board notes - nasb member portal

BOARD NOTES
A monthly publication from the Nebraska Association of School Boards
AU G U ST 2 0 1 5
Upcoming Events
Area Membership Meetings
August 25 | Valentine
August 26 | Gering
August 27 | Kearney
September 9 | York
September 16 | Omaha
September 23 | Norfolk
September 30 | North Platte
October 7 | Nebraska City
October 14 | Fremont
ALICAP Returning $1.3 Million to its Members
The ALICAP Board of Trustees is proud to announce that it is returning $1.3 million back to member
school districts and educational service units (ESUs) for the 2015-16 school year in the form of a
dividend. This most recent dividend grosses the total dollars returned to over $16.4 million since
1990.
Since its formation in 1990, the ALICAP insurance program has provided property, liability, errors
and omissions, auto, and workers’ compensation insurance to school districts and ESUs that choose
to join, and follows six fundamental promises:
1) Stabilize the marketplace
2) Provide enhanced coverage
3) Supply a customized loss control program
4) Deliver claims management and allow district input
5) Offer competitive pricing
6) Return surplus to the owner districts/ESUs
Returning dividends to the members is a key characteristic that sets ALICAP apart from the typical
insurance provider. Each member district/ESU is an owner of the ALICAP pool, and when the
pool has a surplus from any given year, those dollars may be returned to the owners, instead of the
traditional insurance provider’s stockholders. To learn more, visit www.ALICAP.org, or contact
Megan Boldt, at mboldt@NASBonline.org.
Labor Relations Conference
September 2-3 | Lincoln
State Education Conference
November 18-20 | La Vista
Registration opens September 16
NASB Delegate Assembly
November 20 | La Vista
GET SWiTCHED ON!
97th Annual State Education Conference | November 18-20, 2015
ALICAP provides coverage to 159 school districts and ESUs in Nebraska, and is governed by school
board members and administrators representing its participating members. The ALICAP Board of
Trustees includes:
• Patty Bentzinger - Norris Schools District #160
• Cort Dewing - Valentine Community Schools
• Virgil Harden - Grand Island Public Schools
• Terri Haynes - Chadron Public Schools
• Lynn Johnson - Arlington Public Schools
• Bill Knapper - Scottsbluff Public Schools
• Doug Lewis - Papillion-LaVista Public Schools
• Jeff Rippe - Bellevue Public Schools
• Heidi Schutz - Grand Island Public Schools
• John Spatz - Nebraska Association of School Boards
• John Worthing - Elm Creek Public Schools
“I’m proud of ALICAP and what we’ve
been able to do for Nebraska’s schools.
ALICAP made six promises to its
members back in 1990 and we’ve stayed
true to them over the past 25 years.”
- Megan Boldt, Director of ALICAP
La Vista Conference Center/Embassy Suites
Co-Sponsored by the Nebraska Association of School Boards and
the Nebraska Association of School Administrators
The Nebraska Association of School Boards provides services to School Boards to strengthen public education for all Nebraska children.
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Aug 25
The song infers December, but here at NASB, we feel these next
few months are truly the most wonderful time of the year, as we hit
the road starting August 25 for our first of nine Area Membership
Meetings all across Nebraska.
Sept 23
Oct 14
Aug 26
Sept 16
Sept 30
District and ESU Leadership Teams will have an opportunity to learn
from NASB staff, network with one another, and receive honors at
the 2015 Area Membership Meetings.
Sept 9
Aug 27
Oct 7
Registration and networking begins at 4:30 PM, with the opening
session kicking off at 5:00 PM, followed by two rounds of breakout
sessions covering topics on board governance, going paperless with eMeetings, AQuESTT, contract negotiations,
school law, school insurance, school safety, the Legislature, advocacy, and policy. The evening will close with
dinner and recognition of awards. The meetings will be held on the nine dates and at the locations below.
August 25
Valentine
August 26
Gering
August 25 | Valentine
September 16 | Omaha
August 27
Kearney*
August 26 | Gering
August 27 | Kearney*
September 9 | York
September 23 | Norfolk
September 30 | North Platte*
October 7 |
Nebraska City
October 14 | Fremont
*Note change in lineup: Kearney and North Platte locations have switched dates from previous years
September 9
York
Register now at www.NASBonline.org
September 16
Omaha
September 23
Norfolk
September 30
North Platte*
October 7
Nebraska City
October 14
Fremont
*Note change in lineup:
Kearney and North Platte
locations have switched
dates from previous years
Application deadline for the annual Ann Mactier Award is October 1, 2015
This annual award recognizes local school board members for their policy
leadership and contributions to curriculum and instruction in Nebraska
public schools.
