News & Notes
March 2019
Message From The Superintendent
Dear Staff,
This has been a difficult time for our school district, as we are once again facing expense reductions despite all efforts to be as efficient and responsible as possible with the tax dollars entrusted to us. This past Monday evening at the Board of Education Meeting, this challenge was even more evident, as several district teachers addressed the Board and spoke against potential reductions. I hope this week’s message addresses some of those concerns.
Why aren’t there more cuts at ABC?
These proposed reductions bring our total to more than $12 million dollars in recent years. Prior to the FY20 proposal, we had already eliminated 9 positions from the district administrative office, including 7 administrators and 2 administrative assistants. Nothing is off limits. As we continue to face these budget shortfalls, we will examine all areas of our district.
Are we jeopardizing modular scheduling at the high school with some of these cuts?
This is a 6.5 full time position reduction (not including CAPS) at WHS, with each department now averaging 125 or more students per teacher, which is the caseload that modular scheduling was built upon. I realize that it will be difficult to reduce additional staff in the future and maintain our commitment to the modular schedule as it is today. It is why I continue to stress that we have a revenue problem; not a spending problem. It is also why we are marketing the school district to increase both resident and non-resident students.
Why are we targeting the very people who impact our students: our teachers?
We have done a tremendous amount of work in the last seven years to avoid making classroom reductions across all grade levels, especially at the high school. We have reduced District non-salary spending from 20% of the budget to only 13%. We have worked to reduce transportation costs. We refinanced technology to save $300,000 a year. We renegotiated health insurance opportunities and modified retirement benefits. This is - and has been - a burden that is certainly shared across our district.
So what is the solution to this constant bleed on our resources and talent? I believe that is clear; we need additional revenue at Westside Community Schools and, I would argue, for public education in general in Nebraska. We will continue to connect with our state lawmakers to help them understand this. We will renew our efforts to strategically market our district to grow our student body through local housing turnover and option enrollment. We will continue to study and evaluate all expenses, weighing their cost versus their benefit. I continue to meet with our business partners to demonstrate the value of a Westside education. I am of the belief that our local business community should help shoulder the burden of developing a high quality workforce to support the economy of Omaha.
We also need you to be part of the solution to this ongoing challenge by doing small things that can add up in this type of precarious funding environment. Please share your creative ideas and solutions that could help lead to a balanced budget. With your help, the District continues to explore all opportunities for grants and additional revenue. Lastly, please promote and celebrate the wonderful things taking place in your building and across the district to encourage others to invest in our schools. In my experience, people want to be a part of something bigger than themselves that exemplifies excellence. It is why we are known as the Lighthouse District, because we have handled similar circumstances throughout our history with innovation and creativity. I know that together we can co-create a future worthy of our past.
Please know we are listening. Myself, Dr. Lucas, the Board of Education and all of our district leadership hear you and your concerns. We have considered and, in many cases, lost sleep over these same worries. But we are pressing forward, seeing possibilities not visible yesterday, while pushing for a better tomorrow in our district.
Thank you for your commitment to Westside Community Schools.
Blane
Staff Awards & Honors
Jered Hellman, Westbrook Elementary
Kate Hebenstreit
Changes at ABC
Robert Aranda, Director of Student Services
Robert Aranda has verbally accepted the position of Director of Student Services with Westside Community Schools. Robert has extensive administrative experience, currently serving as the principal of Omaha Bryan High School. He has a notable and respected track record of student recruitment, crisis management, safety collaboration and planning, and building positive relationships. He will begin at Westside in July. We are grateful to our current Director of Student Services, Alan Bone, who will retire at the conclusion of this school year. We wish him the very best.
Dr. Greg Betts & Kim De La Cruz
We are pleased to share that due to the restructuring of the Teaching and Learning department, Dr. Greg Betts will now be the Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning for the 19-20 school year and Kim De La Cruz will be the Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning.
It is important to note we are not adding administrative positions, but realigning current positions. Dr. Betts will continue to perform the duties he is currently fulfilling as Director of Professional Learning, as well as K-8 teaching and learning objectives. Kim, who is currently the Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning at Westside High School, will now share her skill set and proven track record of student achievement throughout both Westside High School and Westside Middle School. These positions were previously held by Ruby Larson, who came out of retirement twice to assist us as Interim Director, and Jim Sides, who retired last Spring.
Both Greg and Kim will assume their new roles effective July 1.
Snapshots Across The District
Facilities Staff Members Honored
Doug Willits, Rockbrook
'Doug goes above and beyond to connect with teachers, see what they need, and help to provide that. When there are situations that pose a challenge, Doug is quick to try and problem solve the situation.'
Eddie Harris, Hillside
'Eddie has become an integral part of the Hillside staff, putting together his own District-approved treat bags for the student winners of the Harris Ticket drawings awarded to students who help out in the cafeteria. He interacts with all students in a way that lets them know he cares.'
