Board members are waiting until after Nov. 16 to make any decisions concerning the next school year.

Tbat’s when the Laurel-Concord School board will have the option of voting whether to commit to a Middle School at the Coleridge location, or keeping their current system intact.

“It will be on the agenda – but it could be tabled,” said Supt. Rich Patton. “If a decision is made to go ahead there will be a ton of decisions to make. Some will have to be done by the school boards and some will be done at the site.”

Patton believes the two schools would have a good working relationship if a middle school is established.

“We have the same administration and the same policies and we have a history of working together,” said Patton. “I don’t think this would be a problem.”

Pre-school through fourth grade students at Coleridge are currently being bused to Laurel-Concord School for classes.

If a middle school is approved, it would be for both Laurel and Coleridge fifth through eighth grade students. Under the plan, Coleridge will also send its high school students to Laurel for the 2010-11 school year.

Board member Karla Hansen said the Coleridge School Board will take steps to move ahead after the Nov. 16 L-C Board meeting.

“I can say with confidence that we will have a plan whether Laurel commits to a middle school with us or not. I don’t know the destiny right now – but we will move forward after Nov. 16,” said Hansen. “Either way, we still have some choices.”

A top priority will be to do the best thing for the kids, Hansen said.

The paperwork concerning a two-year football co-op between Laurel-Concord and Coleridge has been completed and sent to the State, although changes can be made up until the end of the November.

If Coleridge co-ops with Hartington or Randolph it puts them into 11-man football, according to Director of Administration Craig Frerichs. Randolph is currently competing in 11-man, but is expected to drop to eight-man next year. Hartington currently competes in eight-man football.

Laurel/Coleridge Athletic Director Scott Petersen and Frerichs have talked with the Coleridge football players.

According to Frerichs the players were in agreement with a football co-op with Laurel.

“We wanted to talk to them and find out how they felt,” said Frerichs.

The possibility of developing a Middle School at Coleridge has been the subject of several news stories recently.

The Middle School concept has been addressed at several community meetings in both Coleridge and Laurel-Concord School Districts over the last month.

The subject has now been addressed on a local TV station.

The Channel Nine TV station out of Sioux City was at the Coleridge School on Thursday afternoon to film a short clip on the possibility of developing a Middle School at the Coleridge location.

Clarence Hill, from Jacksonville, Florida, talked about the important job members of the military have.

“The Armed Forces carry the responsibility of defending this nation – what a responsibility that is,” said Hill. “It involves ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things.”

Those who have been willing to serve their country have been found on our streets, in our shops, on the farms or running a business – they are ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things.

“Nothing in our lives will ever be as important as this,” Hill said. “Nothing can trump the experience.”

Hill shared several stories of veterans who are still doing heroic deeds today as civilians.

“Service doesn’t end when they take off their uniform,” said Hill.

He told of a man who was severely injured in 2004 when part of his jaw and mouth were blown up.

Even though the veteran suffers with pain in his face he still visits veteran hospitals and carries out deeds of kindness.

“He continues to help his fellow warriors,” said Hill. “These veterans learned leadership qualities while serving in the military – calmness under pressure, discipline, motivational skills and other leadership traits which they still use today.”

Only about ten percent of the population serves in the armed forces – only one percent were on active duty according to Hill.

“This is a day to reflect and appreciate out veterans and to say thank you,” said Hill. “but how do you thank a veteran for saving the world.”

Two applications for a two-year football co-op, one with Laurel-Concord and one with, “another adjoining school district,” will be filed with the Nebraska School Activities Association before Nov. 6, the Coleridge Community School Board decided at its Wednesday meeting.

“The school will have until the end of November to withdraw one or both of the applications,” said Craig Frerichs, who is the Administrative Director for both schools.

The co-op agreement must also be approved by the other school in the agreement and by the Nebraska School Activities Association before the two-year alliance can take effect.

The Board decided to submit both applications in case the Laurel co-op agreement runs into a snag.

“We are signing two agreements rather than just one because if we do not co-op with Laurel we need another option,” said board member Karla Hansen.