The award was established in 2004 in honor of Ann Mactier, a 15‐year
member of the Omaha Board of Education and a past member of the State
Board of Education.
The nomination form and qualifications are available at www.NASBonline.org
You may also contact may contact Marcia Herring at 800-422-4572
Searching for a new Superintendent or District Administrator?
Contact Shari Becker at 800-422-4572 or visit www.NASBsuptsearch.org
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Does your district have ALICAP? For more information, or to join please contact: Megan Boldt | mboldt@NASBonline.org | 800-422-4572
LPS/SCC Career Academy a “Game Changer ...”
A few days prior to the student’s arrival, The Career Academy – a partnership
of Lincoln Public Schools, Southeast Community College and local business
and industry – held the ribbon cutting to celebrate the great new facility that
will offer a wide variety of career pathways for high school and college students.
LPS Superintendent Steve Joel proclaimed “There is no career academy model
like this in America. We have partnered academic institutions, brought in
business organizations and industry that had needs, but also had a willingness
to support this Academy with resources, mentorships and internships. We
wouldn’t be here today if they weren’t willing to roll up their sleeves and imagine
this dream. This will be a game changer and a difference maker in the lives of
our kids.”
Other comments from the ceremony:
Governor Pete Ricketts: “Ultimately the best thing about this new Academy
is what it’s going to do for our kids: Give them an opportunity to have that
great career.”
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer: “This is an innovative, entrepreneurial program,
and we can only imagine what it will be like in a few more years.”
Kevin Keller, Union Bank, and former NASB Board Member “Today we
celebrate the beginning of a student’s journey into a new career. They have a
spark and it is our job to help them, to fuel the fire they have within.”
September is Attendance Awareness Month
Attendance Awareness Month is a nationwide recognition of the connection between school
attendance and academic achievement. The goal is to mobilize schools and communities to
promote the value of good attendance and to take concrete steps toward reducing chronic
absence.
As school board members and administrators, we know improving student attendance is an
essential, cost-effective strategy for ensuring our students are on-track to learn and succeed.
Nationwide, as many as one out of 10 students is chronically absent, meaning they miss
10 percent or more of school days, or nearly a month. Chronic absence is a leading, early
warning indicator of academic trouble and later dropout. The good news is that chronic
absence is a problem we can solve.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow
Proclamation
WHEREAS
good attendance is essential to student achievement and graduation, and we are committed to dedicating
our resources and attention to reducing chronic absenteeism rates, with a focus starting as early as
prekindergarten and kindergarten, and
WHEREAS
chronic absence – missing 10 percent or more of school for any reason including excused and unexcused
absences, is a proven predictor of academic trouble and dropout rates, and
WHEREAS
improving attendance and reducing chronic absence takes commitment, collaboration and tailored
approaches to particular challenges and strengths in each community, and
WHEREAS
chronic absence predicts lower third-grade reading proficiency, course failure and eventual dropout, it
weakens our communities and our local economy, and
WHEREAS
the impact of chronic absence hits low-income students particularly hard if they don’t have the resources
to make up for lost time in the classroom and are more likely to face systemic barriers to getting to school
– such as unreliable transportation, lack of access to health care, unstable or unaffordable housing, and
WHEREAS
attendance gaps among groups of students often turn into achievement gaps that undermine student
success. Chronic absence particularly exacerbates the achievement gap that separates low-income
students from their peers, since students from low-income families are both more likely to be chronically
absent and more likely to be affected academically by missing school, and
WHEREAS
absenteeism also undermines efforts to improve struggling schools, since it’s hard to measure improvement
in classroom instruction if students are not in class to benefit from them, and
WHEREAS
schools and community partners can reach out more frequently to absent students to determine what
barriers they face to attending school and what would help them attend more regularly, and
WHEREAS
health care providers can share the importance of school attendance with families and can offer proactive,
preventive care to reduce absences, and
WHEREAS
schools and districts must do more to track, calculate and share the data on how many students are
chronically absent so that we can see the attendance gaps and can deliver the right interventions to the
right students, and
WHEREAS
all students – even those who show up regularly – are affected by chronic absence because teachers must
spend time reviewing for students who missed lessons, and
WHEREAS
chronic absence can be significantly reduced when schools, families and communities work together to
monitor and promote good attendance and address hurdles that keep children from getting to school,
and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that as the Board of Education, we proclaim our school
district will stand with the nation in recognizing September as
“Attendance Awareness Month”
We hereby commit to focusing on reducing chronic absenteeism to give all children an equitable
opportunity to learn, grow and thrive academically, emotional and socially.
