DISTRICT OR-1 BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
SUMMARY OF MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2022 MEETING
Download Supporting Documents Below:
District OR-1 Strategic Poster
August 8. 2022 BOE Meeting Summary Update
Approved a work agreement for Mrs. Madison Hanau as the Science Teacher at Palmyra High School for the first semester of the 2022-2023 school year.
Appointed Mr. Tim Cheney as a new board member replacing Mrs. Lisa Wilen who resigned from the board effective July 11th, 2022. Mr. Cheney’s appointed board term will run from August 8th, 2022 to January 13th, 2025. We welcome Mr. Cheney to the board and we greatly appreciate the talents and experience he will bring to the district.
Discussed the Special Bond Election coming up on Tuesday, August 9th. We sincerely thank all of our district registered voters for their participation in the election process!
Provided an update on the district Activities Committee. This committee (led by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Hoeft) will meet again on Monday, August 15th at 5:00 p.m. at the high school. Committee members and the purpose of the committee are listed in the current Superintendent’s Report for this month. Thanks to all committee members for their work!
Approved changes to Board Policy #5103: Extracurricular Activities. The approved changes deal with aligning student consequences for drug testing violations and administrative disciplinary actions. Additional questions on this topic can be addressed to Mr. Hoeft (Activities Director) or Mr. Johnson (High School Principal).
Approved changes to Board Policy #5306: Student Drug Testing. The approved changes deal with revised consequences for a student testing positive on a school approved (and administered) random drug test. Additional questions on this topic can be addressed to Mr. Hoeft (Activities Director) or Mr. Johnson (High School Principal).
Received committee updates on the following topics: Transportation, Strategic Planning, Facilities, Committee on American Civics, and the Olson Complex.
Discussed the continued student enrollment growth in the district. Enrolled student numbers as of August 9th, 2022 were 404 elementary students at Bennet (Pre K-5) and 314 students (6-12) at Palmyra High School. This total number of 718 students represents a 57 student or 8.6% increase over the last year.
Discussed property valuations being finalized on August 20th and the upcoming Joint Public Budget Hearing in Syracuse on Monday, September 26th beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 12th, 2022. The budget and tax request hearings will start at 6:45 p.m. Please note that the regular board meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. (or immediately following the public hearings) at Palmyra High School in the media center
More information is available at https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Organization/174
On behalf of the Board of Education, we would like to personally thank our district patrons for their input and participation in the bond election process.
Although a wide variety of perspectives will continue to exist about how to best move forward, please know that our staff and the Board of Education are resolute in their commitment to providing the best educational opportunities possible for our students and families. We will continue to do our best to effectively meet the current and future challenges that we encounter and celebrate the successes and accomplishments of our students, families, staff, and the District OR-1 community.
We greatly appreciate our patrons’ collective voice and support of our school district, and we are excited to get to work effectively managing these resources to best serve our students and families.
Please find the most current handbooks below.
2022-2023 Bennet Elementary Handbook
2022_2023 Palmyra High School Student Handbook
Interested applicants may obtain an application from the office of the superintendent. These positions will be open until filled. Contact Michael Hart at 402-780-5327, or e-mail at hart.mic@districtor1.net with any questions. E.O.E
District OR1 is now hiring for Kitchen Support, Servers, and Cook/Baker. Click HERE to download application for support personnel
===========================================================================
District OR1 is now hiring a high school FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES teacher. Click HERE to download description
CLICK HERE to Download the Job Description for Bus Driver / Elementary Custodian
Click HERE to download application for Guidance
Click HERE to download job description for PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Click HERE to download job description for EARLY CHLIDHOOD
District OR1 is now hiring a 5-12 BAND TEACHER. CLICK HERE to Download the Job Description
District OR1 is now hiring an ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM teacher. CLICK HERE to Download the Job Description for District OR-1: Elementary Teacher
District OR1 is now hiring a high school SPECIAL EDUCATION teacher. Click HERE to download description
Click HERE to download application for teachers/certified staffing
District OR1 Weekly
(Bennet Elementary and Palmyra High School) News
-----------------------------------------------------
Parents if you logged into Powerschool yesterday the classroom teachers listed for students were temporary placements and are not finalized. These can and may be changed at anytime. Thank you. Linde Walter
New logins for Powerschool will be created the first week of school. Please contact the Bennet office if you would like to be placed on the list.