There are 27 students out for Laurel-Concord’s 11-man football team this year, while Coleridge currently has only 12 football players on an eight-man team.

The Coleridge football team could have  a large number of freshmen on next year’s team, Frerichs said.

The Coleridge and Laurel-Concord Schools are already involved in a cooperative agreement for wrestling, golf and cross country and the junior high football and volleyball teams practice together right now.

A decision does not have to be made concerning basketball, volleyball or track teams at this point.

Several Coleridge alums and former football players are planning to attend this week’s Coleridge-Newcastle football contest to support the local team in what could possibly be the team’s last-ever game at Coleridge.

No special events are being planned for the occassion, but Coleridge alumni are hoping for a big turn-out of former players.

An afternoon service is planned for 3 p.m..
“Both services will be inspirational,” said Stein. “At the morning service we will be looking ahead and at the afternoon service we will be thankful for the past.  We will reminisce and be looking back during the afternoon.”
Everyone is welcome to gather for a cup of coffee and a time to visit before the morning worship service according to Ron Brodersen who helped coordinate the event.
Coffee and donuts, which are compliments of Thrivent, will start at 9 a.m. in the basement of the church.
A celebration dinner will follow the morning service and will be held from 11:30 until 1:30 pm.
Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at the church office, Ken’s Market or Security National Bank.
“Everyone is welcome,” said Brodersen. “Tickets will be available the same day but we are trying to get a count.”
The street between the school and the church will be blocked off for the day’s activities.
An outdoor concert by Sheltered Reality will start at 1:15.
The performers will use unique drumming rhythms to inspire people to make a difference in the world.
Sheltered Reality is a group of young people who have overcome hardships and struggles in their lives. Together they perform as a drum line and share their stories about drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, living in poverty, and more.
“The group is upbeat and entertaining for all ages,” said Brodersen. “They have a message which will encourage others to become involved.”
A Children’s Carnival, which starts at 3 p.m., will be held in the Coleridge School gym.
“There will be carnival games and other activities,” said Brodersen. “It is the same time as the afternoon service. It can be for kids who may not want to sit through a second service.”
Ice cream and cake will be served at an open house which starts at 4:15.
“People will be able to walk through the church basement and check out the historical display,” Brodersen said.
Several pastors and clergymen will be among the honored guests at the Q125 Celebration.
“One of the guest speakers has ties to the Coleridge Church – he is a descendent of the original Pastor Hefner who served at the church,” said Brodersen.
Pastor and missionary Orlando Hash, who grew up east of town and graduated from Coleridge High School, will also be at the Celebration.
Two former pastors of the Coleridge Church, Rollin Olesen from Norfolk and James Hilde from Fargo, N.D., are planning on coming back for the church’s celebration.
A large crowd is expected for Immanuel Lutheran’s Q125 Celebration.
“We have sold close to 250 tickets. We anticipate over 300 will be sold by the end of the week,” Brodersen said.
It is anticipated, with walk-ins, over 400 could be taking part in the day’s activities Brodersen said.

After reviewing the arguments and briefs, Binkard found the “Concerned Citizens of Coleridge” did not have a legal standing to bring the action to District Court. The order also said the petition had a jurisdictional defect.
James Buchanan, attorney for the “Concerned Citizens,” said he was disappointed with the ruling but not surprised.
According to Buchanan, a vast majority of petitions like the one filed for the “Concerned Citizens of Coleridge” end or start this way.
Buchanan said the court ruled his clients did not have the power as an unincorporated entity to bring this kind of action.
The order only determines whether the petition can proceed or not, he said.
“The decision made by the court does not state the action taken by the Coleridge Village Board was proper or legal — we did not get to that point,” said Buchanan. “It has been my stance from the beginning that the Village Board did not follow the village ordinances.”
Buchanan said he did not have to file all of the paperwork at the time the petition was filed.
“There is case law out there — you do not have to file the papers at the same time as the petition,” said Buchanan. “I should have an additional 30 days to file the additional paperwork.”
Attorney for the Coleridge Village Board, Mark Fitzgerald, said the order from Binkard is very clear. The procedure on the petition is in error.
One factor that entered into the court’s decision was not having the necessary paperwork included when the petition was filed he said.
“Minutes from the Village Board meetings and the problems involving the zoning ordinances had not been included with the petition,” said Fitzgerald. “It is a jurisdictional defect. The time is over, nothing can be done.”
According to Fitzgerald the order states the “Concerned Citizens of Coleridge” did not have the legal right to proceed with the petition.
“One person could have filed or six people could have filed the petition. A corporation or a partnership could have filed. The “Concerned Citizens” were not a legal entity,” said Fitzgerald said.

