[{"_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",6461904,"mediaKeyId","5813325-d728d591e2ef3f0c76f51377909d9096","parentId",5813325,"title","English-learner update: Ralston reports steady ELPA growth, newcomer enrollment declines","audioSeconds",1016,"startMs",2748000,"endMs",3764000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813325-d728d591e2ef3f0c76f51377909d9096&start=2748&end=3764","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813325-d728d591e2ef3f0c76f51377909d9096/thumbnail_2748000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461904/Nebraska/English-learner-update-Ralston-reports-steady-ELPA-growth-newcomer-enrollment-declines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461904-9780942c70d13ae8b408f225757c7d67/orig.mp4?Expires=1770811361&Signature=Td96Qd-zR1TGsTJPmcukyQumh4vb5MoHBgup4p0lzF4EADF65jqvqqTcQLhjPj4eZ11XIqHlYuIx8ykQ8qlrTUb34W0TjDqNjgYjj57ERhCkCrhV4Pa3zOBqJdVdbtYfGztw9Ge9BxvogYYfQCcyt0Hyow7N5zc1U9DaPQ2FDBUGqql6uqjGwEjOYr9hMesGKC3gbZm6sh~i0Isst50U2vssWofiZYAnc03SQAQmfaIuTKpEk2ll9jlLE-mrof5JxfwW0rb8oK3FFzsJhTqdb5ZQ0HiG2wiviaVuKVv15~tzzav6wENHxRVW1GK7EZKtiFiwlCioO9owFfCbgqDckg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ralston Public Schools, NE","date","2025-09-22T17:47:17Z","article","RALSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD — Sept. 22, 2025 — A district staff member gave an update on English-learner (EL) programming, reporting steady proficiency growth on the ELPA assessment, continued efforts to align curriculum and services, and a decline in newcomer enrollment that mirrors city- and state-level trends.

The presenter (identified in the meeting as a district staff member leading EL services) said the district had 684 students enrolled in EL programs as of the prior Friday and that the newcomer-program enrollment has declined. The staffer said that while overall on-track percentages for ELPA (listening, speaking, reading, writing) varied by building — ranging roughly from 29% to 56% on track — growth year to year in ELPA scoring ranged from approximately 35% to 63% across buildings, indicating measurable gains.

Key points
- Enrollment and outcomes: Total EL enrollment reported at 684. The presenter said 30 students were exited from EL services last semester and 30 students received academic honors; three EL students earned notable scholarships (named during the presentation). ELPA growth (year-over-year gains) was described as ranging roughly 35%–63% by building.
- Newcomer program: District staff said newcomer enrollment is down and that lower attendance among some newcomer families remains a challenge. The presenter said the decline mirrors broader local trends and that outreach is underway to rebuild trust and boost attendance.
- Instructional alignment and supports: Staff noted a completed curriculum adoption, vocabulary/standards alignment over the summer, participation by some EL teachers in an Inclusive Practices Academy (in partnership with ESU 3), and a revived newcomer program site at Mockingbird/Bloomfield for upper-level newcomers (grades 4–6). The presenter described bilingual therapists and a bilingual district social worker (Margie Hernandez) as added supports to families.
- Community outreach and barriers: The staff member said there is no government database the district can use to quantify how many eligible children are not enrolled; outreach options include partnering with local community organizations (for example, Sierra, Latino/Heartland organizations) to share the message that schools are safe and welcoming.

Board questions focused on program transitions to high school, the extent of home-language supports, how the district communicates with families (presenters said monthly newsletters and building-level communications), and whether preschool and early grades receive appropriate supports. The district staffer said the youngest learners often acquire English more quickly and that the district is using PLCs and MTSS processes to ensure coverage for younger EL students even if they are not in a formal pull-out newcomer cohort.

