School board shares comments on Blue Hill and homecoming

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The tragedy at Blue Hill sent reverberations through all of Nebraska, including McCook School Board members.

A school bus and a semi truck and trailer hauling hay collided Sept. 5, killing both drivers and two students. At the regular School Board meeting Monday, board member Teresa Thomas stated her condolences to the Blue Hill community and noted how "how fast it can happen."

Board member Diane Lyons echoed Thomas' concern and said that school bus drivers have "a tremendous responsibility" of transporting school students. Lyons expressed her appreciation of the McCook district bus drivers, adding that the drivers "do a wonderful job."

Lyons also commented that at the recent Nebraska Association of School Boards meeting that board members attended, a new policy regarding FaceBook used by staff and teachers was discussed. Lyons said she's also had a chance to meet with the new school district psychologist, Robin Bennett, along with several new first-year teachers. The new teachers all mentioned "how much they are looking to their first paycheck Sept. 20."

Other reports or comments made during Monday's board meeting include:

Laurie Brenning, McCook Elementary PTO: The PTO scooped out 25 gallons of ice cream for parents, teachers and students at the Walk to School night the first week of school.The box tops competition is now in full swing, and the PTO will award a treat to the classroom that collects the most.

Shane Messersmith: appreciated the opportunity to visit with other school board members at the Nebraska Association of School Boards. He also credited Rick Haney, McCook School business manager and Supertintendent Grand Norgaard on putting together the budget with the lower tax levy. Messersmith noted the work put in by senior parents at the football games.

Sandy Krysl: mentioned the program that will be at Central Elementary in the near future, where McCook Community College athletes will read to students. This is a great opportunity for both students and athletes, she said.

Larry Shields: gave kudos to MHS band instructor Donita Priebe for the way the band appeared and performed at the halftime show at the football game Sept. 7. He noted the continued growth of the band and the level of enthusiasm showed by both Priebe and the band students Friday night.

Teresa Thomas: thanked the teachers and staff for the open houses during the first week of school.

Rick Haney: impressed with the band, dance team and cheerleaders at the Sept. 7 homecoming football game. It shows that kids are working hard to succeed, he said.

Tom Bredvick: thanked the Finance Committee and Haney for getting the budget in shape and understanding where it was going. He also thanked the volunteers of parents, students, teachers and administrators who helped with Homecoming. "It's good for our community to have an active student body and adults."

Norgaard: gave a snapshot of what a typical day for him is like, that began at 7:58 a.m. at the high school and ended in the evening by attending a volleyball game. During the course of the day he visited 15 high school classrooms, along with several Central Elementary classrooms where students were diagraming sentences; spoke with principals at Central and Junior High and visited the financial aid office at the high school. Norgaard said he witnessed "no idle students or teachers" during the day and was proud of McCook Public Schools and what the teachers were doing.

Kelsey Siebrandt, MHS Student Council representative: thanked the board for the air conditioning at the high school. "It's a lot easier to concentrate," she said. Also thanked the administration for offering the John Baylor test prep classes, as it has improved her ACT scores, especially in math and science.