Board sees kindergarten coding, makes hirsby Mary Le Arneal The North Bend Central Board of Education began with kindergartner teacher Jodi Dorcey and two of her students, Nash Witthuhn and Nova Wegner, demonstrating Bee-Bots, a kindergarten level coding kit that was borrowed from the ESU. There are coding kits for different grade levels that can be borrowed to learn the basics of coding. The board ended their regular monthly meeting with personnel changes. Teachers hired for the next school year were Rachel Kaup as high school science teacher in Fred Ladehoff’s position. Heather McCurdy was hired for middle school special education to take retiring Dan Nelson’s position. Also hired was Kelsey Vyhlidal as high school SPED teacher. Landin Priblow was hired as skills and technical sciences teacher for the ‘24-‘25 school year. Melissa Cody was hired as the looping elementary teacher for next year. Her middle school position has yet to be filled. A price increase for lunch extras was discussed. Superintendent Patrick Ningen had approved the increase from $1.50 to $2 based on rising food cost and the fact there had been no increase in that amount at the beginning of the school year. Food service bookkeeper Angela Tauber explained that lunch extras are entrees or other food items there is an excess of at the end of the serving time, or it could be peanut butter sandwiches or yogurt and crackers offered in case the students do not like what is being served. The cost will go back to the $1.50 and those who paid $2 will be refunded. The board heard a report from World Classrooms about offering the NBC students the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. The trip would for four days with flight, meals, hotel and complete educational program offered within the fee. Middle school math teacher Jenna Saalfeld has looked into this and other programs. The plan is to offer it to this year’s seventh and eighth graders for a trip in June 2025. Principal Brenda Petersen said they would have a meeting next month to see if there is interest. Ningen told the board he was working on making the Chain of Command more public so that it would be used by the public and staff in solving issues and concerns they might have. He will put it out for review by patrons and staff and ask them to utilize it. Read the full story in the print or e-edition. <<Back to the front page |