FALLS CITY, Neb. — The Falls City Board of Education approved a $168,851 project to resurface the track at Jug Brown Stadium during its regular meeting Monday night, giving a green light to long-anticipated improvements for student-athletes and community users.
Board members also voted to maintain the daily substitute teacher pay rate at $175 for the 2025–26 school year, unchanged from the previous year.
Superintendent Tim Heckenlively informed the board that the Sixpence Board of Trustees approved a continuation grant for Falls City Public Schools totaling $425,856 for the next fiscal year. The grant amount represents a temporary reduction of $129,051 due to a delay in Child Care and Development Fund payments from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Heckenlively noted that if additional funding becomes available, Sixpence may issue an amended award to District 56.
The board also received an update from Transportation Director Tyler Bek, who shared concerns over upcoming federal safety regulations that may prohibit the use of 11-passenger vans. Falls City currently uses these vans for daily student transport and extracurricular travel.
To remain compliant, the district may need to transition to small buses or minivans in the future. Bek reported that the district's eight rural bus routes logged a total of 91,318 miles during the last school year.
The board will continue monitoring transportation policy developments and evaluate vehicle needs to ensure student safety and regulatory compliance.