NCSA Today Magazine, Summer 2012

NCSA TODAYNCSA TODAYA PUBLICATION OF THE NEBRASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

Nebraska Councilof School Administrators

Summer 2012 www.NCSA.org

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Commissioner BreedDiscusses NePAS

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NCSAHonors Retirees

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SUMMER 2012 NCSA TODAY 1

CONTENTS

NCSA MissionThe mission of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) is to be an effec-tive leader for quality education and to enhance the professionalism of its members.

NCSA Today is a benefit of membership in the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, 455 South 11thStreet, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Telephone 402.476.8055 or 800.793.6272. Fax 402.476.7740. An-nual membership dues are $325 (active members), $100 (associate members), or $30 (student members).NCSA Today is published quarterly. Send address changes to NCSA, Membership, 455 South 11th Street,Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Copyright ©2012 by NCSA. All rights reserved.

NCSA EXECUTIVE BOARD2011-2012

Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jack MolesVice Chair . . . . . . . .Randy SchleuterPast Chair . . . . . . . . Sarah Williams

NASA RepresentativesPresident . . . . . . . . . . .Greg BarnesPresident-elect . . . . . . .Tim DeWaardPast President . . . . . . . . .Jack Moles

NASBO RepresentativesPresident . . . . . . . . . . .Dave KaslonPresident-elect . . . . . . . .Jill PauleyPast President . . . . . Robin Hoffman

NAESP RepresentativesPresident . . . . . . . . . . .David KrausPresident-elect . . . . . .Ann JablonskiPast President . . . . . .Midge Mougey

NASES RepresentativesPresident . . . . . . . . . . .Stuart ClarkPresident-elect . . . . . . .Jane MoodyPast President . . . . . .Peggy Romshek

NSASSP RepresentativesPresident . . . . . .Mitch BartholomewPresident-elect . . . . . . Chris StogdillPast President . . . . .Randy Schleuter

NARSA RepresentativePresident . . . . . . . .Robert Bussmann

NCSA STAFF

Dr. Michael S. DulaneyExecutive Director/Lobbyist

Dr. Dan E. ErnstAssociate Executive Director/Lobbyist

Kelly Coash-JohnsonTraining and Development Director

Amy PoggenklassFinance and Membership Coordinator

Angie CarmanExecutive Administrative Assistant

Carol YoungAdministrative Assistant

Elisabeth ReinkordtStaff Correspondent

The opinions expressed in NCSA Todayor by its authors do not necessarilyreflect the positions of the NebraskaCouncil of School Administrators.

Commissioner Breed Discusses NePASBY ELISABETH REINKORDT

Rural Backpack Food ProgramMakes Lasting ImpactBY JEREMY CHRISTIANSEN

NCSA Honors Retirees

2

4

9

6

5

7

14

20

7

8

13

TheAdvantage of MembershipBY DAVE KASLON

HRA Equals Savings for Both District and EmployeesBY MIKE BODEN

Nebraska Partnership for Learning (NPL)

2012Administrators’ Days Keynote Speakers

Retirement –An Opportunity to Stay InvolvedBY ROBERT L. (B0B) BUSSMANN

NSASSPAnnounces 2012 High School andMiddle School Principal of theYear

NCSA Election Results

NASES Distinguished ServiceAward

Response to Change Keeps Schools at theTop of their ClassBY DR. MIKE DULANEY and DR. DAN ERNST

When is theTime Right?BY DAVE RAYMOND and DENNY VAN HORN

In Nebraska Schools,Hunger Haunts the Hallways

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

15

17

18

19

When the 2012 legislative session came to aclose, the passage of LB 870—an amend-ment to the Quality Education Accountabil-

ity Act—set in statute the last piece of Nebraska’s schoolaccountability evolution. It began with the directive tomove from the locally-driven STARS assessments to thestate-led NeSA, and now, with comparable state assess-ment data at hand, the Unicameral directed the StateBoard of Education to “establish an accountability sys-tem to measure the performance of individual publicschools and school districts.” What does this mean forschools and districts? NCSA Today asked State EducationCommissioner Roger Breed to explain.

“If we’re going to have a state education system thatis committed to student learning, then the first step wasto agree upon what it is we want students to know andlearn, and that was our standards. The second step is tomeasure student performance within those standards,and that’s NeSA. And then the third step is to establisha performance accountability system that replacesSTARS, that meets federal accountability requirements,and that informs the state as to the overall performanceof its schools,” Breed explained.

“We knew this was coming for the past two years,”Breed said, “and so we’ve been working both within theDepartment and through the State Board to develop anew system to hold schools and school districts ac-countable.” As stated in LB 870, the deadline is fast ap-proaching, as “on or before August 1, 2012, the StateBoard of Education shall establish an accountability sys-tem to be used to measure the performance of individ-ual public schools and school districts.” As early asNovember of 2010, the State Board approved the firstpart of the Nebraska Performance Accountability System(NePAS), outlining their beliefs, values, and purposes re-lating to a state accountability system. Importantly, theBoard felt it necessary to distinguish Nebraska’s stateaccountability system from the federal model—AYP andPLAS calculations—which do not take growth into ac-count when rating schools.

In the legislation, the Board is charged with creatinga system that “shall combine multiple measures includ-ing, but not limited to, graduation rates, student growthand student improvement on the assessment instrumentsprovided,” in the sections related to NeSA established by

LB 1157. For the past two years, a subcommittee of theNebraska State Board of Education has been studying ac-countability models based on the following three per-formance indicators: status, improvement, and growth.In December of 2011, the State Board approved NePAS,defining the performance indicators as such:

• Status indicators: NeSA scores in reading, mathemat-ics, science, and writing. Also included as status in-dicators: graduation and participation rates.

• Improvement in average NeSA scale scores from oneyear to the next (with different students) in readingand mathematics.

• Growth in average NeSA scale scores from one year tothe next (following the same students from grade 3-4-5).

In determining how to use these performance indica-tors, the Board laid out several considerations, Breedsaid. “I think the Board agreed early on that they wantedan accountability system that does several things,” hesaid. “One is that it meets the federal requirements—that’s the genesis as to why we’re doing all of this.” Thesecond purpose, then, was that the system would allowthe comparison of districts and schools across the statein terms of identified levels of performance. Thirdly, theboard “wanted to expand the indicators of performancefrom just the statewide test to indicators that would in-clude participating, growth, and the cohort graduationrate,” Breed explained.

Status indicators are now becoming easier to trackstatewide with the full implementation of NeSA in read-ing, mathematics, science, and writing and there is yetanother layer of fair comparability to come in this arena.In order for the data to be truly comparable, there can-not be aberrations in scores based on the modalitytested. That is why, in 2013, all NeSA testing is movingonline, except fourth grade writing, and in situationswhere a student’s IEP requires a paper-pencil option.“One of the standardization requirements is that differ-ent modalities can’t produce different results,” Breedsaid, “and what we were finding was that students test-ing online performed better.”

For some schools and districts, a status indicator(continued on page 3)

2 NCSA TODAY SUMMER 2012

FEATURE

Commissioner Breed Discusses NePASBY ELISABETH REINKORDT, Staff Correspondent

Breed


FEATURE

might be enough. “If your kids come in doing well, if they’re al-ready meeting or exceeding the standards, you just have to keepthem there,” Breed said. “But if your kids come to you below thestandards, you want to be looking at other indicators like growthand improvement.” When the board decided that multiple indica-tors would all be used, then a consideration for rank-ordering orweighting the indicators followed, but is not presently part ofNePAS. Of course, based on the characteristics in each local schooland district, some administrators valued status as the highest,while others valued growth or improvement. In a very smallschool, for example, an improvement score could be heavilyskewed by enrollment changes from year to year, and would havevery little to do with any changes in instruction. Growth, whichtracks the same students from one grade to the next and com-pares their individual scale scores, can be very useful for trackingthe improvement in the performance of groups of students. How-ever, since there is no way to track growth in the high schoolgrades, graduation rate was added as an additional measure. Breedemphasized that the Board has taken a position that graduationis critical, even if a student takes longer than his or her four-yearcohort to do so. “We want to give schools credit for getting stu-dents to graduation,” he added.

With all of these indicators, Breed noted, it is of the utmostimportance that the meaning of the reports on the performanceof public schools and districts be easily and clearly communicatedwith the public. “One of the things that killed STARS was that itwas difficult for the general public to accept that district-basedassessments could go through a process where they could be com-pared to each other—which they could, and could with some psy-chometric certainty,” Breed mused, “but that’s over now.”

