Negotiations to proceed with Orchard teachers for next term

Orchard Advisory Board of Education members, Candace Hoke, Kristi Schutt, DeAnna Clifton and Nate Schwager, will be joined by Original Orchard Board of Education members Terra Williby and Terri Hergert, beginning with the December meeting, as they work to dissolve Nebraska Unified District 1 and begin transition efforts to the new Summerland school.

Hergert and Williby sat in the audience at the Nov. 13 Advisory Board meeting held at Orchard High School.

Both Schutt and Cathy Cooper, Orchard principal, said they had fielded questions from staff regarding future employment. Clifton said she hoped teacher numbers would be announced soon to allow employees to make plans.

Two Summerland board members will be elected in December from each of the three school boards, one for a two-year term and one for a four-year term. Until the new board convenes, community and joint board meetings will be held.

Cooper said she understood the process would begin with election of board members, then a superintendent and other administration would be determined. She did not anticipate teacher selections for the new school this year. She encouraged staff with questions to attend the three-school joint board meeting set for Nov. 20 in Ewing. Plans will begin in phase two of the consolidation process that will include election of Summerland board members from the ranks of the three boards.

She said all current teachers will be offered contracts in March, as usual, for the coming year.

The agenda for the joint meeting includes items for discussion, consideration and possible action on certified staff negotiations, early retirement/buyout, sharing staff; policies, curriculum and sale of assets.

A summer activity moratorium will also be determined. Clearwater and Orchard schools have observed the activity shutdown, but Ewing did not have an official moratorium, according to Cooper. The Orchard advisory board selected June 28 to July 5 as their preference. Activity director Jim Schutt said more districts are adopting summer moratoriums.

According to Cooper, Superintendent Dale Martin was attending the Verdigre advisory board’s Nov. 13 meeting to identify processes for dissolution of the unified district.

Cooper reported the school’s CAB account balance was approximately $530,000.

Kristi Schutt suggested the board needed to set aside funds prior to June 6, for expenses involved in maintaining or liquidating the Orchard building and grounds, including possible demolition of the old building. She said she did not want the village to be responsible or for it to become an eyesore like the outcome in other communities.

The board heard large bills were coming in for Bobcat winter sport uniforms. The cost was estimated at greater than $18,000, with $5,000 deposits required by each of the districts. The fund was originally set up with $5,000 from each, with about $9,000 expended on volleyball, cross country and track uniforms.

The Orchard district and Clearwater district were each expected to receive a $2,500 refund from the OC Cyclone Athletic Fund. The fund balance was at $8,900, with about $1,000 in outstanding expenses. The balance after payment will also be divided between the two districts. Jim Schutt expected the procedure would be “wrapped up very shortly.”

He said all activity expenses will be paid from the Bobcat account going forward.

Cooper reported students in grades 7-12 would travel to Clearwater on the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving for the one-act related to tornadoes. Due to the nature of the play, a decision was made to provide an alternate program for elementary students from both schools. The “reptile guy” will entertain the younger children at Orchard.

The principal also informed the board the school’s recent audit had gone well, according to business manager Sally Finch. There was an issue with itemizing expenses for lunch reimbursement when staff attend training. The credit card receipts need to list each menu item purchased, which will be implemented going forward.

The board discussed gifts or treats for staff for American Education Week and heard 71 staff members had signed up for the Dec. 21 Christmas party. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Royal gym, with a meal, catered by the Royal bar, served at 7 p.m. Karaoke is planned.