Schools & Education

McCOOK, Neb. — New hires and staffing updates highlighted Monday night’s McCook School Board meeting, as the district reported strong progress filling teaching positions ahead of the upcoming school year. The board approved five teaching contracts: Kaylee Eckert was hired as a kindergarten teacher after working as a paraeducator while earning her degree. Shaelin Stiver will serve as the special education teacher for McCook St. Pats, a role provided through McCook Public Schoo

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Board of Education approved the 2026-27 school calendar, adopted new district reading and math improvement goals, and took action on staffing, contracts and other business during its regular meeting Monday night. Among the personnel matters, the board accepted the resignations of Jacob Obrecht, band teacher at McCook Junior and Senior High School, and Laura Nokes, a resource teacher for McCook Public Schools. Board members also approved a contract fo

Thursday, December 4, 2025 McCOOKNeb. — McCook Community College sophomore Jackson Dellevoet presented original research Wednesday in the Student Union at MCC’s ninth Science Symposium. His presentation centered on “Diatomaceous Earth and its Effects on Deterring Terrestrial Isopods from Damaging Soybean Sprouts.” The research class, BIOS 2500, is a one-semester experience in being a scientist. Dellevoet’s research was part of a research class developed in 2014 by MCC biolog

November 10, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — The McCook Board of Education met Monday evening for its regular monthly meeting. Key highlights and actions included: Student & Staff Updates Science Trip Approved: McCook High School Science Teacher Mr. Cory Degnan received board approval for a nine-day summer field school through Wyoming and South Dakota. Students will study geology, ecosystems, and Indigenous history in a hands-on outdoor learning experience. CTE Class Additions: Tanner Ung

McCOOK, Neb. — St. Patrick Catholic School will honor local veterans with its annual Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 11, featuring Brigadier General (Ret.) Chris Spillman as the guest speaker. A retired U.S. Army officer with nearly 38 years of active-duty service, General Spillman brings a lifetime of leadership, strategic insight, and dedication to national defense. His distinguished career spans from field commands overseas to high-level positions at the Pentagon,

McCOOK, Neb. — Possible changes to McCook High School’s grading system were a key topic at Monday’s school board meeting. Superintendent Grant Norgaard reported that the district will review its current seven-point grading scale — in place for about two decades — as many Nebraska schools have transitioned to a ten-point scale to help students remain more competitive for college admissions and scholarships. Any proposed updates will involve input from teachers, administrators

September 9, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — The McCook Board of Education approved the district’s 2025–26 budget and tax request Monday night after holding back-to-back public hearings. The all-funds budget is set at $24,220,971, with a 4% decrease in the overall levy (from 0.899 to 0.863) and a property-tax request of about $9.7 million. School Business Manager Jeff Gross said the higher tax ask is largely offsetting a drop in state aid. “We’re asking for about $240,000 extra property

September 7, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — The Board of Education will meet Monday, September 8, immediately following the district’s annual budget hearing and tax request resolution. Oath of Office for Student Board Member One of the first items on the agenda will be the swearing in of Quinn Taylor, who will serve as a student representative on the board for the school year. Reports and Updates Board members will review administrator reports from each building, as well as committee up

McCOOK Neb. — McCook Community College is hosting a fall job fair for employers and those looking for work. This is for members of the public as well as college and high school students. It is set for Aug 27 on campus from 10 a.m.-noon north of von Riesen Library on the MCC campus.   This free job fair is open to businesses and organizations who want to set up on campus as well as any member of the public who wants to attend and may be looking for full-time or part-time emp

McCOOK, Neb. — In a live interview Wednesday morning on KICX High Plains Radio, McCook Public Schools Superintendent Grant Norgaard responded to the failed $42 million school bond and discussed what comes next for district facilities. The bond, which proposed a new junior high, industrial arts facility, and a connection to the high school, was defeated Tuesday with 1,124 “yes” votes and 1,929 “no” votes — about 37% in favor, 63% opposed. The total turnout was over 3,000 ballo

