NRCSA Planning Support Service

2022-23
Adams Central Public Schools
Bayard Public Schools

2021-22
Educational service Unit 6
Rock County Schools
Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Schools

2020-21
Madison Public Schools
Freeman Public Schools

2019-20
Stapleton Public Schools
Twin River Public Schools

2018-19
Stapleton Public Schools
Wayne Public Schools

Meet Our Consultants

Dan Bird spent 35 years in education as a teacher, coach and school administrator, including 21 years as Superintendent at Burwell Public Schools, a long-time NRCSA member. Dan has devoted his career to making a difference in his student’s lives.

Fred Helmink spent 36 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator in a number of Nebraska schools including Norris, Geneva, Polk, Gothenburg, Beatrice, and his final 13 as the Fairbury superintendent. He is a past president of the NRCSA organization and was also served as chair of the NRCSA legislative committee.

Cynthia Huff spent 30 years as a teacher, coach, Principal and Superintendent in Nebraska rural schools, including Trenton, Culbertson, Stratton, and Wood River. She is a past Executive Board member of NRCSA and received the 2013 University of Nebraska at Kearney Leaders in Education and Service Award.

Robin Stevens spent 40 years in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator, including 13 years as Superintendent of Schuyler Community Schools, a long-time NRCSA member. His experiences not only focus on rural schools, but also on cultural diversity.

2017-18:

Perkins County Schools
Wayne Community Schools

Testimonials

“The NRSCA goal setting and board planning sessions enabled us to focus our efforts and decide what truly matters to our board, staff, students, and community members. These goals will determine the direction of our future decisions.”

Dr. Dawn Lewis – Superintendent, Arnold and Callaway Public Schools
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“Ord Public Schools utilized the NRCSA Board of Education Planning Process for the first time in March of 2017. The board appreciated the ability to customize the planning process according to their needs and NRCSA Consultants were professional and courteous regarding the Boards Topics of Discussion. The guidance provided by the NRCSA organization allowed the board to discuss their accomplishments and openly and honestly conduct strategic planning for the upcoming school year and beyond. The end result was a list of SMART Goals that will guide the decision making of the policy makers in the coming years.”

Jason Alexander – Superintendent, Ord Public Schools
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Other Comments from Workshop Participants:

“Great job opening our minds to think about the broad picture”
“Gets meaningful decisions to take place”
“We were looking for and got unbiased guidance”
“Brings us all together”
“Focused and included all points of view”
“Helped us focus our intentions”
“Effective, explained things well”
“Liked the guidance and structure of the meetings”

2016-17

Arnold Public Schools
Callaway Public Schools
Maywood Public Schools
Ord Public Schools

2015-16

Ravenna Public Schools
Superior Public Schools
Valentine Community Schools

Website: www.nrcsa.net

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NRCSA operates the Planning Support Service as part of our commitment to maintaining the vitality of rural schools and communities.

“Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage, but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.” - Elbert Hubbard – American philosopher and writer

Why NRCSA…Long range planning is an important task for school district and community to undertake. A school board is most effective when members work together in reaching common district goals. Developing those goals can be challenging. Fortunately, you can have a partner at your side with more than 30 years’ experience in serving the needs of rural community schools: NRCSA. Why choose NRCSA?

• Since 1980, NRCSA has represented Nebraska’s rural community schools. We understand rural schools, the Boards and Superintendents that lead them, and the rural communities they serve.
• NRCSA’s focus is solely on rural schools and communities. They are the reason we exist and we are dedicated as an organization to serving them effectively.
• NRCSA’s process has been developed by studying the best practices of experts and is designed to meet the needs of the district and community wherever they are in the planning process.

The NRCSA Process…two consultants will deliver two (2) sessions over two (2) days for approximately two to two and one-half hours each session. During the sessions, school and community participants will work in small and large group activities to:

• Identify strengths
• Identify issues & explore essential needs to carry them out
• Create S.M.A.R.T goals with a focus on:
1) Strategies
2) Assigned responsibility
3) Timelines
4) Evidence of success

What are S.M.A.R.T. goals…This activity will create S.M.A.R.T. goals that will be:

• Specific – customized and flexible to fit your school and community
• Measurable – data driven and totally understandable to all
• Agreeable – broad based support because all populations are involved in the decision-making process
• Realistic – breaks down or accepts barriers to success
• Time-Based – stakeholders are held accountable by the district within a defined completion date

While participating in the process of creating SMART Goals: It is okay to disagree; it is not okay to be disagreeable.

Outcomes…This activity will generate the following for your district.

• SMART Goals Map for your district
• School board buy-in
• Pass resolutions to demonstrate support
• Schedule presentations and written reports to insure successful follow through
• Evaluation of the NRCSA process and facilitators; we always strive to improve
• Constant and consistent 2-way communication with consultants

What Does It Cost… NRCSA’s Planning Support Service will deliver high quality services for an affordable, competitive fee.
NRCSA’s base fee is $1,000 plus mileage and lodging (if needed) for two (2) workshops. While not recommended, NRCSA will do one (1) two-and-a-half-hour program. Cost: $500 plus mileage and lodging (if needed).

Our Consultants… NRCSA’s consultants are experienced former rural school superintendents and community leaders.

• Fred Helmink spent 36 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator in several Nebraska schools including Norris, Geneva, Polk, Gothenburg, Beatrice, and his final 13 as the Fairbury superintendent. He is a past president of the NRCSA organization and was also served as chair of the NRCSA legislative committee.

• Cynthia Huff spent 30 years as a teacher, coach, Principal and Superintendent in Nebraska rural schools, including Trenton, Culbertson, Stratton, and Wood River. She is a past Executive Board member of NRCSA and received the 2013 University of Nebraska at Kearney Leaders in Education and Service Award.

• Max Kroger served as an Administrator for 27 years at Big Springs, South Platte, and Ord. He served on the Executive Committee and as Past President of NRCSA. Max was appointed to the School Finance Review Committee by Governor Ben Nelson, served on the NRCSA Legislative Committee, and was on advisory committees for Senator Raikes and Senator Adams. He was elected and served two terms on the NSAA Board of Directors.

• Robin Stevens spent 40 years in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator, including 13 years as Superintendent of Schuyler Community Schools, a long-time NRCSA member. His experiences not only focus on rural schools, but also on cultural diversity.