[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6518775,"mediaKeyId","5387858-cf05c526b0012e3cd1c09e04e7820b5a","parentId",5387858,"title","Beatrice High School to add Wednesday after‑school support and formalize Friday 'Freedom' levels","audioSeconds",696,"startMs",1951000,"endMs",2647000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387858-cf05c526b0012e3cd1c09e04e7820b5a&start=1951&end=2647","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387858-cf05c526b0012e3cd1c09e04e7820b5a/thumbnail_1951000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518775/Nebraska/Beatrice-High-School-to-add-Wednesday-afterschool-support-and-formalize-Friday-Freedom-levels","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518775-49f4553cd8c58625d26d3f295079f2c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127793&Signature=l2bg44MLFvkwnwFSYZqa907d~yABLkNu9EIUFVJ30AHgKqq7-4x0hURk1bfuD-tUa1H5vpsnwDAGr47DXhmK3JxNbJBCtCf9BqH6SHqYulE-qisXn11lJTP8ki79Mc8j7LpAHnsK2BqAyeeLyBcE-xJsSQE-aDNYSwjDuyNzPgadZ0DwkuglGDEiZujIDELwK7ozqxZ0dc7KUjQL6uymyZ-h7zroEU6zaW8oGSND-hOMjt6nUIuvhCSym9MfC-hJkt5SEYXruzSeQjgoeeGaKDn0xdqHvQVsAXyr8VMkLhpGJxFJAOzG2w4iaoKsMDAmiCb3g61cIb1-N38TYAqYVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Beatrice Public Schools, NE","date","2025-07-15T11:57:57Z","article","Beatrice High School Principal Mister Ford, in his first board meeting as principal, outlined systematic changes intended to improve student outcomes: a Wednesday after‑school program called WASP for students with one or more failing grades, and a restructured Friday program (referred to as Freedom Friday) with three levels of privileges tied to academic performance and attendance.

\"We have two that will align with the strategic goals,\" Ford said. He described WASP (Wednesday After School Program) as a weekly opportunity for academic intervention, enrichment and support for students who have one or more failing grades, running from 3:17 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays (except early‑out days). Parents will be able to opt out for logistical reasons, Ford said, and the district will notify families by the school messaging system.

Ford said Freedom Friday would be run as a consistent weekly ninth period from 2:38 p.m. to 3:17 p.m., with a three‑level structure. He described the top level as allowing juniors and seniors above a 3.0 GPA and with no tardies to leave campus; a second level is a student lounge with engaging activities for students in the 2.0–3.0 GPA range; and a third level provides structured intervention time for students needing academic support.

Board member Doris raised concerns about using a 3.0 GPA cut‑off for the top Freedom level and whether the system could inadvertently penalize students who take more rigorous classes or students with learning differences. \"I'm not understanding why we're gonna punish a child that has a C,\" she said during the discussion. Doris asked whether the program could discourage students from taking higher‑level courses for fear of falling below the cut‑score.

Ford responded that the plan was informed by data and building leadership discussions and that comparable systems in other districts had produced positive results. \"We've used our data to help us inform our decision and where we did our cut scores,\" he said. He said students in the second level would have access to engaging activities and practice opportunities; students in the third level would work with teachers in individualized settings during the Friday ninth period, and teachers would also offer practice opportunities throughout the week.

The board asked clarifying questions about schedules, the relationship between the programs and extracurricular practices, and how the district will schedule individual teacher meetings during the program time. Ford offered to provide a more detailed description and meet with board members concerned about the cut scores and equity issues.

Ford said the first Freedom Friday will take place Aug. 22 and the first WASP session will be Sept. 3. Parents and students will receive detailed notices in August and grade‑level assemblies will explain expectations.

