Retirement, resignation, rehiring approved

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Board of Education accepted a resignation/retirement submitted Monday by a teacher who has taught decades in McCook.

With gratitude for years served, the board accepted Monday night at the regular meeting the retirement of kindergarten teacher Bev Klein. In her letter read by board president Tom Bredvick, Klein said she has taught at McCook Schools for 30 years.

The board also accepted the retirement of Carole Gaunt, who teaches second grade and has been with McCook School for 15 years; and the resignation and hiring of Katy Snyder.

Snyder is currently a substitute teacher at the high school. Because of the sudden vacancy of the high school biology position, the board earlier in the meeting approved a contract with her to fill that position for the remainder of the year, at BA (bachelor of arts) degree plus seven (years).

McCook Schools Superintendent Grant Norgaard told the board that Snyder is filling in for the science position and “is helping us out in a time of need.” Snyder is endorsed in agriculture and science, Norgaard said, and as she will not be able to work five days every week, another teacher will fill in for her when needed.

The resignation of Snyder from that position the board also approved Monday night and that will open up the process to hire a high school biology teacher, Norgaard said. It would ensure that as many people as possible could apply for the job, he said.

Including Snyder. “By no means does this mean we are not interested in Katy,” he emphasized, saying the district would be interested in hiring her full time if she is interested.

In other action, the board officially approved the $5,000 donation from McCook Community Foundation for “Bison Days” at the high school. The board received the check at the December meeting and on Monday night, voted to accept it.

After election of officers, the board heard a presentation from six, third grade boys at McCook Elementary who are part of the high ability learner program, “Crackerjacks.” Several spoke on the ability to get creative in the projects. The students were soft spoken and hesitant at first but then warmed to the idea of public speaking and soon were talking easily to the board about their science experiments.