Welcome 2025

 

Dear Chadron Public Schools Community,

Welcome to a brand-new school year — a fresh chapter filled with opportunity, purpose, and the power to make a lasting impact.

As we step into this year together, I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for each teacher, staff member, and parent/guardian. Your dedication, resilience, and heart are what make Chadron Public Schools such an exceptional place for students to learn and grow. You and our Staff are the reason our students thrive — and your work matters more than ever.

This year, let’s lean into the belief that every day is a chance to change a life. Whether it’s through a lesson that sparks curiosity, a conversation that builds confidence, or a moment of encouragement when it’s needed most, your influence runs deep. Never underestimate the difference you make.

Let’s continue to build a culture rooted in kindness, collaboration, and high expectations — not just for our students, but for ourselves and each other. Let’s celebrate our wins, learn from our challenges, and lift one another up along the way.

You are mentors, leaders, and role models. And together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.

Thank you for showing up, for caring deeply, and for giving your all. I am honored to serve alongside such a talented, passionate, and unstoppable community.

Here’s to a powerful, purposeful, and inspiring school year ahead!

With gratitude and excitement

Ginger L. Meyer, Superintendent

Important Update on Federal Education Funding for FY 2025

Good News Update on a Friday afternoon!! NE 21st CCLC grant funding to be released July 21, 2025. This will allow us to continue with our after-school program as normal.

Important Update on Federal Education Funding for FY 2025

Chadron Public Schools
July 10, 2025

This week, school districts across the country—including right here in Chadron—were informed of a deeply concerning decision by the U.S. Department of Education: funding will not be released for six key federal formula grant programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, totaling a loss of $6.9 billion nationwide.

This announcement comes as a significant surprise. Earlier communications from the Department had outlined anticipated funding levels based on the full-year continuing resolution passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. Schools and state education agencies had planned accordingly. The sudden reversal leaves a major gap in resources that directly impact students, families, and educators.

The Chadron programs affected include totals:

• 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants - Funds the After- School Program - $150,000

• Title IV-A Student Support & Academic Achievement Grants - Funds CTE programs - $30,000

• Title II-A Supporting Effective Instruction Grants - Funds training for staff - $12,000

What This Means for Chadron

These federal grants support critical services and enrichment opportunities in Chadron Public Schools. Programs like after-school program, summer enrichment, teacher training, and family literacy efforts may face serious disruption without this funding.

We are actively assessing how this unexpected loss will affect our students, staff, and programs in the 2025–2026 school year. Our leadership team is working closely with state and federal partners to seek clarification, explore solutions, and advocate for the immediate release or restoration of these essential funds.

Our Commitment

Chadron Public Schools remains fully committed to providing a high-quality education for every student—regardless of changes at the federal level. While this news is disappointing and will create challenges, we are focused on making the most responsible decisions to continue supporting our students, staff, and families. The After-School Program funding is the biggest hit to our District.  The Board and Administration recognize the importance of this program and will explore alternative ways to maintain it if funding is lost.

We will continue to keep our community informed as we learn more and respond to this evolving situation.

We thank you for your continued support and partnership as we navigate these uncertain times together.

Sincerely,
Ginger L. Meyer
Superintendent
Chadron Public Schools

2024-2025 School Wrap Up

As the school year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for the hard work, resilience, and dedication shown by our students, families, teachers, and staff throughout the year. Together, we’ve overcome challenges, celebrated achievements, and continued to grow as a community committed to learning, equity, and excellence.

Summer break is a well-deserved time to relax, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. I encourage all of our students to enjoy this break, explore new interests, and, most importantly, find time for rest and rejuvenation. Whether you’re traveling, working on a summer project, reading a good book, or simply enjoying the outdoors, I hope this summer brings joy and balance to your life.

To our graduating seniors—congratulations! You’ve reached an important milestone, and we are so proud of your accomplishments. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next.

Please remember that learning doesn’t stop in the summer. We invite families to take advantage of local resources, summer reading programs, and enrichment opportunities offered throughout the district. 

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall for another exciting and successful school year. Until then, have a safe, happy, and healthy summer!

