Exeter-Milligan Holds Veteran's Day Program

– Local veterans enjoy a breakfast sponsored by the National Honor Society.  Clockwise from the left are Bob Dumpert, Larry Cudaback, Alan Songster and Jack Underwood.

Senior Patrick Murphy welcomed the audience at the Exeter-Milligan Veteran’s Day Program on Monday in Exeter.

Above - Boy Scout Joey Bartu led the flag ceremony with the Cub Scouts during Monday’s Veteran’s Day Program in Exeter.

Below – Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts led the flag ceremony during Monday’s Veteran’s Day Program at Exeter-Milligan.  From the left are Richard Hickman, Joey Bartu, Deacon Erdkamp, Levi Jurgensen, Kalvin Lock, Axel Erdkamp and Crosby Oldehoeft.

Exeter-Milligan held their Veteran’s day program on Monday, November 13 due to their participation in the volleyball state finals.

The program was opened by a welcome from Patrick Murphy before Boy Scout Joey Bartu led the flag ceremony.  Members of Cub Scout Pack 218 were the flag bearers and color guard.

The Exeter-Milligan band played “The Star Spangled Banner” and the Senior High choir and the Friends of Vocal sang “God Bless America.”

Superintendent Paul Sheffield, who currently has both of his sons serving in the military, gave the address.

Sheffield recalled the history of Veteran’s day before explaining that his goal was to “talk about four veterans who have influenced my life.”

He shared stories of the service of both his father and his father-in-law.  He said his father “ran our house like a ship.  It was tight and we learned discipline.”

Of his father-in-law he spoke of his example of duty, honor and patriotism.  “That example that he set was for our kids.  That helped them learn discipline, honor and patriotism.”

Devin Sheffield, the younger son of the Sheffield’s, is currently in the Army and is stationed at Fort Campbell after being deployed overseas twice.  Older son Brett Sheffield, is in Navy school to be an Aviation Rescue Swimmer and started his training at Norfolk, Virginia on Monday.

Sheffield reminded the crowd that because of those who have served and are serving, “you can go home today and enjoy food on your table, we can gather here today.  We live in the greatest country in the world.”

He closed by thanking the veterans in the crowd for their “service, sacrifice, duty and honor and saying yes to Uncle Sam.”

The junior high choir sang “America, Of Thee I Sing!” and joined the senior high choir for “Inscription of Hope” before the band played “Sweet Land of Liberty” and “America’s Finest” asking the veterans in the audience to stand when they heard the anthem of the branch they served.

Hannah Horne closed the program, thanking the veterans and wishing all safe travels.

Above - On their trumpets are Exeter-Milligan band members (from the left) Trever Zelenka, Jaiden Papik, Mitchell Manning, Cameran Jansky and Daisy Kanode.

Below – Superintendent Paul Sheffield spoke at the Exeter-Milligan Veteran’s Day Program on Monday in Exeter.

Clarinets played by Exeter-Milligan band members (from the left) Kaitlyn Vavra, Kole Svec and Janey Erdkamp.

Three Army veterans stand when their song is played at the Exeter-Milligan Veteran’s Day Program on Monday in Exeter.  From the left are Larry Cudaback, Jack Underwood  and Alan Songster.

Veteran Bob Dumpert stands during the Air Force song.

Senior Hannah Horne gives the closing at the Exeter-Milligan Veteran’s Day Program on Monday in Exeter.

Exeter-Milligan School Board Meets

Vice President Tim Pribyl opened the November 8 Exeter-Milligan School Board meeting in the absence of President Sharon Kuska.

Board Member Kendra Jansky gave the treasurer’s report. Board member Kendra Oldehoeft reviewed the bills and the board approved the consensus agenda.

Next on the agenda was curriculum reports.  Superintendent Sheffield introduced the various committees and gave them the floor.

Mr. Marr, chair of the safety committee started the narrative,  “Our goal is to look at and assess if there are any safety concerns whether in the classroom or on the playground.  We are still working our way through the high school.  Our goal is to work our way down to the elementary and then go to Milligan.”

Next was the crisis team committee with chair school counselor Denice Kovanada noted they are the only “committee you hope you never have to have.”

