A PUBLICATION OF THE NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Energy, Learning, and Fun Abound at Administrators' Days 2024 .......... 4
Eight Years in Your Corner: Honoring NCSA Ambassadors Dr. Cinde Wendell and Dr. Keith by Tyler Dahlgren ............................................................................................ 8
Getting to Know Kevin Wingard: NCSA's New Ambassador Ready to Rile Up Good News Across by Tyler Dahlgren ............................................................................................ 10
I Became an Administrator, Now What? by Dr. Christopher Prososki ............................................................................ 12
Honoring Senator Lynne Walz, A True Friend of Education by Tyler Dahlgren ............................................................................................ 13
Superintendent Turnover by Dr. Michael Sieh & Dr. Jerry Beach ........................................................... 14
Introducing Dr. Troy Loeffelholz, NCSA Associate Executive Director by Tyler Dahlgren ............................................................................................ 18 Calendar of Events ......................................................................................... 21
Sponsorship .................................................................................................... 22
NCSA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2024-2025
Chair – Dr. Dan Schnoes
Vice Chair – Nate Seggerman
Immed. Past Chair – Dr. Melissa Poloncic
NASA Representatives
President – Dr. Chris Prososki
President Elect – Dr. Dawn Lewis
Past President – Dr. Dan Schnoes
NASBO Representatives
President – Dr. Chip Kay
President Elect – Stacy Rodriguez
Past President – Marianne Carlson
NAESP Representatives
President – Dr. Amber Johnson
President Elect – Shelly Leyden
Past President – Pam Lowndes
NASES Representatives
President – Amy Kroll
President Elect – Missy Stolley
Past President – Betsy Skelcher
NSASSP Representatives
President – Brian Fleischman
President Elect – Marc Kaminski
Past President – Nate Seggerman
NCSA STAFF
Dr. Michael S. Dulaney Executive Director/Lobbyist
Dr. Troy Loeffelholz Associate Executive Director
Amy Poggenklass Finance and Membership Director
Megan Hillabrand Professional Development Manager
NCSA MISSION
The mission of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) is to be an effective leader for quality education and to enhance the professionalism of its members. NCSA Today is a benefit of membership in the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, 440 South 13th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Telephone 402.476.8055 or 800.793.6272. Fax 402.476.7740.
Annual membership dues are $435 (active members), $125 (associate members), or $50 (student members). NCSA Today is published quarterly. Copyright ©2024 by NCSA. All rights reserved.
Tyler Dahlgren Communications Manager
Jen Sylvester
Executive Administrative Assistant
Brenda Petsch Administrative Assistant
The opinions expressed in NCSA Today or by its authors do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators.
Energy, Learning, and Fun Abound at Administrators' Days 2024 20 24
Well over a thousand of Nebraska’s school leaders made their way to Kearney July 24-26 for an energetic and funfilled Administrators’ Days 2024. For the third year, the conference was held at Younes Conference Center North, a spacious facility that housed three days of premiere professional development and learning.
The week began Tuesday evening, as the NCSA Executive Board met following a new member orientation. During the meeting, Commissioner of Education Dr. Brian Maher spoke with the board before Executive Director Dr. Mike Dulaney and the NCSA staff honored outgoing members.
Wednesday’s NDE Day was followed by an exhibitor reception and concurrent affiliate organization meetings. Governor Jim Pillen spoke to the NDE Day crowd in the morning general session.
O’Neill Elementary and Junior-Senior High School Singers kick-started the conference Thursday morning with their
rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Earlier that morning, more than 300 conference attendees took to the trails of Kearney for Administrators in Action, raising a $5,000 donation to Teammates on behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. Administrators’ Days featured two nationally renowned keynote speakers, Stacy Lennon and social media sensation Gerry Brooks, who packed the room Friday morning. Nearly 60 breakout sessions were offered on Thursday alone, many of which were led by Nebraska administrators and specialists.
NCSA was honored to have several special guests on hand, including members of the State Board and the team behind Public School Proud Nebraska. As usual, Thursday night came to a close with a party, complete with music bingo and a spirited karaoke session. The room was packed for Friday morning’s New Member Breakfast, which gave the NCSA staff and affiliate presidents a chance to welcome first-time school administrators to the organization.
Singers from O’Neill Elementary and Junior-Senior High School kick-started NCSA Administrators’ Days with their rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Stand for Schools Executive Director Dunixi Guereca addresses the Administrators’ Days crowd before showing a clip produced by Public School Proud Nebraska, a campaign that is partnered with Nebraska Public School Advantage in promoting the many successes of Nebraska’s public schools.
