Dodge County LB644 Postcard Printing Error

Proposed Property Tax

Fremont, Neb. – (Sep. 19, 2022) Dodge County residents of the Fremont Public School District began receiving their Notice Of Tax Increase postcards today.  The Tax Request for 2021 is not correct.  The corresponding increase reflected on the postcard is also not correct.  The postcard reflects property taxes for the general fund and special building fund leaving out the bond funds.  The 2022 estimated taxes on the postcard correctly utilized all funds –  inflating the estimated increase column.

LB644 (2022) requires all taxing subdivisions which are proposing to exceed 2% plus allowable growth (based on real property valuation growth certified by the county) to participate in a joint public hearing with other taxing entities in the county.  Public notice is to precede the hearing with a postcard outlining the proposed property tax increase.  Postcards require specific information per LB644.

“Property tax requests and calculation of the corresponding tax levy rates are very technical in nature,” stated Mark Shepard superintendent of schools.  “We literally spend hours calculating and recalculating our property tax request, the assessed valuations related to each request and ultimately the tax levy rate.  Our Board of Education requests exactly what is necessary to fund our operations and meet our outstanding Bond obligations.  Mistakes such as this, although correctible, add to the public distrust of taxing entities and should not happen.”

The time and location of the public hearing were also published in error – stating that the hearing would take place on September 26 at the Burt County Courthouse.  The Dodge County public hearing will take place on September 27 at 6:00 pm at the ESU2 offices located at 2320 N Colorado Avenue in Fremont.

Debbie Churchill, Dodge County Assessor, is working with Vanguard and NACO (Nebraska Association of County Officials) to re-print and mail corrected postcards.

“The school district’s overall budget is decreasing, due in part to the utilization of Federal Funds provided as part of the stimulus package.  The district’s operating fund – the General fund is increasing 1.64%.  The tax levy the Board of Education will consider at their special meeting on September 28 will maintain a levy very close to the district’s 2021 levy of $1.223,” stated Dr. Brad Dahl, FPS associate superintendent. “This is the message that was shared publicly on September 12 during a budget / levy update as part of the Board of Education meeting.” To view the presentation materials online go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D8QPq8cW8O_dlgtEs4z5t0esfQlptUUX/view?usp=sharing 

The attached table represents how information should have been displayed on postcards received today.  Corrected postcards should arrive in mailboxes soon.

2021 Assessed Value	$300,000	2022 Assessed Value	$309,000*
Political Subdivision	2021 Taxes	2022 Estimated Taxes	Estimated Increase
27-0001 Fremont	$3,669.48	$3,671.80	$111.44*
FPS Tax Rate	1.223161	1.223599	$0.000438

 

*Property valuations are adjusted periodically by the County Assessor.  This illustration assumes a 3% increase in assessed value. The actual increase illustrated on the postcard will be reflective of any adjustment to your assessed valuation and the combined impact of the proposed tax levy.

FPS was notified late last week that postcards in Douglas County were sent out to the wrong addresses in some cases.  “FPS has prided itself on being open with the public and presenting information in an understandable way.  The intention of LB644 was to add a layer of transparency to the budget / levy setting process – unfortunately it has added to the confusion,”  Shepard concluded.

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

 

Saunders County LB644 Postcard Printing Error

Proposed Property Tax

Fremont, Neb. – (Sep. 20, 2022) Saunders County residents of the Fremont Public School District began receiving their Notice Of Tax Increase postcards over the last several days.  The Tax Request for 2021 is not correct.  The corresponding increase reflected on the postcard is also not correct.  The postcard reflects property taxes for the general fund and special building fund leaving out the bond funds.  The 2022 estimated taxes on the postcard correctly utilized all funds –  inflating the estimated increase column.

LB644 (2022) requires all taxing subdivisions which are proposing to exceed 2% plus allowable growth (based on real property valuation growth certified by the county) to participate in a joint public hearing with other taxing entities in the county.  Public notice is to precede the hearing with a postcard outlining the proposed property tax increase.  Postcards require specific information per LB644.