Both growth and improvement require multiple years of data inorder to make a valid calculation, and while the legislation statesthat “the board may establish levels of performance for the indi-cators used in the accountability system in order to classify theperformance of public schools and school districts beginning withthe school year 2013-14,” Breed noted that this is a system thatwill need to be phased in over time, and that NDE cautionedagainst combining all the measures into one score. The Board sub-committee recommended, therefore, that public reporting wouldinclude a display of disaggregated performance indicators at alllevels: school, district, and state.

Breed strongly recommended that schools and districts oughtto use their disaggregated data to drive their school improvementgoals. “Look at your subgroups,” he said, “and use that to shapeyour continuous improvement strategy. What are the things thatyou as a community have an ability to do better at, and then,what are the objectives you have that will improve student learn-

ing?” This data will show clear needs, he said, and the questionthen becomes what the response will be, both by the local districtand by the state. Breed emphasized the need for partnershipacross all levels, saying that he wished NDE had the resources toprovide all the supports districts and schools could use. At a base-line, however, he noted that NDE will be helping to support andmonitor Continuous Improvement Plans, and added that he hopesthe state will be able to lead discussions and help foster rela-tionships with ESUs.

One of the challenges in developing a statewide system wasdefining just what exactly a “school” is under this law. Becausefacility decisions involving which grades to place in which build-ings remain local, it was important to make clear that it was not“school buildings” being identified. Rather, it remains up to theindividual districts and communities to determine what, in theirunique local environment, constitutes a school. “School buildingsimplies a concrete structure with certain grades,” Breed explained,“and the reality is that we have more than ten different gradeconfigurations in Nebraska public schools.” Therefore, for ac-countability purposes, the state will define grades 3-5 as ele-mentary, grades 6-8 as middle, and grades 9-12 as high school.“In a school district where the third graders might be in a differ-ent building than the fourth and fifth graders,” he continued, “itwill be up to administrators to communicate the data to theircommunity.”

Though this seemingly semantic issue might be thought to re-quire little consideration, Breed emphasized its importance. “Oneof the things that the Quality Education Accountability Act set inplace was an ability to compare school districts in terms of theirlevels of performance,” he said. “It’s relatively easy to rank schooldistricts, but when you establish something to rank schools, itwas important to come up with a model that would be fairstatewide.”

As NePAS nears its public debut, Breed, himself a former su-perintendent and principal, was adamant that administrators knowtheir data. “Know your data,” he repeated, “and be willing to say‘we’ve got to do better,’ and be willing to take the steps to getbetter. It’s no longer acceptable to say ‘that’s just the way it is.’”On the flip side, as educators, “we can now fact-check the rheto-ric,” of politicians, he said, adding that “we can confront criticswith data of kids who do well, and with data on growth.”

“This is going to provide data that we hope will be helpful toschools in responding to the learning needs of their students,”Breed said in closing. “It is the position of the State Board andthe Department that this data is there to be helpful to improvingstudent learning, no more, no less.” �

Commissioner Breed Discusses NePAS(continued from page 2)


PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

The combined efforts of businesses, civic organizations,churches, community volunteers, and a school districtin southeast Nebraska are making a difference in the

lives children and families who too often wonder from where theirnext meal may come. The Fairbury Community Back Pack Programdebuted during the 2010-2011 school year sending home food-filled backpacks on Thursday afternoons with 74 students. Sincethat time, local support for the program has flourished through astrong sense of purpose from the community. The Back Pack Pro-gram’s mission is to help alleviate child hunger in southeast Ne-braska by providing hungry children in Fairbury and surroundingcommunities with nutritious and easy to prepare food at timeswhen other resources are not available, such as weekends andschool vacations.

The Fairbury Back Pack Program began through partnershipwith the Food Bank of Lincoln and the Feeding America Program.The Lincoln Food Bank’s Back Pack Program originally began in the2004-2005 school year by sending home backpacks filled withfood each week with 50 kids. Just seven years later, the FoodBank of Lincoln coordinates a regional program that sends 3,000backpacks home to students each week in 30 Lincoln PublicSchools, five Lincoln Catholic Schoolsand 39 rural communities in SoutheastNebraska. It was through the generoussupport of a rural expansion grant,funded in part by ConAgra Foods, that amuch-needed Back Pack Program couldbecome a reality for hungry childrenand families in Fairbury in 2010.

The Back Pack Program continues toprovide backpacks filled with food tostudents in need of food over the week-end. The program rotates six different menus throughout theschool year. The goal of the Back Pack Program is to supply astudent and his or her family with four to five meals per menu.The program primarily targets students who qualify for theirschool’s Free Lunch Program. Many of these students rely on theirschool’s breakfasts and lunches for their most nutritious meals ofthe day. In some cases, these are their only meals of the day.These students are then faced with a food crisis over the week-end. The Back Pack Program is a way to help these students andtheir families until students return to school the next week.

Local Back Pack Program coordinator, Jeremy Christiansen,shares a unique perspective in the Fairbury community’s efforts to

support children and families faced with worries about food andnutrition. Christiansen is also the principal at Central ElementarySchool in Fairbury and sees first-hand the effects of hunger andpoor nutrition on his community’s young children. “Each year wesee an increasing number of children and families eligible for freeand reduced-price meals under the federal meal program guide-lines,” Christiansen observed. “While a large percentage of ourstudents participate in the daily school breakfast and lunch pro-grams, we continue to see students who report limited access tofood and meals outside of the school day as well as increased in-stances of health issues related to nutrition.” Christiansen pointsto one student as an example of the lasting impact that the localfood backpack program has had in Fairbury. Following the ad-ministration of a local writing assessment, one of the teachers atCentral Elementary School fought to hold back her emotions asshe shared one of her student’s responses to the writing prompt,“Tell about your favorite day of the year. It could be a holiday,your birthday or any day that is special and important to you.”Christiansen then read and clearly understood the significance ofthe Fairbury Community Back Pack Program:

[Manuscript interpretation: My favorite day of the year is Thursday.Because on Thursday I get to take the food backpack home for myfamily. Thank you!]

Communities such as Fairbury that commit to alleviating child-hood and family hunger understand that it takes consistent fi-nancial support and lasting dedication of many volunteers to makethe Back Pack Program happen. The community supports an an-nual “Bowls for Backpacks” fundraiser that incorporates delicioussoup, friendly recipe competition and ceramic bowl artistry. Gen-erous local partners of the Fairbury Community Back Pack Pro-

Rural Backpack Food ProgramMakes Lasting ImpactBY JEREMY CHRISTIANSEN, Principal, Central Elementary School, Fairbury

(continued on page 5)

Whether you’re a new administrator or a sea-soned veteran, membership in NCSA offersvaluable resources for professional educa-

tors across Nebraska. When you become part of NCSAyou’re immediately connected to a strong network of ad-ministrators who can share experiences and resources.Through targeted professional development and oppor-tunities for service, you’ll gain the knowledge and ex-pertise necessary to be an effective school districtleader.

As the demands of school district leadership continueto increase, NCSA can lend support and guidance. Ques-tions can arise involving policy, personnel, finances, orsituations that are unique to a particular district. NCSAis your connecting point to finding answers or findingthe people who can answer those questions based onpast experiences or areas of expertise. Research hasshown that administrators who have a strong network ofsupport are more likely to stay in the profession, a fac-tor that is critical for the future leadership of our state.

In addition to the professional benefits of NCSA mem-bership, the personal benefits are just as rewarding and

just as important to our overall health as educators.Gallup has done research on the importance of having abest friend at work and the impact this has on numerousfactors within the workplace. School administration canoften be isolating and lonely, and our connection toother friends within the same profession is vital. Thefriendships developed stretch from east to west andnorth to south. Larger districts are connected to smallerdistricts and whether you have an administrative team ofone or twenty-one, you have someone to call friend.

Through the connections we make as friends at Ad-ministrators’ Days, or when serving together as commit-tee members or officers within the organization, ourcommon goal of providing a quality education for all stu-dents continues to thrive. Membership is the drivingforce behind the quality of services NCSA is able to pro-vide, and through those services, our districts reap thebenefits.

I encourage you to extend the hand of friendship tothose who are already members of NCSA and reach out tothose who would consider joining this group of commit-ted professionals. �


AFFILIATE LEADERSHIP

TheAdvantage of MembershipBY DAVE KASLON, Assistant Superintendent, Blair Community Schools

Kaslon

gram include the Fairbury Public Schools, Region V Services ofFairbury, the Fairbury Ministerial Association along with severallocal congregations, the Optimist, Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs,Blue Valley Community Action Food Pantry, Ray’s AppleMarket,Schroeder’s Family Foods, Walmart, the Fairbury PTA, commu-nity service organizations, sororities, Fairbury High School Stu-dent Council, Honor Society and Future Business Leaders ofAmerica, Fairbury LIFE Program students, local businesses, foun-dations, endowments, numerous individual donors, and manymore.

