BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 September 18, Wednesday)
Don Harrold, Writer / Editor with Aimee Cothran
blairtoday@mail.com – Facebook
The Blair Community Schools Board of Education held their monthly meeting on September 16, 2024, addressing several key issues including budget approval, curriculum updates, and facility improvements.
Budget Highlights:
- $2 million increase in the general fund
- $1,500 base pay raise for teachers
- New Masters plus 45 pay scale step added
- Increased extracurricular pay for teachers
- Property tax levy decreased from $0.845 to $0.77 per $100 valuation
Despite the budget increases, local homeowners may see a decrease in their school property taxes. A home valued at $100,000 could see a $718 reduction in property taxes. However, rising property values may offset some of this decrease.
Curriculum Update: The district’s reading task force is considering the Amplified CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) curriculum. The task force plans to make a final recommendation to the board either late this year or early next year.
Facility Improvements:
- A new $56,320 intercom system for all schools, with an annual charge of $8,250
- $17,578 for door fobs and cameras at the BCAT (Blair Center for Automotive Technology) building
- Window shades for enhanced lockdown security, with Deerfield Elementary’s cost at $5,975
The board revisited complaints about skylights in the high school gym affecting volleyball players. Coach Jess Lansman expressed concerns about how the bright sunlight streaming through the skylights affects volleyball practices, particularly on Saturdays. The excessive light creates visibility challenges for players, especially setters who need to look up to accurately set the ball.
The meeting also saw the approval of the 2025-26 school calendar and acceptance of several donations, including $15,000 worth of equipment from Precision Machine of Omaha for the Blair High School precision machine program.
Other approved items included:
- FBLA trip to Columbus, Ohio from November 7-10, 2024
- Blair High Sparx dance team competition on November 3, 2024, at Millard North High School
- $1,000 grant from Pacific Life Foundation for teacher training, technology, and textbooks
- $1,000 donation from Sid Dillon Chevy Sports Sponsorship for Blair dance team trip to National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Florida
District Updates and Resource Management
The board addressed several operational matters during the meeting. A recent surplus sale netted $2,297.33 for the district, demonstrating efforts to manage resources efficiently.
Facility improvements continue across the district. New kitchen equipment has been installed at Arbor Park Elementary and Otte Middle School. The board is also exploring a unified locking system for all schools. As Mr. Steinbeck explained, “The plan would include installing classroom door handles that stay locked from the inside and can only be keyed open from the outside.”
In transportation news, the district has already purchased one regular bus and one special education bus with air conditioning for this year. Plans are in place to continue this trend, with Tyler Siecke preparing to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for one new 71-passenger bus and one new 26-passenger Special Education bus, both featuring air conditioning.
The proposed new intercom system, while costly at $56,320 with an annual charge of $8,250, offers technological advantages. As reported, “With the Cloud service, schools can easily change the bell schedule from any device with minimal on-site maintenance. Also, the software will automatically update to the latest version.”
Lastly, the board discussed a tuition assistance program to reimburse certificated employees up to $2,500 per year for continuing education in specific areas. Dr. Gilson noted, “This benefit will expire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year,” and expressed a desire to review the program to ensure it targets certifications in high-demand areas.
