Board commends students

by Mary Le Arneal
Published 3/18/26

The North Bend Board of Education began its March 9 regular meeting with congratulations to seniors Pyper Daugherty and Cash Stanek for their competition at state wrestling. They each medaled, Daughterty in fourth place and Stanek a gold medal. They told a little about their experiences. Phillip Streff also earned a gold medal but was unable to attend. Coach Ken Streff spoke as a coach and father on how hard each of the wrestlers had competed and how proud the coaching staff was of all of the wrestlers who qualified for state.

The board approved a revision of its policy for members of the public to address the board, emphasizing that people should go through the proper chain of command – teacher, principal or superintendent – before approaching the board on an issue.

The board discussed the addition of rooms needed for increased class sizes at the elementary school. The plan is to go north and then east to add three classrooms and three service rooms for ESU and other special need rooms. Because of the additional space, an additional restroom would be needed. An additional three classrooms could be added on in the future without needing to add additional restrooms if this plan is followed.

The board discussed the possibility of allowing up to four students to repeat preschool at the teacher’s and parents’ request. No decision was made.

The Nebraska Reading Improvement Act requires teachers educating students age 4 to grade three to be trained in evidence-based reading instruction. North Bend Elementary will be training all of the elementary staff, including grades four and five.

Facilities director Roy Wright spoke to the board about the track concession stand and restrooms under construction. There have been some changes in the concrete and plumbing bids and they are going to request new bids with these changes.

High and middle school principal Brenda Petersen spoke to the board about the need to replace the smart boards purchased in 2012 in the classrooms. The current ones are out of warranty and running out of replacement parts. Petersen polled the faculty to see how many used the smart boards and requested to purchase 20, which would include one for each library. It was suggested to purchase 22 to have for flexibility in their placement. The cost is $44,000.

Petersen gave a report on the first year of interventionist Katy Camenzind. She has 11 students she sees regularly two to three times a week and is progressing well using progressive support behavior.

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