She reported on a recent workshop they attended that featured Dr. John Dudley.

The data committee gave their report next.  According to Chair Katherine Smith, “We look at student data and all other data. . .Our goal is to collect data to support our improvement goals in writing and writing across the curriculum. We just finished creating a rubic for all teachers to use.”

Curriculum and technology chair Shelli Mueller explained that they are monitoring technology and both hardware and software options.  The committee is watching to make sure decision making processes are in place.  

Lisa Soukup, chair of the wellness committee, explained that they are observing the overall physical and mental health of staff and students. According to Soukup, this committee started with the Physical Education Program (PEP) grant the district received several years ago.

Currently the committee is “Working with the staff.  We are trying to get them on board with the whole wellness thing. We hope to get them on board and then students,” explained Soukup.

Right now students in the lower elementary are wearing fitness bands during the school day to track their steps, according to Soukup.  They hope to focus on the social and mental health with the high school and especially focus on issues such as less screen time before bed.

The agenda listed policy review next and the board and Sheffield briefly discussed the policy concerning a drug free workplace before moving to old business. 

Sheffield explained that the general contractor had visited the Exeter site that day and reviewed some issues that need to be fixed before the school remits the final payment.  Also, the sewer issues at Milligan will be addressed over the Christmas holiday.

Sheffield also reminded the board that Superintendent evaluations will be need to be completed online by December 4.  

Also under old business Sheffield noted that the paperwork for the football coop with Friend is on the agenda for the November 9 NSAA meeting.  He reported the team will be called the Bobcats with colors of black and silver.  The coaches and athletic directors will meet with some of the students to review some uniform samples before ordering new uniforms.

Discussion on the dual option insurance was held.  Sheffield reported that eight staff members have chosen to go to the higher deductible with their premium difference being deposited into a Health Savings Account.  The board approved appointments to be made in January and September into the HSA accounts.

Under new business Sheffield briefly touched on the separation incentive program and the 2016-2017 audit reports.

After approving unpaid leave for a teacher, the board discussed several upcoming events before scheduling the December board meeting on Wednesday,  December 13 in Milligan at 7 p.m.

Exeter Village Board Discusses Roads and Wells

By Leesa K. Bartu

The Exeter Village board held their meeting Tuesday with vice chair Tim Wilbeck absent.

After quickly approving the previous months minutes and invoices the board moved on to the rest of the agenda.

Clerk Becky Erdkamp explained the report she had given the board members the reviewed the 16-17 fiscal year.  She is preparing for the annual audit and offered to break down the categories further if needed.

After answering a few fiscal questions, the board welcomed from Tom Krueger JEO to discuss the street project. Michl introduced two of the amendments to the contract “These are what we have talked about.  This is within our scope of work and the dollars are in that.”

“There are two proposals, one for the streets and one for downtown,” according to Michl, “Both of these projects will be going simultaneously so there’s no reason we can’t save some money.”

The board approved both of the amendments to the contracts.

Krueger presented the one and six year road program to the board and noted that the road programs are funded out of the state gasoline tax and the motor vehicle tax.

“Exeter received $91,000 last year and you have to match 25% of it. These funds have to be used for anything in the street right away. Anything connected with your streets you use the money for.”

The board updated the one and six year road project to reflect the upcoming street project.

The board briefly discussed the possibility of a new office and library building.  Michl noted, “We have to decide if we want to proceed.”

The board did not make any decisions about proceeding.

Maintenance Supervisor John Mueller reported that pump tests on the well revealed that the bearings are going out on the 2004 well.  “If we are going to pull the well it’s a good time to do everything else as well. You can’t turn the pump by hand any more,” he explained.

The board discussed options for financing the well repair.  Michl asked Mueller to talk to Sargaent to find out the urgency of the repair. “If we could wait until March that would be great,” Michl noted.

Mueller reported they have a few more items to move inside to be ready for winter.

Clerk Becky Erdkamp noted that she has all the info ready for the upcoming audit. She also reported all the keno reports are done and the keno has been transitioned to the new manager.  August sales tax figure was $7670.96 and keno for September was $1494.69.

The board set the next meeting for Thursday, December 7.