Winter 2020

A PUBLICATION OF THE NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

THE TEACHER PIPELINE Westside, Ralston Innovative in Development of Educators

Winter 2020

www.NCSA.org

CELEBRATE TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY

JAN 29 Share why you love public schools with #ilovepublicschools

Nebraska Loves Public Schools is dedicated to supporting public education one documentary film at a time.

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C ONTENTS

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The Teacher Pipeline: Westside, Ralston Innovative in Development of Educators

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

7

The Power of Storytelling: NPSA Update

8

Property Tax Issue, Ballot Measure Make for Uncertainty Heading into Session

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

11

Sincere and Honest, "The Mind Inside: Episode Two" is an Important Watch

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

12 An Educator's Gift

BY ERIN HEINEMAN

Affiliate Awards 14

16 EHA Approves Changes to PPO and High

Deductible Healthcare Plans

BY GREG LONG

17 Catching up with Cash-Wa's Steve Munch

BY TYLER DAHLGREN

19 Sponsorship BC

Calendar of Events

NCSA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2019-2020

Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Terry Houlton Vice Chair. . . . . . . . . Sheri Chittenden Immed. Past Chair. . Dr. John Skretta NASA Representatives President. . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Mark Adler President-Elect. . . . . Dr. Jeff Edwards Past President . . . . . . . . . . Greg Sjuts NASBO Representatives President. . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Heineman President-Elect. . . . . . . . . . . Pam Roth Past President . . . Jason Buckingham NAESP Representatives President. . . . . . . . . . Tammy Schaefer President-Elect. . . . . . . . . Sara Paider Past President . . . . . . . . Casey Slama NASES Representatives President. . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Barrett President-Elect. . . Lona Nelson-Milks Past President . . . . Dr. Terry Houlton NSASSP Representatives President. . . . . . . . . . . Ross Ricenbaw President-Elect. . . . . . Brad Jacobsen Past President . . . . . Sheri Chittenden NARSA Representative President. . . . . . . . . Dr. Dallas Watkins NCSA STAFF Dr. Michael S. Dulaney Executive Director/Lobbyist Dr. Dan E. Ernst Associate Executive Director/Lobbyist Amy Poggenklass Finance and Membership Director Megan Hillabrand Professional Development Manager Tyler Dahlgren Communications Specialist

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, 455 South 11th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Telephone 402.476.8055 or 800.793.6272.

Fax 402.476.7740.

Annual membership dues are $335 (active members), $125 (associate members), or $50 (student members). NCSA Today is published quarterly. Send address changes to NCSA, Membership, 455 South 11th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Copyright ©2019 by NCSA. All rights reserved.

Carol Young Executive Administrative Assistant Connie Hilker 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.

WINTER 2020 NCSA TODAY

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T E A C H E R S HO R TAG E

The Teacher Pipeline: Westside, Ralston Innovative in Development of Educators

By TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist NCSA’s yearlong examination of the teacher shortage, which began in the long shadows of Chimney Rock and spanned the Sandhills through the Great Plains, has led us to the Metro, where districts are doing their part to replenish Nebraska’s educator pipeline.

Dr. Enid Schonewise, Assistant Superintendent-Human Resources with the district, said the pool of candidates has indeed shrunk, though, causing the district to think outside of the box when it comes to filling vacancies and attracting educators.

We met with administrators from Ralston Public Schools and Westside Community Schools on back-to-back days in November to talk teacher shortage and, more specifically, the innovative measures being implemented in each to alleviate a dwindling channel.

“We’re fortunate here at Westside because we’re small enough and we’re close enough to a lot of Universities that have good education programs, but there are specific areas where we’ve had shortages,” Schonewise said. “We’ve had to really work hard and get creative to fill some spots."

Both Westside and Ralston, given their location and surrounding resources, have been admittedly fortunate in dealing with a shallow pool. That doesn’t mean they’ve avoided the ripple effects of the teacher shortage. Not many school districts in the entire United States of America have.

How We Got Here

Dr. Michael Rupprecht is the Executive Director of Human Resources and School Improvement for Ralston Public Schools, and has been associated with the district since 1992. Over those 27 years, the district hasn’t struggled to fill open positions, but there has been a noticeable decline in the number of qualified candidates over the last decade. It isn’t much of a coincidence that the number of people entering the education profession altogether has dipped since 2008.

“Part of it could be that we ask a lot of teachers, and in order to be really effective in the classroom, you’ve got to have a very unique skillset because it’s a challenging occupation,” said Dr. Rupprecht.

“All of us here in Nebraska are competing in what is becoming a smaller and smaller pool of candidates,” said Rupprecht.

“That’s compounded by the fact that you have a significant number of Baby Boomers retiring. You have a high need for new staff members, but you don’t have as many people entering the profession as you did before. It’s extremely unfortunate.”

Westside, like Ralston, has been able to consistently fill openings over the last decade.

Westside Community Schools Intro to Education student Lucy Kupka works with a preschool student at Pacific Heights Early Childhood Center earlier this school year as part of the district’s program to grow educators.

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NCSA TODAY WINTER 2020

How did we get here? Well, that discourse surrounding that question is vast and boundless enough to carry a year’s worth of magazine reports. In short, the teacher shortage is the result of no one particular factor.

Misconceptions don’t help. If salary is a put-off for prospective teachers, then advocates for the profession need to do a better job of promoting advantages that come with the job, such as benefits and the job security. And, most importantly notes Rupprecht, the ability to make meaningful differences in the lives of children.