Ending
Board members thanked staff for the report and asked for follow-up data from perception surveys; staff said they will continue to emphasize family outreach and to track longitudinal outcomes as EL students move through the grades.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","RPS Board of Education Meeting - Monday, September 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff told the board that overall ELPA proficiency and year-to-year growth are improving, newcomer-program enrollment is down, and the district is pursuing outreach and bilingual supports for families.","taxTitle","RALSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, School Districts, Nebraska","taxId",76452,"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},6461908,"Ralston presents HAL program expansion, project-based learning and acceleration options for gifted students",1741,998000,2739000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813325-d728d591e2ef3f0c76f51377909d9096&start=998&end=2739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813325-d728d591e2ef3f0c76f51377909d9096/thumbnail_998000.jpg","/articles/6461908/Nebraska/Ralston-presents-HAL-program-expansion-project-based-learning-and-acceleration-options-for-gifted-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461908-ca56cf54bf2224ed0c29dc444219cbd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770811361&Signature=SImfTLZ2nFw7YKff2hxcRxguhE5lKEgpokBaSwZajD0DIokVTtfyynRYJh8ZgeVEZLCnrS~y8KQIagUMSpuP~migJFep3bankuT1EYHKcUiKqtDiXWlqDbuBjdh1ReqJ4R8KsyDde2lAGHZcWlcmnqv~giXJu3Jzb7wUKDfzCK~xQ7UmTjCngAEEu4o50InZYJPZxNEpOVhSPtr1N2X8DIsRM3W6lgAnABsTJnrI2VPS7Adgut1PvAhxrsCBUaucOY-EUxUrSa2-fz3HW9AaC1HAMCY5vV~kFcGpq~qpUML4RxXsdUI8oxFpOQvMCCeuYVvdY~QnjHcoF-mTsVVoOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RALSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD — Sept. 22, 2025 — Teachers and HAL (high-ability learning) staff described how Ralston Public Schools identifies and serves gifted and high-ability students from elementary through middle school, emphasizing a three-path identification system, tiered services and project-based learning.

The presenters — including Britney Abler (Bloomfield), Karen Western (Meadows), Kaylee Allen (Mockingbird and Seymour) and Chris Rudemski (Wildwood Elementary and Wilson Middle School) — told the board the district uses three main avenues for identifying students: a third-grade CogAT cognitive-ability test, achievement/benchmark scores (FastBridge, MAP) and a teacher/parent-initiated portfolio review for students who show potential but do not meet standardized cutoffs.

Nut graf: The HAL team said the program blends in-class differentiation (tier 1), targeted pull-out enrichment (tier 2) and individualized acceleration (tier 3). The group also described project-based learning units, extracurricular opportunities, a revived summer HAL camp supported by a Ralston Schools Foundation grant, and middle-school accelerated math (prealgebra for qualifying sixth graders).

Program structure and services
- Identification: CogAT (verbal, quantitative, nonverbal) at third grade; achievement scores with national-percentile thresholds (two scores in the 90th percentile within 12 months); and a portfolio-review pathway that accepts teacher or parent recommendations and uses a review committee.
- Tiers: Tier 1 — classroom differentiation and teacher support; Tier 2 — pull-out classes in math, language arts and visual-spatial for grades 4–6 (and project-based learning); Tier 3 — individualized acceleration or personalized plans for highly advanced students.
- Middle school: Qualifying fifth graders take an algebra aptitude test; selected sixth graders are placed in prealgebra/accelerated grade-7 math and may advance to seventh-/eighth-grade material. Presenters said the new accelerated curriculum is in its first quarter and performing well.

Project-based learning and enrichment
- Themes: The HAL team said project-based learning (PBL) started three years ago; recent themes included \"magic of learning,\" \"everyday superheroes\" (students raised over $3,000 for Nebraska wildlife and humane organizations) and this year's theme, \"mystery of learning,\" which will include Finch robots (basic coding), forensic-science miniunits and cipher/breakout activities.
- Summer camp: The district restarted a HAL summer camp for incoming sixth- and seventh-graders at Wildwood Elementary. Presenters said a Ralston Schools Foundation grant funded Finch robots used in the camp; students also worked with Spike Prime robots at the middle school.
- Extracurriculars: Presenters listed robotics, National History Day, math club, quiz bowl, yearbook and other seminars and workshops; many offerings are open to non-HAL students by teacher recommendation.