#schooleveryday
We encourage you to download the Student Attendance Proclamation located on
the homepage of www.NASBonline.org under Featured Events to read during your
September Board Meeting.
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Great things happening at your schools? Let us know, and share your success!
Heidi Schutz, NASB President
John Spatz, NASB Executive Director
The Nebraska Association of School Boards provides services to School Boards to strengthen public education for all Nebraska children.
NASB Orientation “... Time Well Spent”
“What a great day, this was time well spent!”
That was the general consensus following the NASB Orientation hosted by the Association staff for districts with
new administrators, or those looking for a quick refresher. The event, held in Lincoln at the NASB office, saw
30 attendees, consisting primarily of superintendents, board members, and administrative assistants. Following
a quick welcome and overview of all of the programs and services NASB can provide to member districts, the
director of each specific program or service spoke on their specific roles and responsibilities, answering any and
all questions from the attendees. This is always an incredible chance for new members to put not only names with
faces, but tie those to the specific deliverables as well.
We will be hosting the Western Nebraska NASB Orientation in North Platte on Wednesday, September 30, starting
at 2:30 PM. If you are interested, please email Nicole Kobus at nkobus@NASBonline.org
Here is what those attending had to say about the Orientation:
“I had no idea the Association provides so many services, programs, and support and all I have to do
is call. Really no idea!” | “I do sincerely appreciate everyone’s participation and willingness to help as
needed.” | “As a new superintendent, it was an excellent update.” | “It was great to meet the staff. I did not
realize all of the services NASB provided.” | “NASB provides much more for my district than I was aware
of.” | “The technology NETS provides is great.” | “Time well spent.” | “Very pleasantly surprised and
would highly recommend to others. Great organization!” | “Thanks for all your help this last year, made
my life easier.” | “This was my 2nd year attending and I appreciate the refresher on much of the info.”
Superintendent Positions filled for 2015-16
Arnold Public Schools & Callaway Public Schools - Dawn Lewis
Kearney Public Schools – Interim Dr. Virginia Moon
Brady Public Schools - James McGown
Louisville Public Schools – Andrew Farber
Broken Bow Public Schools - Thomas Bailey
Maywood Public Schools – Trent Benjamin
Central City Public Schools - Jeff Jensen
McPherson County School – Lorrie Miller
Chase County Schools - Joey Lefdal
Morrill Public Schools – Joe Sherwood
Creek Valley Public Schools –Ron Howard
Mullen Public Schools – Mark Sievering
Creighton Community School - Stephanie Petersen
Neligh-Oakdale Schools – Interim Bill Kuester
Crofton Community Schools – Corey Dahl
North Platte Public Schools – Dr. Ron Hanson
Elwood Public Schools – Daren Hatch
Oakland-Craig Public Schools – Jeffery Smith
Ewing Public Schools & Lynch Public Schools – Dr. Alberta Moore
Pawnee City Public Schools – Darron Arlt
Fairbury Public Schools - Stephen Grizzle
Potter-Dix Public Schools – Mike Williams
Franklin Public Schools – Dr. Candace Conradt
Ravenna Public Schools – Dr. Ken Schroeder
Friend Public Schools – David Kraus
Santee Community School – Tom Carlstrom
Gordon Rushville Public Schools – Lori Liggett
Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Schools – Kevin Finkey
Hartington-Newcastle Public Schools – AJ Johnson
Sterling Public Schools– Ryan Knippelmeyer
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Hay Springs Public Schools – Jason Cline
West Holt Public Schools – Paul Pistulka
Hayes Center Public Schools – Interim Dr. Phil Mahan
West Point Public Schools - Bill McAllister
High Plains Community Schools – Brian Tonniges
Wilcox-Hildreth Public Schools - Dan Ingwersen
HTRS Public School – Sherrie Edmundson
Yutan Public Schools - Stan Hendricks
Searching for a new Administrator? Contact Shari Becker at 800-422-4572 or visit www.NASBsuptsearch.org
Students Advise Schools, Teachers in North Platte
Originally posted in the North Platte Telegraph
By Ralph Chapoco | Saturday, August 1, 2015
North Platte Public Schools superintendent Ron Hanson wants to know what is
happening in his schools, especially from those who are directly affected by policies he
oversees. That is why he convened a committee composed entirely of students to gauge
their opinions. This is North Platte’s first superintendent’s student advisory council.
The 12 students were personally selected by high school principal James Ayres and are
comprised of students who participate in different activities, from athletics to drama.
“The reason is to get different perspectives,” said student member Sydney McGahan.