“Teaching has a lot to offer, and I think people sometimes fail to recognize all of the opportunities and intangible benefits,” he said. “They focus on the bottom line. And that’s not why you should want to go into education. You should go into education to make a difference in the life of a child.”

Dr. Schonewise stressed the need to place importance on the profession and public education. Teaching is an extremely important line of work-perhaps one of the most important-and it’s time to treat it as such.

“We need to make that position as respected as it should be,” said Schonewise.

At Westside and Ralston, and across the state, school districts are taking it upon themselves to make sure that’s the case.

T E A C HE R S HORTAG E Taking Back the Teacher Pipeline

If it weren’t for a word count cap, this segment, in which we cover the different programs put in place at these two metro districts to take back the teacher pipeline could go on for pages.

Ralston’s innovative Three-Year Mentoring Program, for example, is worthy of its own feature story. Designed to ensure the top level of success for new teachers, the program pairs two new staff members with a veteran educator each year.

RPS has a nice mix of new and seasoned educators, said Rupprecht, helping to make the mentor model an annual success.

The mentor helps first-year teachers with what Rupprecht calls the “nuts and bolts” of education, and, on a deeper level, engages their mentee in a cognitive coaching process that dissects challenges and new experiences with an identification of resources. First-year educators become problem solvers.

In the second and third years of the mentoring program, support is provided through instructional coaches from the same field or same building. The coaches are there for idea-bouncing, instructional suggestions and common support. Retention is the bottom line.

“We really do make sure that teachers are going to have a really solid first three years in our district,” said Dr. Rupprecht, who added that the program is modified every year based on feedback. “What we also try to do in that program is mine the knowledge of new teachers, because that’s something in education we don’t do enough of.”

Westside is known throughout the metro for its superb career academy model, which, in collaboration with Educators Rising, includes a Teacher Academy. The district also has a “Grow Your Own” program called Students Teaching and Returning, or STAR, which encourages graduates to come back after graduating college to teach where they learned.

“We’re trying to get ahold of those folks who have been in our teacher academy or who have shown an interest in wanting to be a teacher and looking at how we can support them while they’re in college,” said Schonewise.

“We’re reaching out and keeping them in our pipeline and then, hopefully, giving ourselves the opportunity to hire them when they are ready.”

Westside has partnered with Omaha Public Schools and Midland University to implement a two-year Para-to-Teacher program. While the district’s Teacher Academy does aim to grow

Westside High School student Elnora (EJ) Brinson was one of the Intro to Education students in Ms. Beth Cosentino’s class to work with young preschoolers in the district.

teachers for their own district, the goal is to grow teachers for the state of Nebraska.

“We’re passionate about public education, and if we’re not advocating for it, then who is?” asked Schonewise.

Ralston has several other programs geared towards guiding prospective teachers in the right direction, too. The district’s Leadership Academy, for example, aims to grow leaders, as the name suggests.

“We do a lot to encourage our staff to take on more challenging assignments because we want them to take great satisfaction in their work,” said Rupprecht. “The Leadership Academy helps them push their thinking in terms of what it is that leaders do to make sure that all students can be successful.”

Additionally, Ralston Public Schools is one of the few districts to offer a tuition reimbursement-12 hours or, in the enhanced program, 18 hours or half of a master’s program-for teachers interested in obtaining any degree in education.

“We’ve got a lot of students interested in taking AP and dual-enrollment classes, and we really want those subjects to be taught, as much as possible, by content area experts,” explained Rupprecht. “We want our staff members to have that depth of understanding, because it’s going to be beneficial to the students.”

Like Westside, Ralston has a system in place through the Ralston Educators Program that encourages students to come back to teach in the district. Both Schonewise and Rupprecht mentioned familiarity with district climate as a way to boost culture.

Searching for Subs

The two districts work hand-in-hand to amend the shortage in substitute teachers that exists through the Select Sub Program, where a cohort of 10-12 individuals is hired each semester and then rotated between the two districts every three weeks.

Continued on page 6 >>

WINTER 2020 NCSA TODAY

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TEACH E R S HO R TA G E “It’s great for us because we have people that we can assign, at all times, where we need them the most,” said Alice Dahir, who works in Human Resources for Westside Community Schools. “It’s worked really well. Many of our select subs have gone on to be hired in our district or somewhere else.”

Substitutes in the program are guaranteed work five days per week, like a full-time teacher, and receive a bevy of incentives, such as a daily paycheck, a paid snow day, technology and professional development opportunities.

“The great thing about the model is that these teachers are coming back to the same buildings over and over again,” said Rupprecht. “The building principals really have an opportunity to see who they are and what they have to offer as a professional. It’s kind of like having a six-month job interview. It’s been wildly successful.”

So much so that approximately 30 percent of vacancies in Ralston Public Schools are filled by former Select Subs. Both districts keep an eye out for candidates with exceptional teaching abilities.

“We look for people who are comfortable with ambiguity and are able to change and adapt on the fly,” said Rupprecht.

“We look for individuals who can quickly build relationships with kids, and can quickly establish a positive classroom environment.”

If they’re able to display a knack for such, and if they join the Ralston staff, then they usually fit right in.

“Our educators are relentless advocates for students, and do whatever they possibly can to help students find success,” said Rupprecht. “We have some very diverse student populations here in our district, and we want to make sure we are doing everything in our power so that every one of those students can be successful. We want to take them as far as we can possibly take them.”

The same can be said for Westside.

“We have outstanding educators in our district, and one of the things we do when we go through our selection process is identify candidates who have the same passions and skills that align up with our mission, vision and goals,” said Schonewise. ■

Westside Intro to Education students work with stations of Pacific Heights Early Childhood Center preschoolers to gain classroom experience.