FPS has been notified that postcards in Douglas County and Dodge County are also incorrect. 

 “FPS has prided itself on being open with the public and presenting information in an understandable way.  The intention of LB644 was to add a layer of transparency to the budget / levy setting process – unfortunately it has added to the confusion,”  Shepard concluded.  “We will continue to work with our county officials to see what options there are for getting corrected postcards out to the public.”

For more information please visit fremonttigers.org. 

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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 Honors Friends of Education

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Aug. 16, 2022) Fremont Public Schools recently started the school year with the annual Opening Session. This year a special performance of the school song was performed by FHS Band and the Cheer and Dance teams. FPS staff said the pledge of allegiance and were led in singing the Star Spangled Banner by Mark Harman, FHS vocal music teacher.

 

FPS honored the 2021 and 2022 Friends of Education. The Friend of Education award is the highest recognition of supporters of Fremont Public Schools. District 15 Senator Lynne Walz, Education Committee Chair is the honoree for 2021. The honorees for 2022 are Chuck and Caryl Johannsen and Brett and Heidi Richmond. 

 

During her first two years in the Nebraska Legislature, Senator Walz served on the Education and the Natural Resources Committee. For the 2019-20 biennium, Senator Walz served as the Vice-Chair of the Education Committee and a member of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee. Following her re-election to the Legislature in 2020, Senator Walz was elected by her peers to serve as the Chairwoman of the Education Committee, an honor that she has embraced wholeheartedly to support students and educators across the state! She continues to also serve as a member of the HHS Committee. Senator Lynne Walz will term limit out in 2024, her willingness to serve and her leadership will be greatly missed in the Unicameral.

 

“We like to say ‘Senator Walz is our very own Senator.’ I make it a point of personal privilege to remind colleagues in various professional organizations across the State, when asked to introduce her. I am proud to call Lynne our Senator and know that at every opportunity she represents District 15 and Fremont, ensuring that our interests are heard and considered,” said Mark Shepard, superintendent of schools. 

 

The Johannsens and Richmonds were nominated and awarded this prestigious award because of their recent service to the community and school district as co-chairs of the successful $123 million bond campaign. Over the late spring and early summer of 2021 these two couples led a process that included over 60 citizens, to study the facility needs of the school district, prioritize our needs and establish a strategy for communicating the plan to the community. The process engaged architects, engineers and financial consultants to complete a thorough review of the facilities, identify priorities and options for funding the much needed improvements.

 

The campaign titled The 3 R’s – Repair, Renovate and Renew placed an emphasis on 1) Improved Learning Environments, 2) Increased Safety and Security and 3) Creating Operational and Energy Efficiencies. A total of 10 projects were identified and brought forward to the community for consideration.

 

On September 14, 2021 the voters of Fremont approved the bond issue with a vote of 65% in favor of the proposal. Not only was this the largest bond issue ever considered by three fold by the voters in our school district’s history, it was approved by the greatest margin of victory!

 

“The Johannsens and the Richmonds are being recognized as this year’s Friends of Education award recipients based on their willingness to serve and lead our community through this effort which resulted in a change which will impact our community for generations to come,” stated Sandi Prokovec, Board of Education President. “We truly appreciate their commitment to our community and school district. They represent all that is embodied in what a Friend of Education is – they are true friends of education,” she concluded.

 

Years of Service for employees were also recognized. 33 employees were recognized for 5 years of service to Fremont Public Schools. 22 employees were recognized for 10 years of service. 19 employees were recognized for 15 years of service. Four employees were recognized for 20 years of service. 11 employees were recognized for 25 years of service. Denny Harmel was recognized for 30 years of service, Kathy Nelson was recognized for 35 years of service and Lloyd Emmons was recognized for 50 years of service to Fremont Public Schools. “50 years is a long time for anyone to work for one entity – Lloyd has been a tremendous asset to Fremont Public Schools,” commented Kevin Eairleywine, Executive Director of Human Resources.