The board did not take a formal vote on program design at the meeting; administration said it will return with additional details as implementation plans are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July Board of education meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Beatrice High School principal presented two programs — a weekly Wednesday after‑school academic support (WASP) and a restructured Friday 'Freedom' program with three levels tied to GPA and behavior — that the board discussed, with members raising concerns about equity for students with lower grades.","taxTitle","Beatrice Public Schools, School Districts, Nebraska","taxId",77575,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6518780,"Beatrice parent alleges staff privacy violations after son’s death, urges accountability",513,323000,836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387858-cf05c526b0012e3cd1c09e04e7820b5a&start=323&end=836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387858-cf05c526b0012e3cd1c09e04e7820b5a/thumbnail_323000.jpg","/articles/6518780/Nebraska/Beatrice-parent-alleges-staff-privacy-violations-after-sons-death-urges-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518780-d4b8fb7364b96646a986ff8a99ac5d1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127793&Signature=DpYFUjWUjWqzWDVDf4AxpqTV9-7uKWPhgq~IniJA-q3m1AGlyQbTWW3wUuTLEqdQg4l3hSFocc6naL~3b9JqHPZM6zon0xy9udta2M1x0FSbke5JTXDABDsxfKJwyQ9~nNYCVvE-dxo9q~vKBE06GalKQ-ofW00oEWMMtithc0LTfKJUJOMQ1c8pspDT2eoboJa74jdXofHF01erng0uMDYXmiYXgA5fZF1nXySK-UjkCg98k8aXq5CgyFj7aRB27uEjPDHfgGS8oUy4KG7UKHMXjhZrWfNaDH-yVGSJgRcuT4IAXBNQuR9gtNNv2XWb0uNxnynLodeKvXZzORGaEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Beatrice parent and district resident on July 14 told the Board of Education that district staff disclosed personally identifiable information about her son’s death without the family’s consent and asked the board for accountability and policy changes to protect student privacy.

“My name is Alicia. I have two students in Beatrice Public Schools district,” Alicia said during public comment. She said she and her family “recently lost my son” and described four concerns: student privacy protections, accountability for how the district handled the death, compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and what changes the board will make to restore trust.

Alicia alleged that district staff circulated a staffwide email that contained “very personal and inaccurate information” she characterized as personally identifiable information under FERPA. She said the district email claimed the Beatrice Police Department had notified district staff; she told the board she confirmed with the Beatrice Police Department that the department did not contact the district. Alicia said the email was sent two hours before district staff (she named Mr. Voigt) spoke with her or her husband, and that neither parent had consented to any disclosure.

Alicia described additional spread of information via staff screenshots and social media posts. “We started getting screenshots from staff, that were current, former teachers, friends that are employed by BPS,” she said. She said a coach posted on social media that her son had completed suicide; Alicia said the family had not publicly confirmed cause of death and that a sealed record of the cause had not been received by the family until a week after the funeral.

She told the board members the family requested a meeting with Superintendent Mr. Alexander and Doctor Nielsen to discuss how the matter was handled; she said Mr. Voigt attended the meeting without the family’s knowledge. Alicia said the meeting left the family unsatisfied and that district responses included what she called “not truths.” She asked the board to take accountability and to issue a staff notice that the original email contained inaccurate information and was distributed without parental consent.

Board members acknowledged Alicia’s remarks and the time limit for public comment; the transcript records no formal board response or motion at that meeting to investigate the allegations. The meeting proceeded to the business agenda.","A Beatrice parent told the school board that district staff violated her children’s privacy after her son’s death and called for accountability and changes to protect student privacy under FERPA and related rules.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6518783,"Beatrice Board approves handbooks, contracts, policies and pay changes; lease reaffirmed",3025,0,3025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387858-cf05c526b0012e3cd1c09e04e7820b5a&start=0&end=3025","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387858-cf05c526b0012e3cd1c09e04e7820b5a/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6518783/Nebraska/Beatrice-Board-approves-handbooks-contracts-policies-and-pay-changes-lease-reaffirmed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518783-5de6534b3c0b2ec632a5838b8926bdca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127793&Signature=btxCWnrXqMTW063VwY-JzRq87Lw~PdqExwRzFHVA~T1ilawVShHWtSrU-iqDJ76geBU9HE0SrYwKnUoMChCYMPJ7p2Tj2clRcW6bwwSBMzwDy0NI2OMLsYc8kOBuTxg~RwCdEV93dZmDWn4j8sKKXHoSm5WE3C2mmTdu-UGOv9hRp1Y42JhZliU-Ptmm5hntAo3Klw3EBmtXUj5RQD12SISyLkE5DCQZNe-Lr2uY4i4eiZR6-mrdIRQWkAoEz6P5QUbJW64YazrtWVDNFKae3UC7rfe7gbOu2-th7SLOA9FzVuYk5wz1hVT55i7mW5HTjeB3pL9BzwT70O0s~2s01A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education on July 14 approved a slate of consent and action items including personnel actions, multiple policy reaffirmations and handbooks, contracts for special‑education services and a seven‑year lease reaffirmation with the Southeast Nebraska Education Agency.