July 21, 2022
Download Supporting Document HERE
Dear Otoe County Palmyra OR-1 School District Voter,
The Lancaster County Election Commissioner recently sent early voting ballots to Lancaster County and Otoe County registered voters for the August 9, 2022, Palmyra School District (OR-1) School Bond Election. On July 21, 2022, it came to the Lancaster County Election Commissioner’s attention that early voting ballots sent to both Lancaster and Otoe County registered voters contained the acknowledgement that the person who would fill out the ballot is a registered Lancaster County voter. Voters in Otoe County expressed concern about this acknowledgement, and the Election Commissioner conferred with the Nebraska Secretary of State about this issue.
The Lancaster County Election Commissioner concluded that votes from registered voters in Otoe County are valid despite the acknowledgement that the voter is a registered Lancaster County voter. The acknowledgment will not invalidate any Otoe County Voter’s ballot.
Registered voters in Otoe County may sign where specified on the “Identification Envelope & Voter’s Oath”, and they WILL NOT be guilty of election falsification. Otoe County voters may strikethrough “Lancaster” and write in “Otoe” if they desire as well.
As a reminder, ballots must be received by the Lancaster County Election Commissioner no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Sincerely,
David J Shively
Election Commissioner
Click the following links to download the newsletters in PDF format.
-------------------------------
-----------------------------
----------------------
----------------------
----------------------
____________
-------------------
------------------
Download Related Document Here:
District OR-1 Board Vacancy Application Form, Basic Qualifications, and Job Description. Updated July 12, 2022
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRICT OR-1 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
APPLICATION for APPOINTED BOARD Of EDUCATION MEMBER:
July 12, 2022
● Applications are DUE: Not later than 4:00 PM., Friday, July 22nd, 2022
○ Applications will be accepted up to (and including) Friday, July 22, 2022, at 4:00 p.m.
○ Applications can be mailed or delivered to:
■ Brandon Desh, President of the Board of Education:
District OR-1 Public Schools, 425 F. Street, Palmyra, NE 68418.
● Application forms are available to pick up: Palmyra High School: Superintendent Office
425 F. Street, Palmyra, NE 68418
● Please deliver the completed application to: Palmyra High School: Superintendent Office
425 F. Street, Palmyra, NE 68418
● Thank you for your interest in the Board of Education!
● If you have additional questions, please contact our school office at (402) 780-5327.
Applicant Information:
Name:__________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
Phone #: ___________________________ E-Mail Address:_______________________
1. Are you a resident of the OR-1 Public School District? [ ] Yes [ ] No
2. Are you a registered voter? [ ] Yes [ ] No
3. Why do you want to be a member of the District OR-1 Board of Education?
4. As a board member, what qualities would you bring to the leadership team?
5. What is your vision for this school district in the next three to five years?
6. What public service have you provided to the community, such as teaching, coaching, church
groups, scouts, volunteering, etc.?
7. Do you believe you will have sufficient time to dedicate to the work of the board? Explain.
8. How do you plan to become more knowledgeable and engaged with the activities and
operations of the school district?
9. What strategies would be helpful for the board to facilitate communication with our patrons in
the district? How can we best capture what all of our stakeholder groups are thinking?
________________ _____________________
Signature Date of Application
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
District OR-1: Home of the Panthers!
School Board Member Qualifications:
NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-543. School board member; qualifications:
● No person shall file for office, be nominated or elected, or serve as a member of a school board in
any class of school district unless he or she is a legal voter in such district.
● Under the Nebraska Constitution § XV-2. Official in default as collector and custodian of public
money or property; disqualification; felon disqualified
● No person who is in default as collector and custodian of public money or property shall be
eligible to any office of trust or profit under the constitution or laws of this state.
● No person convicted of a felony shall be eligible to any such office unless he shall have been
restored to civil rights.
