LCPS Receives Excellent Audit Report

 At the November 12, 2012 Loup City Board of Education Meeting, Gary Hinrichs and Mick Puckett of Dana F. Cole and Company, the district’s auditors, reported on the outcome of the yearly district audit.  According to the auditors, the Loup City Public Schools received an, “unqualified audit report, which is the best report available as the results of an audit.”

The audit report went on to explain that an unqualified opinion “means that in our opinion the financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects in accordance with the basis of accounting as reported on.”

The audit report went on to praise district business manager, Janelle Swanson, stating that, “We encountered no difficulties in dealing with management and the staff in performing and completing our audit. The records were in great shape.”

The complete audit presentation is available on the district website, http://blog.loupcity.k12.ne.us/

Governor Heineman Recognizes LCPS Test Score Improvement

 The Loup City Public Schools have been recognized by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman in a news article entitled: A salute to schools with top test scores. In this article, the Governor recognizes our high school students for, improving our reading scores (on the NeSA) each of the past three years.

Governor Heineman explains that, “The State of Nebraska conducts statewide reading, math, science and writing assessments so that parents, citizens, school boards, superintendents, principals, teachers and elected officials can compare results from one district to another. This data can be very helpful in improving both student and school academic achievement performance.”

 The governor’s article goes on to state: “We now have three years of reading data and I want to note that among smaller (class D1 and D2)  schools,  Alma, Axtell, Creighton, Elm Creek, Emerson-Hubbard, Loup City, Palmer, Shelby, Southwest and Winside have all improved their reading scores every year.”

We are proud of the hard work of our students and staff as we continue to strive for excellence in all things LCPS.

The complete article can be found here.

 http://fremonttribune.com/news/opinion/columnists/a-salute-to-schools-with-top-test-results/article_cefc63e8-1de6-11e2-9b5b-001a4bcf887a.html#.UIoghAyV58k.email

LCPS Technology Rundown

LCPS is currently in the second year of our 24/7 Learning program. The program began with the addition of student laptops and computer carts in 2011.  The initiative to utilize technology in our curriculum has continued to grow and develop as we look for new and better ways to engage students. A lot has happened in those two-years including:

•     Adding another 30-laptop cart to keep up with the needs of our K-8 students
•      Demonstrating  new digital Social Studies curriculum to our Board  (by district social studies  teachers
•       Establishing student Google, email and Moodle accounts
•      Introducing computer skills as early as kindergarten (ipads are now being used at the pre-school)
•     Teaching classes in Keyboarding and computer skills at the 4^th, 5^th & 6^th grade level
•      Requiring computer applications classes for all 7^th & 8^th grade students
•     Establishing a Computer-based elementary assessment-prep class
•     Delivering assignments, assessment, & feedback  online via Moodle in many classes 
•     Adding clickers, ipads, & ipods to supplement our curriculum
•     Creating podcasts of many literature texts.
•      Providing online copies of math & social studies textbooks. We will continue this practice as we adopt new curricular materials.
•      Using podcasts, books-on-CD, instructional websites, and other online resources for student accommodations
•        Providing staff technology training: including (MAP assessment, Moodle, DIEBELS Next, Check4Learning, Atomic Learning, Lan School, web-based Lessons, elementary curricular resources, Storia,  etc.)
•      Conducting One-on-one and small-group technology training ,by our technology director, at teacher request
•       Creating  staff blogs  using Google docs & Word Press
•     Providing on-line Library access to students and patrons
•     Sponsoring training opportunities for students, staff and parents in digital citizenship.

Our curriculum is based on state standards, and our staff by far make the greatest contribution to the success of our students. Technology will never replace a good teacher, but it can be a valuable resource. Our staff uses many tools to provide opportunities for students. Technology is powerful tool that we use to engage students, drive instruction, and facilitate learning.

Please feel free to stay informed of all things LCPS by following our progress on the school web-site, the school Facebook page or by visiting our classrooms.

I would invite any interested patron to visit our schools and get a first-hand look at the great things happening in technology and other areas. You will be impressed.