Dr. Mark Adler Honored as Superintendent of the Year Dr. Mark Adler (Ralston Public Schools) received the award for 2019-20 NASA Superintendent of the Year at the State Education Conference in downtown Omaha.

Dr. Adler, who is currently serving as President of NASA, has been an NCSA member for 24 years. He is currently in his seventh year as superintendent of Ralston Public Schools.

In his letter of recommendation, Jaden Walls, a 2019 graduate of Ralston High School, said Dr. Adler is “someone who is constantly trying to make our school district better with every second he has.”

“Passion and the willingness to never settle is what I see when I look at Dr. Adler,” Walls wrote. “There is nobody in this world that I think deserves this honor more than Dr. Adler.” ■

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NCSA TODAY WINTER 2020

PRO MO T ING O UR S CHOOL S

The Power of Storytelling: NPSA Update

By TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist

To tell the truth, we never will. And that’s why I’m thankful for you.

It’s been quite a journey, complete with summer camps, solar eclipses, time capsules and cannulated steers. Half marathons, science fairs, therapy ponies and some of the most incredibly inspiring students and educators you’ll ever find.

I’m grateful to tell your stories because it’s important for people to read them. Speaking of stories, maybe one has came to mind while reading this. Pass it along by emailing me at news@ncsa.org or filling out the story request form on the NPSA website!

If you’re reading this, it means the Holiday Season has come and gone, and you’re geared up for another semester with recharged batteries and a few new pairs of snazzy dress socks, colorful ties or whatever wardrobe booster stuffed your stocking.

As I’m writing this, Thanksgiving is a few days away, because that’s how deadlines work, and, in between the deep-fried Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, dumplings and kraut (shout out to me for marrying into a Czech family), it’s the time of year where we are supposed to reflect on everything we’re thankful for.

At the State Education Conference in downtown Omaha, I was able to present with the NCSA Ambassadors on the importance of promoting the wonderful things happening in our public schools. For more than three years, I’ve told your stories on the Nebraska Public School Advantage (NPSA) website. That day, I was given the chance to help tell ours.

We padded half of the chairs in Room 212 with brochures, handouts and stat sheets. If we could draw that many people, well, then, it’d be a success. An hour later, the room was packed. Standing room only. And, after the session, I took a trip down Memory Lane.

I thought back to the first introduction I wrote in this magazine three years ago. While I was excited for the opportunity, I was a newbie to the world of education and questioned a few things. Would I be able to find enough stories? Would you be willing to share them? Would people want to read them? That was a big one.

Three years and 175 feature stories later, and I don’t have any of those questions anymore. I stepped into a storyteller’s goldmine, and we haven’t yet scratched the surface.

Speaking of the NCSA Ambassadors, I’m grateful to be able to work with Kyle McGowan, Dr. Keith Rohwer and Dr. Cinde Wendell. Their guidance and expertise as retired school administrators has been a tremendous resource along the way.

If you haven’t had them out to present at your school district, then put that on your to-do list this semester.

I’m grateful to be a part of such an impactful program and to be able to work in flying support of I Love Public Schools, a wonderful group of filmmakers who make such a difference with their films. If you haven’t yet seen the first two episodes of The Mind Inside, then you must.

I remember Administrators’ Days 2017, standing in front of a breakout session with Brittany from I Love Public Schools

NCSA Communications Specialist Tyler Dahlgren visits with Shickley seniors Regan Alfs (left) and Alyssa Nolt (right) during a Nebraska Public School Advantage story assignment in late September.

Continued on page 8 >>

WINTER 2020 NCSA TODAY

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LE GI S LA T UR E

Property Tax Issue, Ballot Measures Make for Uncertainty Heading into Session

By TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist For another legislative session, stakeholders in public education will be closely monitoring discussions around property tax reform and subsequent effects on school funding. The two have been long-linked, so there’s nothing out of the ordinary there.

However, with a petition measure proposing to issue an income tax credit to property owners in the amount of 35 percent of property taxes paid during each taxable year circulating in the balance, the session is approaching in a precarious manner.

John Hansen, President of Nebraska Farmers Union since 1990, said the petition measure is a result of growing frustration over the lack of movement on addressing the long-standing property tax issue.

“That petition drive gets its legs from folks who have given up hope that the legislature has the political courage and resolve necessary to deal with the over-use of property taxes to fund K-12 education,” said Hansen, who foresees problems in language and structure down the road if the drive were to come to fruition. “It is very complicated. We’ll be pressed by our members to move in that direction, and they’ll say ‘Yes, it’s flawed, but it’s better to do something rather than nothing. Let’s force the issue.’”

Such tax credits would result in a massive hole in the state budget, and could force the legislature to boost reform efforts. However, that’s a risky proposition at best, given the consequent long-term repercussions.

“Given what’s going on with economic hardships and agriculture, which is now in Year Seven, there’s an enormous need to address the property tax issue,” he said. “You have a substantial number of rural senators, and some others, who believe the only way to get property tax relief is to reduce spending. We’ve come full-circle and are now asking the question again: Is this primarily the result of a spending problem, or is it the result of a funding problem? Nebraskans United is in firm belief that it is a funding problem, so the ballot issue at hand is not our preferred way of forcing the issue.”

Adding another element to the discussions surrounding property tax reform is a positive revenue forecast. OpenSky Policy Institute Executive Director Renee Fry predicts a bit of a free-for-all scenario when it comes to claiming the forecasted $100 million on the floor for the second year of the biennium.

“You could pass permanent tax changes and permanent spending increases using that $100 million, because it only

The Power of Storytelling: NPSA Update (continued from page 7) and talking about the importance of sharing YOUR stories. Man, you listened.

