Author: hopepierce

Non-Descript Threat Regarding School / Homecoming

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Sep. 15, 2023) Fremont Public Schools were notified by a student of a non-descript threat posted to social media related to school and homecoming activities. The Fremont Police Department was notified immediately and began investigating. Based on their investigation, it has been determined the threat is not credible.

 

A trend of non-descript threats regarding school and homecoming events today, September 15 and tomorrow, September 16 have been posted on social media in several parts of the country this week. We thank the student that brought this post to our attention today. Social media posts with identical threat language have been reported earlier in the day in Indiana, California and Texas.

 

“Fremont Public Schools and the Fremont Police Department take all reports of threats seriously – student, staff and community safety is our top priority,” stated Chief of Police Jeff Elliot.

 

Fremont Public Schools and the Fremont Police Department work together and will continue to investigate all threats as per our standard protocol.

 

As always, if you have information to share with us regarding school safety please reach out.  Our message remains the same, If You See Something, Say something. If You Know Something, Tell An Adult.  Together, we help ensure that our students, schools and community are safe. 

 

“We are fortunate to have a partnership with local law enforcement to keep our schools and the community safe,” shared Mark Shepard, superintendent of schools.

 

###

 

For additional information, please contact:

Hope Pierce

Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations

hope.pierce@fpsmail.org

402-727-3088

 

Amenaza indescriptible sobre el regreso a casa

 

Fremont, Nebraska – (15 de septiembre de 2023) Un estudiante notificó a las Escuelas Públicas de Fremont sobre una amenaza indescriptible publicada en las redes sociales relacionada con la escuela y las actividades de regreso a casa. El Departamento de Policía de Fremont fue notificado de inmediato y comenzó a investigar. Según su investigación, se ha determinado que la amenaza no es creíble.

 

Esta semana se ha publicado en las redes sociales en varias partes del país una tendencia de amenazas anodinas con respecto a eventos escolares y de regreso a casa hoy, 15 de septiembre y mañana, 16 de septiembre. Agradecemos al estudiante que nos llamó la atención sobre esta publicación hoy. Más temprano ese mismo día se informaron publicaciones en las redes sociales con lenguaje de amenaza idéntico en Indiana, California y Texas.

 

“Las Escuelas Públicas de Fremont y el Departamento de Policía de Fremont toman en serio todos los informes de amenazas: la seguridad de los estudiantes, el personal y la comunidad es nuestra principal prioridad”, afirmó el Jefe de Policía Jeff Elliot.

 

Las Escuelas Públicas de Fremont y el Departamento de Policía de Fremont trabajan juntos y continuarán investigando todas las amenazas según nuestro protocolo estándar.

 

Como siempre, si tiene información para compartir con nosotros sobre la seguridad escolar, comuníquese con nosotros. Nuestro mensaje sigue siendo el mismo, Si ves algo, di algo. Si sabes algo, díselo a un adulto.Juntos, ayudamos a garantizar que nuestros estudiantes, escuelas y comunidad estén seguros.

 

“Somos afortunados de tener una asociación con las autoridades locales para mantener seguras nuestras escuelas y la comunidad”, compartió Mark Shepard, superintendente de escuelas.

 

###

Fremont Public Schools Adopts the 2023-2024 Budget

Hearings & Meeting Held

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Sep. 11, 2023) Fremont Public Schools passed their 2023-2024 Budget on a 6-0 vote during the Board of Education meeting on Monday night. The General Fund budget will decrease by 3.20% from $69,595,949 to $67,370,915. At the same time on the resource side, the District is experiencing a 12.52% increase in assessed valuation. The proposed budget also includes a property tax levy that is being reduced by 8.5 cents, the levy will drop from $1.223 to $1.138.  

 

The levy in the General Fund will now be set at 91.9 cents and the Special Building Fund will be set at 2.5 cents. The levy associated with the Bond Fund is set at 19.3 cents, where the district projected it to be when the voters approved the $123 million bond issue September 14, 2021. 

 

Three sets of Federal allocations called the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSERS) funds were awarded and budgeted in the 2020-2021 budget year and can be expensed through September of 2023.    

