School board holds elections; one policy pulled for review

MCCOOK, Neb. -- A new year but the same faces: board officers stayed the same as last year, at the McCook School Board officer election Monday night.

Board member Teresa Thomas nominated Tom Bredvick for president, the current board president. As there were no other nominations, no vote was taken and Bredvick retained his position.

Bredvick then nominated Thomas as vice president, the same office she held last year. No other nominations were offered and she, too, stayed in office,

Current board secretary Loretta Hauxwell retained her position, after a nomination by board member Bob Elder.

In other business Monday night, one policy among seven that were up for approval was pulled for further discussion by policy committee chair, Loretta Hauxwell. The policy, alcohol and drug testing for commercial licensed school bus drivers, was among seven polices up for approval on the consent agenda, part of a process this year where the full board, after committee review, are updating district policies. Hauxwell said she was pulling the policy for further review due to "comments I've received and what other school districts are doing." After the meeting, she clarified that the comments she was referring to came from the school district's legal council, who said the policy is good as is and reflects state law, but from what she's seen, other school districts do not include as much in their policies as MPS did. The policy may be pared down in committee because of this, she said.

The board also approved the resignations/retirements of two long-time teachers at McCook Public Schools.

"Kids who come back to visit...always stop and say hi to Mrs. Wolford. That's a statement about her character and commitment to students, " said board president, Tom Bredvick, on the retirement of Pamela Wolford. Wolford, who taught at McCook Senior High for 33 years, wrote in her retirement letter that she had a file of notes, emails and letters from her students throughout the years, attesting to that "we are making a difference in students' futures. We are blessed to live in rural America where we raise good kids and have a supportive community." Wolford went on to say in the letter that in her retirement, she plans to travel and perfect her "grandparenting skills." When approving the resignation, Diane Lyons said she was casting a "no" vote, "as a way to get back at her."

Another retirement letter came from Charlene Springer, who taught at McCook Elementary for 11 years. "She was one of best," said board member Loretta Hauxwell. "I can say enough about her. She truly made a difference in my kid's lives."