It’s impossible to log in to Twitter Monday through Friday without having my timeline swarmed with glimpses into your hallways and your classrooms.

your district, I used to say, but the more I think about it, you ARE the narrative.

This is a way of controlling the narrative surrounding

The narrative is powerful and speaks for itself. I’m grateful for that. ■

NCSA Communications Specialist Tyler Dahlgren takes in the solar eclipse with students from S-E-M School while on a story assignment for NPSA.

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NCSA TODAY WINTER 2020

Your students, and the remarkable things they accomplish every day, ARE the narrative. The relationships I write about throughout the year, the teacher who fills a food pantry on his or her own dime or the students who visit the nursing home every spring and fill Easter Eggs with candy while putting a smile on every resident’s face, that’s the narrative.

LE GISL ATURE has to be balanced for the current biennium,” Fry said. “We expect to see some plans that will use that money into the future, whether the revenue actually materializes or not.”

Because the forecast is rarely spot on, and because it has been repeatedly high over the last 12 years (by $400 million in one year and $290 million in another, for example), Fry recommends surveying the surplus with caution.

“What we should be doing, and what we have done previously when we’ve had revenue come in above forecast, is use it to build up the cash reserve,” Fry explained. “We really need to be focused on building that cash reserve back up.

In fact, the $161 million in the current fiscal year will automatically go into the cash reserve unless there is a bill to use that revenue.”

This led our discussion with Fry to LB 289, which carried over to the 2020 session after it was left pending at the end of last session. The Revenue Committee bill attempted to provide property tax relief and restructure how schools are funded without altering the current “needs” formula.

“LB 289 continues to be the vehicle, but what it’s going to look like is unclear at this point,” said Fry, who doesn’t see the bill making it to the finish line if it’s structured similar to the way it was in 2019, which will be determined by the Revenue Committee, and will come into clearer focus as the session draws nearer.

“Is it going to go back to that basic bill that was stranded and parked out on the floor? Or are they going to try to take the input they received and go back to the drawing board to come up with an alternative?” Hansen said of LB 289, which was the subject of a nearly seven-hour joint hearing held by the three Legislative Committees in April. “On the question of additional spending limits, there’s a lot of schools that have major heartburn over that, especially the larger schools.”

Adding additional caps on top of the existing limits currently in place, if it were to remain a provision in the bill, is problematic.

“On the revenue side, they’re all over the board, from capturing the expanded sales tax revenue, to giving up all of the sales tax revenue,” Hansen said. “The one thing that is clear to a lot of us is that there needs to be a mix of both income and sales tax revenue.”

At this point in the property tax discussion, said Fry, it’s unclear whether the projected surplus revenue will be used to reform education finance or be deposited into the property

"The future of Nebraska depends on a quality education system being in place. One which is adequately funded and able to prepare kids, both rural and urban. Nebraska Farmers Union and many other agricultural organizations feel that way, too."

— John Hansen, President of Nebraska Farmer's Union

tax credit program. It’s definitely something school districts should pay close attention to.

“There’s a big risk for some revenue volatility due to tax incentive programs. And, as the education community is acutely aware, anytime there is revenue volatility, the first thing on the chopping block is funding for TEEOSA,” Fry said. “With the incentives, we’re really trying to make sure that there are fiscal protections in place. If we’re funding incentives, but then have to cut funding for K-12 and higher education, we’re sort of cutting off our nose to spite our face in terms of economic development. We want to make sure that there’s an appropriate balance there and that we’re not having to cut one to fund another, because K-12 and higher education are both really important to businesses and to our economic growth in the state.”

"The future of Nebraska," said Hansen, "depends on a quality education system being in place. One which is adequately funded and able to prepare kids, both rural and urban," for what he calls a very challenging future. "Nebraska Farmers Union and many other agricultural organizations feel that way, too. With shared interests, education and agriculture are stronger working together," he said.

“By virtue of the fact that we’ve been working together, we’ve prevented counterproductive legislative approaches from going forward,” Hansen said. “There’s different ways to look at success. Sometimes success is remedy, and sometimes success is damage that didn’t happen because you were constructively and effectively engaged.” ■

WINTER 2020 NCSA TODAY

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knowledge is opportunity

Improve outcomes for all learners.

At Cognia, this is our mission. Our passion. And as educators, we share this passion with you—and fuel it with knowledge.

Cognia is a global nonprofit that has the knowledge to help schools, systems, and states connect the dots between school and student performance, to create better outcomes for all.

cognia.org/NENCSA Š 2019 Cognia, Inc. All rights reserved.

FILM REVI EW

Sincere and Honest, “The Mind Inside: Episode Two” is an Important Watch

By TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist

guides the subjects through honest conversations that can be extremely difficult to have, is that perspective, an extension of self-worth, can be lost, or even worse, warped.

The film focuses on cyber bullying and carefully handles the delicate topic of teenage suicide. Students share a glimpse into what life is like for a young person in 2019. For older viewers, it’s an exploration into a world that didn’t exist 30, 20 or even 10 years ago.

For younger viewers, the episode provides a chance to connect. Students share experiences on-screen, and their willingness to do so will undoubtedly influence those who see the film to do the same.

Ralston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Adler shares the powerful story of his son Reid, who took his own life in January, 2016 at the age of 15 after an embarrassing photo led to months of online intimidation. Those heartbreaking events led to the #BeKind movement, which has swept schools across the metro and throughout the state.