NCSA Announces Annual Award Recipients
During the conference, NCSA announced and honored its annual award winners. The NCSA Distinguished Service Award is given annually to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional, distinguished leadership in public education. The 2024 recipients are Dr. Melissa Wheelock and Dr. Aaron Plas.
Dr. Wheelock currently serves as Administrator of Educational Service Unit (ESU) 10 in Kearney. Dr. Plas currently serves as Superintendent of Bennington Public Schools.
“Dr. Wheelock and Dr. Plas both exemplify what this award was established to honor and celebrate, and there aren’t two more well-deserving recipients,” said NCSA executive director Dr. Mike Dulaney. “They are respected leaders in Nebraska’s educational landscape and tremendous assets to public education. Each has made an enormous impact on the profession while always keeping students and innovative services at the forefront. NCSA is proud and honored to present them with the Distinguished Service Award.”
On Friday, NCSA presented NDE Deputy Commissioner Brian Halstead with the Friend of Education Award, which is given annually to a non-member(s) who has demonstrated exceptional, distinguished leadership in public education.
“For years, Brian has been an invaluable asset to public education in Nebraska,” Dulaney said. “NCSA, and, more
importantly, our schools and students have benefited greatly from his expertise and his commitment to the profession. Brian is a true friend of education.”
During Thursday’s Award Luncheon, affiliate award recipients from the past year were honored in a video presentation, beginning with NAESP’s National Distinguished Principal from Nebraska Nikki Edeal (Morton Elementary in Lexington). Jeff Sayer (Valentine Public Schools) received recognition for being the recipient of the 2024 NSASSP Nebraska Middle School Principal of the year, followed by Colin Bargen (Centennial Public Schools), the 2024 NSASSP Nebraska High School Principal of the Year. The 2023 NASES Distinguished Administrator Award went to Dr. Tammy Voisin (Papillion-La Vista Community Schools), while Dr. Chip Kay (Columbus Public Schools) was honored as the 2024 NASBO Outstanding Business Official of the Year.
Also at the conference, Dr. Melissa Poloncic, superintendent of DC West Community Schools, was announced as the 2024-25 Nebraska Superintendent of the Year by the Nebraska Association of School Administrators (NASA).
Dr. Poloncic will receive her award at the State Education Conference in November. ■
Dr. Melissa Wheelock, Administrator at ESU 10, was presented the NCSA Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Aaron Plas, Superintendent at Bennington Public Schools, was presented the NCSA Distinguished Service Award.
NDE Deputy Commissioner Brian Halstead was presented the NCSA Friend of Education Award.
Eight Years in Your Corner: Honoring NCSA Ambassadors Dr. Cinde Wendell and Dr. Keith Rohwer
B y Tyler Dahlgren, NCSA Communications Manager
For decades, Drs. Cinde Wendell and Keith Rohwer lived and breathed public education, impacting thousands of students while building respected reputations and esteem amongst their colleagues.
When NCSA came calling with a unique opportunity in 2016, the two retired superintendents jumped at the chance to use their expertise on behalf of public schools and, along with Kyle McGowan, became two of the original three NCSA Ambassadors.
How often does a dream career lead to a dream job?
“It really goes back to Dr. Dulaney’s vision of advocating for public schools,” said Dr. Rohwer. “This work allowed us to make new connections and learn from new people. It’s just been great to be able to stay connected, to be a part of the fabric of education in Nebraska. We really didn’t have to do anything. We just went out and observed the things that were going on and encouraged people to talk about it. That’s really the key to advocacy.”
Dr. Rohwer may be selling the ambassadors just a bit short. Since 2016, the ambassadors have traveled the state and back countless times. They’ve presented to civic and school groups, at big education conferences, and in small-town coffee shops. They’ve sat in thousands of meetings and helped tell hundreds of success stories.
And they’ve done so unassumingly without once losing sight of the mission.
“It’s always about the kids,” said Dr. Wendell. “It always has been, and always will be. What was so rewarding about this journey was seeing the passion for education across the state. That passion is contagious. We were always passionate about education, but the passion of all the others made us even more passionate about advocating for public schools.”
For so many years, they taught. Being ambassadors put them in a position to learn, and boy, was it fun.
“We saw the resiliency of schools and how they continue
to be creative in meeting the needs of all students,” said Dr. Rohwer. “They continue to keep kids first. They’re always looking to improve and to find different ways to do more for the young people that they serve. It was a reaffirmation of things we already knew, maybe in a smaller context, and it gave us an opportunity to see it across the entire state.”
