Test November Newsletter
'Rider News November 2026
Letter from the Superintendent
We have officially made it through the first quarter of the school year, and there have already been many great accomplishments and successes at Southwest Public Schools!
Our fall sports seasons are wrapping up, with several teams competing in playoffs and district competitions, while others have finished their seasons. We are proud of our students, coaches, and sponsors for their hard work and dedication. With winter sports just around the corner, we look forward to more opportunities to support our Roughriders!
One of the great things happening this fall is our Beef in Schools program. We have already enjoyed two grilled hamburger days, thanks to the generous donations and hard work of those involved. This program allows us to provide students with quality, locally raised beef. If you are interested in donating or supporting this great program, please contact one of our committee members: Brooke Brooks, Janet Rippe, Mindy Hagg, Jennifer Meyers, or Ashley Kurkowski. Thank you to everyone who makes this program possible!
I am also excited to announce that Southwest Public Schools has received a $45,928 grant through the Nebraska Department of Education's School Kitchen Modernization Grant program to purchase a greenhouse! The greenhouse will provide hands-on learning opportunities for several classes, including FFA, science, and Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). Students will learn about growing and harvesting plants and vegetables that can be used in our school nutrition program. This is a great opportunity to connect classroom learning with providing fresh, nutritious food for our students!
I also want to thank all the parents and guardians who attended our elementary parent-teacher conferences. We appreciate you taking the time to meet with teachers, discuss your child's progress, and work together on how we can best support their educational needs. Strong communication between home and school is an important part of student success.
Another exciting update is that our 2026 AQuESTT school accountability ratings are expected to be released in November. While the results are still in draft form, I can tell you that Southwest Public Schools did an amazing job! We have a lot to be proud of, and we look forward to sharing the official results with our families and community once they are finalized.
The 2026 Southwest Nebraska Big Give will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2026. This 24-hour giving event is a great opportunity for our families, alumni, and community members to donate to the Southwest Foundation and help support our school and students. We encourage everyone to consider making a donation, as every contribution helps make a difference and provides additional opportunities for our students. Thank you to everyone who continues to support the Southwest Foundation and Southwest Public Schools!
As temperatures begin to drop, please make sure students are dressing appropriately for the colder weather. Families should also watch our social media pages and Infinite Campus text messages and emails for weather-related delays or school closings. With several upcoming days off and many activities taking place, please continue checking our school calendar and Bound activities calendar to stay informed.
I also encourage parents to regularly check Infinite Campus to monitor grades, attendance, tardies, and lunch balances. Please keep lunch accounts current. Lunch bills can be paid online through Infinite Campus or with a credit or debit card.
Finally, I want to thank our teachers, staff, students, parents, and community members for making the first nine weeks such a success. There are so many great things happening at Southwest, and we have plenty to celebrate. However, we also know there is still work to be done and goals to accomplish. We will continue working together to provide the best possible educational opportunities for all our students.
Thank you for your continued support of Southwest Public Schools. We look forward to another great quarter!
Counselor's Corner Payton Schake
Scholarships:
Click the google link for scholarship information: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tUvMVTpzKq3umttYJmzwmBM64aNEs60AOFPMJARU_jQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0 Scholarship info can also be found on my school page under Mr. Schake’s Scholarship List
*The spreadsheet is organized by monthly due dates so be sure to look at the months in advance, so you have time to fill the applications out before the due date. This is updated as I receive scholarships throughout the year.
*The scholarships highlighted in red are not updated and the scholarships highlighted in green are always open and have differing due dates so be sure to look back on these frequently.
High School:
Keep working on your classes, the semester will be finishing up before you know it. Don’t let your holidays be ruined by the stress of failing grades.
If you haven’t already started looking at you future and goals please come find me so we can have a chat. It is always good to have a plan,even if life doesn’t go as planned.
Seniors:
Be applying for colleges and scholarships. Things will start ramping up be prepared and if you start falling behind let me know so I can help.
ACT:
Register for the ACT at: actstudent.org
Southwest School Code: 280151
MCC Test Site Code: 024600
| Test Dates | Registration Dates | (Late Fee Registration) |
| December 12, 2026 | November 6 | November 29 |
| February 27, 2027 | January 22 | February 9 |
| April 10, 2027 | March 5 | March 23 |
| June 12, 2027 | May 7 | May 25 |
| July 10, 2027 | June 4 | June 22 |
Board Minutes:
Special Board Minutes October 5
Board of Education Meeting Southwest Public Schools District 179 October 5, 2026
President Jason Neseth called the special meeting of the Southwest Public Schools Board of Education to order at 7:32 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley.
Present: Brooke Brooks, Jennifer McConville, Derek Meyers, John O’Dea, Jason Neseth, Duane Teter, Superintendent Drew Billeter, Principal Mike Tines, and Patricia Smith.
Absent: None.
Visitors: Cris Charley, Brad and Adrienne Randel, Jason Meyers, and Jeff Brooks.
President Neseth observed Open Meeting Law requirements.
Moved by O’Dea, seconded by Teter, to approve the board meeting agenda as presented. Ayes: Meyers, Brooks, O’Dea, McConville, Neseth, and Teter. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Notices of the meeting were posted at the Adams Bank and Trust in Indianola, the Stockmens Bank in Bartley, Post Offices in Bartley and Indianola, Southwest Elementary School in Indianola, Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley, and published in the Valley Voice newspaper and on the school website. Notice of the meeting was given in advance to all members prior to the meeting date.