EPISODE 2

AVAILABLE ONLINE OCTOBER 11 | iloveps.org FEATURING

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS of: MILLARD OMAHA RALSTON WILBER-CLATONIA MARK ADLER, D.Ed STACY ATHOW JEFF BOSTIC, MD JASON JACKSON BILL JELKIN BETH MCGRATH CAMMIE WELAND

TheMindInsideEP2_FilmPoster.indd 5

9/16/19 11:10 AM

“You swipe past it, but does that swipe the feeling away?”

In the second episode of The Mind Inside, the filmmakers from I Love Public Schools take viewers on an eye-opening trip down the digital highway present-day students travel along every day.

The 30-minute episode examines the inescapable pressures that come with living in a digital world, where an image is created, maintained, and often manipulated. Students talk candidly of the unavoidable stress to be perfect that’s placed on their shoulders from the moment they create their first Instagram account.

Director of School Counseling Stacy Athow, with teachers Beth McGrath, Cammie Weland and Jason Jackson, revisit the morning after the tragedy. Their accounts are moving, heart-wrenching, and illustrate the importance of awareness when it comes to cyber bullying.

“I think from that moment on, I always wanted to create an environment where my students will always know I love them,” Weland says in the film.

Each professional interviewed by Nellson/Barrett shared, with an unbelievable openness, a mindful outlook on an ever-evolving topic. The students featured in the film do the same, with genuineness.

For 30 minutes, I Love Public Schools takes us into a young person's world, a place far more complex now than it was then.

It’s an imperative perspective to gain. ■

They share their stories with vulnerability. As a viewer, you can feel it. Their experiences are shared. And what we learn throughout the episode, as Director Sally Nellson/Barrett

WINTER 2020 NCSA TODAY

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AF F I LI A T E L EAD ER S H I P

An Educator's Gift

By ERIN HEINEMAN, NASBO President

My educational background is strictly financial, having both undergraduate and master’s degrees in business-related fields. In college (though that was a long time ago!), I remember learning solely about job opportunities in the corporate world. Though there may have been an elective or two in non-profit manHeineman agement, public education finance was not an advertised career pathway. Even if I had known it was a job prospect, it would not been my chosen field anyway. Though I worked as a preschool teacher throughout college, I was fully aware that a career in a human-services or education-related profession would not be a long-term choice for me. I’ve always been better with numbers and other things black and white and not so good with people or shades of grey or anything that can’t be divided into neat little categories.

learn from many great educators. These educators, called principals, teachers, para professionals, secretaries, school nurses, cooks, bus drivers, and custodians, may have a singular job title, but each serve many different roles. Their work does not end when the bell rings and they continuously rise to meet the challenge of their profession every day.

Most anyone who has any tie whatsoever to education will acknowledge that education has changed drastically in the last half century. The role of schools has changed. Educators are no longer responsible for just reading, writing, and math. Educators work daily to fulfill students’ basic needs from meals to providing emotional support as students cope with traumatic circumstances. Many secondary schools now have washers and dryers in the building so students can wear clean clothes to school. Every day, educators deal with situations that break their hearts.

Now, being a veteran (read: old!) in the field of school business, I cannot imagine a career in any other domain. Through this profession, I have had the opportunity to work with and

I have come to appreciate the compassion, caring and overwhelming concern for others that educators possess. Educators wear their hearts on their sleeves. Educators are not only caregivers in the classroom, they are caregivers for the community. They are coaches who raise money to purchase a new bike for a disabled community volunteer. Educators volunteer their time after school working on family engagement and outreach programs. Educators spend weekends helping families find housing resources when apartment buildings get condemned. They are bus drivers who recognize a family trying to make ends meet and purchase Halloween costumes so the students can enjoy trick-or-treating.

Educators are people who, never mind if it’s blizzarding outside and school is cancelled, still spend an afternoon delivering Thanksgiving meals to less fortunate families in the community.

Thanksgiving Meals ready to be donated to families in the community.

By the time this edition of NCSA Today goes to print, we will be well into the holiday season. This season, without a doubt, brings the enjoyment of a few snow days and a long winter break for educators and students alike. However, this time of year also brings a special type of worry for school staff. Though “on break” from school, educators never stop thinking about their students. They worry about students having proper winter gear: coats, boots, gloves, hats, and socks required to make it through Nebraska winters. They worry about homeless students and students living in homes where heat and electricity are not guaranteed. Although educators enjoy time off, they worry about students who are home alone and who don’t have the regular breakfast, lunch,

I lucked into my first job in school finance without even knowing what school finance was. A product of public schools in Nebraska, I never fathomed the complex operation of a school administration building with human resources, business, communications, and executive functions supporting everything that happens in the school buildings and classrooms.

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A FFILIA T E LE A DERSHI P and after school snack provided by the school nutrition program. Many educators will spend winter break volunteering, delivering Christmas meals, and preparing to welcome back students to their classroom next semester.

In this season of hopes and wishes, it is my hope every educator knows what a gift you are to the children and the communities you serve. Your dedication and compassion do not go unnoticed. You are appreciated. You are doing the work you need to be doing, and you’re doing a good job. ■ Durham School Services bus driver receiving recognition for caring above and beyond. She purchased Halloween costumes for a family who rides her bus.

NEBRASKA Good life. Great schools.

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Nebraska has the #1 early education system in the nation!

Nebraska ranks 1 in the nation in its COMMITMENT to public education! #

Nebraska ranks # 3 ON THE ACT for those states who test 100% of students!

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6th BEST STATE for education!

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6th BEST STATE for education!

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4th Nebraska has the 4th HIGHEST graduation rate in the nation!

Nebraska ranks 2nd HIGHEST in the nation for dollars spent on instruction (65%)!