Although the Back Pack Program serves many local childrenand their families, Christiansen and the program’s Fairbury sup-porters recognize the need is great and there are still more hun-gry children in their community. “The number of qualifyingchildren and families continues to grow. It’s estimated thatnearly 60% of our local youth population will be eligible to par-ticipate this coming school year. Our goal is to ensure that nochild in Fairbury, Nebraska goes hungry!” To learn more aboutthe Fairbury Community Back Pack Program and the Food Bank

of Lincoln’s regional Food Back Pack Program, contact JeremyChristiansen in the Fairbury Public Schools ([email protected]) or Alynn Sampson with the Lincoln Food Bank([email protected]). �

Members of a local 4H Club as well as a church youth group areshown volunteering at a Meal Pack Event held once every sixweeks to organize and prepare the weekly menu items for deliv-ery and distribution to participating children.

Rural Backpack Food Program…(continued from page 4)


HEALTH CARE

A723-employee school district was paying out an aver-age of $1,260,000 per year in accumulated unusedsick leave and accrued vacation as an early retirement

incentive to their teachers. The IRS considers the disbursed checksas normal payroll; therefore, the district had to shell out an ad-ditional 7.65 percent FICA tax that cost another $96,360. The in-centive also lost value for the teachers because it was subject towithholding tax in their current tax bracket.

The district’s Business Manager attended a seminar where shelearned that if she deposited the incentive into an HRA (HealthReimbursement Arrangement) instead of normal payroll, it wouldresult in a win-win situation for the district and the employees.In addition to the district saving over $96,000 in FICA tax, the re-tiring teachers received the full amount of the incentive withoutthe normal tax withholdings. In some cases this change resultedin savings of as much as $10,000 to $15,000 for the retiring em-ployee. The teachers were also pleased to learn that the fundsroll over every year and accrue interest because there is no “useit or lose it” provision.

The retiring teachers at this particular district can now use theHRA funds not only to pay for their medical expenses, co-paysand deductibles; but also premium payments on their retiree med-ical insurance as well as medicare supplemental insurance. Thereare no requirements that prevent them from qualifying, such asbeing covered by a high-deductible medical plan, nor is the plancontingent upon a spouse’s access to a certain type of medicalplan or Flex Spend Account as there is with an HSA (Health Sav-ings Account).

What is an HRA?An HRA is an employer-established account used to pay for an

employee’s eligible medical expenses and premiums on a tax-freebasis. The funds in these accounts roll over annually; therefore,monies are not forfeited. Additionally, these plans serve to in-crease an employee’s responsibility for and ownership of medicalexpenses and savings.

What Can an HRA Be Used For?HRA’s have helped hundreds of school districts and educators

save by:• Providing incentives for employees to retiree early.• Using an HRA to pay early retiree incentives or time-of-

separation pay.

• Requiring new hires to participate in higher deductible medicalinsurance plans with HRAs while leaving other employees onmore traditional plans.

• Steering employees toward the higher deductible and possiblymore sustainable medical plans (such as the EHA Dual ChoicePlan) by offering an HRA as an incentive.

• Promoting consumerism in health care decisions.

HRA AdvantagesThere are many advantages for school districts to use an HRA

including:• No FICA Tax. The district and employee each permanently save

7.65%.• Tax-Free Use of Funds. The HRA is used to pay for eligible med-

ical expenses and funds are not subject to income tax.• Interest. Account balances accrue compounding tax-free in-

terest.• No Penalties. Funds can be accessed for eligible medical re-

lated expenditures and premiums at any time without penalty(subject to the district defined vesting schedule).

• Investment Choices. Choose from Fixed-Interest or Variable In-vestment options.

Use an HRA to Pay your Early Retiree Incentives atTime-of-Separation Pay

Paying for accumulated sick leave, unused vacation pay, pay-ments based on years of service or other retirement incentivescan take a big chunk out of a district’s overall budget. Funds ear-marked for these purposes can be directed to an HRA and payrolltaxes can be avoided by both the employee and the employer.

Use an HRA with a High Deductible Health PlanDistricts can use an HRA alongside the new EHA Dual Choice

option as an incentive for employees to elect the higher de-ductible plans. Often, districts will provide an HRA in the amountequal or close to the increase in deductible. Depending on thehealth needs of the plan member, this could be a wash or, in manycases, a better option for the employee by allowing him/her tocreate a nest egg for future medical expenses.

Some districts have also considered making a higher deductibleplan a requirement for all new employees and using an HRA along-

HRA Equals Savings forBoth District and EmployeesBY MIKE BODEN, National Insurance Services



PARTNERSHIP

Nebraska Partnership for Learning (NPL)

Thirty schools representing fifteen school dis-tricts participated in year one of the pilot pro-gram initiated through the partnering efforts

of the Nebraska Department of Education and the Ne-braska Council of School Administrators. The program fo-cused on the improvement of student learning through:the application of research and best practice; use of stu-dent performance data; and collaborative support.

Schools were paired and provided the opportunity towork together and to focus on activities and opportuni-ties that can improve student learning. The first year ofNPL pilot included direct school-to-school visits, visitsvia distance learning technology, and meetings in whichall schools participated. Schools were accountable toeach other, shared, analyzed their student data, and dis-cussed their use of research-based strategies. Feedbackfrom participants suggested that one of the most im-portant features of NPL was the time allowed for profes-sional educators to share in an open and honest

exchange of ideas to improve schools and enhance stu-dent achievement.

Michael Fullan stated, “the key to system-wide suc-cess is to situate the energy of educators and studentsas the central driving force.”

NPL believes that the first year has been successfuland schools are looking forward to year two of the pilot.We plan to include a future article that will highlightschools participating in the program. A survey of yearone is currently being reviewed with the results to assistin planning year two activities. As we continue to assessthe merits of the NPL pilot, decisions will be made thatmay include program continuation with the currentschools in addition to the expansion of the program toinclude new schools.

The Nebraska Partnership for Learning is under the di-rection of Freida Lange at the Nebraska Department ofEducation. �

2012Administrators’ Days

Don’t miss out on these great Keynote sessions at Ad-ministrators’ Days this year. Registration is open athttp://ncsa.org

Thursday, July 26th 8:30 am to 9:30 amMike Schmoker is a former school administrator, English teacher,and football coach. He has written five books and dozens of arti-cles for educational journals, newspapers and for TIME magazine.He also writes a monthly column for the Phi Delta Kappan. Hismost recent book is the best-selling FOCUS: Elevating the Essentialsto Radically Improve Student Learning. His previous bestseller isRESULTS NOW, which was selected as a finalist for “book of theyear” by the Association of Education Publishers. Dr. Schmoker haskeynoted at hundreds of state, national and international eventsand has consulted for school districts and state and provincial ed-ucation departments throughout the US, Canada and Australia.

Thursday, July 26th 2:15 pm to 3:00 pmLarry Bell is a 25-year veteran in education. Fifteen of those yearswere spent as a classroom teacher where he was nominated for theNational Agnes Mayer Outstanding Teacher Award. Larry, whotaught at Garfield High School, a school with over 3,000 studentsspeaking 36 different languages, was recognized for his innovativeclassroom strategies that allowed his so-called “Tough Kids” as

well as his “Gifted and Talented” to excel! For seven years, LarryBell served as the Supervisor of Multicultural Education for PrinceWilliam County which meant providing hands-on workshops forteachers and students in 67 schools with 3000+ teachers and50,000 students.

Friday, July 27th 9:30 am to 10:30 amOperation Rising Eagle - At 5:41 pm on Sunday, May 22, 2011,Joplin, Missouri was struck by a horrific EF-5 tornado. The Joplinarea schools suffered casualties and major facility damage. Sevenstudents and one staff member lost their lives. Joplin Schoolsbegan responding immediately. We are pleased to welcome ad-ministrators from Joplin Public Schools to share their story of heal-ing and recovery.

Friday, July 27th 10:45 am to 11:45 amMurray Banks is an honored educator, a world-champion athlete,and has been a speaker and trainer for the past 27 years. He knowshow to craft and deliver an inspirational presentation for schoolleaders that will be loaded with practical skills, engaging stories,and hilarious visuals! We can also expect a heartwarming storyabout Murray’s teaching experience in a small rural Vermont schooland how that has influenced his work with educators throughoutNorth America. �

re-tire-ment n : an act of retiring : the state of being re-tired; esp: withdrawal from one’s position or occupation(definition found in Webster’s New Students Dictionarythat I readily used for many years as a classroom teacher,an administrator, and now as a retired educator for thepast nine years)

Personally, I take issue with Webster’s character-ization of “withdrawal from one’s position or oc-cupation.” I tend to see it more as a redirection

of life’s journey with the belief that “once an educator;always an educator.”

