HR Updates

There are some important pieces to this update:

1. Open Enrollment

2. Summer Professional Development Requests

3. Pulse Survey for 24-25

4. Employee of the Month

5. Leadership Opportunities

6. Changes to Professional Advancement

7. April PD Day

7. Exit Survey

8. Voluntary Retirement Newsletter

9. Leave page

And more information!

Melissa

Open enrollment will be April 21st through May 2nd. Please have your appointment scheduled before April 18th so that the counselors have time to review your information prior to your appointment.

Please see the Open Enrollment Instructions linked HERE and attached below.

Each year we offer an opportunity for staff to request paid time in the summer to complete various Professional Development and Curriculum goals. If you are interested, please visit with your principal, submit your request and the appropriate Director will contact people to let you know who is approved.

CLICK HERE

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey. Now that the survey is closed, I will begin pulling data and sharing it with your building princpials and pillar leaders so that this data can be compared to last year to measure your progress and set future goals for next year in preparation for the external visit.

CLICK HERE

In partnership with the KPS Foundation, we are happy to recognize the amazing people in our district. For both certified and classified staff, please complete the form linked above!

In case you missed it!

Doane University offers graduate degree programs designed specifically for educators who want to deepen their knowledge, expand their skills, and unlock new opportunities in the field. Whether you're looking to specialize in a specific area or pursue leadership roles, our programs are flexible, engaging, and tailored to fit your busy life. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a lasting impact in education—view our video and slideshow presentation to see how Doane can help you achieve your professional goals!

College of Ed- Event Video

College of Ed- Event Slideshow Presentation (PDF)

Visit Doane University's website for more information!

Fast Track (Initial Teaching Certification)

Curriculum and Instruction

School Counseling or on Facebook (Doane School Counseling)

Educational Leadership

Education Specialist

Doctorate in Education

During the negotiations process, the Board and KEA agreeded to some language changes that limit the coursework that can be counted for advancement on the salary schedule. Please see this langugage. Online programs are still appropriate, but please do some checking to ensure that they are part of an online graduate program and not the self-paced stand alone courses. In a nutshell...Idaho State and similar type coursework will not be accepted after September 1, 2025. THIS WILL NOT CHANGE ANYTHING FOR THIS YEAR. You can continue as usual as long as the coursework can be completed and on an official transcript by September 1, 2025. If you have additional questions, please let me know. Self-paced classes differ from online courses in that they don't follow a defined timing structure (such as terms, semesters or trimesters).

"Credits earned after the MA Degree must meet one of the following criteria: 1. Be related to an advanced degree such as an Education Specialist or Doctorate in related educational field. 2. Be in a second Master’s degree program 3. Be part of a program that may allow the teacher to teach dual credit coursework 4. Contribute to the staff member’s ability to add an additional endorsement or 5. Be in an area approved by the Superintendent or designee based upon the goals of the building or district. Additionally, online coursework and programs will be allowed, but self-paced online courses will only be allowed if they are within an approved program or otherwise in an area approved by the Superintendent or designee based upon the goals of the building or district."

CALENDAR AND AGENDA

Your principals should have received information from their respective directors related to transition meetings. If you are not in a "transition grade" (Kindergarten, 5th, 6th, 8th or 9th) this time will be used for a SWOT analysis and Leader In Me discussion with your building principals and teams.

I have a few different ways to gather information from staff members who are leaving KPS. You can start by completing your exit survey HERE. You can also reach out to me and schedule a time for an Exit Interview.

All information is complete confidential and is intended to help us grow and get better as a district.

https://www.tsacg.com/about-us/newsletters/

https://www.tsacg.com/individual/plan-sponsor/nebraska/kearney-public-schools/

If you have not already, please bookmark the leave page. It should answer most any question you have. The most common questions we receive are about 5% (Red) days and requesting and exception.

Remember that the 5% calendar (linked on the leave page) is not a live update. This means that a day and move from orange to red at any time. If you enter a day and it locks you out, talk with your principal to see if it is possible to secure coverage. In addition, if you are a teacher who went in and marked every Friday "just in case" please be mindful that there people who need those days off. You can certainly mark off a day anticipating a situation, but please don't pick the most popular days and until until 24 hours before to determine if you feel like being gone or not. This helps all of our staff get the most out of the PTO model.