Ginger L. Meyer, Superintendent

Continuous School Improvement

  Continuous School Improvement

Chadron Public Schools has planned a night to share and get input on our continuous improvement process.  Our district just finished a school improvement cycle, receiving very high remarks and ratings.  We would like to share those results, and then move on to the new cycle with goal planning.  Please plan on attending.  Mark your calendars for April 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the High School Auditorium.

Board Member Appreciation

Big shout-out to the Chadron Public Schools board members for their dedication and service to the district. It’s not an easy job, but it’s crucial for the success of the students and the community. Thanks for all the hard work you put in! 👏📚

No Four-Day School Week for CPS

Dear Chadron Public Schools Community,

It has come to our attention that there is a rumor circulating about Chadron Public Schools potentially moving to a four-day school week. We want to assure you that this rumor is not accurate. Currently, there are no plans or discussions about changing our school week from five days to four.

Our top priority is to provide a consistent, high-quality educational experience for our students, and maintaining our current five-day school week remains integral to that mission. Any significant changes to our school schedule would involve careful consideration and thorough analysis to ensure they align with the needs of our students and families.  Preliminary research shows that elementary-age students do not benefit from a four-day week and eventually they fall behind.

If there are any future discussions on this topic, we will communicate openly with you and keep you informed. We appreciate your support and understanding, and we encourage everyone to reach out to the school administration with any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Chadron Public Schools.

Welcome 2024-25

Dear Chadron Public Schools Community,

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Chadron Public Schools! As we embark on the 2024-2025 academic year, we are thrilled to reunite with our dedicated students, supportive families, and exceptional staff.

This year, we focus on creating an enriching and dynamic learning environment where every student can thrive. Our commitment to excellence remains steadfast, and we are excited to introduce new initiatives, innovative programs, and continued improvements to enhance the educational experience for all.

To Our Students: We hope you have enjoyed a well-deserved summer break and are ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the new school year. Your enthusiasm and hard work are what make our school community so special. Whether you're stepping into a new grade or new to Chadron Public Schools, we are here to support you every step of the way. Let’s make this year our best yet!

To Our Parents and Guardians: Thank you for your unwavering support and partnership. Your involvement is crucial to our students' success, and we value the trust you place in us to provide a quality education. We encourage you to stay engaged and communicate with us openly. Together, we can ensure a positive and productive school year for your children.

To Our Staff: Your dedication and passion are the heart of Chadron Public Schools. We appreciate your hard work and commitment to fostering a supportive and inspiring educational environment. Let’s continue to work collaboratively to achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact on our students’ lives.

As we look forward to the year ahead, please keep an eye out for important updates and events. We are excited about the possibilities and are committed to making this a successful and memorable school year for everyone.

Thank you for being a part of our Chadron Public Schools family. Here’s to a fantastic 2024-2025 school year!

With sincere gratitude,

Ginger L. Meyer, Superintendent

School Improvement Visit

Chadron Public Schools participated in an Accreditation Engagement Review in November 2023. Overall the review was very positive and highlighted some of the wonderful things happening in the district. The review team found Chadron to exhibit strengths in fostering a positive learning environment, providing robust support systems, and utilizing data for improvement. Highlighted areas are as follows:

Culture of Learning

The Chadron Public Schools have cultivated and sustained a culture of caring that puts the well-being of learners at the center of its mission, purpose, and beliefs.

Leadership for Learning

Highly qualified district leaders and professional staff have developed a continuous school improvement process focused on organizational effectiveness and improved teaching and learning.

Engagement of Learning

The Chadron Public Schools have multiple programs in place to engage learners and enhance the academic and non-academic skills of learners. 

Growth in Learning

Chadron Public Schools is characterized by professional staff members who support and engage learners in the acquisition of academic and non-academic skills through the utilization of data from a variety of sources.

There were areas for improvement identified. These include the need for more structured professional development, streamlined communication methods, comprehensive curriculum review, full implementati

on of MTSS, formal data review processes, and enhanced engagement in digital learning. Addressing these areas could align the district's efforts more closely with its strengths, ensuring comprehensive excellence across all areas of operation and furthering its mission to provide quality education for all learners. 

More information can be found on the School Improvement Process website 

Thank a Board Member

Board of Education Members

I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for our dedicated service as a member of the Chadron Public School Board. As we celebrate School Board Member Week, I want to recognize the invaluable contributions you have made to our community and educational system.

