The Nevis School District set its preliminary levy at the maximum allowed, noting that they can lower it later, but not raise it.
“Generally, what we do is go for the max every time,” Superintendent Gregg Parks said. “This is a good news story for us because our levy is going down $51,022 and this includes our abatement bond. So our levy is down 4.32 percent. What we need tonight is a motion to approve the initial preliminary levy at $1,129,732.”
The board approved that motion. The final levy will be set in December.
“Remember, between now and December , they’re going to run quite a few different runs on the levy and it might change based upon numbers like student counts,” he said. “The reason we do this now is so we can send it to the county auditor so they can send out those taxation notices so individuals can see how their taxes will be impacted.”
Green light for Eagle Scout project
Eddie Kramer, a member of Boy Scout Troop 56 in Nevis, received approval from the board to proceed with plans for his Eagle project to make a new sign at the football field to recognize Delmar Bail who graduated from Nevis in 1940. The old sign that is there now is weathered and cracked.
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According to Eddie’s father, Scott Kramer, Bail moved to Grand Forks where he had a successful contracting business and later donated the land in Nevis to be used for athletic fields. Eddie’s grandfather, Nels Kramer, said he has talked to people who were there when Bail also brought in equipment to work on putting in the football field.
In other action, the board:
Approved the 2019-2021 master agreement between the district and the Nevis Federation of Teachers that includes a two percent increase each year.
Approved the 2019-2021 master agreement with non-certified staff with a two percent general wage increase each year.
Accepted donations totaling $10,589 that included a $10,000 from the Omaha Community Foundation for robotics.
Changed the day off from Nov. 4 to Nov. 11 to coincide with deer hunting.
Discussed progress on bringing in guest speakers to address bullying and domestic violence. Parks said Principal Brian Michaelson has been working on this, but scheduling is the tough part because many speakers are already scheduled and those who aren’t are charging as much as $5,000. He said the school is willing to accept donations to help pay for these speakers.
Board member Gary Stennes said the presenter should use role-playing with the students. Parks said many speakers also do breakout sessions in classrooms.
Accepted the resignation of community education coordinator and elementary physical education teacher Alex White with thanks for his years of service.
Accepted the resignation of Randy Jansen, effective Oct. 4.
Heard the district test results will be presented at next month’s meeting. “We did very well,” Parks said. “I’m super proud of our kids and our staff.”
Heard from Michaelson that attendance so far is at 97.7 percent in the high school and 97.9 percent in the elementary, both up from last year.
Heard from Stennes that a program that will catch plagiarism has been approved for the English department.
Set the Truth-in-Taxation Hearing for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 at the school board meeting.
Heard Homecoming week is Sept. 30-Oct. 4.
Heard the district does some food recycling with an area farmer.
Heard the district’s cash balance for August was $2,297,683.
Approved payment of bills totaling $363,084.
The next school board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.
