Fremont Public Schools Adopts the 2024-2025 Budget

Hearings & Meeting Held

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Sep. 11, 2024) Fremont Public Schools passed their 2024-2025 Budget on a 5-0 vote during the Board of Education meeting on Monday night. The General Fund budget will increase by 7.59% from $67,370,915 to $72,486,313. At the same time on the resource side, the District is experiencing a 14.07% increase in assessed valuation. The proposed budget includes a property tax levy that is being reduced by 10.9 cents, the levy will drop from $1.138 to $1.028.  

 

The levy in the General Fund will be reduced to 86.1 cents, down from 91.9 cents. The Special Building Fund will be reduced from 2.5 cents to 0 cents. The levy associated with the Bond Fund has decreased from 19.3 cents to 16.7 cents, down 2.6 cents from where the district projected it to be when the voters approved the $123 million bond issue September 14, 2021.  The 10.9 cent reduction this year coupled with last year’s reduction of 8.5 cents totals a 19.4 cent reduction over the two year period.

 

 “The levies associated with this budget reflect the growing needs of the district while recognizing the impact of rising assessed values”, stated Dr. Brad Dahl, associated superintendent.  “The reduction in the bond fund levy is a reflection of the assessed valuation growth outpacing the assumed growth projected at the time of the bond issuance.”

 

Fremont Public Schools General Fund budget covers personnel, instruction, transportation and most operating costs. Personnel costs make up 85% of the General Fund. The District budgets the majority of the General Fund expenditures on classroom instruction – approximately 76%. For the 2024-2025 school year the district added 11 full time teachers and 13 additional support staff to address student growth.

 

A majority of the budget, 46.99%, is funded by property taxes. The second-largest revenue source is state aid, which funds 30.48% of the budget.

 

The Board of Education aims to maximize our resources while creating an expenditure budget which meets the district’s needs, all while being sensitive to the needs of the district’s patrons. 

The budget incorporates changes due to the negotiated agreement and increases for all employee groups of 4%. 

 

Issues affecting FPS finances include increased costs for labor and staffing, cost of supplies and materials, utility rates, insurance and transportation costs. “Essentially, everything impacting our own personal finances is also creating a challenge for the school district budget,” stated  Mark Shepard,  Superintendent.  Additional state sources of revenue were added to help districts be less reliant on property taxes for this fiscal year and helped the district lower their overall levy by 10.9 cents. 

 

The district continues to be efficient with its spending. Fremont Public Schools is ranked 5th out of 244 school districts in Nebraska in per-pupil spending; only 4 districts in the state spend less per-pupil. The district spends $12,799 per-pupil compared to the state average of $16,214.

 

Monday evening’s Board of Education action on the budget and tax request were the final approvals in the budget process.  Due to the district staying below the allowable growth threshold set by the state, the district is not required to attend the Dodge County LB 644 Joint Public Hearing. 

 

Board of Education President Sandi Proskovec noted, “The budget approved tonight accurately reflects the district’s revenues and expenditures and meets the educational needs of the district while honoring the needs of the community.  Budgeting for FPS is a year-long process and one that is taken seriously with intentionality.”

 

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The mission statement of the Fremont Public Schools is to produce creative, adaptable, productive citizens committed to lifelong learning.

Fremont Middle School Social Media Rumors

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Feb. 8, 2024) On Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 11:20 am a social media post was made stating that a shooting would occur at 2:00 PM.  

 

The Fremont Police Department responded as did FMS administration. It was determined that the threat was unsubstantiated. This same rumor had been followed up on at least a dozen times in the past 24 hours – each time the same result – not credible.  Other posts were alluding to a firearm at the Middle School, but the investigation showed no weapon at the Middle School at any time.

 

At no point was Fremont Middle School under lockdown. Lockdown notifications will be sent to parents through Remind. Some parents did not understand why, if the building was not in lockdown, the front doors were locked.  FPS has the same protocol at all buildings, once the school day has started all doors are locked and parents must enter through the office or through a door with an electronic lock after being acknowledged by staff to do so.