Participation and scale
Presenters estimated roughly 50–60 HAL students per grade level in middle grades and said combined rosters across buildings can vary; one presenter said the district's HAL-identified population was around 12% of the district when last calculated. In Q&A board members asked about tracking HAL students through high school; presenters said the district has begun tracking cohorts and achievement data to follow course-taking into high school.

Community partnerships and supports
- Partnership example: Jim (district staff) described Glow Church's annual shoe distribution; he said this year's event distributed about 250 pairs of shoes with roughly 150 volunteers and that the district helps communicate the program to families and counselors.

Ending
Board members praised the HAL team's programming and communications; presenters said they will continue to refine scheduling, share monthly newsletters with parents and monitor student progress as cohorts move into high school.","District HAL teachers outlined identification processes, tiered services from elementary through middle school, project-based learning themes and summer camps; presenters said middle-school acceleration and pull-out services serve dozens of students.",{"_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},6461912,"Ralston board approves 2025–26 budget, property tax resolution and multiple policy updates",128,4264000,4392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5813325-d728d591e2ef3f0c76f51377909d9096&start=4264&end=4392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5813325-d728d591e2ef3f0c76f51377909d9096/thumbnail_4264000.jpg","/articles/6461912/Nebraska/Ralston-board-approves-202526-budget-property-tax-resolution-and-multiple-policy-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461912-0c1fe7d53eb31cd30bc0ac5dce1abf54/orig.mp4?Expires=1770811361&Signature=hWt9nQCmgM4yqhBu3JRtwoJflXwbS5ZaUEC54aBtNcGMVhx-stNRz0aiKsvD2cwIpFW936YMXhKCiyssZC2mzsjuBhb0JisNJNF-Ur7wwvEl3SJZS6ZnqRoEIlneZ88qYTk0KsBm2WkVR~26yGwy~PPnJKUFVc3MONU33nnIhleV1iKMeF00JE7ik8yvkgTeKQUh19qNCAXcGup~8w6M7At5orFjTwfrlm34zrIOvxPr0JBnSwf2B8VVQhXW5OqClNLimjqXKok0DFbL-S3-sj55GplDoeaiug~PNLqcF0d4pNIIhXrGKCUTuhVbq0f~TFDODo6SXaAKABKkaoV7oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","RALSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD — Sept. 22, 2025 — The Ralston Public Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday to adopt the district's 2025–26 budget, approve a property-tax resolution and enact several policy amendments, with board members saying the district will use reserves to reduce the tax levy while keeping flexibility to respond to state-level revenue changes.

The board approved a $2025–26 budget that includes staff pay increases ranging from about 2.5% to 5% and an insurance cost increase of roughly 5.5%. Board and staff presentations said those increases, plus other ongoing expenses, account for much of the budget growth. The district also won board approval to retain an option to use an additional 5% property-tax authority in future years as an insurance policy against revenue uncertainty; the board did not tap the previously authorized 5% this year.

Why it matters: The actions set the district's spending plan and tax posture for the year, affect employees' compensation and influence how much revenue the district will request from property taxpayers. Board members and staff framed the property-tax authority decision as a prudential step given continuing uncertainty in state aid.

Key details
- Budget highlights: staff raises (2.5%–5%), insurance up about 5.5%; board materials said the district has room to absorb some state-aid reductions by using cash reserves.
- Tax posture: The board approved a resolution preserving an additional 5% property-tax authority for future years (described by staff as an \"insurance policy\"). Separately, the board approved a property-tax resolution that staff said will allow the district to reduce the tax levy by roughly 4% for taxpayers in the coming year by using reserves and not fully drawing on all authority.
- Policy changes: The board amended or adopted multiple policies, including student free expression, school-day attendance and homebound instruction. The board deferred other recommended language changes for follow-up (notably a proposed change on head-lice guidance that staff said they would check with district nurses).