“The representatives are a diverse group of students, so there is a good cross section
of the student body.”
Hanson said the representatives serve to provide student input regarding many of the
initiatives that board members and administrators decide on. “We are in the business
of educating students. The policies do not affect us, but the students themselves and I
want to know what they are thinking.”
North Platte superintendent Ron Hanson speaks with his assistant,
and Board of Education secretary, Sheila Furley
They will present the school report for the high school during board meetings, providing student feedback and updating
board members about the different events taking place on campus.
The group will also meet with Hanson monthly to relay comments and any concerns students have regarding the school,
be it policy related or otherwise. This gives Hanson the opportunity to ask them questions about their academic and
career interests, giving him ideas about how he can improve the district. “They are also going to be part of the reVISION
process. They will help decide how we provide training for careers many of their peers will enter.”
The council’s duties will officially begin during the August board meeting where they will introduce themselves and field
questions from members and administrators.
For McGahan, this was an opportunity to interact with district leaders and learn more about what they do.
“If you ask most people, they don’t even know who the superintendent is,” McGahan said. “This will give me the chance
to meet him and speak about what is going on in the school.”
She can provide her opinion to a leader willing to listen to her ideas and to give a voice to others who may want change.
Hanson said he would like to use the council as a community service project if the pilot is successful. He mentioned a
group of students who researched policies related to sharks and reasons they are killed for their fins. They went before
legislators and discussed their research and it made an impact.
Hanson hopes NPPS students will eventually be at the same level.
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www.NASBonline.org | www.twitter.com/NASBonline | www.facebook.com/NASBonline
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars
NASB Orientation | September 30 | North Platte
Area Membership Meetings | August through October
GET SWiTCHED ON!
97th Annual State Education Conference | November 18-20, 2015
2015 Labor Relations Conference | September 2-3
1:00 PM Wednesday | Pre-Conference | ABC’s of Negotiation
4:30 PM Wednesday | Beer & Wine Tasting Social
8:00 AM Thursday | Opening Session | Staff Behaving Badly | KSB School Law
12:00 PM Thursday | Building Relationships Before You Need Them: Treat All People Like Gold | Jeff Beals
La Vista Conference Center/Embassy Suites
Co-Sponsored by the Nebraska Association of School Boards and
the Nebraska Association of School Administrators
97th Annual State Education Conference | : GET SWiTCHED ON!
November 18-20 | La Vista Conference Center | Registration Will Open September 16!
Learn more on these and all events and register at www.NASBonline.org
GET SWiTCHED ON at the State Ed Conference!
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
PRE-CONFERENCE | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM
2015 GREEN SCHOOLS SUMMIT
Find out the innovative approaches taking shape across Nebraska to advance reduction in district costs,
increase STEM skills and engagement, of both school staff and students, and engage students in 21st century
civic responsibilities.
David Horsager
“The Trust Edge”
*Optional Morning Bus Tour and Lunch Speaker (9:00 AM to 12:30 PM)
Tour Benson West Elementary and Omaha Northwest High School with Dr. Steve Rodie, Center for Urban
Sustainability. Then enjoy lunch at the Sage Student Bistro at Metro Community College listening to Clayton
Chapman of The Grey Plume, a James Beard 2015 Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists, awarded Nation’s
Greenest Restaurant, and Nation’s Most Sustainable Restaurant. The bus will return by 1:00 PM for the preconference session. *($25 Additional Charge)
CRADLES TO CAREERS
Karl Mecklenburg
“Six Keys To Success”
Why the Early Years of Life Matter | Samuel J. Meisels | Buffett Early Childhood Institute
Expanded Learning Opportunities in Nebraska Schools | Jeff Cole | Beyond School Bells
A New Look for Work-Based Learning | Rich Katt | NDE
REGISTERING FOR THE CONFERENCE
Online Conference Registration will open on Wednesday, September 16. Sleeping room reservations at the
Conference hotels will again be tied to your conference registration. To register for Conference:
• Visit www.NASBonline.org and log in with your username and password
• Click the State Education Conference link
Dr. Joanne
Owens-Nauslar
“Be A Possibilitarian”
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To reserve accommodations at the Conference Hotels you must register between September 16 and September
25. Once your Conference registration is complete, you will receive an email with your NASB registration code
and a Conference room request form. Complete the Conference room request form. If you have additional
questions, or to see the full agenda of keynotes, pre-sessions and breakouts, you may download the conference
agenda at http://members.nasbonline.org/Events/SitePages/StateConference.aspx
Tired of worrying about the budget pinch? By next school year, be a member of NJUMP/CJUMP. Contact Jim Luebbe at jluebbe@NASBonline.org to learn more!
