Very little wiggle room as NV approves budget, calendar

There’s very little wiggle room for officials in setting a school calendar or a certified budget, however both things are now set for upcoming year at Nodaway Valley.

The school board approved both measures through public hearing processes during their Wednesday, April 16 meeting held at the middle school media center in Fontanelle.

School calendar

An amended calendar was passed for this school year and a calendar was approved for the 2025-26 school year.

“We had two snow days and nine early outs or late starts. We still get in under the wire of 1,080 [hours], so we kept May 23 [as the last day of school]. It’s before Memorial Day and we’re up by three and a half hours,” NV Superintendent Paul Croghan said. “On the 25-26 calendar, you can’t start before Aug. 25, which is a Monday, so we’re going to. We gave staff the option of a few things if they wanted to, so we made the adjustments. You won’t get out until after Memorial Day, May 28.”

A few board members asked if there is any wiggle room for the district to get out before Memorial Day. Croghan said that the requirement of the start date, 1,080 hours and 190 contract days for teachers pretty much prohibits it.

“Seniors will still be in the right spot for graduation, similar to this year,” Croghan said.

Also relating to the calendar, the board approved that a music concert be held Wednesday, May 7. Because it is a Wednesday, board approval is required. The activities department also sought permission from the local ministerial alliance to do this. The May calendar is busy enough that a Wednesday was one of the only options.

The board approved 41 seniors for graduation May 18, so long as they meet graduation requirements.

Next year (2026) graduation is on Sunday, May 17.

Certified budget

The certified budget passed by the board reflects a $279,881 or 6.43% increase from last year. The new levy rate of $13.84957 per $1,000 of valuation is a change of 2.8%.

Croghan said the 2% increase in state supplemental aid that was approved by state legislators earlier this month is the same figure the district used in budgeting.

“The only way this will change is if the state changes it,” Croghan said.

This budget outlines how funds will be allocated and spent across different areas like instruction, support services and other programs. It’s a legally binding document that is subject to public review and potential amendments throughout the year.

Superintendent exit plan

Croghan discussed with the board his exit plan as his contract will not be renewed when it expires June 30. He would like to exhaust his remaining vacation time and finish June 9. He told he board that he would like to know if there’s anything else they need from him before he finishes.

Going forward, the board will work to determine any transition time that is needed for the superintendent position and try to accommodate that before Croghan is finished.

Dr. Pam Stangeland’s contract was approved by the board as a three-year term in the amount of $175,000 annually. It is a 50-50 contract with Cumberland-Anita-Massena.

In other action, the board:

• approved secured entrance bids for projects this summer in all three buildings

• approved the district career academic plan

• approved an amended amount on auditorium lighting bids

• approved career agreements with Southwestern Community College