Several starts and stops and a number of public meetings were held before the Coleridge feedlot issue ended up in District Court.
Loren Paulsen first approached the Coleridge Village Board for a permit for a feedlot in January of this year.
If a conditional use permit was issued it would have to be done by the Village Board rather than the Cedar County Commissioners as the location would be within one mile of the Village.
The Village Board approved a special use permit for a 5,000 head feedlot at the Feb. 9 meeting, in spite of some opposition.
Within a few days of the meeting, the Chairman of the Village Board received a letter stating the meeting held on Feb. 9 did not follow all of the requirements of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act and asked that the application for the special use permit for Loren Paulsen be deemed void.
Village Attorney Bruce Curtiss advised the Village Board to void the special use permit for the feedlot and notify Paulsen he would need to re-apply.
Over 40 people showed up at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting which was held at 4:00 p.m. on March 5 to review plans for a special use permit for the feedlot.
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to give their recommendation on the permit for the feedlot to the Village Board.
Close to 100 people were at the March 9 Village Board meeting and provided nearly two hours of testimony, both for and against the feedlot.
On March 9 the Village Board approved the special use permit for the second time and added a few stipulations: the permit for the 5,000 head feedlot would have a 2,000 head limit for at least two years; a windbreak would have to be planted; and no sludge can go along with the irrigation on the land abutting the highway.
In April the “Concerned Citizens of Coleridge” filed papers in District Court asking to have the decision made by the Village Board reversed, claiming the application was not a complete application and did not comply with regulations.
On May 1, members of the Village Board, along with Loren Paulsen, who would be co-owner of the proposed feedlot, filed a petition asking for the case to be dismissed from District Court.
Three attorneys presented arguments before Judge William Binkard in District Court on June 22 concerning the special use permit. Binkard gave the attornies an opportunity to file briefs to support their arguments concerning the lawsuits.
On July 27, Binkard ordered the petition filed by the “Concerned Citizens of Coleridge” be dismissed.
The attorney for the “Concerned Citizens of Coleridge” said further steps can still be taken.
“The action by the District Court can be appealed or numerous other procedures can be done,” Buchanan said.

Forty-seven pages of information were already included in the feedlot case as of Monday morning – the number of pages will only grow over the next few months.
Attorney James Buchanan, attorney for the Concerned Citizens of Coleridge, has until July 10 to respond to the two motions that have been filed asking for a dismissal of the lawsuit.
Attorney Stephen Mossman, Lincoln, who represents Larry and Loren Paulsen, and Mark Fitzgerald, Norfolk attorney for the village of Coleridge, will have one week after the July 11 deadline to respond to Buchanan’s brief.
Binkard asked the attorneys to have the papers emailed to him.
The first papers filed in District Court were those filed by the Concerned Citizens of Coleridge asking the Village Board to reverse the decision that was made at a March 9 Village Board meeting that gave permission for a 5,000-head feedlot, along with stipulations, to be built within one mile of the village.
The petition claims the application for the conditional use permit was not a complete application and should not have been approved by the village board.
Buchanan had said the application was invalid.
The attorney for the Village Board, along with Paulsen’s attorney, later filed papers in District Court asking to have the lawsuit that was filed against them be thrown out.
The two attorneys argued the group who filed the petition is an unincorporated association of citizens and lacks legal standing.
They also said the petition that was filed, asking for a reversal on the feedlot permit, did not identify the necessary statute number and did not include all of the required paper work.
Buchanan said he was waiting to file the transcript until after the decision was made on whether the lawsuit would be dismissed or not.
“If the case is continued – I should have an additional 30 days from that time to file the transcript,” Buchanan told the Judge.
The decision on whether the original lawsuit should be continued or dismissed could be made sometime during the beginning of August.
“The other attorneys presented good arguments – we have good arguments,” said Buchanan. “It is up to the court.”
If Binkard makes a decision against the request for dismissal a court date will be set at a later  time.
Coleridge resident David Brookes was among the nearly 20 spectators who listened to the hearing.
Brookes said the whole controversy could have been avoided if the regulations concerning the application for the conditional use permit would have been followed.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments will be working with businesses to help them comply with Nebraska’s new smoke-free law.
Every indoor workplace and public place in Cedar County as well as across the state must be smoke-free by June 1. The act was designed to protect the public health and welfare of people.
Lonnie Sackschewsky, who owns Lonnie’s Bar and Grill in Coleridge and Donavon Kleinschmit, who owns Delmonicos #20 Saloon & Steak House in Fordyce, do not like the new law.
“I don’t think the ban is fair,” said Sackschewsky.
People can currently smoke at most food establishments in the county, but June 1 that will change.