Sorrow and Joy: Does Your District Have North Star?
Sorrow. Webster’s defines sorrow as distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.;
grief, sadness, or regret. NETS, however, defines sorrow as losing out on fantastic teachers
because neighboring districts use North Star Negotiations.
Like anything, being prepared, and having the right tools at your disposal is the key to doing
any job right. The North Star Negotiation software is that necessary tool to help you and your
district make smart and accurate, but fair decisions.
With negotiations around the corner, make sure you have the right tools and information to
even the playing field across all districts. Hear how your peers are benefitting from North Star:
“North Star has greatly reduced the amount of time I spend preparing for negotiations. The system allows me to
quickly select an array and run the computations for my Board so they can see the impact on the overall package and
our school budget. The system delivers the information needed for the board to effectively negotiate with the teacher
association.” - Kevin Reiman, Superintendent, Auburn
“North Star is very easy to navigate and produces a reliable salary array comparison quickly. The training and
customer support provided by the NETS Staff is excellent.” - Ken Schroeder, Former Superintendent, Franklin
“It is very important for my board to see our comparability within our array group before they sit down with the
teachers to negotiate. North Star is easy to manage and has a wealth of information at my fingertips. It expedites
the whole negotiations process and makes it seamless and painless.” -Dr. Dennis Shipp, Superintendent, Bertrand
Learn more now and view the online demonstration video at http://www.nebtechservices.com/NorthStarDemonstration.aspx
MAKING SURE CONTRACTORS ARE
CHECKED TO A HIGHER STANDARD
Participation in the OSCC program is free
to schools and there is no equipment to buy.
School districts simply require and make policy that all visiting contractors
provide active One Source Certified Contractors badges. This ensures all
visiting contractors have been checked to a higher standard —
the One Source standard.
FOLLOW ONE SOURCE:
tel 800.608.3645 ext. 6105
oscc@onesourcebackground.com
onesourcebackground.com
NASB AFFILIATES
Accounting
Building Controls/Services
Equipment and Furniture
Watts and Hershberger, P.C.
5555 South St, Lincoln, NE 68506
Jim Watts - 402-483-7512
jw1cpa@aol.com | www.gowh.com
(CPA, Accounting)
ABM Custodial Services
7300 S. 73rd St, Ralston, NE 68127
Paul Cadwallader - 402-342-1495
paul.cadwallader@abm.com | www.abm.com
(School Custodial/Maintenance Services)
Cornhusker State Industries
800 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68502
Travis Atwood - 402-471-4597
Jan Verbeek - 402-471-1226 | 800-348-7537
travis.atwood@nebraska.gov
www.corrections.nebraska.gov/csi
(Manufacture office & library furniture, chairs,
filing cabinets, janitorial products, Braille services)
Architects
BCDM Architects
1015 N. 98th St, Ste 300, Omaha, NE 68114
Kevin Schluckebier - 402-384-6414
kschluckebier@bcdm.net | www.bcdm.net
(Educational Facility Planning, Architectural,
Interior Design, Structural)
Cannon Moss Brygger Architects
208 N. Pine St, Ste 301, Grand Island, NE 68801
Brad Kissler - 308-384-4444
kissler.b@cmbaarchitects.com
Jim Brisnehan | www.cmbaarchitects.com
(Architecture, interiors, planning)
Carlson West Povondra Architects
5060 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68132
Jon Carlson - 402-551-1500
jcarlson@cwparchitects.com
www.cwparchitects.com
(Architecture, planning, feasibility studies)
Davis Design
1221 N St, Ste 600, Lincoln NE 68508
Marilyn Larson - 402-476-9700
marilyn.larson@davisdesign.com
www.davisdesign.com
(Architecture, engineering, interior design)
DLR Group
400 Essex Ct - Regency Park, Omaha, NE 68114
Curtis Johnson - 402-393-4100
cjohnson@dlrgroup.com | www.dlrgroup.com
(Architecture, engineering, ed. facility planning)
The Schemmer Associates Inc.
1044 N. 115th St, Ste 300, Omaha, NE 68154
Terry Wood, AIA - 402-493-4800
twood@schemmer.com | www.schemmer.com
R. William Cramer, AIA, Molly Macklin
(Architecture, engineering, educational
facility planning)
Awards and Plaques
Awards Unlimited
1935 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510
Larry King - 402-474-0815
larryking@awardsunlimited.com
www.awardsunlimited.com
(Trophies, awards, plaques)
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Morris Group Associates
3830 N.W. 16th St, Topeka, KS 66618
Mark Akagi - 785-232-6563
mark@morrisgrup.com | www.duro-last.com
(Representative for Duro-Last roofing system)
Construction Services
Creative Sites, LLC
11506 Pierce St, Omaha, NE 68144
Julie Kutilek - 402-614-4606 / 800-266-1250
jkutilek@cox.net
(Playground equipment and site furnishings)
Fisher Tracks, Inc.