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8th BEST SCHOOL SYSTEM in the U.S.!

WINTER 2020 NCSA TODAY

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AFF I LI A T E AWAR D S

NAESP Announces Outstanding New Principal of the Year Ken Booth, Elementary Principal for Centennial Public Schools has been named Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals, New Principal of the Year for 2019-2020. Ken has been Elementary Principal for Centennial Public School since 2018. Prior to becoming a principal, Ken worked as an Assistant Principal and EL Director in York and 6-12 science teacher in Stromsburg.

Kris Elmshaeuser, Director of Student Services describes Ken’s passion for his work: “Ken hit the ground running and worked fearlessly to create a positive climate and encourage all students and staff. Ken supports ALL students. The culture he instills in all is for equitable education opportunities for all students. His motto is: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever it Takes. He is an advocate for students and continues to encourage and support excellence every minute of every day.”

Tricia Hirschfeld, Interventions Teachers, echoes Kris’s words: “Decisions made in education are based on what is best for kids. Simply stated, having Ken as principal at Centennial Elementary is best for kids. Ken makes everyone around him feel valued. He’s a good listener and asks questions that show genuine concern and interest. Ken Booth is an exceptionally experienced, committed, and insightful administrator who is committed to the profession and success of ALL learners.”

Congratulations to Ken Booth for his outstanding start as an Elementary School Principal. We appreciate his early contributions to our profession, and are proud to name him New Principal of the Year for 2019-2020. ■

NAESP Announces National Distinguished Principal From Nebraska The Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals is pleased to announce that Jill Clevenger, Principal at Kenwood Elementary, has been named this year’s National Distinguished Principal from Nebraska. Jill has been an Elementary Principal in Kearney Public School District for 15 years. Prior to her role in Kearney, Jill served as an Elementary Principal in Shelton.

Dr. Kent Edwards, Kearney Superintendent praises Jill’s work, “Jill dedicates her personal and professional time in an effort to make a positive contribution to students, teachers, or a school system. She is a positive role model for her colleagues and takes a personal interest in the vision and mission of our system.”

Jen Gibbs, a community member and parent of a student at Kenwood describes her experience, “Mrs. Clevenger runs a school that is so structured that as a parent we never have to worry about the safety and well-being of our child. I remember the first time I ate lunch with my daughter at Kenwood. Each student walked into the lunch room with so much respect and pride. They each knew exactly what was expected of them and took pride in doing it well. Mrs. Clevenger would come around that room and the kid’s eyes would light up as she praised them for their great behavior. The students love Mrs. Clevenger because she finds a personal connection with her students. She is truly a step above the rest. She takes her job so personally and she loves each student like they are her own and runs a school that is more than just that, it is a family!”

Jill’s leadership has been obvious during her career as a Principal. She has been active in Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals, even serving as President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Region IV. NAESP is extremely proud to have Jill represent our organization as NDP. She is very deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Jill! ■ 14

NCSA TODAY WINTER 2020

A FFILIA T E AWARDS

NSASSP Announces 2020 Outstanding New Principal of the Year The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Jesse Tvrdy as the 2020 Outstanding New Principal of the Year.

Ms. Tvrdy has been the Principal at Ralston High School since this past July. During this time she has implemented a new online learning platform, helped to remove his school from AQuESTT’s “Needs Improvement” status, led implementation of a new district-wide evaluation system, increased his school’s communication with the community through social media and worked to bring awareness and training around trauma informed care, inclusive practices, and cultural awareness.

Dr. Mark Adler, Superintendent of Ralston Public Schools praises Ms. Tvrdy. “Ms. Jesse Tvrdy is an excellent educator and person who continues to demonstrate outstanding leadership. I am confident that she conducts a very positive school climate that is conducive to learning. One thing is for sure, Ms. Tvrdy will never fall short in any of her duties as they relate to empathy, dedication, mentoring of students and staff, enthusiasm, willingness to learn and try new things, and an overall devotion to doing what is best. She brings positive inertia every day and makes Ralston High School a great place for students and staff.”

Congratulations to Jesse Tvrdy for her outstanding performance as a Secondary School Principal at Ralston Public Schools.

NSASSP appreciates her contributions to the profession and are proud to name her the 2020 New Principal of the Year! ■

NSASSP Announces 2020 Assistant Principal of the Year The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Jim Kasik as the 2020 Assistant Principal of the Year. This year’s recipient has served in his position of Assistant Principal and Activities Director of Schuyler Central High School since 2016.

Jim Kasik started out as an Industrial Tech Instructor and then taught dual credit courses before moving into an administrative position. Jim is a member of NCSA and NSASSP and has served on committees across the state, including the Nebraska Department of Education, and more locally in his community including being a member of the Schuyler Chamber or Commerce, Secretary of the Schuyler Athletic Booster Club and more.

According to his principal, Stephen Grammer: “Mr. Kasik has the ability to lead and has a constant enthusiasm and love for working with his fellow colleagues. He makes the best of each day and is always at school to greet you with a smile. He is a self-starting learner that any school would be honored to have.”

Craig Reha, a former student athlete and now friend, talks about Jim’s impact: “Mr. Kasik taught me to be an impactful leader, you must first lead by example, which he demonstrated by using individualized coaching methods to help us fulfill our potential. He was able to create and foster a culture of kindness, understanding, and respect.”