Smoking has already been off limits at Delmonicos, Kleinschmit said.
Pam Thoene, who works at the Chief Bar in Hartington, might hear a few complaints when the ban goes into effect on June 1.
“I think it will probably upset some people,” said Thoene.
Right now customers can smoke in the Chief Bar.
DHHS has developed a website that contains resources such as questions and answers, informational brochures and the finalized regulations. The online guidance defines an indoor area and outlines where smoking is restricted.
“We want to help businesses take steps to be in compliance,” said Dr. Joann Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Division of Public Health.
DHHS has fielded questions about outdoor smoking areas, which are allowed by the law.

For the complete story contact the Cedar County News to subscribe to our E edition or print edition.

State statute requires property must be valued at market value for tax purposes.
Whenever real estate sells and a deed is filed at the Courthouse – a form has to be filled out showing the sale price.
Each year a sales ratio study is done which compares the assessed values at the Assessor’s office to the current sale prices.

For a more complete look at this story, subscribe to our E-edition. Current subscribers to the Cedar County News printed edition, can recieve discounted rates.

For a more complete look at this story, subscribe to our E-edition. Current subscribers to the Cedar County News printed edition, can recieve discounted rates.

The new technology and other changes the four schools have undergone during the past several years have been given consideration from other schools across the state and have even received national attention.
Administration and school board members from other schools in Nebraska as well as out of state have visited the four schools in northeast Nebraska to learn how the schools operate under an inter-local agreement.
The schools have been featured in a video which is used by an Education Service Unit to demonstrate Distance Learning.
The video shows the difference between the traditional class room and Distance Learning.
The four schools offer 74 inter-active distance education classes and over 30 on-line classes.
In November of 2008 the four schools were highlighted in an article in the Omaha World Herald which was titled “Getting Results.
The article congratulated the four schools for winning a statewide award for their forward-thinking initiatives.
The inter-local agreement among the schools still exists according to Owen.
“There are no plans to do away with it,” said Laurel-Concord/Coleridge Principal Les Owen.
“We may even add to it,” he said.