Within this article I would like to focus on those NCSAmembers throughout the state retiring this spring as wellas the new administrators that will be replacing theseretirees.

When one retires, there is often the thought that it’sthe time to kick back, enjoy the lake cabin, the golfcourse, the backyard or nearby park, travel to far awayplaces, and much more. Yes, these are some of the ven-tures one can take advantage of in retirement; but, thereis also the opportunity to continue to be involved inyour profession by being a member of the Nebraska As-sociation of Retired School Administrators (NARSA).

Your benefits in becoming a NARSA member includereceiving NCSA Today and Legislative Updates, paying“meal only” charges for NCSA Conferences, having an ad-

vocate at national and state lev-els on legislation, and payingonly half of the annual “SpecialServices” dues amount for EHA.(Special dues are charged tocontinue your EHA BlueCross/Blue Shield Health cover-age after retirement, up to age66.)

Your opportunities in becom-ing a NARSA member include: tokeep current with educational is-sues and legislation; to continuesupporting the profession; tomaintain long-standing friend-ships; to continue representa-

tion on affiliate executive boards; to provide represen-tation on NCSA Standing Committees; and to consult onbehalf of NCSA (i.e. seminars, workshops, task forces,mentoring programs, and member services).

NARSA events during the year include a reception dur-ing Administrators’ Days in Kearney as well as fall andspring social events.

The NARSA Executive Board consists of three NARSAmembers from each of the five member active associa-tions of NCSA. Board members serve a term of three yearsand may be elected to a second term of office. The 15-member board meets three times during the year. AsNARSA President, I serve as a member of the NCSA Exec-utive Board.

NARSA is the largest NCSA affiliate for which we aregrateful to the present membership of 660-plus. NARSAmembership is available to retired administrators for aone-time fee of $200 for life membership. We hope youconsider joining your retired colleagues in NARSA.

To the 2012 retiring administrators we offer our heart-felt “Congratulations” upon your retirement and a specialthanks for your years of dedicated service to the stu-dents, staff, and patrons throughout the state of Ne-braska.

As the school bells ring in late summer and early fall,there will be a transition taking place as many new ad-ministrators throughout the state will be filling the va-cancies left by the retirees. Many will be first-timeadministrators and NARSA extends a warm “Welcome” tothem and wish them well in their new position through-out the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.

I would ask present NCSA members in your support ofthese new administrators to encourage their membershipand involvement in NCSA through their respective affil-iate associations. Fiscal responsibility is important to allof us and I believe there are many benefits gained for theinvestment in professional development for our schoolprincipals and administrators as educational leaders.NCSA provides professional development opportunitiesthat allow principals and administrators to improve lead-ership skills and stay on the cutting edge as an educa-tional leader.


INVOLVEMENT

Retirement –An Opportunityto Stay InvolvedBY ROBERT L. (BOB) BUSSMANN, President, NARSA

Bussmann


Fiscal responsibility isimportant to all of usand I believe there aremany benefits gainedfor the investment inprofessionaldevelopment for ourschool principals andadministrators aseducational leaders.


RETIREMENT

MikeAerniFremont Public SchoolsWashington Elementary

Thanks to those who haveled me along the way. Con-gratulations to all of my fel-low retirees.

Larry BabcockElm Creek Public Schools

It has been great workingwith many of you over theyears! Keep up the goodwork. I/we will still be liv-ing in Elm Creek, so stop insometime and say hello!

Fred BoelterCreighton Community PublicSchools

I have immensely enjoyedmy many years in educa-tion. Thanks to NCSA for allyou do. Best wishes to eachof you.

Roger BoyerWilcox-Hildreth Public Schools

Thanks to all of my col-leagues for the great memo-ries and for their continuedefforts and dedication in ed-ucating our youth.

Mary CampbellLincoln Public Schools

It has been my privilege toteach in the LPS Systemearly in my career and toend my career with serviceon the Executive Committeefor the District. All best

wishes to all of you who do so much for thefuture of Nebraska’s children.

Sally CarlsonAurora Public Schools

I will miss my interactionswith staff and students asAurora, but I am lookingforward to working as anindependent contractorwith the Nebraska Positive

Behavioral Interventions and Support(PBiS) program at NDE.

Chuck ChevalierSouth Sarpy Dist. 46

I have been truly honoredto have served the state’seducation system with somany great teachers andfellow administrators. I ap-preciate my association

with NCSA since 1986, and I hope that Ihave done at least a little to make successfor kids more of a reality. I want to thankall those who have helped me on my way,and I appreciate your patience with me.Keep fighting the battle to make our state’seducation system the best in the country.

Pam CohnOmaha Public SchoolsMarrs Magnet Center

It has been a wonderfulrun. My heart has been per-manently imprinted by allthe students and colleaguesI have worked with thesemany years. I am looking

forward to starting the next chapter of mylife.

Richard ColluraLincoln Public SchoolsLincoln Northeast High School

My dad modeled a compas-sion for working with theyouth in our community. Ihope, in some small waythat I can have done thesame.

George ConradDCWest Community Schools

The 37½ years of being aNebraska private and publicschool educator have beenhighly rewarding. It’s beenrewarding not only becauseof all the students I have

come to know, but because of the greatfriendships I’ve been able to establish withadministrators and educators across thestate. I am honored to count myself withinthe ranks of high-quality administratorsand will cherish my friendships as I reflecton my life and career!

Kimberley CooperNorth Platte Public Schools

Best wishes to all the won-derful friends I have madethrough NASES!

Jacquie EsteeWestside Community Schools

It has been a privilege toserve with great educatorsacross the state over thelast forty years. I am thank-ful to have been part of somany people coming to-

gether to meet the needs of Nebraska stu-dents and families. The dedication,innovation, relationship building, and pas-sion for student learning of my colleagueshas made a positive difference for studentsand will be needed more than ever to ad-dress the challenges and opportunitiesahead. Thank you for being an importantpart of what makes Nebraska great!

Each year NCSA is sad to lose but happy to congratulate those educators who are leaving the profession due to their long-de-served retirement. We are honored to share with you a glimpse of their future plans or just a bit of advice that only those whohave worked with children and parents for so long can give!

NCSA Honors Retirees


RETIREMENT

Gail FormanackOmaha Public Schools

I have enjoyed my workwith curriculum in the cen-tral office and have appre-ciated the collegiality ofothers in school administra-tion.

Kate FullertonCody-Kilgore Unified Schools

What a career I have had inmy dream profession! Itdoesn’t get any better thanhaving the opportunity towork with and for studentsand staff on a daily basis.

Coming from MA, I chose to live and workin a small rural community. My husbandand I have three grown children that arethe light of our lives. I have learned overthe years that relationships matter themost. I have cultivated lifelong friendshipsand have been blessed to know the supportof so many colleagues. Thank you.

Tom HainHershey Public Schools

NCSA and the individual af-filiates are great organiza-tions. I encourage allmembers to not only be-come an active member, butalso seek a leadership role.

Being a member the past 31 years, I havelearned a great deal from colleagues anddeveloped great friendships. I appreciatedall the hard work the NCSA staff has doneover the years to make the organization sosuccessful and helpful to its members.

Alan HarmsWisner-Pilger Public Schools

Thank you for all of yourhelp and support over theyears. I have very much ap-preciated my associationwith professional organiza-tions. The networking that

occurred at conferences, conventions, andmeetings proved to be invaluable.

Terry HazardHyannisArea Schools &Cody-Kilgore Public Schools

It is hard to believe that itis “retirement time.” I willmiss the “kids”, staff, andcolleagues. Tough decisionsbecome easy when we re-member to do what is bestfor students.

Linda HortonMillard Public Schools

It has been a professionaland personal pleasure tohave been associated withother Nebraska school ad-ministrators. I learned somuch from my association

with others in this organization. Most of allI value the mentoring and the opportunityto mentor others over the past 27 years.

Barb JacobsonLincoln Public Schools

I have enjoyed workingwith so many of you overthe years. Your commit-ment to students and theirlearning is truly remarkable.Thanks for letting me bepart of the journey.

Tom JahdeDavid City Public SchoolsBellwoodAttendance Center

Looking forward to everyday being Saturday.

Penny JansMilford Public Schools

I am so thankful for hav-ing experienced such an“inexplicably wonderful ca-reer.”

Lori JasaMillard Public SchoolsKiewit Middle School

It has been a privilege tobe an educator in Nebraskafor 35 years, and I havehad many memorable ex-periences. From my earlydays in the classroom in

Waterloo, Nebraska to my current adminis-trative position in Millard, I have beenblessed to work with wonderful students,parents, and staff.