 

Fremont Public Schools General Fund budget covers personnel, instruction, transportation and most operating costs. Personnel costs make up 80% of the General Fund. The District budgets the majority of the General Fund expenditures on classroom instruction – approximately 76%.

 

A majority of the budget, 47%, is funded by property taxes. The second-largest revenue source is state aid, which funds 31.% 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 3.75%. 

 

Issues affecting FPS finances include increased costs for labor and staffing, cost of supplies and materials, transportation expenses, utility rates, insurance and transportation costs. “Essentially, everything impacting our own personal finances is also creating a challenge for the school district budget,” stated Dr. Brad Dahl, Associate 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 8.5 cents. 

 

The district continues to be efficient with its spending. Fremont Public Schools is ranked 6th out of 244 school districts in Nebraska in per-pupil spending; only 5 districts in the state spend less per-pupil. The district spends $12,081 per-pupil compared to the state average of $15,113.

 

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.”

 

###

 

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

FPS Mourns Loss of Fremont Learning Center Student

Ryan Littrell

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Sep. 9, 2023) Fremont Public Schools has learned this morning of the passing of a Fremont Learning Center Senior Ryan Littrell.  Ryan was involved in a tragic car accident this morning, September 9. “This is a tragic loss for our community and school district. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Ryan and his family,” stated Mark Shepard, Superintendent of Schools.

 

The District Crisis Team will be available on Monday, September 11 and Tuesday, September 12 at the Fremont Learning Center and Fremont High School during the school day.

###

 

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

 

 

FPS Lamenta la Pérdida de un Estudiante del Centro de Aprendizaje de Fremont

 

Fremont, Nebraska – (9 de septiembre de 2023) Las Escuelas Públicas de Fremont han aprendido esta mañana del fallecimiento de Ryan Littrell, estudiante de último año del Centro de Aprendizaje de Fremont. Ryan estuvo involucrado en un trágico accidente automovilístico esta mañana, 9 de septiembre. “Esta es una pérdida trágica para nuestra comunidad y distrito escolar. Nuestros pensamientos y oraciones están con la familia y los seres queridos de Ryan y su familia”, afirmó Mark Shepard, Superintendente de la Escuelas Públicas de Fremont.

 

El Equipo de Crisis del Distrito estará disponible el lunes, 11 de septiembre y el martes, 12 de septiembre en el Centro de Aprendizaje de Fremont y en la Preparatoria de Fremont durante el día escolar.

To see the presentation presented at the June 12 Board of Education Meeting, click on the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OYtHb7-o49Paq0–LJr2ZRGJa7KqUf8k/view?usp=drive_link

Fremont Public Schools Announces New Certified Staff Members

42 Staff Members

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Aug. 2, 2023) Fremont Public Schools is pleased to announce the hiring of 42 new certified staff members for the 2023-2024 school year. We are excited to welcome these staff members that are new to Fremont Public Schools. Of the 42 new staff members, 35 are due to attrition and the other 7 are additional staff due to growing student numbers. 

 

In conjunction with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, we invite the community to our Chamber Coffee on Friday, August 4 from 9:00 – 10:00 am in the East Meeting Room at the Main Street Education & Administration Center. At this event we will formally welcome our new staff members and introduce them to our community. 

 

Kevin Eairleywine, executive director of human resources and elementary operations stated, “We have an incredible group of new certified hires at Fremont Public Schools. We are excited to welcome them to Tiger Nation!”