Pardon me for breaking the third wall, but I’m going to miss working with Keith and Cinde more than I can put into words. I started at NCSA around the same time, and we were tasked with getting Nebraska Public School Advantage and the NCSA Ambassador Program off the ground. There was a learning curve for me, but I hit the lottery being partnered up with Keith and Cinde. Four hundred stories and eight years later, we’d all do it again in a heartbeat.
Keith Rohwer and Cinde Wendell were honored during a meeting of the NCSA Executive Board in May for their contributions and advocacy for education. Rohwer and Wendell were hired as NCSA ambassadors in 2016, and, after thousands of meetings and many miles traveled, officially retired this summer.
“I’m going to miss all the great people and the dedicated administrators who give their all,” said Dr. Wendell. “I’m going to miss traveling the state and finding stories. I’m going to miss the great people at NCSA and our incredible team. I’m going to miss the ESUs, who have been such a huge part of what we do and education in Nebraska. I’m going to miss dedicated administrators and devoted teachers, and I’m going to miss the great feeling of walking into a school with all the teachers and kids and all the learning that’s going on. There is no other feeling like that.” Dr. Rohwer echoed Dr. Wendell’s sentiment, saying his vantage point over the last eight years has only fortified what he’d believed about Nebraska’s schools for decades. He and Cinde knew each other for many years, but working side-by-side as ambassadors gave them a more profound respect for one another.
“I have so much respect for her as an educator, as a pioneer in the field of administration,” he said. “I’ll miss those conversations we had, not just about school, but about careers and other people and everything along the way. Finally, I’ll miss seeing those new people come into this business and watching them set their careers in motion. We have great people coming in. We need good people, not only in the classroom, but also in the administrative roles.”
For eight years, Dr. Wendell said, the message has been to “tell your story.” They have no doubt that NCSA’s newest
Nebraska School Safety and Security Summit
ambassador, Kevin Wingard, embodies everything the program is about and will only keep the momentum going. There’s so much to be excited about, Dr. Wendell continued. “You all have so many incredible stories,” she said. “Tell the story of your school and all the great things happening in there. It’s a tough business. It’s very rewarding, but there’s ups and downs. Never, ever give up. You might think what you’re doing is ordinary, but what you’re doing for kids in Nebraska is really extraordinary.”
As school bells ring across the state and students return for a new school year, Dr. Rohwer would encourage administrators to cherish this time.
“Spend time in the classroom, spend time with kids,” he urged. “Anytime you become concerned with something, get out and spend time with kids and it’ll turn you around in no time.”
In typical Keith and Cinde fashion, they ended the interview with well wishes for the new school year for everyone reading this article.
“Thank you everybody for giving us the opportunity to serve in this role,” said Dr. Rohwer. “It’s been a great part of my career, and I know Cinde would say the same thing. We’re really thankful for having that chance.”
Getting to Know Kevin Wingard: NCSA's New Ambassador Ready to Rile Up Good News Across Nebraska
B y Tyler Dahlgren, NCSA Communications Manager
In his new role as NCSA Ambassador, Kevin Wingard is going to be asking a lot of the questions.
There’s so much in this state to explore, after all. So many stories from schools in faraway places doing incredible things that he’s now tasked with sharing. Wingard, who recently retired from a 19-year run as superintendent of Milford Public Schools, can’t wait to hit advocacy highway.
He’s got his first semester pretty well mapped out. But first, we put him on the spot.
Looking back at your career as an administrator, what makes you the most proud?
“I’d have to say relationships,” said Wingard, who joined the NCSA team on July 1. “A person can list awards and recognitions, but really I look back at the relationships I’ve built with people, whether that’s been staff members, kids, community members, or some of my colleagues around the state. That’s what I’m most proud of.”
Now, it’s Wingard’s job to be curious. It’s right there in his new job description, to promote and celebrate the daily triumphs happening in schools across Nebraska. Those relationships he speaks of will open doors, and he’s looking forward to expanding them in his new role.
“There’s still so many colleagues I just don’t know, so many superintendents I haven’t yet met,” Wingard said. “So that will be fun to broaden that base and to be able to build those relationships on a different level. I’m excited about that.”
Since the NCSA Ambassador Program was developed in 2016, Wingard has had a pretty good view from his first-row seat, having served on the executive board and as Chair in 202223. He watched with heavy admiration as Drs. Cinde Wendell
"A person can list awards and recognitions, but really I look back at the relationships I’ve built with people."
and Keith Rohwer, two of the original three ambassadors alongside Kyle McGowan, elevated the successes coming out of public schools across the state.
“Watching Keith and Cinde be at every event, seeing their tweets when they were out in meetings, listening to them advocate for education, that was really remarkable,” said Wingard. “They were so skilled at knowing when to throw in a comment that would instantly remind us what our focus is and where we’re going and who we should be remembering.”