Congratulations to Jim Kasik, NSASSP Assistant Principal of the Year! ■

WINTER 2020 NCSA TODAY

15

E H A UP D A TE

EHA Approves Changes to PPO and High Deductible Healthcare Plans

By GREG LONG, EHA Field Representative

It is very important to review this year’s High Deductible Healthcare Plan (HDHP) to next year’s changes. You’ll see that out-of-pockets have increased in addition to the premium savings increase. For school districts that have the 5% discount premium savings, this must be given to the employee to keep your discounted rate.

Long If your district has a different PPO option other than the $1,050 please refer to www.ehaplan.org to calculate the difference in premium.

Please note the following benefit changes:

Deductibles

1. The $3,500 deductible plan will increase by $100 In-Network and $200 for Out-of-Network.

2. The family deductible increases to $7,050 In-Network and $14,100 Out-of-Network.

Out-of-Pocket Limits

1. The $1050 plan Out-of-pocket limit will increase by $250 In-Network / $500 Out-of-Network, 2X family, bringing the total Out-of-Pocket to $,4,900 In-Network / $9,800 Out-of-Network, 2X family.

2. The new $3,600 plan Out-of-Pocket limit will increase by $250 In-Network / $500 Out-of-Network, 2x family, bringing the total Out-of-Pocket to $4,250 In-Network / $12,700 Out-of-Network. The family Out-of-Pocket increases to $8,150 / $25,400 Out-of-Network.

Premium $1,050 PPO Rates Employee

Ee & Child(ren)

Ee & Spouse

Ee, Spouse & Child(ren)

$649.91

$1202.35

$1,364.82

$1,832.60

$3,600 HDHP Plan Employee

Ee & Child(ren)

Ee & Spouse

Ee, Spouse & Child(ren)

$548.34

$1,014.46

$1,151.53

$1,546.21

Monthly Premium Savings Employee

Ee & Child(ren)

Ee & Spouse

Ee, Spouse & Child(ren)

$101.57

$187.89

$213.29

$286.39

To schedule an EHA benefit meeting please contact Greg Long at greg@ehaplan.org or by phone: 402-440-9633. ■

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NCSA TODAY WINTER 2020

S POTL I G HT

Catching up with Cash-Wa’s Steve Munch

By TYLER DAHLGREN, NCSA Communications Specialist Q: How many school districts in Nebraska does Cash-Wa serve, and what sets your nutrition services apart from others?

A: We probably do business with well over half of the state of Nebraska’s 400+ School Food Authorities. We like to promote the fact that we are a Nebraska owned and operated family-based business, which sets us apart. We also make sure we have the right products and the documentation that schools need to navigate the USDA rules.

The other plus is that you have myself and Heidi Wietjes as resources. We are both Registered Dietitians and have a lot of experience with the school market!

Q: When it comes to developing a foodservice program for a school and its students, what are some of the most important considerations?

A: Really, it comes down to meeting the needs of the program. We try to be proactive on new products that are available and then also make sure we have the right information that schools need for their records. We also act as consultants to help schools with their Food Service Programs.

We not only provide for the School Food Service Program, but can also provide chemicals for the kitchen and custodial areas, paper towels and toilet paper, full line of concession items, equipment and smallwares, as well as design and buildout for kitchens. We are truly a one-stop shop for schools!

No NCSA Tailgate is complete without an appearance from the Big Red Alumni Pep Band, who stopped by the parking lot to spread some Husker cheer just a couple hours before kick-off with Ohio State.

Q: You’re a familiar face at the NCSA Tailgate each fall. How long have you been catering the event, and what makes makes it a fun day to be a part of?

A: Johna and I have done this event the last 6 years now! It is always fun to be a part of the day and make people happy with food! We typically then get to attend the game after the tailgate, so that is fun as well.

Q: Your BBQ is always a big hit at the tailgate. When did you start smoking meat, and what’s the biggest key to a delicious BBQ meal?

A: The great thing about the food is that it is all donated from Cash-Wa’s vendor partners! Companies like Hormel, Brookwood Farms, Tyson, Bush Beans, Sara Lee, Sweet Streets and others have great products that are, in a lot of cases, ready to use. They make us look good with the work already done in most cases!

Q: Year to year, you're joined by a friendly team. Who makes up that group and how important are they to a successful event?

Steve Munch (left), School Healthcare Consultant with Cash-Wa Distributing, and his team serve up some savory BBQ at the NCSA Tailgate prior to Nebraska’s game with Ohio State on Sep. 28.

A: My wife Johna and I have been involved in the NCSA Annual Tailgate for the last 6 years! It is always a great event in which we get to meet and visit with great people that are involved in the education of our state’s kids!

Continued on page 18 >>

WINTER 2020 NCSA TODAY

17

SPO T LI G H T fans of Nebraska’s schools. What makes those partnerships and interactions a great experience?

A: Cash-Wa has been a part of Nebraska schools for many, many years! We always enjoy our relationships with the schools as well as NCSA and we are a big supporter of the Nebraska School Nutrition Association and all of the Nebraska districts that have chapters in this organization.

We like to think that anyone can “pick, pack, and ship” groceries but what we believe is that our family-run, local company provides the best service and value added services to our school customers!

Typically, a couple others may help out from Cash-Wa. This year it was Heidi Wietjes, Nutrition Services Director at Cash-Wa, and her husband Craig.

Q: As a school/healthcare consultant, you get to work with our states’ school districts every day. We’re obviously big

Q: One of these years, hopefully the Big Red will grab a victory on NCSA Tailgate day. Does the BBQ taste even better after a Husker W? A: You know it always tastes better with a win! ■

NSASSP Announces 2020 Distinguished Service Award Recipient The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Eugene “Mo” Hanks as the 2020 Distinguished Service Award Recipient. Mr. Hanks started his career in education as an accounting, keyboarding, business law, programming, business math, and computer applications teacher in addition to a football, basketball, and track coach. His administrative track began as an athletic director before moving to Kimball Public Schools and taking on the secondary principalship in 2007.

