Wednesday, February 29, 2012

B-R gets $5000 grant for Powerdrive

Bancroft-Rosalie School was awarded $5000 from the Fontanelle Company FOCUS (Fontanelle Offering Communities Understanding Support) program. The money will be used to purchase an Edwards 40 Ton Jaws 4 Ironworker for metal fabrication. The primary use of the Ironworker is for learning metal working skills in welding and fabrication as part of Powerdrive. Most metal fabrication has been done by transporting the metal to local businesses and using their equipment.

John Ross contacted the school and provided information about the grant. Mr. Rob Smith and I put the grant together and submitted it to Fontanelle.

Fontanelle is a seed company and Allen Steinmeyer is the local dealer supporting the grant.

The school appreciates the efforts by Fontanelle to support education in Nebraska.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

B-R students do well at Conference Art Show

Several students took home medals at the Conference Art Show last Saturday in Homer.
Jessica Tietz- Three first place awards and one second place award
Paige Tietz- Two first place awards
Matthew Wegner- Two first place awards and two second place awards
Bryne Freemont- First place
Paige Raasch- Second place
Allie Vogt- Second Place
Miranda Zimmerman- third place
Erin Sorensen- Third place.

Check the school display sign and school website to see pictures of the winning artwork.

Monday, February 27, 2012

School Board filing deadline is March 1

The deadline is fast approaching for those interested in filing for the three school board positions on the ballot this year. March 1 is the deadline for non-incumbents to file. The deadline for incumbents was February 15.

Doug Reil was the only incumbent to file. Gary Anderson and Kent Neumann chose not to seek another term.

Scott Hansen is the only non-incumbent to file so far.

Candidates must be a resident of the school district in order to run for the school board.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Bancroft-Rosalie places 2nd at Conference Speech

The Lewis and Clark Conference speech contest was held at Homer Saturday. This was the first year that all 15 teams competed in one contest. Previously the Lewis and Clark Divisions held separate contests.

Bancroft-Rosalie placed second in the meet. Individual medalists were:

Extemp
1st Olivia Nottlemann
3rd Jasmine Greenfield

Entertainment
3rd Suzanne Ras
6th Timmy Browning

Informative
3rd Molly Hermelbracht

Poetry
3rd Olivia Nottlemann

Persuasive
2nd Brianna Wegner
5th Blair Nelson

Serious Prose
6th Cameron Smyth

Humorous Prose
5th Amanda Brummond

OID
3rd Molly Hermelbracht, Whitney Larsen, Blair Nelson, Shelby Ostrand

Superior Medalists:
Poetry—Whitney Larsen
Duet—Amanda Brummond/Cameron Smyth
OID—Timmy Browning, Kylita Gomez, Suzanne Ras, Brianna Wegner, Ryan Wellman

Friday, February 24, 2012

Boys District Final vs. GACC At Oakland-Craig

The boys basketball team will play to go to state next Tuesday February 28 at Oakland-Craig High School. Our opponent will be Guardian Angels Central Catholic, who beat Lyons-Decatur last night.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Can Bancroft do what Beemer did?

From Todays Norfolk paper. So how can we prepare Bancroft so that we are able to step up to the plate if there is an opportunity for economic development?

By LaRAYNE TOPP The Norfolk Daily News
BEEMER — A strong, small-town work ethic plus an impressive proposal has drawn a new business to Beemer."Beemer recognized the need for jobs and stepped up to the plate," (Elwood) Moore said. (Elwood Moore is the head of Cuming County Public Power)

One of those at bat was Doug Steffensmeier, Beemer village board chairman. He also wears other hats, demonstrating his interest in economic development for Beemer and Cuming County as a businessman. Plus, his family's business owns the building in which xtDirect was located.

"The Steffensmeiers went to great lengths to remodel this space to meet our needs," Rollag said.

Beemer beat out 18 other communities interested in locating the call center in their community, Moore said.

"We were prepared, and Beemer offered a wonderful package," he said.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Update on Compulsary Attendance Law

Reprinted from he Nebraska Council of School Administrators

The Legislature has been debating LB 996 on first-round consideration for most of the morning. There was considerable debate on the measure and after several hours of discussion the bill was advanced by a 29-17 vote just a few moments ago.