Shavone Malone, Rockbrook
'Shavone's work ethic and positive attitude ensures the important work of supporting the building gets done. She maintains positive relationships with staff and students and is a learner who doesn't hesitate to ask for advice or opportunities.'
Paul Mejstrik, Service Center
'Paul's work ethic and attention to detail are second to none. Small project or large, Paul never complains and handles it in a timely manner and the results are always exceptional.'
Tina Morgan, Westside Middle School
'Professional, consistent, easy to work with, leads with authority, always friendly and positive, and constantly responding to requests and needs in a timely manner. Tina's willingness to step in and help is what makes her great, and she always does it with a smile on her face.'
Not Receiving District Messages?
TO RECEIVE DISTRICT TEXT MESSAGES:
1. You need to have your cell phone number in the cell phone field in the Employee Access Center (include area code) - a printable, step-by-step guide is attached below.
2. On your cell phone, text the word Yes to the number 67587
3. You will get a text message back that says "You are now registered with the School Messenger notification service."
TO RECEIVE DISTRICT EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS:
School Messenger pulls from e-Finance. If you are an employee who receives a paycheck from the District, your information will be in e-Finance and you should be receiving District emails.
If you have done all of this and are still not receiving messages, please contact Kim Sedivy at sedivy.kimberly@westside66.net.
Get To Know An Admin!
Athletic Director & Assistant Principal, Westside High School
HOMETOWN: Hastings, Nebraska
EDUCATION: Administration degree from Creighton University, Bachelors degree from Kearney State, Masters degree in Secondary Counseling from Wayne State
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB AT WESTSIDE? Hectic all the time! Being an AD there is something different every day. Weather is a stressor.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT & BEST MOMENT AT WESTSIDE: Getting this job. I consider it the Best AD job in the state.
INTERESTING FACT: I scuba dive and have got 2 holes in one in golf. I wish I could golf every day.
FAVORITE BOOK and/or MOVIE: Coaching and leadership biographies. I enjoy watching college sports.
COLLEAGUE YOU ADMIRE AND WHY? I’ve worked with so many good admins, teachers, coaches and AD’s over the last 10 years I could not name just one.
BEST MOMENT AT WESTSIDE: We’ve had a great deal of success in athletics, but being able to see our coaches and player take pride and invest themselves in the school is really satisfying. It never gets old going to our games and watching Westside play.
Grant & Award Opportunities
Nominate an Administrator for the Jim Tangdall Beacon Award!
This year, District 66 will once again recognize one administrator with the Jim Tangdall Beacon Award. This award will be given to a person who demonstrates the qualities that Dr. Tangdall exemplified during his 25-year administrative career at Westside. Candidates must exhibit: positive relationships, administrative skills and dispositions, school/departmental effective leadership, service to community and commitment to young people, be a respected and ethical leader, and be a continuous learner. The recipient will be honored at our annual End Of Year Celebration. Please consider nominating an administrator who has impacted you - the application is attached below!
Thousands offered for teacher-based projects
To apply, contact:
My mail: 5420 South 42nd Street Omaha, NE 68107
Phone: 402-733-1966. Fax 402-731-2119
Email: info@rbpteachergrants.com
For Your Classroom Calendar
3/18 - 3/22 SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
3/20 First Day of Spring3/22 World Water Day
3/25-3/29 National Public Schools Week
3/25 Board of Education meeting, 6:30pm @ ABC
3/26 6th Grade Transition Night, 6:00pm @ WMS
3/27 Unified Soccer 5:30pm @ UNO Sapp Fieldhouse
3/28 Band-O-Rama, 7:00pm @ WHS
3/29 Loveland Fun Run, 2:35pm
3/29 Hillside Family Bingo Night, 6:00pm
3/30 WMS Otte-Blair Middle School Honor Band Festival
3/30 Westside Track Invitational
Unified Soccer: March 27
The Special Olympics Unified Schools Program is a fast growing initiative that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together. This year we are excited to bring a Unified Soccer opportunity to our schools.
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our fifth Unified Activity this year.
Where: UNO Sapp Fieldhouse Maverick Plaza, Omaha, NE 68132
When: Wednesday, March 27th from 5:30-6:30 pm
What: An hour of fun and friendship aimed at partnering peers while developing soccer skills.
RSVP Needed for Participation
If you and your child(ren) are interested in participating, please download the following linked informational flyer to learn more and to let us know if you are planning to attend.
Condolences
Our condolences are with Craig Secora as his mother Donna Schense died March 10. Craig is a Physical Education Teacher, Strength Coach and Varsity Football Coach at Westside High School. CLICK HERE for a tribute to Donna.
Thank you for keeping Craig and his family in your thoughts.