 

A number of parents came to the middle school to pick up their children.  As parents, you always have the ability to do so.  We appreciate the orderliness and understanding parents displayed acknowledging the reason for the process – to keep all students safe and the building accountable for each student’s whereabouts.

 

The Chief of Police and the FPD are to be commended for their responsiveness and due diligence as they work closely with the school district to ensure the safety of our students and staff.  As previously shared, if you have credible information related to any threat about school safety or harm in any way to a student, staff member or the general public please call the police department immediately.  Posting information to social media only adds to the hysteria – it is not helpful.

 

If you see something, say something! If you know something, tell someone! “This protocol continues to serve our District and community well, keeping everyone safe,” stated Mark Shepard, Superintendent of Schools.  “We appreciate the responsiveness of the FPD in dealing with the situation seriously,” Shepard concluded.

 

Anyone with information regarding the safety of our schools, students, staff or public should contact the Fremont Police Department non-emergency number (402) 727-2677.

 

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The mission statement of the Fremont Public Schools is to produce creative, adaptable, productive citizens committed to lifelong learning.

 

For more information, please contact:

Hope Pierce

Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations

hope.pierce@fpsmail.org

402-727-3088

 

Rumores en las redes sociales de la escuela secundaria Fremont

 

Fremont, Nebraska – (8 de febrero de 2024)El jueves 8 de febrero de 2024, a las 11:20 a.m. se realizó una publicación en las redes sociales indicando que se produciría un tiroteo a las 2:00 p.m.

 

El Departamento de Policía de Fremont respondió al igual que la administración de FMS. Se determinó que la amenaza no tenía fundamento. Este mismo rumor ha sido repetido al menos una docena de veces en las últimas 24 horas – cada vez con el mismo resultado – no es creíble. Otras publicaciones aluden a un arma de fuego en la escuela secundaria, pero la investigación no mostró ningún arma en la escuela secundaria en ningún momento.

 

En ningún momento la escuela secundaria Fremont estuvo cerrada. Las notificaciones de bloqueo se enviarán a los padres a través de Remind. Algunos padres no entendían por qué, si el edificio no estaba cerrado, las puertas de entrada estaban cerradas con llave. FPS tiene el mismo protocolo en todos los edificios, una vez que el día escolar ha comenzado todas las puertas se cierran con llave y los padres deben ingresar por la oficina o por una puerta con cerradura electrónica después de que el personal les indique que lo hacen.

 

Varios padres vinieron a la escuela secundaria a recoger a sus hijos. Como padres, siempre tenéis la posibilidad de hacerlo. Apreciamos el orden y la comprensión que mostraron los padres al reconocer el motivo del proceso: mantener a todos los estudiantes seguros y al edificio responsable del paradero de cada estudiante.

 

Se debe felicitar al Jefe de Policía y al FPD por su capacidad de respuesta y debida diligencia mientras trabajan en estrecha colaboración con el distrito escolar para garantizar la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal. Como se compartió anteriormente, si tiene información creíble relacionada con cualquier amenaza sobre la seguridad escolar o daño de cualquier manera a un estudiante, miembro del personal o el público en general, llame al departamento de policía de inmediato. Publicar información en las redes sociales sólo aumenta la histeria; no ayuda.

 

¡Si ves algo, di algo! Si sabes algo, ¡díselo a alguien! “Este protocolo continúa sirviendo bien a nuestro distrito y a la comunidad, manteniendo a todos seguros”, afirmó Mark Shepard, Superintendente de Escuelas. “Apreciamos la capacidad de respuesta del FPD al abordar la situación con seriedad”, concluyó Shepard.

 

Cualquier persona que tenga información sobre la seguridad de nuestras escuelas, estudiantes, personal o público debe comunicarse con el número que no es de emergencia del Departamento de Policía de Fremont (402) 727-2677.

 

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La misión de las Escuelas Públicas de Fremont es producir ciudadanos creativos, adaptables y productivos comprometidos con el aprendizaje permanente..