One of the ambassadors’ key messages during the pandemic actually originated with a conversation they shared with Wingard at the time. Wingard talked about “The Nebraska Way” and how, when it comes to meeting the needs of every student every day, nobody does it better.
“Those conversations with Keith and Cinde, and listening to their history and their guidance, it’s just been incredible,” Wingard said. “They were incredible school administrators, but most of all they are incredible people. They’ve set a high standard.”
A standard Wingard can’t wait to meet. He spent the latter part of July and August in the field, visiting the Class of 2025 in Blair and ESU 15’s Fall Kickoff in McCook before embarking on a road trip filled with several stops across the state. That type of advocacy and the opportunity to visit places like Scottsbluff, North Platte, and Ainsworth (where he landed his first superintendent job 20 years ago) excite Wingard.
It’s why he didn’t bat an eye when Dr. Dulaney reached out with a job.
“It’s just always been a position that I thought would be a ton
WINGARD
Kevin Wingard
of fun to do,” Wingard said. “It would keep me in education, keep me working with superintendents and educators across the state, and it would let me be that advocate and servant leader that I always hoped to be. There was no doubt this was what I wanted to do. It’s going to be fun.”
Wingard, who grew up in Rising City wanting to teach and coach, embodies everything the NCSA Ambassador program represents. Like Rohwer and Wendell, his mission is the mission.
“We’re not always the best in education at bragging about ourselves and showing off all of our accomplishments,” Wingard said. “That’s why these roles are so important, because we’re not always good advocates for ourselves. I’m
excited to get out there and to see what everyone is doing.”
For Wingard, the last 30 years flew by in the blink of an eye. Perhaps that speaks to the importance of the work, he explained. Now, he’s turning the page. This next chapter might just be the most exciting yet.
“Nobody does it better than Nebraska,” Wingard said. “We have teachers who care about kids, administrators who want to provide the best for kids, and invested communities and school boards that are there for the right reason. We take all kids. We work with all kids. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure a student has a great education.” ■
I Became an Administrator, Now What?
By Dr. Christopher Prososki, NASA President
On the eve of another school year, it made me reminisce about my first year as a principal and my first year as a superintendent. I still vividly remember my first Administrators' Days in Kearney. Not even truly knowing what I was getting into as a first-year principal, I remember going to one of the first sessions. As I was waiting for the session to start, two veteran administrators commented about how young this new breed of administrators looked, and it caught me by surprise. I remember thinking after that session, shouldn’t the veteran administrators be supporting the new breed of administrators and not mocking them?
Now, fast forward to my first day as a principal after Administrators' Days. I remember sitting in my office and having no idea what I was supposed to be doing. I hoped the superintendent would not stop by and ask me about what tasks I was completing for the day. Getting a little frantic, I did the only thing I could think of, I started to clean out my office. Fast forward a few months, and I felt that I was provided a great deal of support from the ESU, fellow ESU 5 principals, and Region I members of the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP). As I finished my last year as a principal, I thought back to my first day on the job. I wished I knew then what I know now rather than wasting the day making my office look so clean.
Now, fast forward to my first day as a superintendent on July 1st. I felt like it was déjà vu all over again. I remember spending the morning trying to figure out the Auditors of Public Accounts budget form, and I hoped that no school board members would ask me about the budget at my first board meeting. The first July school board meeting was right around the corner. I resorted back to the only thing I could think of, I started to clean out my new office again. Now, I thought individuals get smarter with age…
Now everyone is probably wondering, why am I recollecting my first day as an administrator? I think that is where the answer lies; every administrator went through the same
scenario during their first year. In hopes of providing some support to both new principals and new superintendents, I wanted to share two items as a starting point as you begin the new school year.
First-Year Principals: Need to Know Presentation
As I stated before, I felt that there was a wide range of information that I was not taught before becoming a principal. With that being said, I had the opportunity to teach EDAD 895: School Improvement class through the University of Nebraska at Kearney this past summer. I went ahead and completed around a 45-minute presentation where I covered everything I wish I had known before the first day as a principal. Scan the following QR Code to access the Need to Know Presentation.
First-Year Superintendents: Superintendent Checklist
Working as a superintendent in a small D1 district, I soon became inundated by all the state and federal reports I had to complete throughout a given school year. Every year, it seemed like more and more were added without regard to the individuals who had to complete these tasks by the deadlines. Also, when I was a first-year teacher, there were next to no training requirements that I had to complete. Well, that has changed, and I also added training requirements at the bottom of the checklist as well. Please Note: LB 1377 became operative on July 19, 2024, and lessened the mandated training times in Nebraska. Scan the following QR Code to access the Superintendent Checklist.
