During an update on the monthly finances of the North Platte Public School District on Monday, March 10, Finance Director Stuart Simpson noted that general fund reserves dropped further into the red during February.

Simpson said the reserves fell to a $6 million deficit compared to $5.5 million in the red at the end of January.

The increased deficit is not a serious concern, however. He said the state aid for the district in February did not arrive until Mar. 3.

Simpson also gave the board good news about property taxes. Property taxes collected in February amounted to around $4 million, and once that money comes to the district, he will be able to pay off the operating loans that the district utilizes for part of the year to meet funding needs until people pay their property taxes. 

Also, Boardmember Skip Altig gave a legislative update. Hearings for legislative bills will wrap up at the end of March and be debated on the floor in April and May.

Altig said Speaker John Arch advised senators not to introduce any bills with a high fiscal cost since the state faces a projected budget shortfall of more than $300,000. By law, the state budget must be balanced every year.

Altig also said there will be a Zoom call with the Nebraska Association of School Board members and state senators in the coming weeks.

The Board of Education began its biennial policy review, unanimously approving revisions to policies 1002 and 1003. 

Policy 1002 (Creation, Amendment, and Distribution of Board of Education Policies), was revised to add biennial (every two years) policy review. Previously, the policy stated that only one policy must be reviewed each year, with all policies reviewed every three years.

Policy 1003 (Mission Statement) was revised with the district’s new mission statement that was adopted in February: “North Platte Public Schools is a destination school district and community that embraces innovative opportunities and distinguished programs to create highly competitive advantages for all students, instilling the Canteen Spirit in an evolving world.”

Also, the board unanimously voted to move policies 1012-1014 to the 4000 series (Employees.) Policy 1013 (Dean of Students) will be renumbered 4036. Policy 1014 (Attending Professional Growth Meetings) will be renumbered to 4037.

All three policies will be reviewed when it comes time to go over the 4000 series. 

Bank selected

In other action, the board approved the selection of a qualifying banking institution to provide services beginning July 1.

Financial Director Stuart Simpson said RFPs (requests for proposals) were sent out to banks on Jan. 31. He received three responses.

A committee of seven individuals scored each bank according to a prepared rubric (scoring guide). The committee consisted of Simpson, Supt. Todd Rhodes, Associate Supt. Damon McDonald, Board President Emily Garrick, Member Skip Altig, Payroll bookkeeper Travis Ouderkirk, and administrative assistant Janelle Uehling.

Rated on a 100-point scale, Bank A scored 93.7, Bank B scored 76.4, and Bank C scored 71.6. Simpson said he did not want the media to report the name of the approved bank before he could contact them, so he did not release the names.

The board unanimously voted to approve Bank A as the district’s bank, starting July 1. 

The Bulldogs of the Month for February were Keagan Hartman and Marisa Pfeifer. 

In other business, the board approved:

• The  February financial claims after a review by board members Emily Garrick and Justin Thompson.  
• Seven teaching contracts for the 2025-26 school year — Jairoh Taracina, Amanda Dopheide, Taelor Evenson, Ashlynn Drewniany, Peter Drewniany, Misty Robirds-Ham, and Jennifer McNeel.
• Four resignations. effective May 20: Gavin Owen, Kimberly Boyer, Lorenzo Cavanaugh and Elle Howard.
• The minutes of the February regular meeting and Committee of the Whole meeting.
• Publication notice of the Mar. 10 regular meeting of the board.
• The agenda of the Mar. 10 regular meeting.  

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