Jim JeffresOgallala Public SchoolsPrairieView Elementary

I have appreciated the col-legiality of the members ofNCSA over my career. Thebenefits of networking cannever be overstated. Icount many NCSA members

as my friends and I will miss them.

Doug JensenGrand IslandG.I. Senior High School

It has been my pleasure tobe part of the school com-munity for the past 40years. Administratively sup-ported by NCSA for 25 yearsas I was allowed to work in

a progressive and rewarding career. I wishonly the best for the State of NebraskaSchool Administrators as they move ourstate forward.

Laurie KimbroughHTRS Public Schools

What a fantastic career ofwhich to have been a part.I have appreciated thesupport of all my fellowadministrators during my35 years in education.

Bill KuesterNebraska Unified #1

A special thanks to NCSAand school administratorsfor their support during my39 years in education. Ilook forward to spendingmore time traveling andvisiting grandchildren.

Please note: The NCSA staff made every effort to include all those individualswho responded to our request for information on retirements.


RETIREMENT

Byron McCuneFremont Public SchoolsClarmar Elementary School

When looking back at my39 years in education, Ican honestly say that Icould not have picked abetter occupation. Thankyou to a great team of col-

leagues and friends that continues to makea difference in so many lives. I am excitedabout spending more time with my family,friends, and most importantly, my grand-children.

John McGillPapillion-LaVista Public SchoolsPapillion Junior High School

I am grateful for the men-tors and amazing people Ihave worked with for thelast 33 years. My hope forall of you is to look backwhen your time comes and

realize how rich your life has been becauseyou chose to be an educator.

Rosemary MolvarLincoln Public SchoolsCampbell Elementary School

I feel so fortunate to haveserved as a teacher andprincipal for 42 years in theLincoln Public Schools. Asyou know, this is an incred-ibly challenging but satisfy-

ing profession. I’ve been energized by thesense of mission among you, my col-leagues, and I wish you well as you con-tinue your pursuit of what matters most forkids.

Marilyn MooreLincoln Public Schools

Thanks for being my col-leagues in this significantwork – the education of allof the children of all of thepeople. Stay the course;speak for children.

Dennis MooreRalston Public SchoolsBlumfield Elementary School

Working at Cozad, Eustis-Farnam, and Ralstonschools has been a fulfillingexperience. I look forwardto my part-time job ofworking for NPBiS through

the Department of Education.

Bill MowinkelNorthwest Public Schools

It has been a great career.I wouldn’t change a thing.

Dan MussmannRalston Public SchoolsRalston High School

It’s been an outstanding 34years. I have been able towork with and learn from somany close friends and col-leagues. I taught 10 yearsas an elementary classroom

teach, 9 years as a middle school physicaleducation teacher, 7 years as a middleschool assistant principal, and the last 8years as Ralston’s High school assistantprincipal/athletic director.

Rich PattonLaurel-Concord & ColeridgePublic Schools

I am on the brink of com-pleting 37 years in this pro-fession. Although it hasbeen difficult at times, ithas also been miraculous. Ihave been blessed to spend

a lifetime of labor helping others and form-ing many wonderful relationships. Ratherthan words of advice, I will give words ofencouragement. Do what is best for others,

but also take good care of yourself. Youcannot help others and you are not a goodrole model for children if you neglect your-self. Treasure all those special moments ofour work. The times when the face of achild lights up or a moment makes youlaugh or a student is comforted or a childlooks at you asking what is right…thesemoments are numerous and they happendaily. Do not get discouraged by the de-mands and disappointments of this chal-lenging, seemingly impossible endeavor.Work to build a career that can be remem-bered with satisfaction, pride, and joy. Ourwork is rarely acclaimed but momentous.

Kris ReckeweyLincoln Public Schools

Eastridge ElementarySchoolIt has been an honor towork with people who livetheir mission through theirdaily work, who give so

much, and who are a ton of fun. Eventhough I am off to new adventures, you willall be in my prayers as you carry on yourvery important work.

Len SagenbrechtMillard Public Schools

Russell Middle SchoolAfter 42 years as a profes-sional educator (including14 years an administrator),I have learned that helpingstudents achieve learningsuccess is a primary goal.

However, I have come to realize more andmore the value of keeping in mind that noteveryone learns in the same way nor at thesame pace. It is easy to forget that in thehubbub of the classroom setting. Secondly,I have learned as an administrator thatwhile students certainly come first, staffbetter be a close “second.” It’s been agreat career. Millard Public Schools hashelped me cap off that career!

Not pictured, but also retiring:

Lynda Baumbach,McCook Public Schools,NorthWard ElementarySue Burch,Grand Island Public SchoolsPam DePorte,Omaha Public Schools

Cindy Osterloh, Louisville Public Schools, Louisville High SchoolJerry Riibe, Ralston Public Schools

Kathy Ryan,Millard Public Schools,MillardWest High School


Joe SajevicFremont Public SchoolsFremont Senior High School

Best of luck in continuing toprovide the students ofNebraska the very best edu-cational opportunities avail-able. The job hasn’t becomeany easier over the years,

but still continues to be one of the most re-warding, fulfilling, challenging careers aswell as one of the most important respon-sibilities we have. I’ve enjoyed the ride!

Tom SandbergAxtell Community Schools

To all the friends and col-leagues I have met over theyears I want to say thankyou for your help and ca-maraderie. This is an amaz-ing profession in that

school administrators I have worked withhave always been willing to share the bestof what they have on what works as well aspitfalls to avoid. Carry on!

Dan SchiefelbeinDoniphan-Trumbull Public SchoolsDoniphan-Trumbull Jr Sr High

I want to thank all of mycolleagues for their help inmaking the past 30 years awonderful experience. I’vegreatly enjoyed workingwith other administrative

colleagues through the years. Best of luckto all of you in your continuing years.

Al SchneiderESU #5

I hope that you enjoy yourtime in education as muchas I have.

Mark ShieldsMillard Public SchoolsHarryAnderson Middle School

It has been a wonderful ex-perience working with somany great students,teachers, and fellow admin-istrators. Looking forwardto the new adventures in

our life this change will allow.

Stan SibleyWauneta-Palisade Public Schools

Like many of you, I havespent my working life ex-panding learning opportu-nities for kids andnurturing the careers ofteachers and other staff. It

has been a pleasure being associated withyou. Best wishes in the struggle.

BillThurmondLincoln Public SchoolsNorwood Park Elementary

Phyllis UchtmanWestside Community Schools

It has been an honor and apleasure to start and end mycareer in Nebraska schoolswhere public education isamong the best in the na-tion. When I look at the tal-

ented people working in our schools. I amthankful that my grandchildren will benefitfrom their gifts just as my children did.

DarrellVitoshDiller-Odell Public Schools

To all the wonderful peoplethat have surrounded methese many years, ThankYou. Thank you for your pa-tience, understanding, andsupport. I thank many of

you for your unwavering sense of humor. Ihope that these relationships will continue.

DallasWatkinsDundy County-Stratton PublicSchools

Education is a professionthat is energized and re-liant upon people; it is notsomething that is singularlydefined or a mold that isabsolute. The creativity, in-

genuity and wonderful personalities withinit have made my 35 years the greatest ofjourneys. I am thankful to have been ableto work with so many of you; the memorieswill be longlasting.

NancyWhitneyElkhorn Public Schools

Looking forward to new ad-ventures and challenges!Will always look back on myteaching days as the bestand so rewarding!

EvanWiesemanShickley Public Schools

More than anything, I haveenjoyed the relationships Ihave had with my col-leagues.

SteveWilsonLoganView Public Schools

I have enjoyed workingwith many talented, pas-sionate educators over thecourse of my 32-year careerin education (most ofwhich were in school ad-ministration). I still re-

member my first Administrators’ Days whenI was in awe of the veteran administratorsand their stories they shared! That time hasgone quickly!

NormYoderHeartland Community Schools

Thanks to all the NASAmembers for their supportand encouragement overthe past years. Keep sup-porting NCSA, it is a qual-ity organization that does

an outstanding job representing our pro-fession.

Dick ZarkowskiAlliance Public SchoolsAlliance High School

NCSA has been a phenome-nal organization, and Iwish the very best for thefriends that I have had theprivilege to serve with dur-ing my nearly 40 years as a

teacher and administrator. I wish you allthe best. ZARK

RETIREMENT


ACHIEVEMENTS

NSASSPAnnounces 2012 High Schooland Middle School Principal of theYear

The Nebraska State Association of SecondarySchool Principals is proud to recognize Mr. ChadDenker, Principal at Seward High School, as the

2012 MetLife/NASSP Nebraska High School Principal ofthe Year.

Mr. Chad Denker was selected to represent Nebraska asthe High School Principal of the Year. Chad received hiseducation from Doane College (Bachelor of Science inMath, Masters in Curriculum & Instruction, and a Mas-ters in Educational Leadership) and is working on hisSpecialist’s Degree through the University of Nebraska atKearney. Mr. Denker has served as a practicing school ad-ministrator for the past 11 years serving as Principal atKimball High School from 2002 to 2007 and at SewardHigh school since 2007. Prior to that, Chad was a class-room instructor at Crete Jr./Sr. High School.