Moved by McConville, seconded by Brooks, to approve the 2026-2027 budget with consideration for the following funds: General, Depreciation, Employee Benefit, Contingency, Activities, Special Building, School Nutrition, Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking, Cooperative, and Student Fee. Ayes: Brooks, Neseth, Teter, and McConville. Nays: Meyers and O’Dea. Motion carried.
Moved by Teter, seconded by McConville, to approve the district property tax request for the 2026-2027 school fiscal year. Ayes: Brooks, Neseth, Teter, and McConville. Nays: Meyers and O’Dea. Motion carried.
Moved by Teter, seconded by O’Dea, to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m. Ayes: McConville, Meyers, Neseth, Teter, O’Dea, and Brooks. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Agenda for meetings will be kept continually current and available for public inspection in the office of the Superintendent.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley.
Budget Hearing Minutes October 5
Budget Hearing
Southwest Public Schools
District 179
October 5, 2026
President Jason Neseth called the budget hearing to order at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley.
Present: Brooke Brooks, Derek Meyers, John O’Dea, Jennifer McConville, Jason Neseth, Duane Teter, Superintendent Drew Billeter, Principal Mike Tines, and Patricia Smith.
Absent: None.
Visitors: Cris Charley, Brad and Adrienne Randel, Jason Meyers, and Jeff Brooks.
The Board was available to listen to support, opposition, criticism, suggestions, or observations from district patrons relating to the adoption of the proposed budget of expenditures for all district funds for the 2026-2027 school year and to consider amendments relative thereto. Superintendent Billeter summarized the budget, and no action was taken.
President Neseth adjourned the hearing at 7:31 a.m.
Hearing to Set Final Tax Request Minutes October 5
Hearing to Set Final Tax Request
Southwest Public Schools
District 179
October 5, 2026
President Jason Neseth called the hearing to set the final tax request to order at 7:31 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley.
Present: Derek Meyers, Jennifer McConville, Brooke Brooks, Jason Neseth, Duane Teter, John O’Dea, Superintendent Drew Billeter, Principal Mike Tines, and Patricia Smith.
Absent: None.
Visitors: Cris Charley, Brad and Adrienne Randel, Jason Meyers, and Jeff Brooks.
The Board was available to listen to support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations from district patrons relating to setting the final tax request at a different rate than the prior year tax request. Superintendent Billeter reported on the published tax requests from the General and Special Building Funds. No action was taken.
President Neseth adjourned the hearing at 7:32 a.m.
Board Meeting Minutes October 12, 2026
Board of Education Meeting
Southwest Public Schools
District 179
October 12, 2026
President Jason Neseth called the regular meeting of the Southwest Public Schools Board of Education to order at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley.
Present: Brooke Brooks, Jennifer McConville, Derek Meyers, Jason Neseth, Superintendent Drew Billeter, Principal Mike Tines and Krista Kennedy. .
Absent: Duane Teter and John O’Dea
Visitors: Cris Charley, Sasha Burton, Mindy Haag, Hillery Kennedy and Jason Kloepping.
President Neseth observed Open Meeting Law requirements.
Moved by Meyers, seconded by McConville, to excuse absent board members. Ayes: Meyers, Brooks, McConville, and Neseth. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Moved by McConville, seconded by Meyers, to approve the board meeting agenda as presented. Ayes: Meyers, Brooks, McConville, and Neseth. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Notices of the meeting were posted at the Adams Bank and Trust in Indianola, the Stockmen’s Bank in Bartley, Post Offices in Bartley and Indianola, Southwest Elementary School in Indianola, Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley, and published in the Valley Voice newspaper and on the school website. Notice of the meeting was given in advance to all members prior to the meeting date.
Moved by Meyers, seconded by Brooks, to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2026, the September 24, 2026 and the October 5, 2026, board meeting. Ayes: Meyers, Brooks, McConville and Neseth. Nays: none. Motion carried.
The treasurer’s report was presented to the Board
John O’Dea arrived to the meeting at 7:34 p.m.
Moved by O’Dea, seconded by McConville, to approve the claims as presented. Ayes: McConville, Meyers, O’Dea, Neseth, and Brooks. Nays: none. Motion carried.
The Board discussed snow removal at the Elementary location. Superintendent Billeter advertised for snow removal and currently has no bids. This topic will be discussed at a later board meeting.
Moved by Brooke, seconded by McConville, to approve the adoption of the Option Enrollment Capacity policy. The policy will state K-3rd, 20 students per grade, 4th-5th, 25 students per grade, and 6th-12th, 30 students per grade. Ayes: McConville, Meyers, O’Dea, Neseth, and Brooks. Nays: none. Motion carried
Moved by O’Dea, seconded by Meyers, to approve the selling of surplus items. Ayes: McConville, Meyers, O’Dea, Neseth, and Brooks. Nays: none. Motion carried
Superintendent Billeter reported on the EHA Health Insurance Rates that will be released later this month. Rates could potentially increase 10-12%. The teacher’s negotiation meeting will be held before November 1st. Several items were purchased with the CTE Grant for use in the shop classroom. Billeter also reported on the Perkins Grant, which provided funds to purchase Briggs and Stratton small engine kits.
Principal Tines reported on the MTSS conference held in Kearney last week, several teachers attended. Tines commented on the HAL Program and how this is incorporated at our school. Students who achieve 95% or higher through MAPS and other testing, then have additional opportunities through honors programs.
Moved by O’Dea, seconded by Meyers, to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Ayes: O’Dea, McConville, Meyers, Neseth, and Brooks. Nays: none. Motion carried.
Agenda for meetings will be kept continually current and available for public inspection in the office of the Superintendent.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the Southwest Junior-Senior High School in Bartley.