Remember to get your pink out shirts turned in by Oct 1st! The purchase of a shirt will help support one of our own teachers.
Good Luck to the football team tonight at Weeping Water! Kickoff is set for 7:00pm! GO WILDCATS!!!
https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ne/weeping-water/organization/168/weeping-water-high-school
https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ne/weeping-water/organization/168/weeping-water-high-school
Superintendent Press Release September 26, 2025
Dear Cedar Bluffs Families,
This past week Cedar Bluffs Public School was required to attend the Joint Public Hearing because our tax request exceeded the 2 percent plus real growth threshold—about 2.5 percent—set under LB 644, which was passed in 2021. This was the first time our district has been required to appear since that legislation was enacted.
The need to increase our tax request is driven by two major budget pressures. First, Cedar Bluffs lost $414,290 in state aid this year. Second, Blue Cross Blue Shield has raised our health insurance premiums by 7 percent. Because we already pay around $1.2 million in premiums, this increase alone adds about $84,000 to our budget. Taken together, these two factors amount to nearly half a million dollars in lost revenue and higher expenses.
To balance the budget, we are requesting a 3.2-cent levy increase or about 4%. This is the first time since 2007—18 years—that our levy has gone up, and our Board has worked hard every year to avoid increases whenever possible.
To help offset costs further, we froze our general fund operating budget at zero percent growth. While state-required hearing documents show a 33 percent increase in our operating budget, that number includes a $3.5 million FEMA grant application to build a security shelter. If awarded, we must budget for it to be able to spend it, but if we do not receive the grant, our general operating budget will remain flat compared with last year.
Even with more than $400,000 lost in state aid, $84,000 in higher insurance premiums, and at least a 2–3 percent increase in most other expenses, our request amounts to only $234,765—less than half of what we expect to lose or spend.
Some at the hearing asked why we could not simply cut the budget rather than raise taxes. I want our community to know that we have already made significant cuts. The levy increase is not about adding programs or expanding spending, but about maintaining the high-quality education our students deserve despite rising costs and falling state support.
For most property owners, the impact of this levy change is modest. A home assessed at $100,000 will see an additional $32 per year. A $500,000 property will see an additional $160 per year. If your pink postcard shows a larger increase, that is due to changes in property valuation as well as the levy adjustment. Schools and county assessors do not set valuations; they are determined by state law and by market sales. When properties in a community sell for significantly higher prices, surrounding valuations increase as well.
Across our district, valuations rose only 3.66 percent, compared with 7–10 percent in nearby districts. But each parcel is different. For example, one of my own properties had no valuation increase and was affected only by the levy, while another saw a 22 percent valuation increase, which combined with the levy added $382 in taxes.
That variation reflects how state law applies valuation changes across Nebraska.
The challenges we face locally connect to a larger issue. Nebraska relies heavily on property taxes to fund public schools, which especially burdens large landholders in smaller districts like ours. Cedar Bluffs has fewer than 1,300 total parcels of property with an assessed valuation under $400 million, compared to neighboring
districts with over a billion in valuation and far more taxpayers to share the load. This imbalance makes any levy or valuation increase harder on larger property holders.
Statewide, Nebraska’s tax policy continues to shift more responsibility onto property owners. In 2023, lawmakers passed LB 754, which reduces the top personal and corporate income tax rates from nearly 7 percent to just 3.99 percent by 2027. While that provides relief for the wealthiest households and corporations, it also reduces state revenue, leaving schools more dependent on property taxes.
Our goal at Cedar Bluffs remains the same: to provide a strong education for our students while being careful stewards of taxpayer dollars. We are committed to transparency about why this levy adjustment is necessary and how broader tax policy affects our district.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our students, teachers, and community.
Have a great weekend! - Wildcat Pride
Dear Cedar Bluffs Families,
This past week Cedar Bluffs Public School was required to attend the Joint Public Hearing because our tax request exceeded the 2 percent plus real growth threshold—about 2.5 percent—set under LB 644, which was passed in 2021. This was the first time our district has been required to appear since that legislation was enacted.
