The Superior Express -

Members of the Superior Board of Education met virtually Monday evening. All were present.

April claims from the general fund in the amount of $520,376.23 were approved.

In addition, a contract was extended to Allison Brittenham as a secondary special education teacher. Brittenham is a Superior High School graduate. She is certified in English and the language arts. However, she will be provisionally certified as a special education instructor until she completes additional course work.

The Brittenham family recently returned to Superior. Later this year, her husband, Andrew, is slated to replace his father as manager of the Superior utilities. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lane Hawley.

A Network for Educator Effectiveness contract was approved with the University of Missouri. The contract provides an evaluation tool designed to grow educators and improve schools.

It will guide school personnel through the process of choosing three to five of 27 observable classroom indicators to focus on district wide. In-depth training for administrators will help them conduct consistent classroom observations and provide meaningful feedback to instructors.

An on-line data tool records feedback, tracks assessments and generates annual summaries.

Professional learning resources are integrated within the on-line tool for individualized development.

It includes student survey feedback on teachers and teacher survey feedback on principals.

Supt. Kobza said, “The teachers are excited about the consistent feedback it will give.”

The values of the program are as follows: students come first, genuine usefulness to teachers, coach you - not catch you, grow you - not get you and simple yet powerful.

By consensus, the board directed Supt. Kobza to plan a high school graduation exercise. Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m was selected as the date and time. Supt. Kobza will direct plans based on COVID-19 guidelines from the state. It may be held in the elementary gymnasium or on the football field. If numbers are restricted, tickets will be issued to each graduate.

Jason Jensen reported the beef committee has had five beef animals butchered. Two are waiting at the processing plant to be delivered when the school freezer has room. Brodstone Memorial Hospital needed extra space and has recently been using the school’s freezer.

Both Doug Hoins, elementary principal, and Bob Cook, secondary principal, reported on student enrollment projections. Hoins projected 184 students from kindergarten through sixth grade compared to 185 this year. Cook projected 193 seventh through 12th grade compared to 202 this year.

Both also reviewed the hours students had used Acellus, an on-line learning system over a 21-day learning period. Time per student ranged from 10.8 hours to 20.5 hours for elementary students. Junior - senior high student average hours ranged from 13.9 hours to 29 hours.

Hoins said, “Four students have completed 300 Acellus lessons, 21 students have completed at least 200 lessons and 53 students have completed at least 100 lessons.”

Acellus has been used for math, science and social studies instruction along with several other on-line resources since students have had to be at home because of COVID-19.

During the shutdown period, personnel at school have been moving classrooms. As much as room allows, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students will have classes in the west wing. The preschool has been moved to the elementary building as part of the formation of a middle school.

Cook hopes to have an open house for students and their parents before school opens to tour classrooms and meet teachers. A video will also be made to introduce families to the middle school concept.

Jason Jensen, a board members, asked what plans are being made so students can pick up their things left at school and clean out their lockers.

Supt. Kobza said, “Students will be asked to return library books and computers in clear, sealed plastic bags. Those bags will be set aside for two weeks. Small groups of students will be able to come to the school. We are hoping to bring family groups, so they will only have to come once.”

A finance work session has been postponed until the board members can hold a face-to-face meeting.

New LED light fixtures are being installed and some parts are on-site for the new HAVC system that will be installed in the gymnasium.

Items for next meeting include graduation planning, construction update and budget workshop. The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m. be sure to have link to elections site. If I don’t get it on tonight the address is election.mips.me for all of Nebrasla