Your commitment to ensuring our students' success and well-being is commendable. Your tireless efforts in making informed decisions, fostering a positive learning environment, and addressing the diverse needs of our school community have not gone unnoticed.

I extend our sincerest thanks for the time, energy, and expertise you invest in shaping the future of Chadron Public Schools. Your selfless service is a cornerstone of our community's success, and we are fortunate to have such committed individuals guiding our educational endeavors.

During this School Board Member Week, we celebrate you and your fellow board members for the integral role you play in fostering a thriving educational environment. Your leadership is an inspiration to us all.

Thank you once again for your outstanding service. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to improve Chadron Public Schools.

Ginger Meyer

Nebraska Department of Education Releases 2022-23 State Test and Classification Data

Chadron Public Schools has regularly conducted surveys to analyze stakeholder feedback and identify strengths and possible areas for growth. This past spring we conducted surveys as part of our accreditation process.  The survey results from this year provide valuable insights into various aspects of the school district.

Survey results for 2023 indicate a positive environment in the district. Students feel the school district has caring and qualified teachers who take an interest in their education. Educators feel encouraged in their roles and they strive for inclusivity and collaboration while making students feel safe and respected. Families feel respected by the school district and expressed positive perspectives on various aspects of their child's school experience. Surveys showed unity as a district strength and stakeholders felt like they were part of a community dedicated to helping all students succeed.

There were some opportunities for growth noted such as increasing personalized learning experiences, expanding the use of digital tools, and continuing to increase collaboration and feedback with stakeholders when possible.

You can read more about current and past surveys as part of our school improvement process on the district website under the district resources or by clicking the link below.

Chadron School Improvement Website

Budget Needs

As we head in to the joint hearing on September 26 here are some points to clarify some of the issues:

— Chadron Public Schools continues to be an academic leader across the state.  The staff, academics, class offerings, and activities have helped to keep CPS on top.  

– Chadron Public Schools have not overspent our budget or our spending authority.  We have and continue to be fiscally responsible.  We are staying levy neutral with this budget, meaning we are staying at the 1.05 spending lid that is imposed by the state.  The increase in property valuation has allowed the 1.05 to bring in more money.  We have stayed levy neutral for 20 years or more (I quit after looking after 20 years).

– Valuation is updated yearly by the county by using metrics based on state statutes.  Valuation is based upon market value.  Land and houses have been selling at inflated rates, thus the increase in valuation across the board.  Residential and commercial are 100%  and ag is 75% of the market.

–Our valuation went up dramatically.  Typically if valuation increases and the student population stays the same state aid will go down.  Valuation is a resource in the state funding formula.  With this in mind, we do not want to bounce the levy up and down.  

–35% of our school district is in the exempt land category.  Public lands include more than our recreation areas.  With that being said we do receive some in lieu money for Wilderness Protection and Games & Parks  ($143,231 for 2022) and Forestry ($51,000 for 2022). If we were to collect money on these properties then we would net $ 1,837,000.

–Our district has operated very frugally.  However, we continue to have facility needs, transportation needs, and payroll expenses, and prices have gone up around 20% across the board.  Special needs and services have increased.

–Over the past three years, we received Federal ESSER Funds (COVID Relief Funds); funds could only be used for specific things that were approved by NDE. This is not a funding source for 2022-2223 but has offset some payroll and facility costs.

–Over the past four years, we received Federal AWARE Funds (for mental health and trauma-informed schools); funds could only be used for specific things that were approved by NDE.  We head into the last year of this grant, with some of these programs not being sustainable.

— Nebraska has always relied heavily on property taxes to fund K-12 education.  

— A heavy reliance on property taxes and relatively low state support creates taxing inequities, which have driven much of the debate on how best to finance education.  

— The districts with the lowest property wealth also have, on average, the highest tax rates. So while per-pupil spending can vary for many reasons, the fact that those districts with the lowest spending and the lowest property wealth tend to have the highest tax levies warrants further discussion.

— Because the state aid formula relies so heavily on local property values to calculate the resources of schools, the result is that urban school districts need more state aid even though they tend to have higher property tax rates.