Going back to the title of the article, I Became an Administrator, Now What?, I hope you have found this information helpful as either a new or veteran administrator. We all want to do what is best for the students, staff, parents, and patrons in our communities, and my goal is to make everyone’s life a little easier as we all start another school year. I want to wish everyone the best of luck during the upcoming school year, and please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about the following information. ■
PROSOSKI
Honoring Senator Lynne Walz, A True Friend of Education
By Tyler Dahlgren, NCSA Communications Manager
Dr. Larianne Polk, Dr. Mike Dulaney, Kyle McGowan, and Senator Lynne Walz take a break from a highly-contested game of cornhole at the 2023 Administrators’ Days in Kearney. Throughout her time as Chair of the Education Committee, Senator Walz was a fixture at the summer conference.
Lynne Walz is pictured at the NCSA Offices with former NCSA Ambassador Dr. Keith Rohwer. Walz, an educator herself, called Dr. Rohwer “the best teacher she ever had” during this meeting in October, 2022.
One of the first things Senator Lynne Walz did after being appointed Chair of the Education Committee was to bring together as many education groups as possible for the sake of camaraderie and, ultimately, kids across Nebraska.
That was back in 2021, and NCSA was one of the groups eager to sit at Walz’s table. She called the organization a “key component” in that group. It was a harbinger of things to come from Walz, a former educator herself.
“We came together and we established goals together,” Walz said. “We were able to always focus on those goals with NCSA and other groups throughout that first session. We kept our main focus on safe and healthy environments that are conducive to learning, and making sure that we have quality educators and we have resources available to our students. Our ability to stay focused on those goals has been extremely helpful.”
Walz was continually impressed by the resolve of Nebraska’s educators. They kept kids as the central focus during the
Senator Lynne Walz takes a picture with fellow senators Matt Williams and Mark Kolterman on the center stage at the 2021 NCSA Administrators’ Days. Walz attended Administrators’ Days regularly during her time as chair of the Education Committee.
floods in 2019 and the pandemic the following year. “It was admirable to watch,” she said.
“Senator Walz is a true friend of education, and the relationship NCSA has shared with her has been a privilege,” said executive director Dr. Mike Dulaney. “Senator Walz was a steady and uniting force when she became chair early on in the pandemic, and has since accomplished a great deal that has positively impacted Nebraska’s schools and students across the state.”
Walz, a 1981 graduate of Arlington Public Schools, was first elected to the legislature in 2016. She has been a fixture at NCSA Administrators’ Days through the years, regularly attending the annual New Member Breakfast, and received NCSA’s Friend of Education Award in 2019.
“That is what I'm going to miss the most,” said Walz. “I'm gonna miss not being able to see the faces of the people that I’ve grown to be close to and understand. I’m going to miss those conversations. Administrators’ Days were probably the highlight of my year.” ■
Senator
Superintendent Turnover
By Dr. Michael Sieh & Dr. Jerry Beach, Wayne State College
Interim Superintendents
While preparing for this edition of the annual Nebraska superintendent turnover report, a review of current literature found school districts are facing a variety of challenges when recruiting candidates for the superintendency, e.g., lack of applicants, hesitancy of potential candidates to move families or uproot spouse employment, little or no housing available. Data indicates districts experiencing late superintendent resignations are hiring interims to bridge the gap while conducting thorough searches for permanent replacements.
At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, ten school districts were led by interim superintendents. During the year, five of these interim superintendents were appointed permanently. Three will continue as interim superintendents into the 2024-2025 school year, leaving only 2 of the original 10 not returning.
In a case study of the interim superintendency, Bigham and Nix (2011) observed, “Although the tenure of the interim superintendent is typically short, his/her impact potentially has long-reaching effects on the success of the district long after (s)he is gone.” The 2024-2025 school year began with 15 interim superintendents, including the three continuing from the previous year. As the 2025-2026 hiring season approaches, the future of these 15 individuals remains uncertain. Nonetheless, interim superintendents play a crucial role in maintaining stability in districts during transitions.
The New Year
At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, there are 245 PK12 Nebraska public school districts. Thirty-eight (38) possible superintendent positions became available across Nebraska. The 2024-2025 rate of turnover in the state is 12.2% this year, down from 14.8% in 2023-24. The 2024-25 rate is slightly down when compared with the average annual turnover for superintendents in Nebraska since 2000-01. What does Nebraska superintendent turnover look like on the national stage?