Musco Sports Lighting, LLC
1192 235th St, Boone, Iowa 50036
9149 Carbondale St., Lenexa, KS 66227
Jordan Fisher - 800- 432-3191 / 515-432-3191
Brad Thompson, 866-757-5268
jfisher@fishertracks.com | www.fishertracks.com
brad.thompson@musco.com | www.musco.com
(All weather tracks)
(Sports lighting)
Johnson Controls, Inc.
14238 Hillsdale Cir, Omaha, NE 68137
Jeff Schomberg - 402-331-6161/402-891-5841
jeffrey.a.schomberg@jci.com
Adam Nielsen - 402-238-6052
adam.h.nielsen@jci.com
www.johnsoncontrols.com
(Building Controls, Equipment,
Facility Upgrades & Services)
Energy Services
Ameresco, Inc.
4335 Calvin Dr., Grand Island, NE 68801
David Goebel - 402-370-8822
dgoebel@ameresco.com | www.ameresco.com
(Capital Improvements, Energy Efficiency,
Renewable Energy)
Continuum Energy Services, LLC
414 E. Ave, Ste 130, Box 402
Holdrege, NE 68949
Brenda Christensen
888-710-4707 | 308-995-4707
www.continuumenergyservices.com
bchristensen@continuumes.com
(Natural gas)
TRANE
5720 S. 77th St, Ralston, NE 68127
Dave Raymond - 402-331-7111/402-452-7762
dave.raymond@trane.com
www.trane.com/omaha
(Building construction services)
Virco
17502 Browne Street | Omaha, NE 68116
Scot Morris | 402-206-4508
scotmorris@virco.com | www.virco.com
(Furniture & equipment for educators)
Financial Services
Ameritas Investment Corp.
440 Regency Pkwy Dr, Ste 222, Omaha, NE 68114
Jay Spearman - jspearman@ameritas.com
Scott Keene, Brad Slaughter, Marc Munford,
Bruce Lefler, Dallas Watkins
800-700-2362 / 402-384-8088
(Bonds, Refunding Bonds, QCPUF Bonds,
TANs, NASB Lease-Purchase)
D.A. Davidson & Co.
1111 N. 102nd Ct, Ste 300, Omaha, NE 68114
Daniel Smith - 800-394-9219 | dsmith@dadco.com
Paul Grieger - 800-528-5145 | pgrieger@dadco.com
www.davidsoncompanies.com/Ficm
(Bond Financing/Election Services, Lease Purchase)
NE Public Agency Investment Trust
PO Box 82529, Lincoln, NE 68501
Becky Ferguson - 402-323-1334
becky.ferguson@ubt.com | www.npait.com
(Safe, liquid, appropriate investment option for
Public Schools offering a competitive yield)
Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund - NLAF
5801 Quail Ridge Ave, Hastings, NE 68901
Barry Ballou - 402-705-0350
balloub@pfm.com | www.NLAFpool.org
(Liquid Asset Fund, financing programs)
To advertise in Board Notes contact Matt Belka at mbelka@NASBonline.org or 800-422-4572
NASB AFFILIATES
Financial Services
Telecommunication Services
Mechanical Construction
Rassmussen Mechanical Services
Union Bank and Trust Co.
3100 Nebraska Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
6811 S. 27th Street, Lincoln, NE 68512
Sally Schmitz - 712-323-0514
Donna Crownover - 402-323-1482
donna.crownover@ubt.com | www.ubt.com/hsa sally.schmitz@rasmech.com | www.rasmech.com
(Your Single Source Service Provider)
(Financial Services, Banking)
Wells Fargo Bank
1248 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68508
Andrew J. Detlefsen - 402-434-6701
andrew.j.detlefsen@wellsfargo.com
www.wellsfargo.com
Insurance Services
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
1919 Aksarben Drive, Omaha, NE 68180
Kent Trelford-Thompson - 800-562-6394
kent.trelford-thomps@nebraskablue.com
www.bcbsne.com
National Insurance Services
9202 W Dodge Road, Ste 302, Omaha, NE 68114
Steve Ott - 402-592-1303 / 800-597-2341
sott@nisbenefits.com | www.nisbenefits.com
(Custom crafted life & long-term disability
insurance, vision, 403(B) & health
reimbursement plans)
Public Risk Management
1313 Cuming St, Ste 210, Omaha, NE 68102
Sheri Shonka - 402-884-3751 / 877-649-4612
sheri.shonka@prmne.com | www.alicap.org
(ALICAP, Insurance services)
Legal Services (Law Firms)
Mueller Robak, LLC
530 S. 13th St, Ste 110, Lincoln, NE 68508
William Mueller - 402-434-3399
mueller@muellerrobak.com | (Lobby firm)
Security Services
Hawkeye Vision, Inc.
