The Falls City Public Schools Board of Education held the regular board meeting on Monday, January 13, 2025. Here are the highlights of the meeting.

Falls City Public Schools Honors Outgoing Board Members at January 13th Meeting - At the beginning of the January 13, 2025, Falls City Public Schools Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Tim Heckenlively and Board President Teresa Olberding recognized three dedicated board members for their years of service and leadership. The outgoing members, Scott Hollens, June Bowers, and Dan Jones, were each honored for their unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of the district’s students, staff, and the broader Falls City community.

Scott Hollens served on the Falls City Public Schools Board of Education from 2009 to 2025. June Bowers served on the Falls City Public Schools Board of Education from 2015 to 2025. Dan Jones served on the Falls City Public Schools Board of Education from 2021 to 2025. Superintendent Heckenlively and President Olberding extended heartfelt thanks to these outgoing members, acknowledging their significant contributions to the district and the positive change they helped bring about. Their service has played a key role in shaping the educational landscape of Falls City Public Schools.

Reorganization of the Board of Education – Newly elected school board members Roger Windle, Kevin Scheitel and Gabe Ramsey were given the oath of office prior to their seating at the January 13 school board meeting, administered by Superintendent Tim Heckenlively. Following the seating of the new board members, Board President Teresa Olberding conducted the annual reorganization of the school board. Cassondra Goff was elected as the President of the Board of Education for 2025 and Anthony Johansen was elected the Vice President. Upon election, President Goff made the 2025 committee appointments for policy, projects, negotiations, Falls City Educational Foundation and American Civics, while also approving the necessary designations.

109th Legislature, 1st Regular Session convened on Wednesday, January 8 - Speaker John Arch was elected to his second two-year term as Speaker of the Legislature. The body re-elected Senator Dave Murman as Chair of the Education Committee Bill introduction began January 9th.  Under a new rule of the Legislature, each member is limited to the introduction of no more than 20 measures per regular session.  Bill introduction will conclude on January 23rd. The 2025 session is the first session of the 109th Legislature, and will be 90 legislative days, ending on June 9th.

NDE Teacher Vacancy Survey Results for 2024. All public-school districts, nonpublic school systems and Educational Service Units (ESU) have been included in the collection of data. Overall, there were 153 school districts reporting unfilled positions, or 49.35% of the returned sample, at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. Districts reported 669.35 positions as unfilled with fully qualified personnel, and 200.65 left vacant for 2024-25. Of those 669.35 positions, 167.95 positions (25.09%) were in districts/systems with less than 500 students.

Of the 17 endorsement shortage areas, six have been designated shortage areas each year for the last 15 years: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Special Education, Speech-Language Pathology, and World Language. In addition to these, 8 others have been designated shortage areas each of the last five years: Career Education Areas; Art; Early Childhood Education; Health and/or Physical Education; School Counselor; School Library; School Psychologist; and Music/Instrumental/Vocal.

The District 56 Board of Education acted on one item before concluding the meeting.

1.     Approved the Negotiated Master Teacher Contract for 2025-2026.

The next regular monthly Board of Education meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. in the Central Office in Falls City Middle School. Regular and special meeting agendas are kept in the Office of the Superintendent, Tim Heckenlively.

Falls City Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, citizenship status or economic status in its programs, activities and employment.