 

New staff members include:

  • Megan Bahns – Speech Language Pathologist, Clarmar Elementary
  • Dillon Beles – Physical Education Teacher, Fremont Middle School
  • Erin Bovill – Special Education Teacher, Bell Field Elementary
  • Rileigh Burke – Psychologist, Howard Elementary
  • Keziah Caburnay – ELL Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Hilarie Calek – Special Education Teacher, Fremont Middle School
  • Kate Chapman – 4th Grade Teacher, Clarmar Elementary
  • William Findlay – Business & Entrepreneurship Teacher, Fremont Middle School
  • TJ Folkers – Health Teacher, Fremont Middle School
  • Myah Gibney – English Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Joe Giesselmann – Skilled & Technical Sciences Teacher, Fremont Middle School
  • Alex Glaubius – Science Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Carla Goodrich – Special Education Teacher, Linden Elementary
  • Amilcar Gonzalez – Math Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Emily Graham – English Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Karline Gumbs Parrilla – Spanish Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Melissa Henkenius – 2nd Grade Teacher, Grant Elementary

 

  • Nick Howell – Physical Education Teacher, Fremont High School
  • April Ann Isidro – ELL Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Lyndsy Johnson – Kindergarten Teacher, Washington Elementary
  • Katie Kimes – 2nd Grade Teacher, Washington Elementary
  • Shannon Lipsys – 6th Grade Teacher, Johnson Crossing Academic Center
  • Catherine Mangapot – Family Consumer Science Teacher, Fremont Middle School
  • Awely Mansueto – ELL Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Jordan Molczyk – 1st Grade Teacher, Milliken Park Elementary
  • Jason Novotny – Industrial Technology Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Peyton Pocock – Computer Science Teacher, Fremont Middle School
  • Nicole Pronske – Nurse, Linden Elementary
  • Calby Ruskamp – Math Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Heather Russell – Preschool Teacher, Linden Elementary
  • Mylee Sheets – Physical Education Teacher, Clamar Elementary
  • Lauren Shepherd – Psychologist, Grant Elementary
  • Jaimi Stelk – Assistant Principal, Johnson Crossing Academic Center
  • Paula Stormberg – 5th Grade Teacher, Johnson Crossing Academic Center
  • Marissa Stowe – 4th Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary
  • Ryan Sweeney – Math Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Shelby Thomas – 3rd Grade Teacher, Grant Elementary
  • Robyn Vance – 1st Grade Teacher, Washington Elementary
  • Shanon Willmott – Dean of Students, Fremont High School
  • Claire Wilson – Math Teacher, Fremont High School
  • Maggie Winterlin – Music Teacher, Howard Elementary

 

Fremont Public Schools is also pleased to welcome Brittney Kuhr as the new principal of Howard Elementary. Kuhr was previously the assistant principal at Johnson Crossing Academic Center. FPS also created additional dean of students positions at Fremont Middle School and Johnson Crossing Academic Center. Jayme Bieker is the new dean at FMS and Carrie Alvarez is the new dean at JCAC.

 

###

 

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

Fremont Public Schools Students Sign With Armed Forces

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Apr. 27, 2022) Fremont Public Schools is pleased to announce the signing of two Fremont High School seniors with the United States Armed Forces. These students are committing to several years with their respective military branches. “We are incredibly proud of these individuals for serving their country and representing Fremont High School as they travel the world and learn new skills,” said Myron Sikora, Fremont High School principal.

 

Peyton Harman

Peyton Harman signed with the United States Army. He will be moving to Colorado to serve as a military police officer. Harman participated in the FHS School-to-Career program job shadowing Kevin Kavan, FPS Safety & Security Coordinator and the Dodge County Sherriff’s Office. His recruiter is SGT Guinto.

 

Madison Petersen

Madison Petersen signed with the Army National Guard. She will be attending St. Louis University. Petersen’s recruiter is SGT Megan Liekhus. 

 

Mark Shepard, superintendent of schools, stated, “This is a great example of a school district honoring and celebrating with their students and families the great commitment to our Country and their future. This is a very meaningful, very special celebration.” 

 

###

 

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

Fremont Public Schools Bond Issue 

Bond Issue Update

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Apr. 21, 2023)  The Design work and Bidding of all projects has been completed. The Design Team is meeting with the School District Administrative Team on an as-needed basis, updating the Board of Education monthly, and updating the Board of Education Facilities Committee monthly. OAC (Owner-Architect-Contractor) Meetings are held at each project site bi-monthly.

 

High School / CTE Project Update:

CTE site setup/demo is in progress. Footings and underground rough-ins are underway. Phase 1 of the project in area D & E is proceeding nicely and on track to be completed on schedule. Phase 2 rough-ins are near completion. 