FPS Announces New Executive Director of Human Resources/Elementary Operations

Dr. Jennifer Robinson succeeding Kevin Eairleywine

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Nov. 28, 2023) Fremont Public Schools is announcing the retirement of Kevin Eairleywine and the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Robinson as the Executive Director of Human Resources/Elementary Operations. Eairleywine is retiring after forty years of service to Fremont Public Schools.

 

Eairleywine began his service at Fremont Public Schools in 1984 as a classroom teacher. Throughout his tenure he has served as a teacher, elementary principal, assistant high school principal, assistant middle school principal and special education director. He began as executive director of human resources and elementary operations in 2008.

 

Mark Shepard, superintendent stated, “We appreciate the work Kevin has accomplished at Fremont Public Schools over the past 40 years – his leadership and commitment to FPS and the community will be missed.”  

 

Dr. Robinson rose out of a pool of 16 very quality applicants. She is currently the principal at Norfolk Junior High (grades 7-8) and has served in her current role since 2016. Her previous administrative experience includes assistant principal and principal of Norfolk Middle School (grades 5-6) and Norfolk Junior High (grades 8-9). Dr. Robinson’s teaching experience includes classroom teacher, behavioral interventionist and spanish specialist in Lincoln Public Schools.  

 

She earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Concordia University-Seward and her masters of education, educational specialist and educational doctorate degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Robinson has served as the co-facilitator of a masters degree program in curriculum and instruction at Wayne State College. The appointment will be part of the recommended Personnel Report for the December Board of Education meeting. Her duties in Fremont will begin on July 1, 2024. “We are excited – Dr. Robinson will step right in and get to work.  She is a proven leader and is ready for this opportunity,” said Shepard.

 

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The mission statement of the Fremont Public Schools is to produce creative, adaptable, productive citizens committed to lifelong learning.

Fremont Public Schools & Greater Fremont Development Council Receives Grants

Nebraska Department of Economic Development – Developing Youth Talent Initiative

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Sep. 22, 2023) Fremont Public Schools and the Greater Fremont Development Council are pleased to announce they have received two Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI) grants from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. 

 

The first grant is a DYTI grant for middle school Career and Technical Education (CTE) enhancement. The funds awarded for this grant will be used to equip and implement 7th and 8th grade CTE programming at Fremont Middle School. The Skilled and Technical Sciences program at the Middle School is being revised to expose and prepare students for career opportunities and training being created with the opening of our FHS CTE Center. The grant award is for $200,000.

 

The second grant is a DYTI – Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) II grant for 7-12th grade Career and Technical Education (CTE). The funds awarded for this grant will be used to equip and implement CTE programming at Fremont High School. The new CTE Center will open in August of 2024 with six labs, exposing students to a variety of careers. The grant award is for $500,000.  

 

“The timing of these grants works well with the preparation, planning and opening of the FPS CTE Center,” stated Scott Jensen, executive director of secondary operations. “During the pre-planning stages of the bond issue, GFDC worked with FPS to meet with local industries and businesses to determine the scope of the bond and programming in the center.”

 

The planning for the CTE Center programming is ongoing.  FPS and Metropolitan Community College have been engaged in this important work.  “The Greater Fremont Development Council has been a partner with FPS on this venture from the beginning; it’s vital to our local economy to help students start exploring their career opportunities early” shared Megan Skiles, president and CEO of GFDC. “When the opportunity was presented to apply for this valuable funding we worked together to complete the application process,” she concluded.

 

The State launched DYTI in 2015 to inspire young Nebraskans to explore careers in manufacturing, information technology, health sciences and other fields where talent is in high demand. Each year, DYTI funding supports partnerships between employers and area schools to provide career-focused instruction and interactive educational experiences for students.

 

“In the end, this grant will allow us to continue to develop and implement programming opportunities in high wage, high skill, high demand areas which have been identified as needs within our community,” stated Mark Shepard, superintendent of schools.

 

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The mission statement of the Fremont Public Schools is to produce creative, adaptable, productive citizens committed to lifelong learning.