A Kimball student, and Mo’s son Beau says it best: “Trust me when I say that it is not that easy to have your father be the high school principal at your school. He expects all students to give their best effort and follow the rules and I am no exception. Although I may not like being held accountable by my dad at school, he has made me a better person, just as he has all the students who have gone through the halls at Kimball Public Schools over the past 13 years. In short, he wants all the students he works with to be successful and he has done this ever since he became a principal.”

Dr. Elizabeth Owens, Kimball Superintendent was happy to sing his praises, “Not only has Mr. Hanks provided outstanding leadership as our Jr/Sr High School principal for over 12 years, he has demonstrated exceptional and successful service to high quality education throughout his school district, the local community, the panhandle region, and the state of Nebraska.”

Congratulations to Mo Hanks for being honored as the 2020 NSASSP Distinguished Service Award Winner! ■

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NCSA TODAY WINTER 2020

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Modern Images Bradley Cooper brad@champshots.com 13436 So. 217th Street Gretna, NE 68028 402-991-7786 misportsphotography.com

Cognia Shannon Vogler shannon.vogler@cognia.org 9115 Westside Parkway Alpharetta, GA 30009 888-413-3669 Ext. 5801 www.cognia.org

National Insurance Steve Ott sott@nisbenefits.com 9202 W. Dodge Road, Ste. 302 Omaha, NE 68114 800-627-3660 nisbenefits.com

D.A. Davidson & Co. Paul Grieger pgrieger@dadco.com 1111 No. 102nd Court, Ste. 300 Omaha, NE 68114 800-942-7557 davidsoncompanies.com/ficm

Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund Barry Ballou balloub@pfm.com 455 So. 11th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 402-705-0350 nlafpool.org

DLR Group Curtis Johnson cjohnson@dlrgroup.com 6457 Frances Street, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68106 402-393-4100 dlrgroup.com

Nebraska Safety Center Mick Anderson andersonmd@unk.edu West Center, 220E Kearney, NE 68849 308-865-9393 www.unk.edu/offices/safety_center

ESUCC Kraig Lofquist klofquist@esucc.org 6949 So. 110th Street Omaha, NE 68128 402-597-4866 esucc.org

OnToCollege John Baylor john@ontocollege.com P.O. Box 30792 Lincoln, NE 68503 402-475-7737 ontocollege.com

First National Capital Markets Craig Jones craigjones@fnni.com 1620 Dodge Street, Ste. 1104 Omaha, NE 68197 402-598-1218 fncapitalmarkets.com

TeamMates Mentoring Program DeMoine Adams dadams@teammates.org 6801 “O” Street Lincoln, NE 68510 877-531-8326 www.teammates.org

Horace Mann Keith Jorgensen keith.jorgensen@horacemann.com 617 Stolley Park Rd. Grand Island, NE 68801 402-290-3116 horacemann.com

TRANE Dave Raymond dave.raymond@trane.com 11937 Portal Road La Vista, NE 68128 402-452-7762 trane.com/omaha

Humanex Ventures Angelina Cunning angelina.cunning@humanexventures.com 2900 So. 70th Street, Ste. 100 Lincoln, NE 68506 402-486-1102 humanexventures.com

UNANIMOUS Matt O'Gorman matt@beunanimous.com 8600 Executive Woods, Ste. 300 Lincoln, NE 68512 402-423-5447 beunanimous.com

SILVER SPONSORSHIP Awards Unlimited Tim Moravec tmoravec@awardsunlimited.com 360 SW 27th Street Lincoln, NE 68522 800-950-3553 www.awardsunlimited.com Renaissance Heather Miller heather.miller@renaissance.com 2911 Peach Street Wisconsin Rapids, WI 55494 800-338-4204 ext. 4712 www.renaissance.com Software Unlimited, Inc. Corey Atkinson caa@su-inc.com 5015 S. Broadband Lane Sioux Falls, SD 57108 605-361-2073 su.inc.com

BRONZE SPONSORSHIP Kearney Visitors Bureau Sarah Focke sfocke@visitkearney.org PO Box 607 Kearney, NE 68848 800-652-9435 visitkearney.org University of Nebraska High School Amy Moline amoline@nebraska.edu 206 South 13th Street, Suite 800 P.O. Box 880226 Lincoln, NE 68588 402-472-1922 highschool.nebraska.edu

PRSRT STD. U. S. POSTAGE PAID LINCOLN, NE PERMIT NO. 951

Nebraska Council of School Administrators 455 So. 11th Street, Suite A • Lincoln, NE 68508-2105 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY Jan 25 & Feb 1

Emerging Administrators – NCSA – Lincoln

FEBRUARY February 6 – 7

NASES Legislative Action & SPED Personnel Shortage Workshop – Cornhusker – Lincoln

MARCH March 11

GRIT – Cornhusker Marriott – LincolnAPRIL

APRIL April 15 – 17

NASBO State Convention – Holiday Inn – Kearney

April 23 – 24

NASES Spring Conference – ESU #13 – Scottsbluff

*Region meeting dates can be found on the NCSA website.

NATIONAL CONVENTION DATES AASA – February 13-15, 2020 – San Diego, CA

ASCD – July 12-14, 2020 – Louisville, KY

ASCD – March 14-16, 2020 – Los Angeles, CA

ASBO – October 2-5, 2020 – Nashville, TN

NASSP – July 7-9, 2020 – National Harbor, MD