Four schools that are wired together in an inter-local agreement for sharing are beginning the search for a new school superintendent.
Representatives from the Laurel-Concord, Coleridge, Newcastle and Wynot School Boards met on Monday evening to discuss the vacancy that occurred when Superintendent Dan Hoesing handed in his resignation to Laurel-Concord Schools.
Coleridge School board members Robert Colwell, Karla Hansen and Betty Jo Leapley were among the representatives who looked at options and discussed how to approach the task of filling the vacancy.
“It was for brain-storming – no action could be taken,” said Principal Les Owen.
According to Owen the inter-local agreement for the 2009-10 school year has already been approved by the boards from the four schools.
The inter-local agreement gives the schools permission to share he said.
Each school has the freedom to do what they feel is best for their school depending on the services that are needed.
“The inter-local agreement among the schools still exists. There are no plans to do away with it,” said Owen. “We may even add to it.”
Colwell said they will still pursue the three goals the schools have always had: maintain a school in each district, operate in the most efficient manner and provide a quality education for the students.
“We want to attract the candidate who would best serve the schools,” said Owen.
The education level for administrative staff involves a number of years of schooling and degrees.
“A principal has to have a Masters Degree in School Administration. The education for a superintendent includes a Specialists Degree – schooling beyond a Masters Degree,” said Owen.
The Coleridge School has been hit hard in the area of administration recently.
Just last month the Coleridge School Board accepted the resignation of Principal Craig Frerichs who had been a teacher/administrator at the school for over thirty years.
The first part of this month the board members had given their approval for Les Owen, Stephanie Petersen and Scott Peterson along with help from Hoesing, all from Laurel, to cover the administration responsibilities for the second semester of this school year.
“We will be looking at the level of administration support our school will need with the loss of both Hoesing and Frerichs,” said Colwell.
According to Owen the school board could decide to hire a search committee to do the job of finding someone who would have the requirements for the superintendent level position.
“The committee would advertise, screen the applicants and do background checks,” said Owen.
A lot of people go on-line to find teaching positions that are open he said.
The board members will be looking for an administrator who will be willing to work with four school districts although the final choice will fall on the Laurel-Concord School Board.
Historically, the superintendent’s contract has been with Laurel-Concord School and the other schools involvement is through the inter-local agreements.
Coleridge and Laurel-Concord were the first two schools to join in an inter-local agreement for sharing in the fall of 2003.
Newcastle School joined in 2006 and Wynot School came aboard in 2007.
Even though the Coleridge school board members have struggled with a drop in enrollment and budget restraints they have used technology to enhance the student’s education and to bring funds into the district.
The new technology and other changes the four schools have undergone during the past several years have been given consideration from other schools across the state and have even received national attention.
Administration and school board members from other schools in Nebraska as well as out of state have visited the four schools in northeast Nebraska to learn how the schools operate under an inter-local agreement.
The schools have been featured in a video which was made by an Education Service Unit and is used to demonstrate Distance Learning.
The video features Superintendent Dan Hoesing, Principal Les Owen and former Coleridge Principal Craig Frerichs along with other teachers and students.
The video shows the difference between the traditional class room and Distance Learning.
The four schools offer 74 inter-active distance education classes and over 30 on-line classes.
In November of 2008 the four schools were highlighted in an article in the Omaha World Herald which was titled “Getting Results.
The article congratulated the four schools for winning a statewide award for their forward-thinking initiatives.
According to Laurel-Concord Board President Tim Bearnes the search goes beyond a contract for a superintendent for Laurel-Concord School.
The meeting with representatives from each school board was held to get everyone involved in the process of securing a superintendent he said.
“The four schools have a great relationship – we discussed this together,” said Bearnes. “The future of all four schools is inter-twined.”

HARTINGTON — Everyone knew the D2-7 girls basketball SubDistrict would be a tough one to sort out this year, but that battle to sort things out got started early.

Four of the five teams in the SubDistrict have been rated in the Top 10 at some point this season.

Newcastle and Coleridge were tied in NSAA power points at the conclusion of the regular season so a coin flip was needed to see which team would garner the top seed in the tourney.

The Lady Raiders of Newcastle won the coin flip and earned the top seed. That means Coleridge will need to battle Wynot on Tuesday, while Newcastle will get the winner of the Wausa-Santee game.

All D2-7 games will be held at the Msgr. Werner activity Center in Hartington.

The championship game is slated for 7 p.m. Feb. 19.

Before the end of the month he was a patient at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota – after ten days of numerous tests and needles, Mike had surgery.

On April 2nd he was operated on for esophageal cancer and Adencarcinoma of the stomach – six days later he came home.
The surgery included removing four inches of his esophagus, twenty-two lymph nodes and all of his stomach.
“They made a small stomach for me – it was a pocket about the size of your thumb,” said Mike.
Mike and Mary were both comforted to have their family with them at the time of the surgery.
“They all have a medical background. Christa is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree. Scott has a biology degree and teaches in the Laurel Public School system and had worked as a Med Aide at Park View Haven. His wife Kristi is a registered nurse working at Avera Sacred Heart hospital in Yankton,” said Mary. “It helped. They knew the right questions to ask.”

