Finke submits resignation following lengthy closed session

Summerland Public School Superintendent Kyle Finke will not be returning when his contract expires June 30, 2024.

The administrator submitted his resignation, Dec. 13, following a 93-minute executive session, for discussion on his evaluation, during the board of education's regular monthly meeting.

Discussion on Finke's biannual evaluation was listed on the board's agenda under new business.

Two additional agenda items were added Dec. 12, as required per state statute, prior to the 24-hour deadline before the start of the meeting.

Those points of business included agenda item 6F - discuss, consider and take action regarding the superintendent's resignation - and 6G - discuss, consider and take action to issue a notice of the possible nonrenewal of the superintendent's employment contract.

After returning to open session, at 9:19 p.m., Finke said, "I will leave Summerland Public Schools when at the end of my contract, June 30. Thank you for my time at Summerland."

He credited working with "great staff and students" during his tenure.

A motion was made and seconded by Nate Schwager and Jeremy Wagner, respectively, to accept the superintendent's resignation. All board members voted in favor.

With Finke's resignation, agenda item 6G was a nonfactor.

At the board's April 17 meeting, members tabled finalizing action on Finke's contract. On May 16, board members approved using a new evaluation tool, from the Nebraska Association of School Boards, for the superintendent's evaluation. The board also agreed to complete an evaluation twice a year.

At the June meeting, President Steven Thiele said that the old process "was messy" and the new process allowed for more input. Since the new tool was approved, Finke completed a self-evaluation, while each board member filled out a form. A summary was sent to the board and Finke, based on comments.

An article in the June 22, 2023, edition of the "Advocate-Messenger," noted, "All agreed that the process was a lot more thorough and thoughtful than before."

Comments on the evaluation are confidential and comments on the report were based on eight categories.

At the June board meeting, Thiele suggested the formation of a subcommittee that will work with the superintendent to establish goals and help with strategic planning. Per paper ballot, Schwager, Wagner and Steven Thiele were elected to serve on that committee.

During the Nov. 14 board meeting, Finke said he had completed his self-evaluation and those results would be compiled by NASB and distributed to board members. Once received, board members were to complete their portion of the evaluation, with results sent to the board president.

The board was scheduled to meet in special session, Wednesday, Dec. 20, to discuss, consider and take action on hiring a search firm for the superintendent's position.

A copy of the agenda appears on Page 11 of this edition.

Finke, who has 34 years of education experience as a classroom instructor, coach, athletic director and administrator, was hired in February 2021, following the resignation of then-superintendent Dale Martin.

Finke's first day with the district was July 1, 2021. He oversaw the completion of the Summerland school building project and the move from three buildings into the current facility.