LB 996, introduced by Senator Wightman, would amend the compulsory attendance law by deleting the provision allowing a parent or guardian to sign a notarized release discontinuing the enrollment of a child who has reached the age of 16. With that change, compulsory education would end when a child reaches 18, graduates from high school, or completes a program of home instruction.

Notes from Legislative Forum

Here are a few notes I took at the Rural School Legislative Forum yesterday. Speakers included Governor Heineman, Senator Adams (Education committee chair), Senator Heideman (Appropriations chair), Senator Fischer (Transportation chair), Senator Flood (speaker), Russ Inbody (Department of Education School Finance) and Trent Nowka (Lobbyist for Rural School Association). I also had lunch with Senator Brasch (Revenue committee).

State aid formula. The projections for state aid came in $28 million dollars under budget. There is a push from the school lobby to adjust the formula to get closer to the $880 million budgeted amount. The larger schools want to change the "averaging adjustment" which benefits only the largest 25 schools in the state. The other option is to reduce the "Local Effort Rate" which will affect all schools.

Truancy- The Law that requires schools to report students absent over 20 days to the County Attorney would also require schools to indicate whether or not prosecution is warranted when they report students. Schools could choose to handle the matter themselves. Senator Ashford wants this bill passed.

Attendance- A bill that would increase the mandatory attendance age from 16 (when parents can sign their children out) to 18. No indication yet where this bill is going.

It is likely that a state aid bill will come out of the education committee increasing state aid to schools, but it will not increase aid by the $28 million. The bill will probably push back certification of state aid until as late as May 1. It doesn't appear that any of the proposed adjustments to the formula will decrease the amount of aid Bancroft-Rosalie School will receive next year. But anything is possible.

Monday, February 20, 2012

2012 Unicameral Youth Legislature registration now open

Reprinted from Unicameral Update Published February 17th, 2012

2012 Unicameral Youth Legislature registration now open

High school students who want to learn what it’s like to be a senator in the Nebraska Legislature are encouraged to register for the 2012 Unicameral Youth Legislature, which will convene June 10-13.

The Unicameral Youth Legislature is a four-day legislative simulation conducted at the State Capitol Building and coordinated by the Clerk’s Office of the Nebraska Legislature. Student senators will sponsor bills, conduct committee hearings, debate legislation and discover the unique process of the nation’s only unicameral.

Students will learn about the inner workings of the Legislature directly from senators, staff and lobbyists. Bills will be based on legislation considered during the current legislative session.

Early-bird registration is available until April 1. Registration forms can be obtained from the Legislature’s Unicameral Youth Legislature page: www.nebraskalegislature.gov/education/unicamyouth.php and the UNL Big Red Summer Academic Camps website: liferaydemo.unl.edu/web/4hcamps/bigredcamps. The registration deadline is May 15.

The Unicameral Youth Legislature is organized by University of Nebraska 4-H and has been supported by AmeriCorp VISTA, the Nebraska Cooperative Extension and the Southeast Research and Extension Center.

Nebraska School Activities Association names new Executive Director

press release from NSAA office.

Rhonda Blanford-Green, the Associate Commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association for the past 16 years has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA). The NSAA Board of Directors approved the hiring of Blanford-Green in an 8-0 vote on Thursday, February 16, 2012. Blanford-Green, who attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and the University of Phoenix-Colorado. She participated in track & field at UNL and was an undefeated Big Eight champion, 10-time All-American, and two-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in 1984 and 1988. She was selected as the Colorado Sportswoman of the Year in 1985. Blanford-Green has been active at the national level serving on several National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) committees. Blanford-Green is married with two children. She will begin her duties with the NSAA on July 1, 2012.

Friday, February 17, 2012

District Girls Basketball Final Friday February 24 in Pender

The girls basketball final vs. GACC will be held in Pender next Friday, February 24 at 7:00 pm. Go B-R.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Miguel Madrid wins County spelling contest

Bancroft-Rosalie 6th grader Miguel Madrid won the 4-6 division of the Cuming County spelling contest. Miguel won on the word "amendment". Jacob Zuhlke and Mariah Petersen also made it to the finals.

Lewis and Clark Conference adds Randolph

At last nights Lewis and Clark Conference administrators meeting the vote to accept Randolph into the conference was approved unanimously. Effective in 2013-14, Randolph becomes the 16th conference team.

Representatives from Laurel-Concord-Coleridge and Plainview were at the meeting to express their intentions to apply for membership at the next Conference meeting in April.