 

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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 COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Protocol

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Aug. 3, 2022) As we begin the new school year we wanted to provide an update on where the District currently stands regarding COVID-19 protocol, vaccination clinics, testing kits and information sharing.  We will continue to work directly with and take our leads from Three Rivers Public Health.

 

The District protocol will be the same as it was at the end of the 2021-22 school year.  Individuals testing positive for COVID-19 must be isolated for 5 days (beginning with the onset of symptoms or positive test) – returning to school on day six and wearing a mask through day ten.  Individuals not interested in wearing a mask must stay home through day ten. 

 

Individuals exhibiting symptoms must experience symptom improvement prior to returning.  As with any illness, individuals must be fever free (less than 100.0° fahrenheit) for 24 hours prior to returning to school.  

 

The message remains the same:

• STAY HOME if you are sick.
• STAY HOME if you have not been fever free (100.0°) for 24 hours without medication.
• STAY HOME if you have been tested for COVID-19 and have not received your test results. 

 

For more information regarding our COVID-19 protocol please visit our website:

https://fremonttigers.org/return-to-school-2022/

 

Fremont Public Schools, working with Three Rivers Public Health, is scheduling the following COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics:

• Saturday, August 20 at Washington Elementary from 9-11 am
• Tuesday, August 23 at Bell Field Elementary from 6:00-7:30 pm

 

These clinics are open to the public and free.

 

Testing kits are currently available in the nurse’s office in each building.  Please contact the school nurse in your students building if you would like to access them.

 

The District, at this time, is not planning to provide weekly updates in regard to numbers of individuals testing positive for COVID-19. Three Rivers nor FPS will be sending home letters in regards to positive cases. We will continue to monitor cases and cohorts (classrooms, buildings, activities, teams, etc.). In the event a cohort group’s numbers begin to escalate, parents will be notified and appropriate action will be taken.

 

“COVID-19 is here to stay.  Since the beginning of the pandemic we have learned a great deal about how to manage this disease. The changes implemented last spring brought the protocol in line with other communicable diseases. We will continue to monitor and adjust as necessary to keep our students and staff safe,” 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.

 

Escuelas públicas de Fremont Actualizaciones de COVID-19

COVID -19 Protocol

 

Fremont, Neb. – (3 de agosto de 2022) Al comenzar el nuevo año escolar, queríamos brindar una actualización sobre la posición actual del Distrito con respecto al protocolo COVID-19, las clínicas de vacunación, los kits de prueba y el intercambio de información. Continuaremos trabajando directamente con Three Rivers Public Health y tomando nuestras iniciativas.

 

El protocolo del Distrito será el mismo que al final del año escolar 2021-22. Las personas que den positivo en la prueba de COVID-19 deben estar aisladas durante 5 días (comenzando con el inicio de los síntomas o la prueba positiva), regresando a la escuela el sexto día y usando una mascarilla hasta el décimo día. Las personas que no estén interesadas en usar una máscara deben quedarse en casa hasta el día diez. 

 

Las personas que presenten síntomas deben experimentar una mejoría de los síntomas antes de regresar. Como con cualquier enfermedad, las personas deben estar libres de fiebre (menos de 100.0° Fahrenheit) durante 24 horas antes de regresar a la escuela.  

 

El mensaje sigue siendo el mismo:

• QUÉDATE EN CASA si estás enfermo.
• QUÉDESE EN CASA si no ha estado libre de fiebre (100.0°) durante 24 horas sin medicamentos.
• QUÉDATE EN CASA si te han hecho la prueba de COVID-19 y no has recibido los resultados de la prueba . 

 

Para obtener más información sobre nuestro protocolo COVID-19, visite nuestro sitio web:

https://fremonttigers.org/return-to-school-2022/

 

Las Escuelas Públicas de Fremont, en colaboración con Three Rivers Public Health, están programando las siguientes Clínicas de Vacunación COVID-19 :

• Sábado 20 de agosto en Washington Elementary de 9 a 11 am
• Martes 23 de agosto en Bell Field Elementary de 6:00 a 7:30 pm

 

Estas clínicas están abiertas al público y son gratuitas.