NEB. REV. STAT. § 29-113. Felon of other states; disqualified as juror or officeholder; right to vote
● Any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of any other state shall be deemed
incompetent to be a juror or to hold any office of honor, trust, or profit within this state unless
such person has been restored to civil rights under the laws of the state in which the felony was
committed.
● Any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of any other state is not qualified
to vote until two years after such person has completed his or her sentence, including any parole
term.
NEB. REV. STAT. § 79-544. School board members; contract to teach prohibited
● No member of a school board shall be engaged in a contract to teach pursuant to sections 79-817
to 79-821 with the school district, which he or she serves as a board member.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
District OR-1 Board of Education Member
General Job Description
Job Description:
● Provide leadership to ensure the district provides the best possible educational programs and services for all
students of the school district. Ensure that the district’s vision, mission, and goals for improvement are
reviewed and updated regularly and that they are consistently reflected in the leadership team’s decisions.
Establish policies consistent with the district’s vision, mission, goals, as well as all applicable laws, rule,
and regulations. Hire the superintendent and utilize a fair and comprehensive process of evaluation to hold
him/her accountable for all facets of district performance.
Job Requirements:
● Registered voter in the school district
Reports to:
● Community
Supervises:
● Superintendent
Performance Responsibilities:
● The job responsibilities of the Board of Education include the ability to function effectively in each of the
following areas:
Board Relations /Superintendent
● Hire and evaluate the Superintendent.
● Recognizes the superintendent and board must work collaboratively to function effectively as a leadership
team, while maintaining careful recognition of appropriate roles and responsibilities.
● Review and update annually the superintendent job description and evaluation instrument to reflect the role
of the Superintendent.
● Support and facilitate the work of the Superintendent.
● Maintain open and appropriate communication with the Superintendent.
● Ensure Board policy provides clear direction to the Superintendent and district staff.
● Ensure complete compliance with all state/federal laws/regulations and Board policy.
● Communicate critical issues to the Superintendent in a timely and appropriate fashion.
● Ensure that all meetings are scheduled, posted, and conducted in accordance with the Nebraska Open
Meetings Act.
● Respect the administration’s recommendations regarding staff and student disciplinary issues, taking action
only as required by policy and applicable law.
● Refer the media and other groups to the designated spokesperson (board president) to speak on board
issues.
Policy
● Ensure the policies/procedures/operational protocol/administrative guidelines and school law regulations
are carried out and promote a safe, respectful, and healthy school environment.
● Utilize a defined process to review and revise policy.
● Ensure board and administrative input when designing new policy.
Leadership
● Ensure the district mission and vision statement guide the Board’s decision making.
● Implement the district’s vision, mission, and goals collaboratively with the leadership of the superintendent
and administrators.
● Adopt annually the School Improvement Plan and review periodic progress reports.
● Collaborate with the superintendent and administrative team to annually develop short and long-range goals
for the school district.
● Adopt an Annual Calendar to include: regular goal updates, policy review/adoption, budget management,
student achievement data, legally required board actions, school improvement updates, staff/student
presentations, committee reports, superintendent evaluation, and other activities.
School Finance Planning/Management
● Work collaboratively with the superintendent and administration throughout the budget planning process to
ensure that the final budget reflects student achievement priorities.
● Participate in a series of budget related workshops to educate and sustain support for the development
(needs and priorities) and funding of the budget.
● Establish and provide expectations for the oversight of all expenditures of district funds in accordance with
the adopted budget, policy, applicable state/federal laws and regulations.
● Review and adopt the district annual audit report.
● Take action related to expenditures and/or the need to depart from the board-adopted budget/policy related
to any and all financial matters.
Curriculum and Instruction
● Monitor student achievement outcomes and hold the superintendent accountable for established student
achievement benchmarks.
● Utilize the Annual Board Calendar to ensure updates of the educational advancement of the school district.
● Review and adopt the educational programs of the school district.
● Communicate effectively with the community regarding the district’s educational programs.
Staff Development
● Foster an environment that encourages continuous learning and improvement for the board, district staff,
and administrators.
