Spring Conference

March 2024 Thursday Morning Keynote - Mark Potter

Coach and Advocate for Mental Illness Mark grew up in Sedan, Kansas, where he was a standout in both basketball and baseball and was recruited to play at the collegiate level. He first attended Cowley County Community College and then went on to finish his playing career at Kansas Newman College where he earned a degree in Secondary Education. From that point on, Mark became known as “Coach Potter.“ After teaching and coaching at the high school level for 11 years, Mark accepted the challenge of restarting the men’s basketball program at his Alma Mater, now called Newman University. He remained at Newman for 19 years. Mark has built winning programs at every level. Because of his player and coaching success, he has been inducted into three Halls of Fame. In 2017, Mark felt a calling in his life to share his experiences as a coach, and to advocate for mental illness. Mark’s passion today is to share with his audiences a message of hope. Throughout his own battle with severe depression and his rise to victory, Coach Potter refers to that as his National Championship.

March 2024 Thursday Noon Keynote - Dr. Brian Maher

Commissioner of Education Dr. Brian Maher was selected as the Nebraska Commissioner of Education by the State Board of Education on March 31, 2023, and started in the position on July 1, 2023. Dr. Maher is a long-time educator with strong Nebraska roots.  He served as superintendent at Sioux Falls School District (South Dakota) from 2015 to 2020; a 25,000-student school system where he led during the beginning stages of a worldwide health pandemic. Maher also served as superintendent at both Kearney (2007-2015) and Centennial (1999-2007) Public Schools in Nebraska. In his tenure as a school superintendent, he successfully led four bond referendums in three different school districts. Dr. Maher was also an administrator at Waverly, Elkhorn, and Johnson-Brock Public Schools and a teacher at Elkhorn and Clarks Public Schools.

March 2024 Friday Closing Keynote - DeMoine Adams

Ready...Set...Perform DeMoine Adams is originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas and is a former University of Nebraska standout football player. He played an instrumental role in helping the Huskers win a Big 12 Conference Championship in 1999 and helped lead the Huskers to the National Championship Rose Bowl in January 2002. He also spent time in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers. As a first-generation student, DeMoine received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska in Political Science with minors in English, History, Communications, Ethnic Studies, and African Studies. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree at the University of Nebraska. DeMoine is currently serving as the CEO for TeamMates Mentoring, which was started by co-founder and former Nebraska Football Head Coach Tom Osborne. DeMoine also speaks numerous times each year across the country as a motivational speaker inspiring others to be winners and leaders in life. He currently resides in Lincoln, NE, and his motto in life is: “Once you see where you’re going, then everything you do must correspond with where you’re going.”

 

A Conversation with Members of the State Board of Education

Join Members of the State Board of Education for a discussion on the statewide vision and priorities for Nebraska education as it relates to rural community schools. Much of the session will be devoted to question and answer opportunities. Presented by Dr. Brian Maher, Patsy Koch Johns; Lisa Fricke, Patti Gubbels, Jacquelyn Morrison, Kirk Penner, Sherry Jones, Elizabeth Tegtmeier, & Deborah Neary; Commissioner of Education & State Board of Education, Nebraska Department of Education

EHA Benefits Update

Please join us for an overview of the EHA health and dental benefits.  It will also be a great opportunity to discuss any questions you may have. Presented by Brett Young & Greg Long; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska & Educators Health Alliance

Legal Hot Topics for Rural School Boards

This session will cover a variety of legal “hot topics” across the State of Nebraska, with a focus on those current (and future) issues in rural school districts. Presented by Perry Law Firm

NRCSA General Members Meeting

This session will comprise the General Members Meeting for NRCSA. Nominations for leadership positions and an update on NRCSA services and programs will be presented. Presented by Jack Moles & Mark Lenihan; Executive Director & President, NRCSA

NRCSA Legislative Update

In this session Executive Director Jack Moles will provide an update on the current legislative activity and NRCSA’s participation within the process, including the efforts of Nebraska United for Property Tax Relief and Education. Topics covered will also include school finance activity, property tax relief measures, the efforts of other education related groups, federal legislation, and more. Presented by Jack Moles & Russ Westerhold; Executive Director, NRCSA & NRCSA Lobbyist

School Finance 101

This session will discuss the basics of school finance. The major factors of the formula (various adjustments and allowances, comparison arrays, etc) will be discussed and explained.  This session will also cover the eleven different funds used by schools.. Presented by Kevin Lyons; Nebraska Department of Education