10415 J St, Ste 103, Omaha, NE 68127
Jon Driscoll - 402-331-3650
jdriscoll@hawkeyevision.net
(Surveillance & security systems)
Glenwood Telecommunications
510 W. Gage St, Blue Hill, NE 68930
Troy Stickels - 402-756-3131 / 866-756-4746
troys@glenwoodtelcom.net
www.shopglenwood.net
(Surveillance cameras, phone systems, computer,
maintenance/sales, wiring, wireless networking,
security systems, access control)
One Source The Background Check Company
PO Box 24148, Omaha, NE 68124
Nick Jasa - 800-608-3645
info@onesourcebackground.com
www.onesourcebackground.com
(Employment, Volunteer, Contractor Screening)
Unite Private Networks
6610 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE 68137
Jeff Gamble - 402-401-4540
Jeff.Gamble@upnfiber.com
www.uniteprivatenetworks.com
(District Optic Networks, Voice & Internet
Services, 100% E-Rate approved)
Transportation Products
Master’s Transportation, Inc.
3710 Central Avenue, Suite 5, Kearney, NE 68847
Technology/Software Services
Mike Baumgartner - 308-440-5006 | 800-783-3613
mikeb@masterstransportation.com
Bishop Business/Laserfiche Paperless Solutions
www.masterstransportation.com
4125 S. 94th Street, Omaha, NE 68127
(New & Used Buses & Motor Coaches.
Kathy Gentile - 402-935-3655
Complete Material & Body Shop Services)
kathy.gentile@bbec.com | www.bbec.com
(Paperless solutions, Laserfiche Document Mgmt
Software, Scanning & Consulting Service)
NETS
1311 Stockwell Street, Lincoln, NE 68502
Craig Caples - 402-423-4951
ccaples@NebTechServices.com
www.NebTechServices.com
(eMeetings, Negotiation Software, Online Public
Document Mgmt, Document Imaging & Scanning)
Gold Affiliate
Silver Affiliate
To advertise in Board Notes or become an Affiliate contact Matt Belka at mbelka@NASBonline.org or 800-422-4572
NASB Affiliate Membership Program
Contributing to the mission of developing quality educational leadership, while
acquiring valuable exposure to Nebraska’s educational decision makers.
As a business dealing in education-related merchandise or services, you know exposure and name-recognition is vital to your success.
As an NASB Affiliate, you gain direct access to every school board member and key decision makers throughout Nebraska. Many
Affiliates on this page have been members for more than 10 years, a testament to the value this program can bring. Our members
trust NASB to provide them the link to quality businesses to help them run their districts and provide quality education to their
students.
9
www.NASBonline.org | www.twitter.com/NASBonline | www.facebook.com/NASBonline
NASB Board of Directors
Officers
Region Directors
Region 1
Patty Bentzinger
Norris School District 160
Heidi Schutz
President
Grand Island Public Schools
Jon Anderjaska
President-Elect
Wauneta-Palisade Public Schools
Linda Richards
Vice President
Ralston Public Schools
Region 3
Yolanda Williams
Omaha Public Schools
Region 4
Lanny Boswell
Lincoln Public Schools
Region 5
Connie Duncan
Lincoln Public Schools
Region 6
Lacey Merica
Omaha Public Schools
Region 7
Katie Underwood
Omaha Public Schools
Region 8
Pat Conway-Boyd
Papillion-La Vista Public Schools
Region 9
Alan Moore
ESU 3
Region 11
Steven A. Blocher
West Point Public Schools
Marilyn Bohn
Immediate Past President
Ravenna Public Schools
Region 2
Dana Blakely
Westside Community Schools
Region 13
Tim Higgins
Kearney Public Schools
Region 10
Wayne Heine
Centennial Public Schools
Region 12
Laura Schneider
Hastings Public Schools
Region 14
Sandy Noffsinger
Dundy County Stratton Public Schools
Region 15
Vacant
Dave Anderson
Past President
Millard Public Schools
Region 17
Richard Dohma
Ponca Public Schools
Newly elected and appointed
positions will begin with the
January 2016
Board Meeting
Region 19
Linda Poole
Millard Public Schools
Region 16
Vacant
Region 18
Doug Keener
Mitchell Public Schools
Follow NASB On Twitter:
www.twitter.com/NASBonline
Region Director Nomination Forms For Seats In Regions 9, 12, 15, 16 & 18
Due August 21
Contact Sallie Svatora, ssvatora@NASBonline.org with questions
10
www.NASBonline.org
| www.twitter.com/NASBonline
www.facebook.com/NASBonline
To advertise your
services in Board Notes contact| Matt
at mbelka@NASBonline.org or 800-422-4572
News & Notes: NASB Welcomes Lisa Steinkuhler
A new face has joined the NASB staff!