 

Actualmente, los kits de prueba están disponibles en la enfermería de cada edificio. Comuníquese con la enfermera de la escuela en el edificio de sus estudiantes si desea acceder a ellos.

 

El Distrito, en este momento, no planea proporcionar actualizaciones semanales con respecto a la cantidad de personas que dieron positivo por COVID-19. Three Rivers ni FPS enviarán cartas a casa con respecto a los casos positivos. Continuaremos monitoreando casos y cohortes (aulas, edificios, actividades, equipos, etc.). En caso de que los números de un grupo de cohorte comiencen a aumentar, se notificará a los padres y se tomarán las medidas apropiadas.

 

“COVID-19 llegó para quedarse. Desde el comienzo de la pandemia hemos aprendido mucho sobre cómo manejar esta enfermedad. Los cambios implementados la primavera pasada alinearon el protocolo con otras enfermedades transmisibles. Continuaremos monitoreando y ajustando según sea necesario para mantener seguros a nuestros estudiantes y personal”, declaró Mark Shepard, superintendente de escuelas.

 

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

Fremont Entities Hold Active Shooter Training Exercise

 

Fremont, Neb. – (Jul. 15, 2022) On Thursday, July 21, Fremont Emergency Response Units will be participating in an active shooter training exercise at Fremont Middle School. The training will take place from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Access to Fremont Drive will be limited during this time. This training exercise will be held as a cooperative effort between the Fremont Police Department, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Fremont Fire and Rescue Department, Methodist Fremont Health and Dodge County REACT, Dodge County Emergency Management, Fremont/Dodge County Communications and Fremont Public Schools. 

 

The active shooter training will take place from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. The Fremont Public Schools reunification training exercise will take place from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. 

 

Access to the Splash Station from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm will be limited to those attending swim lessons and workers.  Individuals desiring to access Johnson Lake Park should park in the Fremont Public Schools soccer field parking lot or enter by walking. There will be no access to the Middle School Parking lot during the morning hours.  The public is asked to stay off school grounds during this training exercise.

 

Fremont Police Chief Jeff Elliot is leading the active shooter training and Kevin Kavan, FPS Safety and Security Coordinator has organized and is leading the reunification training. The two along with representatives from the other agencies have been planning this event for several weeks. This training is the first of its kind in this area to include all of the agencies that would be involved during a real-life event. 

 

“Recent events around the Country have heightened everyone’s awareness of the potential for these kinds of activities to take place.  We continue to learn from our training and others experiences. This training exercise gives us an opportunity to practice/experience a response we hope and pray we will never have to experience,” stated Sergeant Dustin Weitzel, Dodge County Sheriff’s department.

 

“Our Schools have been engaged in drills for a number of years with a variety of circumstances,” shared Kevin Kavan. “This past year FPS students and staff participated in over 200 drills including fire, tornado, bus evacuation, lockdown and lockout, we have conducted table-top exercises on active shooter and reunification – this training exercise allows us to see how the planning will work in practice.”

 

In the fall of 2018 a student brought what appeared to be a handgun into the Fremont High School at the end of the school day and displayed it to several students.  The students immediately reported it to the administration and authorities were called.  Within minutes the high school was in lockdown with over 35 first responders on the scene and within the building. The gun turned out to be an airsoft 9mm replica.  Chief Elliot recalls, “that evening we had a real life event that required an immediate response.  In the end no one was in peril. During the event and the post event briefing, attended by all agencies involved, an insight into what we did well and what we certainly should have done differently was discussed – we learned from that experience and are incorporating that learning into our training exercise next week.” 

 

“Fremont is a unique community in that our local agencies cooperate to serve the public in so many ways,” stated Mark Shepard superintendent of schools.  “This cooperative effort has been evident in recent events like the flood of 2019 and the pandemic – leveraging these experiences and relationships to create a safer environment for the community is the goal of this training exercise.”