Mr. Denker is active in many professional organiza-tions and community leadership positions such as theNational Association of Secondary School Principals, theNebraska Council of School Administrators, and the Ne-braska State Association of Secondary School Principals,where he has served as the Region V president and asRegion I Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President. Chadhas also served on the NCSA Legislative Committee andAdministrators’ Days Planning Committee. He has alsoserved as Coordinator and Board Member for the Team-Mates Mentoring Program, Vice President of the KiwanisClub, and as a member of the Seward County Young Pro-fessionals, St. John Lutheran Church, and the Doane Col-lege Alumni Council.

Mr. Denker has several other honors, including theNSASSP Region I Principal of the Year, Region V NewPrincipal of the Year, and TeamMates Southeast RegionCoordinator of the Year. He has also been a presenter atseveral state and area events.

Mr. Greg Barnes, Superintendent of Seward PublicSchools, states: “Mr. Denker’s focus has been on the stu-dents in our high school. He is continuously dedicatedto improving instruction and providing opportunities forall students to learn.” Steve Borer, Activities Director atSeward, says: “Mr. Denker has done a superb job in hisposition. He is a hard worker and is willing to put inwhatever hours it takes to get the job done.” Clark Kol-erman, English Instructor at Seward High school states:

“Mr. Denker is a professional and always places othersfirst, as he promotes personal excellence in his office,his students and the people he works with throughoutthe high school at all levels.” Sandy Wright, President ofthe Seward TeamMates Program comments: “Chad cameto Seward replacing a retiring, long-time and much-lovedPrincipal. Those were big shoes to fill indeed. He quicklydemonstrated his professional dedication and was able tomotivate and unify the teaching staff, administrators,patrons, and most of all his students to strive for excel-lence in the educational experience.”

Mr. Denker will receive his award at the NebraskaState Association of Secondary School Principals StateConference and with his selection, will be eligible forconsideration for the 2012 Metlife/NASSP National HighSchool Principal of the Year.

Mr. Brent Cudly was selected to represent Nebraska asthe Middle School Principal of the Year for the NebraskaState Association of Secondary School Principals. Brentreceived his education from the University of Ne-braska–Lincoln (Bachelor of Science and Master of Sci-ence in Educational Administration and Supervision).

Brent has been in his current position at ArlingtonPublic Schools since 2006. His previous educational ex-perience includes teaching social studies at Fremont HighSchool from 2002 to 2006.

Mr. Cudly is active in many professional organizationssuch as the National Association of Secondary SchoolPrincipals, the Nebraska Council of School Administra-tors, the Nebraska State Association of Secondary SchoolPrincipals, the National Middle School Association, andthe Nebraska Association for Middle Level Education. Heis an active member of the TeamMates program, servingas the current on the board and is the NSAA District IIMiddle Level Representative. Brent is also a liaison tothe Arlington Booster Club Board, member of the FirstUnited Methodist Church, and a volunteer with ArlingtonYouth Sports.

Mr. Cudly was honored as the Region II Middle SchoolPrincipal of the Year for 2011-2012. Brent has been apresenter at NCSA Administrators’ Days, the NSASSP State

Denker

Cudly



ELECTION RESULTS

We are pleased to honor those members that have been elected by their peers andcolleagues to serve as their respective affiliate president-elects for the 2012-2013year. We feel extremely fortunate to have highly qualified and worthy individuals

that participated in each election and wish to say thanks for those individuals willing to runfor leadership positions. To be elected by your peers is certainly noteworthy and now thesenewly elected individuals will have the opportunity to serve and lead school administratorsacross the state.

In addition to their roles and responsibilities for their respective affiliates they also willbegin as members of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators Executive Board, with of-ficial duties to begin on September 1, 2012.

We wish to congratulate and welcome the following new President-Elects:• NASES – Brenda Tracy, Special Education Director, Norris School District 160• NASBO – Kelli Ackerman, Business Manager, Holdrege Public Schools• NAESP – Mike Janssen, Principal, Blair Arbor Park Middle School• NSASSP – Brian Tonniges, Principal, York Middle School• NASA – Mike Teahon, Superintendent, Gothenburg

Public SchoolsIn addition, we are excited to introduce the 2012-13

Chair and Vice Chair of the NCSA Executive Board.• Chair – Dave Kaslon, Blair Community Schools• Vice Chair – Greg Barnes, Seward Public Schools �

NCSA Election Results

Tracy Ackerman

Janssen Tonniges

Teahon Kaslon Barnes

side the health plan. Depending on the district’s situation, thiscould prove to be a financially sustainable option.

Consumerism in Health Care SpendingWhen using an HRA alongside an employer sponsored health

plan, perhaps one of the greatest by-products is “consumerism.”Americans tend to be savvy consumers of products and servicesexcept when it comes to medical services. This lack of con-sumerism can create runaway claims and drive premium in-creases. Experts agree that to reduce costs, organizations mustencourage prudent medical utilization.

Using an HRA encourages consumerism because the planmember has financial “skin” in the game. Traditional medical in-surance plans do very little to encourage a consumer-focusedapproach in medical care spending. High deductible health planssupport smarter health care spending by encouraging plan mem-bers to shop for the best pharmacy prices, choose lower costproviders, eliminate duplicate tests and consider physician-rec-ommended alternative treatment.

Considerations When Negotiating an HRA• Compare Provider Fees. Most plans have a small fee associ-

ated with it that may include reimbursement and adminis-tration fees.

• Vesting Choices. Choose a plan with vesting options. One sizedoesn’t fit all. While immediate vesting is important in oneparticular application, it may not be relevant in another ap-plication. Look for a program that allows all three types ofvesting: immediate, cliff and step-vesting.

• Choose a Provider with Public-Sector HRA Experience. An HRAfor a corporation is very different than an HRA for a schooldistrict. Choose a provider who has the public sector experi-ence you need.

Affording health care is the number one concern of retirees.HRAs can help ease some of that worry and make it easier foremployees to retire, saving valuable taxpayer funds and healingwounded budgets. �

HRA Equals Savings(continued from page 6)


ACHIEVEMENTS

Dr. Daryl Wilcox isthe 2012 recipientof the NASES Dis-

tinguished Service Award. Shestarted her career at BakerUniversity, the oldest institu-tion of higher education inKansas, where she earned abachelors degree in elemen-tary education.

She taught at DouglasCounty, KS for 25 years duringthe time of school consolida-tions. She went back to schooland got a Masters in MentalRetardation at KU. Then shetaught for a short time atLawrence High School beforeleaving for Colorado’s WesternState College where shetaught Special Education for10 years (1974-84).

She went back to Kansas and got her EdD at KU inLearning Disabilities. She then went to Minot State Uni-versity three years before moving on to Texas A&M atPrairie View and worked as a professor of Special Educa-tion and Administrator in charge of 27 education pro-grams. She came to WSC in 1993 (she’s currently in her19th year). She has had over 100 advisees each yearsince 1996.

During the past 19 years she has been a consultantand innovator to the programs in Northeast Nebraska.Specifically, she consulted at Walthill and helped themimplement the TOWER© and EDITS© programs she cre-ated. Currently she is the owner of Board O’ Trade™, atool to teach students to identify coins up to $1. Shealso worked extensively with Winnebago Public Schoolson their ”Science Through Native Legends” program andthree years on a math exam. That exam ended up beingapproved by the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements.

Dr. Wilcox has also served on several area boards in-cluding the ESU #1 Board. She is currently the Vice Pres-ident of the Board of Haven House, a domestic shelter inWayne, NE, and she just came off the board of NebraskaCoalition of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.

In addition, she has raised two grandchildren on herown. Her granddaughter recently graduated from WSC inbusiness and her grandson works for Awards Unlimited(he knew she won before she did).