Mike received his first chemo treatment in May at Sioux City – the next rounds of treatments, which included chemo and radiation, were done at the Mayo Clinic between June 16 and July 21.
“The radiation was done in the same place every time – after a while your insides are burned,” he said. “I can never take radiation again.”
The Biltofts stayed at Hope Lodge for close to five weeks – unable to go home until the treatments were finished.
The third round of chemo was done in August. That was followed up by more chemo in  September.
Chemo treatments were spread out over a period close to four months for Mike.
“I wore a pump for fourteen weeks – chemo was pumped into me,” said Mike. “I was done by the 21st of October.”
The doctors at Mayo Clinic have Mike on a nationwide study – the type of cancer he has is not common.
“The first chemo treatment and the last one really hit me – I was exhausted,” said Mike. “The chemo makes your red and white blood cells go down – the purpose of chemo is to kill any new cells. You aren’t able to fight off anything. I am not over it yet – I still get tired easy.”
Mike’s hair is very slowly growing back in and he is trying to put some weight back on.
“I lost 55 pounds from the start of the chemo until the time I quit losing weight,” said Mike.

Since Mike’s whole stomach had been removed he received nourishment through using a feeding tube and pump – the feeding tube was removed in September.
He ate only a soft diet – puddings, Jell-O, clear soup – for the first three weeks.
Other foods were introduced as Mike was able to tolerate them.

“I am supposed to eat about every two hours – just smaller amounts. I can not have sugar or uncooked vegetables. I can eat almost anything else,” said Mike.
The doctors did a scan on Mike two weeks ago – he received the results just a few days ago.
“There was no sign of cancer – everyone was pretty happy,” he said. “In three months they will do another scan – it is part of the study Mayo Clinic has me in.”
Mike and Mary both think having a good attitude helped the recovery process.

“You have to have a positive attitude,” said Mike. “You have to live and still enjoy life. When you wake up each morning – you need to have a positive attitude.”
Mike and Mary are thankful for all of the prayers and out-pouring of support they have received this past year.

“We have everyone to thank for their prayers, concerns and support and we are forever grateful for our special family and friends,” Mary said.

“We played much better against a good team and were able to keep our fouls and turnovers down,” commented Hartington head coach Carla Schmidt.
The Coleridge Lady Bulldogs placed three players in double figures lead by Kelsey Papenhausen with 14 points while Sophie Wemhoff was right behind with 13 points and Taylor Olsen contributed 10 points.
Thanks to six points by Taylor Olsen and a Morgan Arduser three-pointer, Coleridge would take a 17-0 first quarter lead.
Hartington’s Sheila Wiebelhaus and Coleridge’s Sophie Wemhoff exchanged three pointers to open the second quarter.
Dana Hansen added five points to the Lady Bulldogs’ score, but Hartington got balanced scoring as both teams scored 13 points in the period. Coleridge’s lead remained at seven points 30-23 at the half.
The Lady Bulldogs widened their lead in the third quarter. Haley Hefner drained a trey and Kelsey Papenhausen worked the inside for six points as Coleridge went on a 13-6 run to widen their lead to 43-29 going into the final quarter.
In the final frame Ali Lammers found her touch, knocking down a trio of fieldgoals.
Kelsey Papenhausen answered with six points for the Lady Bulldogs and Coleridge kept their early season success going as they moved to 3-0 with the 59-37 win. Hartington’s record fell to 0-3 with the loss.
Coleridge    17        13    13    16—59
Hartington    10        13      6      8—37
Hartington    Coleridge
FG    16                 24
3Pt    1                 3
FT    2-8             2-9

scoring
Hartington- Sheila Wiebelhaus, 14; Ali Lammers, 10; Liz Kneifl, 5; Becca Heikes, 2; Kimber Rohde, 2; Jenna Potts, 2; Kristi Jueden, 2. Coleridge- Kelsey Papenhausen, 14; Sophie Wemhoff, 13; Taylor Olsen, 10; Morgan Arduser, 9; Dana Hansen, 8; Haley Hefner, 3; Shelby Olsen, 2.