Dr. Rachel White, University of Texas at Austin, and founder/ primary investigator for The Superintendent Lab, shared the following national superintendent turnover data noting 202324 to 2024-25 attrition data will be available in November 2024: Between 2019-20 and 2020-21: 14.1%; between 202021 and 2021-22: 16.6%; between 2021-22 and 2022-23: 16.2%; and, between 2022-23 and 2023-24: 17.3%.
Dr. White and her staff continue to gather data through a national analysis of superintendent turnover in over 12,500 public school districts since 2019. More than one out of every three states (37 percent) had a turnover rate greater than 20 percent between the last two school years.
The average tenure-in-position for Nebraska at the start of the new year will be 5.1 years. This mark is consistent with past years.
Of 38 possible changes in superintendent status from a year ago, 14 individuals are retiring. This number represents about 5.8% of those who were in top leadership positions last year. The 2024 Education Technology, Services, and Research (EAB) Annual Survey of District Leaders reflected that 15% of superintendents nationwide reported plans to leave their position within the next two years. Nine former superintendents were out of education last year and are returning for 2024-2025. Career changes for both outgoing and incoming superintendents are shared in Table 1 and Table 2.
Of note this year: 1) Fifteen first-year execs are serving on an interim basis at the start of the 2024-2025 school term; 2) 7 superintendents in year one are assuming a public school superintendent position for the first time; 3) 93 of 244 (38.1%) superintendents have three years or less tenure in the same district, inclusive of the 2024-25 school year.
SIEH
BEACH
Table 1 – Outgoing Superintendents
Table 2 – Incoming Superintendents
Same District Tenure
Over the past 15 years, Nebraska has averaged slightly over four superintendents serving 20 years or more in the same school district. This year we have six. Jon Cerny continues to lead the pack as he starts his 32nd year as the superintendent of the Bancroft-Rosalie Public Schools. Robert Hanzlik is next in line with 25 years leading the Stuart school district. Jeff Anderson at Fullerton has 24 years in the same school system, and Mark Aten has 23 years in Overton. Starting their 21st year will be Del Dack of Paxton and David Spencer of South Platte. For the purposes of this article, the veteran level is reached with the 15th year as superintendent in the same district. Table 3 lists all the superintendents who have 15 years
or more tenure in a single school district. We have six on-deck for veteran status with 14 years, seven with 13 years, and six with 12 years.
Service Unit Directors
In 2011, the originator of this report, Dr. Jim Ossian, started tracking Educational Service Unit (ESU) administrators in this annual article. This group of educational leaders provides invaluable assistance to PK-12 school districts in their service areas ranging from staff development to technology. Functioning within each district's central office administration are ESU18 (Lincoln Public Schools) and ESU19 (Omaha Public Schools). Table 4 lists each ESU administrator according to years of experience.
Larianne Polk is starting her first year as ESU Coordinating Commission (ESUCC) CEO. She served as ESU 07 administrator for 10 years before becoming CEO of the ESUCC.
Table 4 – ESU Administrator Experience including 20242025 School Year
Administrator ESU Experience
DeTurk, Ted ESU 02 (Fremont) 11
Schnoes, Dan ESU 03 (LaVista) 11
Erickson, Geraldine ESU 17 (Ainsworth) 9
McNiff, Brenda ESU 05 (Beatrice) 9
Heimann, Bill ESU 01 (Wakefield) 8
Robke, Gregg ESU 04 (Auburn) 8
Wheelock, Melissa ESU 10 (Kearney) 7
Dahl, Corey ESU 08 (Neligh) 6
Harris, Drew ESU 09 (Hastings) 6
Barrett, Laura ESU 13 (Scottsbluff) 4
Poppert, John ESU 11 (Holdrege) 3
Chism, Kanyon ESU 19 (Omaha) 3
McGown, James ESU 16 (Ogallala) 2
Olsen, Takako ESU 18 (Lincoln) 2
Picquet, Phillip ESU 15 (Trenton) 2 Elmshaeuser, Kris ESU 07 (Columbus) 1
Brian ESU 06 (Milford) 1
Women Superintendents
A final scan of superintendents looks at the state's progress concerning gender equity with the superintendency. Demographic data from the 2023-2024 AASA Superintendent Salary and Benefits Study reflects the percentage of female superintendents in the nation at 27%. Nebraska trails that number, with 12% of the state's top educational leaders being female. Table 5 reflects women serving as superintendents in Nebraska and their respective tenures in their current school districts.
Despite the slow progress towards gender equity in superintendents' roles, ESU administrators represent women well. Of the 17 ESU leaders, seven are female. The result is that 41% of ESU administrators are women.