All three schools are currently members of the NENAC conference.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

School Board Meeting

The Bancroft-Rosalie Board of Education met Monday, February 13, 2012 at 7:30 pm in Bancroft. Superintendent Cerny presented the January transportation report, projected state aid, and student data.

In old business the board discussed the Lewis and Clark Conference. At this time there was no interest in pursuing membership in the East Husker Conference.

In new business, the board reviewed curriculum and personnel needs for 2011-12. The board voted to approve the contract with Great Plains Communications for 100 MB internet connectivity. The interlocal agreement with NJUMP for natural gas was also approved. The board discussed the memorandum of understanding with ESU 2 to share student achievement data and voted not to approve it. The interlocal agreement for baseball with Pender and West Point-Beemer was approved.

The board discussed the deadlines to file for school board, February 15 for incumbents and March 1 for non-incumbents.

The board went into executive session to discuss administrator evaluation and contracts. Following executive session, the board voted to offer contracts to the superintendent and principal.

Monday, February 13, 2012

School Board agenda- Meeting February 13 7:30 pm

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School
Regular Board of Education Meeting Agenda
Monday, February 13, 2012 --- 7:30 p.m. in Bancroft

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Read and approve the minutes of the January 9, 2012 Board Meeting.

5. Treasurer's Report
A. Approve the Bills
B. Financial Review

6. Review Agenda
7. Public Hearing

8. Administrator's Reports:
A. Superintendent's Report
B. Principal's Report

9. Old Business:
A.

10. New Business:
A. Annual review of curriculum.
B. Annual review of personnel needs.
C. Annual review of buildings and grounds.
D. Evaluation, hiring, and negotiations for School Administrators
E. Approve contract for internet connectivity
F. Approve inter-local agreement with Joint Utilities Management Program for natural Gas.
G. Heating loop freeze protection bid.
H. Student achievement data- Memorandum of understanding with ESU 2.

11. Discussion Items:
A. Deadlines to sign up for school board election
B. School Board Retreat follow-up.

12. Executive Session- Evaluation of administrators.

13. Future Planning- Next scheduled meeting- Monday, March 12, 2012 in Bancroft.
14. Adjournment.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Girls basketball subdistrict schedule

Subdistrict D1-4 at Wisner-Pilger High School Subdistrict D1-4 Bracket

Game 1: 02/14 at 6:30 PM CT, #1 Bancroft-Rosalie 43.2381 (18-4) vs #4 Allen 36.6316 (4-16)

Game 2: 02/14 at 7:45 PM CT, #3 Omaha Nation 39.7222 (10-10) vs #2 Emerson-Hubbard 40.7000 (9-12)

Game 3: 02/16 at 7:00 PM CT, Winner of Game 1 vs Winner of Game 2

Thursday, February 9, 2012

State Aid projections for 2012-13 school year

The Nebraska Department of Education released calculated state aid for 2012-13. Bancroft-Rosalie is projected to receive $708,170.59.
This year the school received $527,541.
That means an increase of $180,629.

The projected numbers for all Nebraska schools are available at:
http://www.education.ne.gov/FOS/SchoolFinance/Models/SAModelIndex.html

The Bancroft-Rosalie aid includes $329,691 in equalization aid and $350,898 in net option funding.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Lewis and Clark Conference considering new members

The Lewis and Clark administrators meet next Wednesday February 15th. On the agenda is a formal request by Randolph to join the conference in 2013-14. The Conference currently has 15 members, so there is room to add Randolph and have a 16 team conference tournament for Basketball and volleyball.

Laurel-Concord-Coleridge and Plainview have also shown interest in joining the Lewis and Clark Conference for 2013-14, but no formal request has been submitted. The administrators will have to look at how an 18 team conference would look.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Title I Informational Parent Meeting 6:00 pm Thursday during Conferences

Bancroft-Rosalie Elementary School

Title I
Informational Meeting

Dear Parents,
As we begin the second semester we cordially invite you to join us at our Title I Informational Meeting.

Meeting Date: February 9
During Conferences

Meeting Location: Bancroft-Rosalie Elementary Library

Meeting Time: 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM

Agenda items will include:

MAP achievement testing- What is it?

NeSA testing- When is it?

Summer School- Who is it?

We appreciate your partnership as we strive for excellence!

