BEATRICE – The Board of Beatrice Public Schools has approved policy regarding emergency response mapping…a step toward being able to apply for state grant assistance for building safety, under new law.
The school board vote was 4-1 with two members absent from Monday night’s meeting. After hearing recently from local emergency response representatives, officials have decided to work with a company that currently works with responders, to provide response maps.


Board members Charles Riedesel and Janet Byars said the recent input from local responders was helpful.
{Riedesel).."I'm glad we waited, to hear from the local people and their endorsement...and the popularity of this working. I'm satisfied. (Byars)..."and I would agree because it gave us the opportunity to do a little more research and we have actually some software that will work with something local. I know that we can't prevent everything that is going to happen but we do need to be able to respond."


Board member Eric Book has been concerned about possible storage of that information online, and who might be able to access it. "This company would probably be serving multiple schools in the area or across America and that's my concern right there, that this information will be stored in a place that could be hacked by people wishing us ill will. I'm all for giving the responders the tools they need to be more effective in getting to a situation. But, how have we made it this far without this program? It doesn't seem like it's a dire need for our community to have this. And, we have to remember as a board, that this is just optional."


Board President Eric Trusty spoke in support of having the policy. "Given the current environment and everything that has happened within schools...whether it is a natural disaster or a public safety incident....it's important that our local law officers, first responders, have access to this information."


Monday night’s vote was about policy only….not on a specific contract.


In other action Monday night, the school board approved a move to sell a metal building and portable structures located at the former Paddock Lane Elementary School, through an online auction...prompting board member Janet Byars to deadpan…"I cannot even comprehend that we may not have portable buildings. We've talked about that for the entire time I've been on the board."


Gone are the days of space shortages with the construction of a new single site preschool and elementary building. Superintendent Jason Alexander says there has been interest in the Paddock Lane buildings.
"We've received or fielded numerous phone calls about the metal building at Paddock Lane...and the portables....about whether we would be selling those."


In discussions with the City of Beatrice, which is taking over the old elementary sites, Alexander said selling the metal buildings and portables is allowable as long as it’s done promptly. Money from the sale would go into the school district’s building fund.


Also Monday night, the school board approved the bid of Tech Masters for cooler repair at the Beatrice High School….to address problem with a unit that is leaking freon. The cost will be $13,612. The work will be funded through the school district food program budget.

Named as the District 15 Employee of the Month for November, is Cyndie Remmenga.....a School Activities Administrative Assistant.  Recognized as the district's Business Friend of the Month is the Beatrice Early Risers Kiwanis Club.