School Finance Update

This session will provide information on all relevant current school finance happenings including; Legislative work addressing issues related to the state aid formula, aid certification, etc.  We will also be covering ESSER updates and possibly adding in a bad joke or two! Presented by Bryce Wilson;  Nebraska Department of Education

Services for NRCSA Boards

Attention NRCSA Board Members: NRCSA has some helpful services for our Boards and we invite you to this session to learn all about them. It starts with NRCSA Planning Services – a two-evening event to help your Board with goal-setting and long-range planning. The focus is on developing goals and planning implementation strategies to meet those goals. NRCSA Consultants will walk you through our planning process and explain how this service can help your Board excel. Then, NRCSA Consultants will outline the work of the NRCSA Superintendent Search Service. Now in its seventh year, NRCSA’s service has helped Boards hire quality Superintendents in 40 districts. Our proven, Board-directed process involves faculty, staff, and community members in selecting a school leader who truly fits your rural community district. Don’t miss this session on NRCSA’s services to our Boards. Presented by NRCSA Consultants

So What Makes a Good Board Member

Rural school districts across the state are blessed with many good, effective Board of Education members.  In this panel discussion, veteran Board members will share a little bit about their ideas on being an effective Board member. Presented by Jack Moles & panelists; NRCSA

**The schedule is tentative and subject to change**

 

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

10:00 AM                   Pre-Conference: 4 Essential Roles of Leadership presented by FranklinCovey

 2:00 PM—4:00 PM   Executive Committee Meeting—Bronze 5

4:00 PM—5:00 PM   WNA Meeting (Barry Schaeffer)—Bronze 5

 6:30 PM—9:00 PM   Exhibitor Check-In & Setup—Gold 4,5,6,10,11,12

 7:00 PM —9:00 PM  Attendee Registration—Registration 1

7:00 PM                 Hospitality Rooms                               

                                            

Thursday, March 14, 2024

 

7:15 AM                 Attendee Registration—Registration 1

                                 Coffee and Rolls—Gold 4,5,6,10,11,12

 

8:30 AM                 General Session—Silver 4,5,6,10,11,12

 

         Presiding: Mark Lenihan, NRCSA President, Supt, Wayne Community Schools

         8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Musical Welcome:

         9:05 AM – 9:25 AM Scholarships and Awards: 

        NRCSA Scholarship & Gary Fisher Fine Arts Announcements

        9:30 AM – 9:45 AM Introduction and remarks by NREA Executive Director Allen Pratt

        9:50 AM – 10:20 AM Keynote Address:                                                                                 

 

10:20 AM—11:00 AM      Exhibitor Time

11:00 AM—11:50 AM      Thursday Morning Select-a-Sessions

 

12:00 PM               Lunch General Session— Silver 4,5,6,10,11,12

 

         Presiding: Dr. Dawn Lewis, NRCSA Past President, Supt, Arlington Public Schools

         12:35 PM – 12:55 PM Keynote Address:

         1:00 PM – 1:40 PM Scholarships and Awards:

         Outstanding Elementary Teacher

        Outstanding Secondary Teacher

         Gary Fisher Outstanding Music Teacher

         Outstanding ESU Staff Member

 

1:45 PM—2:20 PM   Exhibitor Time

2:20 PM—3:10 PM   Thursday Afternoon Select-a-Sessions

3:10 PM—3:35 PM           Exhibitor Time

3:35 PM—4:25 PM   Thursday Afternoon Select-a-Sessions

 6:00 PM                 Chuckwagon Buffet— Silver 4,5,6,10,11,12

7:00 PM                 Hospitality Rooms

 

Friday, March 15, 2024

 7:15 AM                 Attendee Registration—Registration 1

                                 Coffee and Rolls—Registration 1

 

8:00 AM—8:50 AM  Friday Select-a-Session I

9:00 AM—9:50 AM  Friday Select-a-Session II

10:00 AM—10:45 AM      Brunch Buffet—Silver 4,5,6,10,11,12

 10:30: - 11:00 AM           Musical Welcome:

 

10:50 AM               Closing Session— Silver 4,5,6,10,11,12

 

         Presiding: Dr. Heather Nebesniak, NRCSA President-Elect, Supt, Ord Public Schools

         11:00 AM – 11:45 AM Scholarships and Awards:  

          Outstanding Classified Staff Member

          Outstanding Board Member

          Outstanding Principal

          Outstanding Superintendent

         11:50- AM – 12:45 PM Keynote Address:

 

12:50 PM               Thank Yous, Prizes, & Drawings