● Review and adopt an effective system of staff development focused on improving the educational and
operational programs of the district.
● Provide policy parameters to ensure staff development is planned and consistent with the district goals and
financial resources.
Communication
● Approve the district’s Annual Report to be distributed to district patrons.
● Ensure the Superintendent distributes appropriate and timely communication to all staff members following
all board meetings.
District/Community Relation:
● In cooperation with the superintendent, establish and maintain a program of public relations to ensure a
cooperative working relationship between the school district and community.
● Provide for continuous and current communications regarding school district activities, educational needs,
policy, and district challenges/successes.
● Consider the needs and perspectives of various community groups.
● Understand and uphold the proper chain of command.
● Establish a working relationship with local, state and national government officials to ensure open lines of
communication and engagement regarding educational and school district operational issues.
Personnel Management
● Establish policy standards to ensure a hiring process that complies with applicable state and federal law and
enables the district to attract the most qualified applicants.
● Ensure the administration develops and maintains job descriptions for all staff, subject to board review and
approval.
● Participate in negotiations with recognized employee bargaining groups.
● Ensure an employee grievance policy is in place outlining the employee grievance s or problems in
accordance to Board policy, collective bargaining agreements, and/or process.
● Adopt personnel policies for non-certificated staff members.
● Adopt policy to ensure administrators maintain an effective and appropriate evaluation instrument that
addresses clear performance standards for all certificated and non-certificated staff.
● In accordance with state statute conduct the Superintendent evaluation utilizing an evaluation instrument
addressing clear performance standards and goals.
Organizational Management
● Ensure the Superintendent files all reports required by state or federal law/regulations.
● Monitor the superintendent’s performance and contractual obligations.
District Facilities Management
● Study and develop district learning facilities to support student achievement.
● Collaborate with the Superintendent to implement short and long-term maintenance plans for building and
grounds, delegating duties, as appropriate.
● Maintain appropriate funding in the annual budget to support the maintenance and upkeep of facilities and
equipment throughout the district.
● Develop and adopt policies governing the use and care of district facilities and property.
● Authorize the sale of surplus property.
Download Documents Below:
July 11, 2022 BOE Update
District OR-1 Building Expansion Project Information-.June 14.2022
District OR1 Bond Resolution and Sample Ballot for Special Election. August 9, 2022
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRICT OR-1 BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
SUMMARY OF MONDAY, JULY 11, 2022 MEETING
Approved a teaching contract for Mrs. Chrissy Garris as the Art / “Learning Loss” Academic Support Teacher at Bennet Elementary School for the 2022-2023 school year.
Approved a teaching contract for Mrs. Jennifer Borg as a 5th Grade Teacher at Bennet Elementary School for the 2022-2023 school year.
Accepted the resignation of board member Lisa Wilen. District patrons interested in board service are eligible to apply for this immediate vacancy. More information about the board member vacancy selection process is available on our district website at www.districtor1.org
Community Information Meetings for the Special Bond Election coming up on Tuesday, August 9th 2022 will be held at both school buildings in the district on the following dates: Thursday, July 14th from 6:30—7:30 p.m. at Palmyra High School in the west commons and Tuesday, July 19th from 6:30—7:30 p.m. at Bennet Elementary School in the media center. All district patrons are encouraged to attend these informational meetings!
Provided an update on the district Activities Committee. This committee met for the first time on Tuesday, July 5th 2022. An explanation of the committee purpose and list of committee members is listed in the Superintendent’s Report for this month.
Approved the Palmyra Senior High Student Handbook for the 2022-2023 school year.
Approved the Certified and Classified Staff Handbooks for the 2022-2023 school year.
Held public hearings on Parental/Community Involvement in Schools (#6400) and Student Fees (#5416) policies and approved policy updates.
Reviewed 4000 and 5000 Series policies and discussed possible updates to policies #5306 (Drug Testing) and #5103 (Extracurricular Activities)
More information is available at HTTPS://MEETING.SPARQDATA.COM/PUBLIC/ORGANIZATION/174