Daryl has long been and continues to be a positiveforce in Special Education in Northeast Nebraska. She isa NASES member and often attends our events. She is atireless worker and advocate for students with disabili-ties and anyone who is in need. Humble to the core, sheis not interested in awards, only that her students be-come successful advocates for students in their ownright. �

NASES Distinguished ServiceAward

Stuart Clark, President, NASES,and Dr. Daryl Wilcox

The expanded role of technology has made the professionand role of school administrators different than what I experi-enced. The ever-changing environment means that principalsand administrators have to continuously adjust to new educa-tion technologies and strategies. Personal growth and profes-sionalism includes growth with one’s community of peers. NCSAallows individuals to come together and learn from the expert-ise of each other in addition to the opportunity to participatein professional development activities with state and nationalexperts. In my 35 years of service in public schools, member-ship and involvement was crucial to my career. Administrators,

who do not belong to a professional association, are not re-ceiving information on legislative changes, legal changes andprofessional development. All services provided efficiently andeffectively by NCSA.

Whether your district is supportive of paying the membershipfees for principals and administrators or if payment is your re-sponsibility, the cost associated is truly an investment in edu-cation and leadership and I am convinced that the children ofyour district will benefit by a positive and productive learningexperience. �

Retirement –An Opportunity to Stay Involved(continued from page 8)

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SCHOOL SOFTWARE THAT NEVER LEAVES YOU BEHIND

We would like to begin by extending our mostsincere congratulations to NCSA membersthat are retiring at the end of the current

contract year.This year’s retiree group may be one of the largest in

number in recent times. Please take the time to reviewthe “retiree” section in this edition of NCSA Today. Youwill learn a little about each retiree and their career.More importantly you will be impressed by the tremen-dous dedication to the administrative profession and ap-preciate the talent and years of service that this grouphas provided for Nebraska schools and students.

We thank them for their dedication and commitmentto NCSA, and their leadership in Nebraska schools. Theywill be missed but not forgotten as they truly have madea difference in the lives of many! Congratulations on ajob well done. We wish each of you the best in retire-ment.

Each year when administrators retire it is not long be-fore the attention of our schools must turn to the ori-entation and indoctrination of the new administratorsand staff in an effort to sustain quality education and ex-cellence. We are reminded of the Charles Darwin quote,“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, northe most intelligent, but the one most responsive tochange.”

Schools must be and will be responsive to change.Schools are faced with many changes and challengeseach and every year. The following table represents howthe numbers in the positions of school superintendentand ESU administrators have changed beginning with the2007-08 school year. The bulleted comments below rep-resent some of the more interesting considerations.

• With 251 Nebraska school districts, the data suggeststhat up to 88 percent of Nebraska school districts mayhave elected new superintendents in the past sixyears. (We know this number is skewed to some ex-tent as some districts have changed superintendentsmultiple times in recent years).

• 49 percent of the superintendent changes were filledwith the selection of superintendents beginning theirinitial assignment as a superintendent.

• 10 percent of the superintendent changes were filledwith the selection of superintendents that were ex-perienced as a superintendent but was their first as-signment in Nebraska.

• 12 percent of the superintendent changes were filledwith the selection of superintendents that were re-turning to the superintendent position. This groupwould include those that have retired and returned,left the position of superintendent and returned, orthose that accepted an interim superintendent posi-tion.

• 59 percent of our superintendents are new or new toNebraska (in the last six years)

We understand and appreciate the fact that the datain the table is not exact. We can cite examples of indi-viduals that can be represented in multiple categories.However, our purpose is to represent the ever-changingnature of the education. Our goal is to assist our newadministrators to be successful and to encourage allNCSA members to reflect and honor the past and to moveforward and lead with clear purpose and passion. Weclose with one final salute to our retirees and an addi-tional salute to those with the desire and courage to leadin the future. �


NCSA REPORT

Response to Change Keeps Schoolsat theTop of their ClassBY DR. MIKE DULANEY, Executive Director; and DR. DAN ERNST, Associate Executive Director

Dulaney

Ernst

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 TotalsSupt. / ESU Openings 47 25 33 42 40 36 223Initial Supt. Assignment 23 21 13 17 23 13 110Experienced, New to Nebraska 0 3 5 5 3 6 22Experienced, Return to Supt. Position 5 1 3 5 7 5 26New ESU Administrators 0 1 1 1 2 1 6

Superintendent and ESUAdministrator Information (Openings) 2007-08 through 2012-13


SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

When is the time right for implementing facilities ren-ovations? It would seem the answer to this questionis simple; the time is right when the need exists. It

would be nice if the answer where that simple. However, there aremany factors that impact the answer to the question making it adifficult and complicated decision.

One could say that when the stars and the planets are in align-ment, the time is right. Short of having NCSA offer training in as-trology, superintendents must weigh many factors when makinga decision about approaching their boards with discussions of fa-cilities improvement projects.

Obviously, need is the instigator for making facilities upgradedecisions and moves. Many factors may drive need including, butnot limited to: age and wear and tear, growing or excessive main-tenance cost, decreasing or insufficient functionality, need to de-crease annual operating costs, and desire to improve the learningenvironment.

The “way we do school” evolves thus driving the need for fa-cilities changes. More time is spent in classrooms, computers aremore prevalent, students with health needs that previously would-n’t have been in public schools are now attending and allergiesamong staff and students are on the increase. Facilities stan-dards are modified, i.e. codes, rules related to accessibility andhazardous materials, elimination of previously accepted technol-ogy like incandescent lighting or magnetic ballasts and T-12 flu-orescent lights, and increased standards for fresh air. These factorsare tangible and provide their own justification for need and tim-ing of facilities upgrades. However, they do not stand on theirown as need must be followed with the funding to accomplishthe necessary facility upgrades.

The other factors impacting the timing of investment in facil-ities upgrades are not nearly as straight forward and tangible.Consideration of these factors is absolutely critical as the firststep in determining whether the “time is right.”

Consider a few of the other factors that impact the decision.At the top of the list has to be the will of the board of education.Are they at a point where, at the very least, they are open mindedabout the potential for investing dollars in making facility up-grades? Their will starts with an understanding of the importancefacilities have on teaching and learning. Even though the re-search has drawn a very clear connection between the physicallearning environment and achievement, not all board membershave knowledge of or have bought into the research. Beyond theboard members, there are those constituents that have the men-

tality of, “if it was good enough for grandpa, its good enough fortoday’s kids.”

Another factor impacting timing is the availability of and costsof obtaining funding. Nebraska school finance has school ad-ministrators and boards of education forced into funding facilitiesupgrades in competition with the funding of teacher salaries,textbooks, computers and other budget expenditures under thelevy lid. The funding source has become the Qualified CapitalPurposes Undertaking Fund (more affectionately know as QCPUF)for many qualified facilities upgrades. Issuing QCPUF bonds, forup to 10 years, requires a simple majority vote of the board of ed-ucation and the up to .052 cents of levy for annual debt serviceis exempt from the levy lid. With the current cost of borrowingmoney using QCPUF bonds (2.5 – 3%), one could easily draw theconclusion that from the funding perspective now is the time. Itmakes absolute sense from a purely business perspective, but thatdoesn’t mean it will make sense or be justified to board membersor their constituents.

The state of the construction industry is also a factor that canimpact the timing decision. Is the industry up or down. Are con-tractors hungry for work or are they as busy as they need to be.The old economics 101 axiom of demand drives cost is certainlytrue of the construction industry. Currently the demand remains,in most areas of the state, low meaning that contractors aresharpening their pencils and shaving their margins to be as com-petitive as possible. Their goal is to keep their people busy andweather the current economic storm by getting any work theycan.

Every district, superintendent, and board of education facetheir own realities when making decisions about major expendi-tures for upgrading facilities. We are fortunate in Nebraska tohave superintendents and boards of education that are able tosort out those realities and make decisions based on the best in-terest of their students and communities.

From many perspectives, the time is right for facilities up-grades. Low interest costs, competitive construction bidding en-vironment and the need are all present at the current time. It maybe that the heavenly bodies are aligned to make this the righttime. However, the question remains when is it the “right time”for your district? �

When is theTime Right?BY DAVE RAYMOND and DENNY VAN HORN, TRANE


PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

And classrooms as well. As aschool administrator, you see itevery day: promising students

failing to meet minimum standards for con-duct and academic performance becausethey arrive at school hungry. According to anarticle posted by the Lincoln Star Journal(“Nebraska Schools: More Minority Students,More Meeting Poverty Standard”, March 6,2011), the percentage of students meetingthe schools’ poverty standard has increasedto 41 percent, compared to 30 percent adecade ago.Sadly, Nebraska is typical of what is oc-

curring across the country. According toShare Our Strength®, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending child-hood hunger in the US, nearly two thirds ofelementary and middle school teachers re-ported that students came to school hungrybecause there was not enough food at home.These findings were based on a national sur-vey of K-8 teachers in both 2009 and 2010.Hunger was not, to be sure, the largest

problem cited by teachers in the survey. Over80% of teachers in 2009 and 2010 cited lackof discipline and focus among students as thenumber one issue. This “problem”, however,

is largely symptomatic of another issue citedteachers: hunger in the classroom. Anecdotalaccounts by teachers in the survey supportscientific research that has found hungry stu-dents often have trouble with classroom be-havior, following instructions, concentrationand the ability to learn.The good news is that we can fix this.