— At the same time, the rural districts are seeing a loss of state aid due to increasing agricultural land valuations. However, agricultural landowners are not seeing incomes rise as fast as land values, so more of their income is being taken up by increased property taxes.

— These dynamics have fueled the ongoing rift in the Legislature and pitted urban and rural school districts against each other in the fight for state funding.

— Standard practice is to have 4 to 6 months of expenses in cash reserves, we do not even have 2 months.

Major needs across the district:

Intermediate school

Window replacement 

Gym roof replacement (still old style) 

Hallway tile flooring replaced

Drainage issue east side building 

Broken concrete replaced the front of the school/stairs

Fenced in playground

Exterior doors replaced (back door, gym door,)

Bathrooms 1st and 2nd floor remodel 

Primary school 

Windows replaced 

The peaked roof entryway needs replaced

Bathrooms remodeled (all 4) 

Classroom carpet replace (computer lab)

Back door replaced 

Irrigation for lawn

Driveway/road front of school drop-off replaced

Middle school 

Front doors replaced

Side door replaced (east side hallway)

Bathrooms remodel (1st, 2nd, 3rd floors)

Windows gym replaced

Irrigation lawns

No AC in the gym 

Tuck and point brickwork 

High school 

HVAC phases 2-5

Gym floor sanding

Bleacher replacement 

Flooring commons, entryways

Area D flooring

Auditorium house lights changed 

Public restrooms (gym area) remodel

District-wide

Broken concrete sidewalk repairs 

Practice field automated irrigation 

Roof leak repairs

Cars and vans replace

Welcome Back 2022

Welcome Back,

I am excited to welcome you back to the 2022-2023 school year! As this is my third year as your Superintendent, I am committed to staying the course we have set for ourselves and continuing to provide stability as we grow as a District. My overarching focus this year is “Relationships Matter.” You will hear me addressing this theme throughout the year as we explore what it means, to our district, to our work, and by building relationships with one another and our students and families.  

We are committed to our students and our community.  The work ahead of us is multi-layered; it is a balancing act of meeting our student's academic and social-emotional needs, keeping students and staff safe, and continuing to adapt and evolve to the ever-changing requirements and guidance placed on all K-12 schools.  

Since May, the maintenance and custodial crew have made significant progress on several important projects.  It is incredible what they have accomplished.  Being able to do many of the projects in-house and using ESSER money has made an enormous difference for our district.

Here we are!! A new school year.  We all know the summer flew by.  As we head into the new school year, please ensure you are signed up for our Remind communication.  And stay tuned for the Chadron School App that our technology department is developing.  

 

 

With sincere gratitude,

Ginger L. Meyer, Superintendent

 

Welcome

We would like to welcome the following new Cardinals to the nest starting in 2022-23 school year.

Rick Barry as Activities Director.

Emma Hageman as Primary SPED teacher.

Heather Pearson as Middle School SPED teacher.

Katherine Burrows as Para.

Brenda Vogl as Activiies Administrative Assisitant

Rachel Gifford as High School English Teacher.

Katarina Rischling as Primary Kindergarten Teacher.

Lauren Collins as Primary Kindergarten Teacher.

Joshua Digmann as Middle School PE Teachers.

Staff changing positions within the district:

Kristi Dunbar to Middle School Teacher.

Bill Cogdill to Middle School Teacher.

Jenn Cattnach to Intermediate Counselor and Adaptive PE.

Mikel Landreth to Primary Counselor.

Mandy Brice to Para.

LB 890 & 891

 

LB 890 & 891

Chadron Public Schools shares a unique story.  We are a rural district with a current enrollment of 925 kids K-12.  Our district is at the $1.05 lid. Forty percent of our land is in public, state, or federal lands.  Meaning not all of this land is taxable. Taxpayers are levied to the max to provide a top-notch education.  Our district does receive state-aid that we are grateful for.  We are a frugal district.  Two of our buildings turned 100 this year.  With enrollment growing, we need more teaching staff that we will be hard pressed to hire under current budgets. It is difficult to hire teachers in our part of the State. We are going to have to keep current and competitive to get educators to Chadron. Current revenue restrictions, over reliance on property taxes, and the burden of providing the necessary resources for our students and we are capped out at the $1.05 and even if we could squeeze another penny it would fall on the back of our limited tax base.  LB 890 would be that lifeline for our school and for our taxpayers.  LB 890 as currently written would significantly reduce our general fund levy.  With this model both our school and are taxpayers benefit greatly.  