LCPS Board Lowers Tax Levy in 2012-13 Budget Resolution

Recently, we examined the improving state (NeSA) test scores in the Loup City district, this week; we take a look at the budget.

Following a public hearing, the LCPS Board approved a 2012-13 budget resolution calling for a slight decrease in the district’s tax levy.   The district’s total tax request decreased $72,296 from the 2011-12 tax asking. Patron’s will be taxed at a rate of $1.0637 per. $100 of assessed valuation, which is down from the $1.0668 rate in 2011-12.

Factors impacting the 2012-13 budgets include:

• The General Fund Budget will increase .8% over 2012-13. The general fund tax levy shows an increase of $.0121 over 2011-12. The general fund levy is set at $.09735 (up slightly from $0.9614)

• The Bond Fund requirements will decrease $30,605 in 12-13, with the bond fund levy decreasing 16.9% compared to 2011-12. The decrease is mainly due to our bond refinance last year. The bond fund levy is set at $0.0902, down from $0.1054.

• The Total Tax Asking for 2012-13 shows an overall decrease of 2.2% from the previous year.  The total levy is set at $1.0637, down from $1.0668

• District Cash Reserves total $2.28m, in the general fund cash reserve, depreciation fund, and employee benefit fund. Loup City maintains the maximum cash reserve allowed by state law.

Other Budget Facts:

• District income is generated mainly (88%) from local property taxes. 
• The greatest expenditure in the general fund budget is for salary and benefits (65%).
• Assessed valuation in the district increased just over 5% ($13m) this year
•  State aid increased $2,116, to $34,911.  The high water mark for state aid was $1.22m in 2003-04. In the last budget cycle (2009-11) State aide averaged $639,000.
• The 2012-13 tax levy of $1.0637 is the second lowest levy since 1995-96. The high-water mark for total tax levy was $1.62 in 1996-97. As recently as 2003-04, the total levy stood at $1.19.
• The 2012-13 bond fund levy is the second lowest, since the bond was passed. The highest bond levy was $0.26 in 1996-97.

Through thoughtful foresight, careful planning, and hard work our Board has been able to maintain our staff, upgrade academic and activity programs, improve our excellent facilities, and offer increased opportunities to our students-all while keeping tax levy at near historic lows.

LCPS Board to Consider 2012-13 Budget Resolution

The Loup City Board of Education will hold a public hearing at 7:30pm on Monday September 10, 2012 to consider the district's 2012-13 tax request (levy)  and budget resolutions.

The levy resolution and published budget can be found on the LCPS Budget Information section of the district website.

LCPS Football Stadium Guidelines

Before the first football game on August 31^st with Nebraska Christian, I will be visiting classes to remind students of our expectations for student behavior during home football games. In order to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all of our patrons and fans at home games, please review the following guidelines with your student(s):

• We are asking students to remain in the stands during football games. Students are to be in the stands or leave the stadium.  (Of course, students may freely move directly to and from the rest room and concession stand areas) This expectation applies to Loup City students as well as to visiting students
•   We will not allow students to congregate around the concession stand, on the hill, or in the parking lot before or during football games.

In the past, we have had numerous safety issues and near misses involving students running between and among parked cars; of cars being hit by balls and other objects; and of students arguing and misbehaving around the stadium as they engage in unsupervised activities.

In order to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone attending our games, we are working to address these issues with our students and parents. I appreciate your help in reviewing these expectations with our student(s) and in supporting our efforts to provide a safe, friendly, and organized environment in our stadium.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Back-to-School Night 2012

The LCPS Booster Club Back-to-School Night is coming. Please join us from 6-8 pm on Wed. Aug. 15th  to kick-off the school year.

Students are parents are welcomed and encouraged to drop off school supplies, tour the building meet teachers and enjoy a hot dog, chips & ice cream bar (provided by the Boosters and Citizens Bank).

Two meetings are scheduled during  Booster Club Back-to-School Night:

• Parents of students in grades 4-6 will meet at 6pm in the JSH commons to review schedules and class assignments.
• Laptops will be handed out to ninth grade students and students new to the Loup City district at 7pm in room 334.

It's going to be a great year- and it starts with Back-to-School Night.