 

Washington, Howard, and Clarmar Elementary Project Update: 

Steel, CMU, and exterior enclosure work is in progress at Howard Elementary. Underground utilities, foundations and masonry block walls are underway at Washington Elementary. Geothermal well field work is in the planning phases. Deer Pointe Elementary site work is ongoing.

 

Milliken Park Elementary Project Update:

Construction at Phase 1 and 3 classrooms and new administration is complete and the areas are now occupied.  Phase 2 construction at the east classroom pod is nearing completion with final install of finishes and city inspections.  Upon completion, Cheever Construction is planning to progress into phase 4 areas, i.e. locker rooms, existing administrative offices, and the music room.  Once students leave for summer break, phase 5 work in the commons, gymnasium and special education classrooms will commence.  Substantial completion is targeted for September 2023.

 

Lenihan Learning Center Project Update:

The new fluid cooler and platform structure has been set in place, and DR Anderson will be scheduling start up procedures with the mechanical contractor soon.  Rough-ins for new mechanical, electrical, and hydronic piping are complete, and all new window frames have been installed.  In the shop area of the building, removal and infill of the existing skylights is in process along with replacement of roof membrane and board insulation.   New light fixtures and ceiling grid materials are being installed.  Second floor is receiving new paint on the walls.  Construction is expected to be complete in July of 2023.

 

Bell Field Elementary Project Update: 

Bids were received on January 26th, 2023 and were presented to the BOE for approval on February 13th 2023. The bid submitted by Cheever Construction was approved. Project planning and scheduling is in progress. The  Interior construction is scheduled to begin in May-June of 2023. Construction is expected to be complete in August of 2024.

 

Linden Elementary Project Update: 

Bids were received on March 30th, 2023 and were presented to the BOE for approval on April 10th, 2023. The bid submitted by Cheever Construction was approved. A Pre-Construction meeting will be held in April. Construction is scheduled to begin in May-June of 2023. Construction is expected to be complete in August of 2024.

 

Johnson Crossing Academic Center Project Update: 

Bids were received on March 23rd, 2023 and were presented to the BOE for approval on April 10th, 2023. The bid submitted by Scheele-Kayton Construction was approved. A Pre-Construction meeting will be held in April. Construction is scheduled to begin in May-June of 2023. Construction is expected to be complete in August of 2024.

 

To view the presentation given at the Board of Education meeting, with preliminary designs, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w0qPRwqjK94Au57zlUMrqXahV3JRly8S/view?usp=share_link 

 

###

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

FHS Students Win State Competitions 

SkillsUSA

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Apr. 20, 2023) FHS has recently had several students compete at the state level in SkillsUSA. Many of these students medaled or were state champions. 

 

Congratulations to the following students:

 

  • Denver Fincham – SkillsUSA State Champion in Welding
  • Grant Rump – SkillsUSA State Champion in Criminal Justice (was also the state champion in 2022)
  • Brandon Gallo – SkillsUSA State 3rd Place in Precision Machining (was the state champion in 2022)
  • Emmanuel (Indigo) Salas – SkillsUSA 3rd Place in Photography

 

This year Fremont had 10 competitors in 7 different competitions at the Nebraska State SkillsUSA Conference. FHS students competed in Cabinet Making, Criminal Justice, Nursing Assisting, Photography, Precision Machining, Related Technical Math, and Welding. We are still waiting on scores and placing for the non-medalist. Contest coordinators and judges spoke very highly of the student members that represented FHS. 

 

“It was a good showing by our Fremont High kids,” said Brad Ryun, SkillsUSA advisor. “I think it shows the diversity that our students have and their skills.”

 

SkillsUSA state champions and national qualifiers will compete in Atlanta, Georgia in June at the national convention. 

 

“There will be about 8,000 state champions there competing,” Ryun said. “It is a really good chance for these kids to talk to people from around the country and learn a little bit about their culture and work hand-in-hand with them on certain projects. It is a huge chance for our kids to grow.” 

