WAYNE – Wayne Community Schools continues to work through their bond facility study with a community group meeting as more information was brought forward during Monday evening’s regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting.
From the Wayne Jr/Sr High School Library, Heartland Counselor, Jamie Behmer first gave an update to the board. She has integrated into the Wayne Elementary and Jr/Sr High buildings in March. Individual therapy services will continue through the summer and she’ll look to add therapy groups next year.
Superintendent, Dr. Mark Lenihan said during the meeting that Behmer has been a great addition to the district.
“Certainly, been an increase in needs for students that need some additional help with whatever it might be with counseling services,” said Dr. Lenihan. “So, it’s been a good support to that, and we’re excited about the future.”
Behmer has split her time at both buildings five days a week.
Board members authorized the superintendent to proceed with legal counsel preparation of documents for the Construction Management at Risk Process. A resolution will be on the June agenda before putting a 30-day notice in the paper, selecting a committee in early August before moving into interviews of construction firms.
Dr. Lenihan added work will then resume with the facility group.
“Hopefully by the end of the calendar year, November/December time frame,” Dr. Lenihan added. “We’ll have a plan for what we feel needs to happen for the future as far as expansion and things that we need to do.”
Dr. Lenihan stated that the district needs to be aware of that if anything is done, it’ll be something that the public would vote on and that the school will need to look at their tax request if a bond issue arises.
Board members agreed to have Dr. Lenihan bring updates to them once each priority of the strategic plan is completed.
Old business items which were approved included the 7-12 Student Handbook along with the Wayne Elementary Kids Club Handbook for the 2022-23 school year. In news business, board members also approved the 2022-23 Nebraska ESUCC Sysco Food Service Agreement which allows for up to $92,293.98 to be spent as Food Service Manager Judy Pohlman is good at shopping around to find the best deals.
A pair of quotes totaling $58,432.68 from Sterling were approved to update the two computer labs. The school will use depreciation funds for the lab work stations and monitors as a couple classes may not have been available if the school didn’t update their computer labs. Dr. Lenihan worked on submitting a grant for their annual Chromebook purchase. If the district doesn’t receive the grant, Wayne Community Schools would be reimbursed through the ESSER III Funds.
Dr. Lenihan also brought forward ESU information from the Service Implementation Model Process and Log (SIMPL). Wayne Community Schools used 24 services, had 408 service participants log 258 ESU hours and saved $34,478 through the cooperative purchasing in 2020-21. Visit simpl.esucc.org for complete details and to view other school districts.
Dr. Lenihan mentioned the district is waiting on a federal issue for guidance if student meals will be fully reimbursable as Pohlman is on a state-wide committee.
“We’re kind of waiting to hear some guidance as far as just informing people,” Dr. Lenihan mentioned. “Because if it does go back to the old way then students will have to purchase their meals and we’ll have to make sure that people are applying for free and reduce lunch if they qualify.”
More information will be shared in June about the status.
The final day for students is Thursday, May 12 with a 2 p.m. dismissal while teachers will be work through Monday, May 16. Graduation is on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. from the Wayne Jr/Sr High School gymnasium.
The next regularly scheduled Wayne Community Schools Board of Education meeting will be on Monday, June 13 at 5 p.m.
Complete ‘View from Wayne America’ interview with Dr. Lenihan.