The board voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda, which the agenda notes included approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting on June 9, 2025; proposed accounts for payment; budgetary receipts and expenditures for June 2025; committee of the whole minutes for June 30, 2025; approval of option students; the resignation of Jenna Lee Wright (first grade); and approval of teacher contracts for the 2025–26 year including Britney Kurtzer (fourth grade) and Camden Harland (first grade). The consent agenda also listed numerous policy approvals by number (for example, policy 1200 anti‑discrimination; 4003 and 5401 anti‑harassment and anti‑retaliation; procurement plan; school food authority policy 3132; internal controls 3410; safe driving record standard 4009; drug and substance 5001; admission 5101; student discipline regulation 5101.1; dress code 5004; full‑time and part‑time enrollment 5103; extracurricular 5201; promotion/retention 5202; FERPA notice 5301; association activities 5414; identification of high‑ability learners 5507; foster care and student transportation 6113; electronic communications 6113.1; parental community involvement 6400; behavioral intervention 1100; community use of facilities 1100 & 1100.1; facility use regulation 5205.1; graduation dress code and excusal of absences for Marissa Centuro and Erin Hamilton). The motion to approve the consent agenda passed.

Separately, the board approved these motions (all recorded as passed): rescind Policy 6410 (Title I parental and family engagement) and replace it by completing the Nebraska Department of Education Title I template online; reaffirm Policy 5415 (anti‑bullying), noting state statute 79‑2,137 requires each school to have and annually review an anti‑bullying policy; reaffirm Policy 5416 (student fees) and its appendix; reaffirm Policy 6400 (parental/community involvement); approve an agreement with the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired (NCECBVI) for orientation and mobility services for roughly three students for 2025–26; approve a contract with Nebraska Mental Health Center for 2025–26 (reducing contracted school psychologist time because the district hired an in‑district psychologist); approve the special education contract with ESU 5 for services in 2025–26 (with vision services moved in‑house after hiring a vision teacher); approve school psychologist contracts with Dr. Don Bilaw and Dr. Maris Maria Luiza for 2025–26 (Bilaw at 0.2 FTE to assist with transitions and threat‑assessment training); approve Policy 4029 (jury duty/pay change reflecting Department of Labor updates allowing the $35 stipend to be kept by employees because the state no longer issues the check); approve the PK–12 student handbook, certificated staff handbook and substitute handbook for 2025–26 (updates include dress code/cell‑phone expectations, start/end times, discipline language and substitute attendance incentive); approve the classified staff handbook (added paid sick leave accruals and clarified weather cancellation pay rules); increase substitute teacher pay to $175 per day (with additional step increases after 5 and 20 days); designate Chuck Reedussell to replace Lisa Peeper as one district representative on the Southeast Nebraska Education Agency board of directors; and ratify and reaffirm the lease dated June 1, 2022 with the Southeast Nebraska Education Agency for a seven‑year term beginning June 29 as required by the lease’s annual confirmation provisions.

Board Treasurer Jason reported June expenditures: payroll $1,829,965; bills $2,126,935; total $3,956,900 and said the district has expended roughly 80% of budget authority through June. Several administrators explained specific contract adjustments: the district reduced contracted school psychologist time with Nebraska Mental Health Center because an in‑district school psychologist was hired; ESU 5 vision services were replaced after hiring an in‑house vision teacher; and the NCECBVI orientation and mobility contract continues because there is no local provider.

Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes): rescind Policy 6410 — passed; reaffirm Policy 5415 — passed; reaffirm Policy 5416 — passed; reaffirm Policy 6400 — passed; approve NCECBVI agreement — passed; approve Nebraska Mental Health Center contract — passed; approve ESU 5 contract — passed; approve school psychologist contracts (Dr. Bilaw, Dr. Luiza) — passed; approve Policy 4029 (jury duty/pay) — passed; approve student/certificated/substitute handbooks — passed; approve classified staff handbook (paid sick leave) — passed; increase substitute pay to $175/day — passed; designate Chuck Reedussell as SENE representative — passed; ratify SENE lease — passed. Other consent‑agenda personnel and policy approvals listed above also passed as part of the consent agenda.

The board announced the next regular meeting will be Aug. 11, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the administration building.","The Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education approved a consent agenda of personnel and policy items and separately ratified multiple contracts, handbooks and pay changes at its July meeting; the board also reaffirmed a seven‑year lease with the Southeast Nebraska Education Agency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Beatrice High School to add Wednesday after‑school support and formalize Friday 'Freedom' levels

Beatrice parent alleges staff privacy violations after son’s death, urges accountability

Beatrice Board approves handbooks, contracts, policies and pay changes; lease reaffirmed