Table 5 – Women Superintendent Experience including 2024-2025 School Year at Current District
19
19
Melissa DC West/Valley 11
Kathy Mitchell 11
2
1
Superintendent/ESU Administrator Longevity
Jon Cerny is the lone superintendent with 30+ years as a superintendent. The only superintendents with 25-29 years of superintendent experience in multiple districts are John Hakonson (Newcastle, Blue Hill, Sidney, and Lexington) and Robert Hanzlik.
Sixteen additional superintendents have 20 years or more experience, including some who have served multiple districts/ESUs. Because tenure in multiple districts/ESUs can be more challenging to track, please let us know if your name
was omitted from this list. Table 6 displays superintendents/ ESU administrators who have 20 years or more of total superintendent/ESU experience.
Selected Historical Nebraska Public School District Superintendent Data
As stated earlier, Dr. Jim Ossian created this state of the Nebraska superintendent article. Upon Dr. Ossian’s retirement, Dr. Craig Pease inherited the article. During Dr. Pease’s tenure crafting this article, he did an excellent job of reporting and enhancing the data presentation. Our hats are off to the efforts of both Dr. Ossian and Dr. Pease!
The 2020 AASA Decennial Superintendent Survey reported the number one activity in which superintendents plan to engage when leaving the profession is to enjoy more leisure time. As retired superintendents, we have to say this is an admirable plan for retirement. Here are a few suggestions for each of you for the years will go faster than you think: 1) Consider initiating or completing projects that will leave a lasting, positive impact on your district and build your legacy, 2) Reflect on your accomplishments and then be ready to share your experiences and lessons learned with the next generation of school administrators, 3) Plan your personal transition into retirement, considering how you will stay engaged with your interests and passions (remember to purchase a lifetime NCSA membership), and 4) Maintain your health and well-being, ensuring you are ready for the next chapter in your life.
Lastly, Table 7 depicts trends in the Nebraska superintendency over several years. As we analyzed past trends, we cannot help but wonder what the data will show in future reports. ■
Table 7 – Historical Nebraska Superintendency Trends
Introducing Dr. Troy Loeffelholz, NCSA Associate Executive Director, 18
B y Tyler Dahlgren, NCSA Communications Manager
Troy Loeffelholz was playing hopscotch with majors, jumping from Journalism to Accounting to a mild case of disconcertment.
It was the mid-1980s on the campus of what was then known as Kearney State College. Dr. Loeffelholz, in search of his true calling, left school for a semester and spent time coaching high school basketball after an old coach from his playing days had an assistant position pop open.
“I joined the team that winter, immediately fell in love with coaching and changed my major to Education,” he said. “Obviously, coaching was the spark, but once I got into the classrooms and started taking education classes and student teaching and practicum courses, I fell in love with working with kids.”
The next 36 years of Dr. Loeffelholz’s life were spoken for. He’d found the career for him, one that allowed him to coach football in pigskin-crazed Texas before eventually bringing him back to Nebraska. Last December, Dr. Loeffelholz announced his plans to retire at the end of the year as Superintendent of Columbus Public Schools, a position he’d held for 14 years.
“One of my most proud moments as an administrator would be working with our community in Columbus to expand and strengthen student opportunities,” Dr. Loeffelholz said. “We did what I thought was an outstanding job of collaborating with business and manufacturing within the community. We got the community excited about STEM education, and we were able to raise enough funds for our new high school to purchase all of the equipment in the building. Our community and business leaders gained a lot of trust in our school district. I’m most proud of that.”
In July, Dr. Loeffelholz joined the NCSA staff as the organization’s associate executive director, a move that will allow him to make an impact on administrators across the state. He has been an active member of NCSA for 28 years,
benefiting greatly from everything the association has to offer while gaining a deep appreciation for mentorship.
“As a young assistant principal, I was looking for mentorship, obviously, and NCSA gave me the opportunity through the regional meetings to make connections and develop relationships with people who were in the same boat as I was,” said Dr. Loeffelholz. “Through every step of the way, from being an assistant principal to a principal to a director and then into the superintendency, NCSA has been going side-byside with me. The professional development and networking opportunities just made me a better administrator.”
In his new role, Dr. Loeffelholz now has the chance to give back. He said that’s what he’s looking forward to the most. At CPS, Dr. Loeffelholz led a staff that included 24 school administrators. Developing young leaders became a privilege he grew passionate about. It allowed him to continue to grow.
"I think it's so important to give back, and that's why being the associate executive director of NCSA is such an honor."