Monday, February 6, 2012

ARTIST ANN MCTAGGART TO EXHIBIT AT NEIHARDT SITE

Artist Ann Marie McTaggart of Sioux City will present the Sunday Afternoon at the Museum Program opening an exhibit of her work on February 12th at 2 p.m. at the John G. Neihardt State Historic Site in Bancroft, Nebraska. McTaggart is an experimental painter whose work is influenced by the philosopher Henri Bergson’s concept of the vital force. A former oncology RN, she left the nursing profession to pursue her art full time, completing a degree in Studio Art at Morningside College and later a BFA and an MA from the University of South Dakota.
In the artist statement on her website, she says of her work: “As a visual artist and a woman there are many issues of the feminine persona that are relevant within my compositions. Along with this is the opportunity I had to work in the field of oncology nursing for 35 years. Together these experiences have greatly affected the content of my work; content that centers upon man’s courage and his ability to transcend obstacles towards a higher spiritual consciousness. . . My usual icon is the bird form. For myself as an artist, I found the bird symbolizes a true spirituality -which for centuries has been utilized as a religious icon of hope and spiritual enlightenment. . . . For many this enlightenment or achievement is demanded sooner rather than later as with my courageous cancer patients. Their inner strength exceeded the powerful insults to their being.”
The artist will be present to talk about her work at the reception. The entire exhibit will remain on display through March 12th during our regular hours of Monday – Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sundays 1:30 – 5:00 PM.
The Neihardt State Historic Site is located at 306 W. Elm Street, Bancroft, NE. The program begins at 2 p.m. with a reception. The event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Conference Boys Semi-final moved to Monday

The Boys Lewis and Clark Conference basketball game vs. Winnebago has been rescheduled for Monday night 6:00 pm at Hartington.

Friday, February 3, 2012

B-R Speech Meet moved to Saturday, February 18

The B-R Speech Invite has been moved to Saturday February 18 due to the anticipated snow storm tomorrow. The decision was made based on the current weather forecast and with the intent to let schools as soon as possible.

Habitual Tardiness

The Bancroft-Rosalie Community School Student Handbook, page 9, states that “Students habitually late will not be allowed to disrupt class in progress and unexcused absences for that class will result.”

Next week students that have been habitually late for school this year will receive a letter stating that they will no longer be allowed to excuse tardies. Exceptions are for medical appointments that are pre-arranged at least one day in advance. Each unexcused tardy will require the student to stay after school that day for 30 minutes.

Habitual tardiness is defined as being tardy to school more than eight times. Tardy to school includes missing part or all of periods 1 and/or 2.

Tentative timetable for classroom addition


Here is the timetable for the two classroom addition to the north end of the school building.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Friday change in Conference basketball schedule

The girls semi-final game between Bancroft-Rosalie and Homer will be moved up to 5:00 pm Friday night because of the possibility of bad weather. The other girls semi-final between Osmond and Wynot will be played in Wausa at 5:00 pm.

Northeast Nebraska Economic Development survey

Northeast Economic Development District would like all the Northeast Nebraska residents to participate in this SIX minute survey online.

The link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S7XGLKF

Make sure to emphasize that affordable housing needs to be a priority for small communities in Northeast Nebraska.

Football schedules released

Bancroft-Rosalie 2012 Football Schedule:

Week 0 BYE
Week 1 Winside
Week 2 Wausa
Week 3 @Wynot
Week 4 Scribner-Snyder
Week 5 @Humphrey
Week 6 @Lyons-Decatur Northeast
Week 7 Lindsay Holy Family
Week 8 @Humphrey St. Francis

Bancroft-Rosalie 2013 Schedule:
Week 0 BYE
Week 1 @Winside
Week 2 @Wausa
Week 3 Wynot
Week 4 @Scribner-Snyder
Week 5 Humphrey
Week 6 Lyons-Decatur Northeast
Week 7 @Lindsay Holy Family
Week 8 Humphrey St. Francis

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Frequently asked questions about Bancroft Village Sales Tax

Reprinted from powerpoint by Garry Clark, Cuming County Economic Development director.

SUSTAIN BANCROFT VILLAGE SALES TAX FAQ’S…

Which purchase will I pay a village sales tax on?

Simple Rule of Thumb: If you don’t pay sales tax on it now, you won’t pay village sales tax on it either.
Sales tax is NOT paid on: Edible Groceries, Prescriptions
Also, the village sales tax is only collected on taxable purchases made within the village limits.