 

Since 2014, the FHS SkillsUSA Chapter has had 16 State Champions and 29 medalists.

 

If anyone is interested in donating to the organization for the cost to attend nationals, they can contact Ryun at brad.ryun@fpsmail or Keith Cunnings at keith.cunnings@fpsmail.org or call the school at 402-727-3050.

 

###

 

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

Fremont Public Schools & Metropolitan Community College Students Sign With Employers

Fremont, Neb. – (Apr. 20, 2023) Fremont Public Schools is pleased to announce the signing of seven Fremont High School seniors with local industry partners and Metropolitan Community College Scholarships. These students will work part-time while taking classes at Metropolitan Community College or Southeast Community College and graduate with a full-time job. “This is a great example of the partnership between Fremont Public Schools, community colleges and local industry to meet our students’ needs,” said Todd Hansen, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at MCC.

 

Joscelyn Dake

Joscelyn Dake will be graduating from Fremont High School with a Board of Governors Scholarship from MCC. She has been part of the Welding Academy at Fremont High School and will continue her education majoring in Welding Technology at MCC. 

 

Ismael Jimenez Juarez

Ismael Jimenez Juarez will be graduating from Fremont High School with a Board of Governors Scholarship from MCC. Juarez will be taking classes to earn a degree in Automotive Technology.

 

Benny Alfaro

Benny Alfaro signed with Sid Dillon as an automotive service technician with a Board of Governors Scholarship from MCC. He will be taking MCC classes toward a degree in Automotive Technology and continue his career with Sid Dillon. Alfaro has taken a variety of industrial technology courses at Fremont High School. 

 

Domingo Perez Ramos

Domingo Perez Ramos signed with Sid Dillon as an automotive service technician. Ramos will be taking classes at MCC toward Automotive Technology and applying that knowledge with his work at Sid Dillon. Ramos has taken a variety of industrial technology courses at Fremont High School. 

 

Sid Dillon teaches students that the car business isn’t just for selling or fixing cars, there is much more to it, such as contract management, marketing and finance.

 

Brayden Reeder

Brayden Reeder signed with Platte Valley Equipment as a diesel technician in the JDTech Program. He will be attending Southeast Community College in Milford. Reeder will learn all aspects of Platte Valley’s business including sales, marketing, accounting and repairs.

 

Denver Fincham

Denver Fincham, Nebraska State SkillsUSA Champion Welder, signed with S2 Rolloffs as a part of their Repair Maintenance Scholarship as a welder. Fincham has been a part of the Welding Academy at Fremont High School and taken a variety of industrial technology courses. In addition to his education at Fremont High School, Fincham has a head start on his education at MCC and will graduate in November with his associates degree in Welding Technology. 

 

Brandon Gallo

Brandon Gallo signed with Lozier and will be learning their precision machinery trade. He has participated in Precision Machining at the State SkillsUSA competition for several years. This year he placed 3rd in the state competition and was the State Champion in 2022. Gallo has taken a variety of industrial technology courses at Fremont High School. He will graduate with an associates degree in Precision Machine Technology. 

 

This partnership is a great example of collaboration between schools and community. “Our community businesses are giving life-changing opportunities to these students and these are not the only companies that offer this type of opportunity. Our community employers see the talent that our young people possess and want to work to build on their skills,” said Mark Williams, director of counseling at Fremont High School. Hansen said, “Business and industry education sponsorships are getting more popular. Employers are making an investment on the front-end to recruit students to develop and expand their business.” We look forward to future partnerships with our community businesses and keeping our talent local.

 

“Today’s scholarship announcements and industry signings are a testimony to the hard work these young people are engaged in every day at FHS, leading to future careers and opportunities for them and their families,” stated Mark Shepard, superintendent of schools. “The partnerships we’ve been able to establish and foster with Metropolitan Community College and local industry are invaluable to the success of our programs and students.  When coupled with committed, high-performing FPS and Metro instructors our students are able to capitalize on these tremendous career opportunities”

###

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

 

About Metropolitan Community College

 

Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest postsecondary institution in the state. MCC serves more than 40,000 unique credit and noncredit students.