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve consent agenda as presented (minutes, resignations). Outcome: passed. Vote record (as read at meeting): Missus Richards — aye; Miss Rorty — aye; Missus Kumar — aye; Missus Krauss — aye; Missus Billie — aye. Tally: yes 5 / no 0 / abstain 0.

- Motion: Approve resolution allowing board flexibility in determining property-tax authority. Outcome: passed. Vote record: Missus Huff — aye; Missus Richards — aye; Missus Krauss — aye; Missus Willie — aye; Miss Brody — aye; Missus Kumar — aye. Tally: yes 6 / no 0 / abstain 0.

- Motion: Approve the 2025–26 budget as presented. Outcome: passed. Vote record: Miss Rorty — aye; Missus Krauss — aye; Missus Richards — aye; Missus Kumar — aye; Missus Willey — aye; Missus Howe — aye. Tally: yes 6 / no 0 / abstain 0.

- Motion: Approve property-tax resolution (as public-hearing item). Outcome: passed. Vote record (as read at meeting): Miss Rorty — aye; Missus Hupp — aye; Missus Willie — aye; Missus Richards — aye; Missus Krauss — aye. Tally: yes 5 / no 0 / abstain 0.

- Motion: Amend policy 5056 (student free expression). Outcome: passed. Vote record: Missus Kumar — aye; Missus Huff — aye; Missus Willie — aye; Missus Richards — aye; Missus Krauss — aye; Miss Rodey — aye. Tally: yes 6 / no 0 / abstain 0.

- Motion: Amend policy 6014 (school-day attendance — scheduled events language). Outcome: passed. Vote record: Missus Huff — aye; Missus Billy — aye; Missus Richards — aye; Missus Krauss — aye; Miss Rodey — aye; Missus Kummer — aye. Tally: yes 6 / no 0 / abstain 0.

- Motion: Amend policy 6016 (homebound instruction per policy-service recommendation). Outcome: passed. Vote record: Miss Rorty — aye; Missus Hough — aye; Missus Richards — aye; Missus Willie — aye; Missus Krauss — aye. Tally: yes 5 / no 0 / abstain 0.

- Motion: Approve district safety plan (as presented 9/8/2025). Outcome: passed. Vote record: Missus Krauss — aye; Missus Richards — aye; Missus Rorty — aye; Missus Willie — aye; Missus Comerow — aye; Missus Hap — aye. Tally: yes 6 / no 0 / abstain 0.

- Motion: Approve option-enrollment resolution as written. Outcome: passed. Vote record: Missus Richards — aye; Missus Hupp — aye; Missus Rorty — aye; Missus Coommer — aye; Missus Cross — aye; Missus Billy — aye. Tally: yes 6 / no 0 / abstain 0.

Discussion and follow-up
- Head-lice policy language: board members asked staff to confirm current practice with district nurses and bring a clarified recommendation back; no final policy change was made at the meeting on that item.
- Staff stressed the district will rely partly on cash reserves to achieve a 4% levy reduction for taxpayers this year while preserving flexibility for future years.

Ending
Board members and staff said they would provide further details to the public about how the budget and levy decisions affect property-tax rates and would return with clarifying updates on the head-lice policy after consultation with school nurses.","At its Sept. 22 meeting the Ralston Public Schools Board approved the 2025–26 budget, a property tax resolution and a series of policy amendments; board members said the district will use reserve funds to reduce the tax levy while keeping flexibility for future years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

English-learner update: Ralston reports steady ELPA growth, newcomer enrollment declines

Ralston presents HAL program expansion, project-based learning and acceleration options for gifted students

Ralston board approves 2025–26 budget, property tax resolution and multiple policy updates