February 9, 2026 at 7:00 AM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Mike Kumm called the meeting to order at 7:00 AM.

Discussion:  All members were present.

Discussion:  Mr. Hoesing touched on the legislative updates in February. LB1038, on paper, looks good but actually devalues ag values to 50 percent and hurts our taxpayers because we have to raise levies to accommodate it.  Mr. Hoesing and Mike are scheduled to go to NRCSA legislative issues conference on the 26th and Mr. Hoesing, Mike, Katie and Derek are scheduled for the NRCSA Conference in March in Kearney. Mr. Hoesing noted summer projects to take place. Custom Mechanical will do some summer maintenance work on our boilers. Radiator heat controls will also be inspected. He would also like to sit down with Brian and the building/grounds committee next month to look at needs in the building. Mr. Hoesing discussed the 26-27 budget and the NDE's projections based on the TEOSSA formula. We should maintain our correct allotted amount, which is a major win for the district. Our staff is also working on the Rule 10 audit, which is going well, but takes quite a bit of time. Others areas discussed were snow removal. It has been minimal this year, however, there are some concrete areas that we need to address, as we have several places cracking or disintegrating. We may also need to discuss resurfacing and/or repainting the gym in a year when it fits into the budget. Mr. Hoesing also noted that scheduling was being discussed for next year. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Hoesing met with Mr. Strom and their administration in Bloomfield on possible academic ventures with both schools. 

Discussion:  HS Principal Report Mr. Anderson
Mr. Anderson discussed FBLA week. Mr. Pfanstiel and the FBLA kids will celebrate FBLA week 2/9-2./13. Mr. Pfanstiel has an awesome group of kids that are working hard to continue the FBLA tradition Wausa has. Teacher evaluations continue and should be wrapped up by the end of the month. They also have conversations with teachers about scheduling changes due to teacher strengths and also legislation that may be changing requirements. MAPS testing has concluded and have added it into our testing plans. MAPS is a national test that many districts utilize and data provided on a national level. Our goal is to have all students at 60% or better, meaning that in that testing area we are scoring better than 60% of our peers taking the test across the nation. We also had Freshman take the PreACT, which is a predictor of what their ACT score will look like when they are Juniors. The average for the class was a 20.11 with a predictor average for the class of a 22. 


Elementary Principal Report Mrs. Heimes
Mrs. Heimes noted the MTSS team met twice in January. They reviewed all MAPS scores, discussed updating Reading Improvement Act Requirements, including mandatory science of reading training for ALL teachers who teach grade levels 3-8 including specials teachers and discussed K-8 Writing Curriculum. Parent Teacher Conferences were held on January 28th. Our percentage of attendance in K-8 was down from the fall. Our staff did a great job with the Rule 10 Audit and everything has been submitted. Read your Hears Out will take place on February 13th. Parents/grandparents have been invited to attend and eat with their students and read in the classroom. Mrs. Heimes attended the WSC Career Fair on February 6th and was excited to represent Wausa Public Schools. There will be a virtual science field trip on February 10th. The middle school grades 6–8 will participate in this virtual trip to Antarctica. Mrs. Heimes will attend TIP Training at the ESU on February. Mrs. Heimes, Mrs. Jones and Ms Gragert will also attend MAPS Growth and Understanding training on February 17th. A few calendar updates she noted: Knox County Spelling Bee in Bloomfield on February 11th; Read Across America March 2-6; Miles for Smiles March 16h; Elementary Track and Field day May 19th; Elementary field trips May 19th. 

Discussion:  Activities report:
Music: Ainsley Dawson competed in the Bach Orchestra, which is an elite group that is selected through try-outs. To his knowledge we have never had anyone chosen for this recognition. Braydon Hoesing and Alijah Nelson were chosen to participate in the WSC Honor Choir. 
Speech: They participated in their 1st meet last week in Hartington. They have 18 students out, but were short a few students this meet as some students were gone. The students did pretty well and look forward to the Wausa Speech meet this Saturday, February 14th. 
Basketball: The girls placed 5th at the L&C Conference tournament. They have 1 week of the regular season left before districts begin. Unfortunately, the JV season for the girls is over. The boys are 14-3 and are in the L&C Conference championship. They have 2 weeks left of regular season games before their districts begin. The JH boys are competing as well. They are currently 3-3 and have 12 boys playing. 
Wrestling: They have a few injuries. Tate is still wrestling really well and has placed in every meet he has participated in. Lane and Hayden are still primarily JV wrestlers. They compete in districts next Friday and Saturday. 
 

Discussion:  The Next Regular Wausa School Board Meeting will occur on Monday, March 9th, at 7:00 PM, in the WPS Library/Media Center OR the WPS Conference room.