Will people stop shopping in Bancroft if a village sales tax is passed?

Where do you shop? Do you consider the sales tax before making purchases in Pender, West Point, Lyons, or Norfolk? Each of these communities has a city/village sales tax of at least 1%.

How would a village sales tax affect my property tax?

Property taxes are something that few of us truly understand, but we all agree that we dislike having to pay them. However, many of the services we enjoy as a community such as streets, police and fire protection are funded through taxes on property. Since these services cost the same regardless of the number of people using them, it makes sense that the more people who contribute to the tax, the more economical these services become for each individual. As rural populations decline, the property taxes paid per household or business rise in order to maintain these essential services.

I like Bancroft the way it is, why should it change?

Personal, business, and government budgets continue to tighten. The state and federal funding that most municipalities have received in the past has dried up. Gas prices continue to rise, along with raw materials and utility costs. If this trend continues, businesses and government will not be able to provide the same services without additional income. By implementing the village sales tax everyone who shops in Bancroft will help pay the costs, not just the property owners and utility users.

Define Capital Improvements.

The term “Capital Improvements” is a general term that encompasses a wide range of projects and undertakings. Projects might include street paving, library, parks, playground equipment, sidewalks, and storm sewers.

How would passing the village sales tax affect the cost of farm equipment repair?

As The Nebraska Sales and Use Tax Regulation tend to be complex and contradictory in nature, specific questions regarding the effect of a village sales tax on big-ticket items should be addressed to your accountant for interpretation.
If the farm equipment is tax-exempt when purchased, then the labor to repair and install parts of the piece of equipment is also tax exempt to provided that the labor charges are separately itemized on the invoice. However, the parts would be taxable regardless of whether or not the equipment was tax-exempt.

How would implementing a village sales tax effect commercial agriculture operations of local farmers and feeders?

State sales tax is not currently charged as follows, nor would a city sales tax be assessed.
• Seeds that are sold exclusively for use in commercial agriculture are exempt from the sales tax. Commercial Ag also includes the commercial production in greenhouses, nurseries, tree farms, and sod farms.
• Ag chemicals such as fertilizers, anhydrous ammonia, minerals, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, and herbicides are exempt from sales tax.
• The sale of cattle, swine, sheep, baby chicks, turkey poults, and bees whose products ordinarily constitute food for human consumption are exempt from the sales tax. Other animals such as horses, dogs, and cats are subject to sales tax even when purchased for breeding purposes.
• Feed, ag chemicals, veterinary medicines, feed supplements, and water are exempt from the sales tax if consumed by, used on, or used in caring for animals whose products ordinarily constitute food for human consumption or whose pelts are ordinarily used for human apparel.
• The purchase of depreciable Ag machinery and equipment such as tractors, combines, and implements are exempt from sales tax if the item purchased is used in commercial Ag and the purchaser has completed a NE Resale of Exempt Sale Certificate.
Village sales tax is not collected on purchases subject to sales tax when delivery is made outside of the village limits.
Additional information can be found on Ag related questions at: www.revenue.ne.gov/legal/regs/slstaxregs.htm

Is this the right time to implement a sales tax?

Bancroft has always been a great place to live and has been supported by dedicated owners and businesses, coupled with an excellent school district. By investing in our community, we can continue to offer quality services and improve those services, such as, facilities, and resources to attract new residents and maintain our high quality of life. When we shop in West Point, Pender, and Lyons we pay to fund their projects and quality of life.

Board meeting minutes

An emergency meeting of the Board of Education of Bancroft-Rosalie Community Schools was held in the School Library on Tuesday, January 31 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was open to the public and preceded by public notice.
The meeting was called to order by President Kent Neumann and on roll call the following Board Members were present: Anderson, Browning, Brummond, Hennig, Neumann and Reil. The President publicly announced the location of a current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted in the meeting room for access by the public.
The President stated that the only item on the agenda was to consider the approval of the agreement with Crafts, Inc. to build an addition to the existing school building in Bancroft.
Motion by Reil, second by Brummond to approve the agreement with Crafts, Inc. to build an addition to the existing school building in Bancroft. and pay the contractor the $10,000 down payment. On roll call vote, the following Board Members voted in favor of the passage of the Resolution: Anderson, Browning, Brummond, Hennig, Neumann and Reil.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, motion by Hennig, second by Anderson to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.