP, these community to scale the impact of recovery efforts, efforts allow for at least $2.75 billion in ARP funds particularly focused on accelerating academic recovery directed to quality afterschool and summer learning and providing mental health supports to students. programs run by local school districts and their CBO Philanthropic efforts also will help extend the impact partners to help address the equity and opportunity of the American Rescue Plan by providing financial gaps. Nationally, FutureEd at Georgetown University support for schools and districts to invest in programs projects that school districts will spend $7.5 billion on beyond the three years in which American Rescue Plan summer learning and afterschool programs. funds must be spent. These ongoing philanthropic efforts include: Highlighting examples of multi-million dollar ARP investments to expanded summer learning and $17 million investment from the Bill and Melinda enrichment offerings in 2022. During and following the Gates Foundation for high-impact tutoring. The Gates ARP Recovery Summit, the Department will highlight Foundation is investing $17 million over the next four examples of cities and districts using ARP funds to years (2022-2025) to foster learning acceleration expand summer learning offerings this year, including through high-impact tutoring, building out tools and Baltimore, Maryland, allocating nearly $9 million in resources so state and district leaders can more easily ARP funds for summer youth employment programs; identify, select, and implement evidence-based tutoring Columbus, Ohio, allocating over $15 million for summer programs. youth engagement and anti-violence efforts; Madison, Wisconsin, allocating over $1 million in ARP funds $14.4 million in grants from the Charles Stewart Mott to expand their youth employment program; and Foundation throughout 2022 to support afterschool Washington, DC, allocating $2 million in ARP funds across the country. Funding priorities include $7.5 to expand academic and recreational camps for DC million to support the 50 State Afterschool Network to youth. A broader list of summer programs fueled by ensure effective implementation of ARP funds; nearly ARP resources can be found on the Department’s $2 million to support increased capacity for statewide 18

afterschool networks to reach out to local districts that need help implementing afterschool programs using ARP funds; over $2 million to support Mizzen, an innovative online tool that delivers high-quality content for afterschool programming; and $2.4 million to support the Afterschool Alliance, among other priorities.

the impacts of the pandemic on children, students and educators, and address inequities made worse by the pandemic. The Stone Foundation is investing tens of thousands of dollars in efforts to address the teacher shortage through bonuses and scholarships, improve access to mental health services for young men and boys of color, and create pathways for early childhood $10 million investment from the Raikes Foundation to educators to access degrees and higher wages. support organizations aimed at accelerating learning and expanding access to mental health supports. The Department will invest an additional $160 Raikes is investing to support the BELE Network, the million through the Education Innovation and Resource Equity Funders Collaborative focused on Research Grant Program to assist with the addressing inequities made worse by the pandemic, impact of the pandemic on students and schools. the Science of Learning and Development Alliance, and other organizations helping school districts to see, In addition to helping states and districts use understand, and deploy resources to meet the unique American Rescue Plan funds to help students recover needs of all students. academically and access the mental health support they need, the Department also will focus this year’s Over $9 million investment from the Stuart Foundation Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program to support summer learning, learning recovery, on projects that develop, implement, replicate, and educator workforce, and mental health initiatives. The scaleup strategies to support learning recovery and Stuart Foundation has committed over $9 million to student well-being related to the impact of COVID-19, organizations that provide technical assistance to school including projects that address accelerated learning. districts in effectively utilizing ARP funds, implement Authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act, the and support the development of new community EIR program encourages field-initiated innovations schools, and invest in student, family and community that improve student achievement and attainment for engagement to ensure students have the academic, underserved students. The Department will open its summer, and mental health supports they need to application process for the EIR program, providing recover. $160 million in funding for five-year grants, prioritizing those that generate and support innovations that will $9 million investment from Overdeck Family Foundation help overcome the challenges to student opportunity to accelerate students’ academic recovery and address and success exacerbated by the pandemic. the teacher shortage. The Foundation invested over $7 million in grants to organizations to help students Under Secretary Cardona’s leadership, the Department recover academically from the pandemic and $2 million will fund approximately 15 to 35 projects, giving in grants to help increase teacher retention efforts by priority to projects that develop, implement, replicate, scaling programs that are successful in retaining effective or scaleup strategies that support learning recovery teachers, promote teacher diversity, and differentiate and student well-being related to the impact of the teacher roles. pandemic, including accelerated learning. Projects that also increase student access to student-centered and $4.25 million investment from the William + Flora project-based learning and advanced coursework also Hewlett Foundation to provide support and technical will be prioritized, as well as projects that close gaps assistance to districts on how to effectively use ARP in educational opportunities, projects that increase funds and sustain recovery efforts beyond the life of student access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and ARP. The Hewlett Foundation plans to invest $1.25 Math (STEM), and projects that support student social million to help districts plan on how to use ARP funds, and emotional well-being. over $2 million to stand up an Improvement Network focused on recovery and evaluating the impact of various Applicants can find out more about the program here. recovery strategies, and $1 million to provide tools to districts to help them analyze and implement effective recovery strategies, among other investments. $240,000 investment from the W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation to support projects to address 19

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

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