Two-thirds of teachers in the Share OurStrength study said most or a lot of their stu-dents rely on school meals as their primarysource of nutrition. In addition, teachers werenearly unanimous in their belief that therewas a strong connection between eating ahealthy breakfast and a student’s ability toconcentrate, behave, and perform academi-cally. Unfortunately for Nebraska studentsand teachers, this state is ranked 46th of 50in school breakfast participation.Rising to the challenge, the Midwest Dairy

Council, Hunger Free Heartland, Share OurStrength, the Nebraska Department of Edu-cation and others have partnered to tacklethis problem and issued a challenge to all Ne-braska schools: increase breakfast participa-tion over the next two school years. Thischallenge comes with financial supportthrough grants and awards as well as Fed-eral subsidies. Dr. Roger Breed, State of Ne-braska Commissioner of Education, andNebraska’s First Lady, Sally Ganem, a formerelementary school principal, support theschool breakfast challenge as a means to im-prove student performance and test scoreswithout adding financial burdens to theschool district or Nebraska taxpayer.School breakfast programs have the po-

tential to decrease discipline problems, visitsto school nurses and tardiness. The earlymorning meal also increases student atten-tiveness and attendance, and generally cre-ates a better learning environment. Thesefindings support reports from schools na-tionwide that have found school breakfast:• Provides a calmer start to the day• Improves performance on standardizedtests

• Improves speed and memory on cognitivetests

• Results in better math grades, attendance,and punctuality

• Enhances performance on mental tasks• Facilitates better and more positive re-sponses to frustrationOn the other hand, when hunger haunts

the hallways, the performance of both chil-dren and staff suffer. Increasing breakfastparticipation is a certain win for the studentswho are presented with the opportunity tostart their day with a nutritious meal. It’s alsoa win for administrators as a result of an el-evation in student learning capacity, testscores and discipline.The most effective strategy for Nebraska

school administrators seeking to improve theperformance of their entire student body is toimplement a new school breakfast programor expand a current one. For more informa-tion, including details on the program, grantsand funding opportunities, stop by the Ne-braska School Breakfast Challenge booth atthe NCSA Administrators’ Day, July 25 at theYounes Conference Center & Holiday Inn,Kearney, Nebraska.

Sources:Reist, Margaret and Mark Anderson, “Nebraska Schools:More Minority Students, More Meeting Poverty

Standard”, Lincoln Journal Star, posted: Sunday,March 6, 2011

“Hunger in Our Schools: Share Our Strength TeachersReport”, Share Our Strength®, 2010

In Nebraska Schools,Hunger Haunts the Hallways


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July19-20 Google Summit 9:00 am SW High School Lincoln25-27 Administrators’ Days 8:00 am Younes Conference Center Kearney

August31 NASES Fall Retreat 8:00 am Cornhusker Hotel Lincoln

September6 Facility Directors Wksp 9:00 am NCSA Lincoln13-14 The Breakthrough Coach 8:00 am Holiday Inn Kearney19 Tri-State Golf Challenge 9:00 am Woodland Hills Eagle20-21 School Improvement Wksp 9:00 am Holiday Inn North Platte26 School Law Workshop 9:00 am Holiday Inn Kearney29 NCSA Tailgate TBD NCSA Parking Lot Lincoln

October3-4 EdAd Tech Conference 9:00 am Younes Conference Center Kearney4-5 NACIA Fall Retreat TBD Lied Lodge Nebraska City8-9 School Improvement Wksp 9:00 am ESU #10 Kearney19 EOP Workshop 9:00 am Younes Conference Center Kearney22 Hispanic/Latino Summit 8:30 am Younes Conference Center Kearney25-26 School Improvement Wksp 9:00 am LLLC Norfolk29 Paraeducator Conference 8:30 am Holiday Inn Kearney29-30 School Improvement Wksp 9:00 am DC Center Omaha

National Convention DatesASBO—Oct. 12-15, 2012, Phoenix, AZ � ASBO—Oct. 25-28, 2013, Boston, MA � ASBO—Sept. 19-22, 2014, Kissimmee, FL

AASA—April 13-15, 2013, San Diego, CA � AASA—April 5-7, 2014, New Orleans, LANASSP—February 28-March 2, 2013, National Harbor, MD

NAESP—July 11-13, 2013, Baltimore, MD

Principals Conference, and the Midwest Regional Middle LevelEducator Conference.

Ms. Lynn Johnson, Superintendent of Arlington PublicSchools, states: “In the formation of a middle level he spenttime and energy in researching best practices and involved keystaff members in the research and development. Brent intro-duced professional learning communities to our district by im-plementing the practice with his middle level initiative.”Andrew Farber, High School Principal at Arlington, says: “Mr.Cudly has had success in his administrative role due to his de-sire to work with students, flexibility and willingness to learnbest practices. He has a tremendous desire to improve thelearning environment and overall education quality of our stu-dents.” Ann Jamison, resource and high ability instructor forArlington Public Schools, states: “Our school is a differentplace through the efforts and leadership of Brent Cudly. Stu-

dents understand and take ownership in their own learning.”Jodi Borgmann, an Arlington parent, comments: “Mr. Cudlycreates an atmosphere which encourages success where the stu-dents and parents feel they are an important part of that suc-cess. He welcomes input and is innovative in implementingprograms to help all students succeed.”

Mr. Cudly will receive his award at the Nebraska State Asso-ciation of Secondary School Principals State Conference andwith his selection will be eligible for consideration for the 2013Metlife/NASSP National Middle School Principal of the Year. �

NSASSP 2012 High School and Middle School Distinguished Principals of theYear(continued from page 13)

BronzeSponsorships

Gold Sponsorships

Silver Sponsorships

Benchmark 4 ExcellenceRick Imig1411 Rodeo Bend, Dickinson, TX 77539281-910-0113rick@benchmark4excellence.comwww.benchmark4excellence.org

Educator’s Virtual MentorWoody Ziegler2206 Rd. 20, Waco, NE [email protected]

ADTRon Taylor8719 S. 135th Street, Ste. 300Omaha, NE [email protected]

AmeritasJay Spearman5900 O St., 1st FloorLincoln, NE [email protected]

John Baylor Test PrepJohn BaylorP.O. Box 30792Lincoln, NE 68503402-475-7737john@johnbaylortestprep.comwww.johnbaylortestprep.com

Blackboard4000 Westchase Blvd. Suite 190Raleigh, NC 27607919-841-0175www.alertnow.com

Boyd JonesGeorge Schuler333 South 9th StreetLincoln, NE [email protected]

DLR GroupPat Phelan, Whitney Wombacher400 Essex CourtOmaha, NE [email protected]

Horace MannCindy Dornbush10612 Monroe Street, #4Omaha, NE [email protected]

Learning TogetherAlexandra Lemke5509 B W. Friendly Ave., Ste 201Greensboro, NC 27409866-921-0000alexandra@learningtogether.comwww.learningtogether.com

National InsuranceMike Boden9202 W. Dodge Rd., Ste 302Omaha, NE [email protected]

NLAFBarry Ballou455 S. 11th St.Lincoln, NE [email protected]

TRANEDanny Szegda & Dave Raymond5720 S. 77th St.Ralston, NE [email protected]/omaha

Wells FargoJenni Christiansen1248 O StreetLincoln, NE 68508402-434-6188jenni.l.christiansen@wellsfargo.comwww.wellsfargo.com

Awards UnlimitedLarry King1935 O St., Lincoln, NE 68510402-474-0815larryking@awardsunlimited.comwww.awardsunlimited.com

D.A. Davidson & Co.Dan Smith1111 N. 102nd Ct., Ste 300Omaha, NE [email protected]/ficm

Humanex VenturesKatie Shanahan2900 S. 70th St., Park One, Ste 100Lincoln, NE 58506402-486-1102katie.shanahan@humanexventures.comwww.humanexventures.com

JostensDon Bartholomew309 S. 8th St.,Broken Bow, NE [email protected]

Nebraska Public AgencyInvestment TrustBecky FergusonPO Box 82529, Lincoln, NE [email protected]

SiemensJohn Hay8066 Flint St.Lenexa, KS [email protected]

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Omaha440 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 222 Omaha, NE 68114Toll-free: 800-700-2362 Fax: 402-384-8099

Bruce Lefler – 402-384-8092Sr. V.P., Public Finance

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AIC 837 Ed. 5-12

Documents

NCSA Today Magazine, Summer 2012