August 13, 2025 McCOOK Neb. — Voters have rejected a proposed $42 million bond to build a new junior high school and fund other facility improvements, with the measure failing by a wide margin in Tuesday’s special election. The final tally from the Red Willow County Clerk’s Office was 1,124 “yes” votes to 1,929 “no” votes, out of 3,053 ballots cast. That breaks down to roughly 37 percent in favor and 63 percent opposed. Ballots for the all-mail election were verified against

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Rotary Club hosted Dr. Dele Davies, interim chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), for a luncheon program last week at McCook Community College’s East Campus. The visit, coordinated with help from UNMC Board of Counselors chair Brian Ash, brought UNMC leaders to southwest Nebraska for two days of meetings with hospital staff, educators, and community partners. Davies outlined UNMC’s statewide role in training health professio

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Public Schools Board of Education held its regular August meeting Monday evening, covering preparations for the start of the school year, reviewing long-term improvement goals, and taking action on several resolutions. Public Comment During the public comment portion, a resident raised concerns about a teacher’s conduct and questioned whether the district has appropriate policies in place regarding student–teacher relationships. The resident referen

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. in the Junior High Conference Room, 700 W. 7th Street. The meeting begins with public comment. The consent agenda includes minutes, financial reports, and July payroll and expenditures. Board members will also review reports from administrators and committees, including updates from all school levels and special education. Superintendent Grant Norgaard will share the

McCOOK, Neb. — Local families can get a head start on the new school year at the Annual Backpack/School Supply Giveaway & Resource Fair on Wednesday, August 6, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at McCook Christian Church, 507 West B Street. The event, open to students in grades K–8, provides free backpacks filled with essential school supplies — no income guidelines, paperwork, or ID required. Families simply check in and let volunteers know what grade each child is entering. Organizers ex

By Adrienne LaBay “The building is settling.” McCook, Neb. - It’s a phrase many heard more than once during recent tours of McCook Junior High, held on July 10, 16, and 21. Leading the tours was Principal Chad Lyons, who walked visitors through the aging facility and outlined numerous issues caused by years of structural shifting. “It’s a domino effect,” Lyons explained. “A support pillar in the cafeteria settled, which tipped the building and kinked the sewer pipe.” The tou

McCook Neb. — With ballots arriving for the $42 million McCook Public Schools bond proposal, voters are once again deciding whether to fund a major school construction project. The plan would replace the aging junior high, address long-standing safety issues, and modernize classrooms—but the debate remains heated, with supporters calling it essential and opponents saying it’s too costly. Why the District Says It’s Needed “The building is settling.” That’s the phrase most repe

McCook, Neb. – The future of music and theater programs at Mid-Plains Community College sparked concern at Tuesday night’s Board of Governors meeting, where longtime artist and MCC alumna Norma Stevens urged the college to keep the arts alive on campus. Stevens, who first attended MCC in 1957 and has supported the college’s arts programs for decades, said the lack of music and theater events in the past year is troubling for both students and the community. “This college has

McCook, Neb. - McCook Public Schools (MPS) officials are urging residents to see the junior high for themselves before voting in the upcoming August 12 mail-in bond election. During a public tour Tuesday, school leaders outlined structural concerns, safety risks, and space limitations they say cannot be solved with repairs alone. What the Tour Revealed Superintendent Grant Norgaard, Junior High Principal Chad Lyons, High School Principal Craig Dickes, and Business Manager Jef

McCOOK, Neb. – The McCook Public Schools Board of Education held its regular July meeting Monday night, covering policy updates required by recent state legislation, approving staff hires, and hearing positive feedback from students about a recent educational trip. Public Comments Highlight Teacher Certification Concerns and Student Experiences Teacher Certification Debate: Longtime educator Sharon Bohling spoke during public comment, expressing concerns about hiring non-cert