Exeter-Milligan Hosts Open House

Exeter-Milligan hosted their open house at both Exeter and Milligan on Thursday, August 10.  Students were invited to bring their school supplies and find their desks.  Parents took the opportunity to take beginning of the year pictures with the new teachers.

Above – Doug Papik catches his daughter Kierra with fifth grade teacher Mrs. Brooke Soukup.

Below – Selah Petersen gets to know her new third grade teacher Mrs. Laura Steuben during the open house.

 Above -Jayden Capek learns the ropes from his new fifth grade teacher Mrs. Brooke Soukup.

Below – Carver Kanode is all smiles in the fourth grade classroom of Mrs. Shellie Mueller.

New Teacher at Exeter-Milligan

Exeter-Milligan High School students will see a new face for their English classes.  The district hired Ashley Stutzman this summer.  She is originally from Milford and graduated from University of Nebraska Kearney with a degree to teach.

Currently she is pursuing a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane University.  After teaching middle school for two years in Grand Island, Stutzman decided she wanted to "Get close to home.  I have a son who is almost three."

According to Stutzman, teaching at Exeter-Milligan has "an added bonus" as her sister, Hailey, is the district's Spanish teacher.

The two are just 18 months apart and are very close anyway.

She is looking forward to the challenge of high school students, "I am teaching a new grade level and content for me.  I will also be teaching a new media and digital media class which is a new course for the school."

In part the class will tackle the challenges of social media including Twitter and Facebook.  This year, Stutzman will have her plate full with her family, college courses and teaching.  She looks forward to adding some extra-curricular responsibilities for Exeter-Milligan next year.

In addition to enjoying her downtime with her son, Stutzman enjoys watching football, shopping and reading.

Stutzman's enthusiasm was evident as she explained, "I look forward to meeting all of the new faces this year and having the opportunity to share my love of reading and writing with my students!"

Exeter-Milligan Cheerleaders 2017

Exeter-Milligan cheerleaders from the left are Natalie Staskal, Macy Due, Katie Mounce, Daisy Kanode and Cammie Harrison.

Fillmore County Foundation Grant Applications Available

FILLMORE COUNTY – Groups, organizations, or communities seeking funding for projects may find a source of assistance through the Fillmore County Foundation.

Grant applications will be accepted through Wednesday, September 6, 2017 by 4:00 p.m.  Applications must be submitted by this date to be considered at the Fillmore County Foundation semi-annual meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12^th.

Grant awards are made each March and September.  After the last application period over $8,000 was awarded.  Application forms are available at the Fillmore County Development Corporation office, 1032 G Street, Geneva, during regular office hours. You may also request an application by emailing lentfer.fcdc@genevamail.com, by telephone at 402-759-4910 or go the FCDC website at www.fillmorecountydevelopment.org and download a copy.

Current application forms with the September 6, 2017 deadline date must be used.  Persons with questions about the grant program may contact the Fillmore County Development Office at 759-4910 or Scott Olivia at 629-4446.

Exeter gets new updates on Highway 6

All four corners of Highway 6 and Exeter Avenue were altered to make them handicap accessible including inserts for stability.  You can see that Highway 6 was also armor plated in from the Saline County line west through Exeter.

Updates Nearly Finished at Exeter-Milligan

 Exeter-Milligan students will be greeted at the front door with new flooring spelling out E-M.  The new flooring has been installed down the hallway and there is also new lighting and fresh paint.  The locker rooms are near completion and should be ready for students to return on Tuesday.

Mueller's Sell Bus Service

Bob and Sharon Mueller recently sold A & M, Inc. the Exeter-Milligan bus transportation service after 40 of ownership

Above: Bob Mueller, left, and the new owner, Dean Bartu.

Forty years ago Bob Mueller bought A & M, Inc., the company that has own the Exeter and now Exeter-Milligan school district busing contract.

Many school districts maintain their own fleet of school buses, but since 1953, when the Exeter area schools consolidated to meet at the Exeter school, the buses have been privately owned.

The Mueller’s have contemplated retirement for the last few years and this spring decided they would try to find a buyer so they could enjoy a little more free time.   “After 40 years it was time to let someone else do it,” Mueller remarked.

Several contract bus corporations had expressed an interest in the Exeter-Milligan contract but Mueller wanted to see someone locally take on new ownership, “I wanted it to go to someone who knew what was going on.  It works so much better having someone in town own them,” explained Mueller.

Mueller has seen several generations of kids through his time owning the service.  In early August, Dean and Leesa Bartu purchased the corporation.  Leesa has driven bus for A & M, Inc. for nine years and Dean is working on his bus license. 

Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield knew that the school district did not want to take on the buses and were hoping another private party would step in to take over.  “It's been a pleasure to work with Bob and Sharon the past nine years.  After 40 years in the busing business, they deserve the chance to let someone else worry about bus routes and departure times. We look forward to working with the Bartu's and for them to carry on the A & M tradition.”

There have been a lot of memories for Bob and his wife, Sharon.  Some of the rides that stood out the most were “all of the state championships in the different sports.  Those were special bus rides home,” he mentioned.

He will definitely “miss the kids, but not getting up early in the morning and driving in the winter.”

Mueller had hoped that someone who was already in the district would take over from him and was pleased to pass on the keys, “I wish good luck to the new owners,” he stated.

Exeter Gym Gets An Upgrade

 The padding on the Exeter site gym walls was replaced in late July.  Work continues on the locker room and hallway upgrade at the Exeter site.