Lisa Steinkuhler has recently joined NASB as an Administrative
Assistant. Lisa will be managing all of the accounts receivables
for NASB, event registrations, database management, and will
assist with the Education Leadership Search Services Program.
Lisa is originally from Adams, Nebraska, and currently lives in Sterling with her husband
Ray and their 3 dogs, who keep them extremely busy! The couple also have two grown
children, Kyle and Haley, who both live in Lincoln. Lisa attended the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Education, and has many years of experience working
with both private and public schools, and has had the opportunity to visit with schools
in many parts of the country.
In her free time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to new places and
last, but not least – shopping!
John Spatz
Executive Director
Sallie Svatora
Director of Operations
Rachel Horstman
Business Manager
Jen Goetz
Accounting/Data Specialist
Shari Becker
Director of Education
Leadership Search Service
Matt Belka
Director of Marketing
and Communications
Megan Boldt
Director of ALICAP Insurance
Order your 2015 Nebraska Education Laws Book Today
2015 Nebraska Education Laws book orders are now being accepted under the Publications
tab at www.NASBonline.org. Order your book with eBook feature today at a NASB
discounted rate of only $56, which includes shipping and handling. This is more than a
$5 savings per book. To order, you may also contact Vicki at vwinters@NASBonline.org to
receive this reduced pricing.
Bond Financing, Lease-Purchase, QCPUF Bonds
Sharon Endorf
Event Manager
Marcia Herring
Director of Board Leadership
Programs & Services
Welcome Lisa!
NASB Staff
Jennifer Jorgensen
Legal Counsel
Jim Luebbe
Director of Policy Services
Craig Caples
Director of Technology
Paul J. Grieger
Managing Director
pgrieger@dadco.com
Cody Wickham
Vice President
cwickham@dadco.com
Nebraska Association of School Boards | 1311 Stockwell Street Lincoln, NE 68502
Matt Belka, Editor | John Spatz, Publisher
Board Notes is published on a monthly basis by the Nebraska Association of School Boards as a member service. Advertising is
available in every issue. Please call Matt Belka for further information. Articles or advertising contained herein do not necessarily
represent the views or policies of the Association.
11
View the full directory of the Board and staff at www.NASBonline.org
Jesse Sierks
Software Engineer
Vicki Walter-Winters
Administrative Assistant
Nicole Kobus
Administrative Assistant
Lisa Steinkuhler
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Staff
800-206-7523
1111 North 102nd Court, Suite 300
Omaha, NE 68114
Jason Menagh
Software Engineer
Technology Services
Daniel Clarke
Systems Engineer
State Education Conference
November 18-20 | La Vista
NASBonline.org
August 2015
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NASBonline.org
NASB provides services to School Boards to strengthen public education for all Nebraska children.
August 2015
Labor Relations Conference
September 2-3 | Lincoln
Area Membership Meetings
August 25 | Valentine
August 26 | Gering
August 27 | Kearney
September 9 | York
September 16 | Omaha
September 23 | Norfolk
September 30 | North Platte
October 7 | Nebraska City
October 14 | Fremont
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
News & Notes: NASB Welcomes Lisa Steinkuhler
NASB Board of Directors
NASB Affiliates
Sorrow and Joy: Does Your District Have North Star?
GET SWiTCHED ON at the State Ed Conference!
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendars
Students Advise Schools, Teachers in North Platte
Superintendent Positions filled for 2015-16
NASB Orientation ... “Time Well Spent”
September is Attendance Awareness Month
LPS/SCC Career Academy a “Game Changer ...”
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
ALICAP Returning $1.3 Million to its Members
IN THIS EDITION
A monthly publication from the Nebraska Association of School Boards
BOARD NOTES
1311 STOCKWELL STREET
LINCOLN, NE 68502
WWW.NASBONLINE.ORG