Dr. Troy Loeffelholz
“Every interaction I’ve had with my peers has made me the administrator I am today,” he said. “I think it’s so important to give back, and that’s why being the associate executive director of NCSA is such an honor. It allows me to give back to leadership and it allows me to continue to develop leaders for the future. I look at myself as the link between the past and the present.”
Dr. Loeffelholz’s primary directive will be mentorship. He steps into a role held by Dr. Dan Ernst for years before Drs. Mike Sieh and Keith Rohwer served as a bridge for the last year. You’re never too old or too young to have a mentor, Dr. Loeffelholz believes.
“I look at it as leaders encountering leaders, because you
LOEFFELHOLZ
It didn’t take long for NCSA Associate Executive Director Dr. Troy Loeffelholz to hit the ground running in his new position. Loeffelholz, who retired after a 36-year career as an educator and administrator, led the new superintendent and new principal sessions at Administrators’ Days.
always should feel comfortable reaching out,” he continued.
“You always should be learning. You’ve heard the cliche, ‘Change is inevitable,’ and it is. Mentorship should be something that happens every year.”
Dr. Loeffelholz has hit the ground running at NCSA, presenting in multiple select-a-sessions at Administrators’ Days. A father of five, you can likely find Dr. Loeffelholz and his wife on the golf course or camping when he’s not in the NCSA offices.
His career is a testament to the power of opportunity. Coincidentally, that’s what he sees as the ultimate strength of Nebraska’s public school system.
“Nebraska’s public schools allow the children in the state so many opportunities that you may not be able to get in other situations and other places,” Dr. Loeffelholz said. “We’re preparing kids for the future that they’re going to see, and I think our future is heavily engaged in diversity, and that’s good for our public school students as well as preparation for vocations that haven’t even been created yet. We prepare all of our students to be adaptive for their future.” ■
Nebraska
Fall Ed Tech Conference
-3 Poster Presentations
-Over 20 Exhibitors
-25 Breakout Sessions on all things ed tech.
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It has never been more important to effectively communicate your school’s value to your community.
IS YOUR SCHOOL READY?
Better engage and educate parents and the community
Enhance support and efforts for funding/bonding
Leverage your website as a communication hub
Harness the power of storytelling to promote your mission, values, and outcomes
You know the good work you’re doing.
can help you ensure your community does too.
Sept. 7
Sept. 11
Sept. 12-13
Sept. 18
Sept. 25-26
Oct. 2-3
Oct. 17
Oct. 30
Nov. 1
Nov. 20-22
Dec. 4-5
Dec. 11
Jan. 25
Feb. 27-28
CALENDAR OF EVENTS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
NCSA Tailgate: NU vs. Colorado – NCSA Office – Lincoln, NE (3:30-6:00 pm)
NASES New Members – NCSA Office – Lincoln, NE
NASES Fall Workshop – Embassy Suites – Lincoln, NE
School Law Update – NCSA Office and Virtual – Lincoln, NE
Educators Academy for Legislative Advocacy – NCSA Office – Lincoln, NE
Labor Relations – Embassy Suites – Lincoln, NE
Safety and Security Conference – YCC South – Kearney, NE
Emerging Superintendents Workshop – NCSA Office – Lincoln, NE
NE Fall Ed Tech Conference – YCC South – Kearney, NE
State Education Conference –CHI Center – Omaha, NE
State Principals Conference – Cornhusker Marriott – Lincoln, NE
Legislative Preview – NCSA Office and Virtual – Lincoln, NE
Emerging Administrators – NCSA Office – Lincoln, NE
NASES Legislative Conference – Cornhusker Marriott – Lincoln, NE
March 26-27 Celebrating Women in Leadership – Holiday Inn – Kearney, NE
April 2
April 10-11
April 24-25
July 23-25
GRIT – Virtual
NASES Spring Conference – Omaha Marriott at Regency – Omaha, NE
NASBO State Convention – Embassy Suites – Lincoln, NE
Administrators’ Days – YCC North – Kearney, NE
*Region meeting dates can be found on the NCSA website.
NATIONAL CONVENTION DATES
Sept. 18-21, 2024
March 6-8, 2025
July 11-13, 2025
– Nashville, TN
– New Orleans, LA
& NASSP – Seattle, WA
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Modern Images
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Piper Sandler & Company
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Renaissance
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National Insurance Services
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Nebraska Army National Guard
LTC Joseph A. Eggen
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Barry Ballou balloub@pfmam.com 455 So. 11th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 402-705-0350 nlafpool.org
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Omnify
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OnToCollege
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Software Unlimited, Inc.
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Trane
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8600 Executive Woods, Ste. 300 Lincoln, NE 68512 402-423-5447
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