(All of the below are estimates based on the latest #s from NDE models as of 1/15/22)

Current General Fund Levy $1.00

New General Fund Levy $0.64

 

Levy Reduction $0.36

Levy Reduction 36%

 

Current State Aid $4,611,004

New State Aid $6,747,479

 

Increase in State Aid $2,136,475 

New Max General Fund Levy $0.95

Our education community and other have joined together to support this bill.  It helps or holds harmless all Nebraska Schools.

I want to talk about some data points

● Nebraska currently finances over seventy percent of the costs of operating its public school system from the property tax and other local sources while nationally only forty-three percent of the costs are supported by property taxes and other local sources.

● The overreliance on property tax for or the support of the public school system has resulted in great disparities in local property tax rates.

● The overreliance on the property tax for the support of the public school system has created inequitable educational fiscal resources for students.

● Funding public schools in the state of Nebraska is no easy task.  One size does not fit all when trying to fund 244 separate school districts, each with their own unique needs.  

● The intention of this bill is to be simple, transparent, and equitable. There are two valuable outcomes: 1) a structurally sound and sustainable school funding model and 2) a substantial reduction in the reliance on property taxes to fund public schools. The introduced LB890 with LB891 has an estimated 50/50 split statewide between local property taxes and state funding.

Sincerely,

Ginger Meyer, Ed.S

Superintendent, Chadron Public Schools

Digital Citizenship -- December 15, 2021

Digital Citizenship -- December 15, 2021

Chadron Public Schools is pleased to offer Digital Citizenship to students and parents.  On December 15, 2021 Karen Haase from KSB Law Firm will present the ins and outs of digital citizenship.  There will be a session for Middle School and High School during the school day.  We will also have a parent session.  Do you want to know about the Apps and Social Media that your kids are using?  Do you want to know about laws that govern social media use.  Do you want to know how schools respond to these problems?   We warn kids about the problems that crop up, but we cannot stress enough how technology keeps changing.

Karen Haase has a background as an educator.  She and her firm are cutting edge in the practices of school law.  KSB believes passionately that schools should use technology to increase engagement and student achievement.  As a result, we work tirelessly to be a leading authority at how digital citizenship intersects with education.  Sadly, all too often we see the negative side of digital communication when students as well as adults misuse technology.  A digital citizen is a person who utilizes information technology in order to engage in society, politics, and government and who uses the internet regularly and effectively.

Parent Session will be held in the Auditorium at 5:15 on December 15, 2021

CoVid and Flu Shot Clinic

CoVid and Flu Shot Clinic

On November 15, 2021 there will be a CoVid and Flu shot clinic at Chadron High School. This will be in the high school library beginning at 5:00pm, with an end time of 7:00pm. This clinic is for ages 5 and up. A parent or guardian must be present. Please enter the school through the main entrance, by the high school office. WNC will be providing this clinic.

Yesterday, the CoVid Vaccination was approved for use in 5 year olds and up.

Free Meals

August 9, 2021

To:  Students, Parents, & Guardians

Re:  Free Meals

Greetings Chadron Public Schools Parents, Patrons, and Students:

We are excited to send out some great news: for the 2021-2022 school year, All students regardless of economic status will receive free meals at Chadron Public Schools.  Money is provided by the CARES Act..  The USDA has given guidance that schools may extend the Meal Program in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.  Meals will include both breakfast and lunch served through our school food program.  Seconds and ala carte items will be charged to your child’s account.

This guidance came Summer 2021 and our application was filed.  Thus allowing us to continue this great benefit.  I encourage you to have your students eat at school.  Please continue to fill out free and reduced lunch forms as normal.  These numbers allow us to apply for and reap other benefits. 

Chadron Public Schools hopes that this news comes as a pleasant surprise and helps each family financially through these unprecedented times.

Regards,

Ginger L. Meyer, Superintendent

2021-22 School Year

Ramping Up on the Cardinal Facility Fund