The need to increase our tax request is driven by two major budget pressures. First, Cedar Bluffs lost $414,290 in state aid this year. Second, Blue Cross Blue Shield has raised our health insurance premiums by 7 percent. Because we already pay around $1.2 million in premiums, this increase alone adds about $84,000 to our budget. Taken together, these two factors amount to nearly half a million dollars in lost revenue and higher expenses.
To balance the budget, we are requesting a 3.2-cent levy increase or about 4%. This is the first time since 2007—18 years—that our levy has gone up, and our Board has worked hard every year to avoid increases whenever possible.
To help offset costs further, we froze our general fund operating budget at zero percent growth. While state-required hearing documents show a 33 percent increase in our operating budget, that number includes a $3.5 million FEMA grant application to build a security shelter. If awarded, we must budget for it to be able to spend it, but if we do not receive the grant, our general operating budget will remain flat compared with last year.
Even with more than $400,000 lost in state aid, $84,000 in higher insurance premiums, and at least a 2–3 percent increase in most other expenses, our request amounts to only $234,765—less than half of what we expect to lose or spend.
Some at the hearing asked why we could not simply cut the budget rather than raise taxes. I want our community to know that we have already made significant cuts. The levy increase is not about adding programs or expanding spending, but about maintaining the high-quality education our students deserve despite rising costs and falling state support.
For most property owners, the impact of this levy change is modest. A home assessed at $100,000 will see an additional $32 per year. A $500,000 property will see an additional $160 per year. If your pink postcard shows a larger increase, that is due to changes in property valuation as well as the levy adjustment. Schools and county assessors do not set valuations; they are determined by state law and by market sales. When properties in a community sell for significantly higher prices, surrounding valuations increase as well.
Across our district, valuations rose only 3.66 percent, compared with 7–10 percent in nearby districts. But each parcel is different. For example, one of my own properties had no valuation increase and was affected only by the levy, while another saw a 22 percent valuation increase, which combined with the levy added $382 in taxes.
That variation reflects how state law applies valuation changes across Nebraska.
The challenges we face locally connect to a larger issue. Nebraska relies heavily on property taxes to fund public schools, which especially burdens large landholders in smaller districts like ours. Cedar Bluffs has fewer than 1,300 total parcels of property with an assessed valuation under $400 million, compared to neighboring
districts with over a billion in valuation and far more taxpayers to share the load. This imbalance makes any levy or valuation increase harder on larger property holders.
Statewide, Nebraska’s tax policy continues to shift more responsibility onto property owners. In 2023, lawmakers passed LB 754, which reduces the top personal and corporate income tax rates from nearly 7 percent to just 3.99 percent by 2027. While that provides relief for the wealthiest households and corporations, it also reduces state revenue, leaving schools more dependent on property taxes.
Our goal at Cedar Bluffs remains the same: to provide a strong education for our students while being careful stewards of taxpayer dollars. We are committed to transparency about why this levy adjustment is necessary and how broader tax policy affects our district.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our students, teachers, and community.
Have a great weekend! - Wildcat Pride
Welcome Jennifer Kiefer – Our New Director of Community Programs
Cedar Bluffs Public School is excited to announce that Jennifer Kiefer has been selected as our next Director of Community Programs.
Jennifer brings with her a deep and genuine connection to our school and community. She has proudly served on the Foundation Board, contributed to fundraising efforts that support our students, and has been a familiar face through her involvement in youth sports programs. As a parent, she has also entrusted her own children to our after-school program, giving her firsthand insight into the importance of quality care and enrichment for students.
Professionally, Jennifer comes with valuable leadership experience. In her role as a supervisor with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), she developed the skills necessary to guide teams, manage programs, and ensure quality oversight—skills that will serve her well as she oversees our daycare and community programs.
Jennifer’s dedication to Cedar Bluffs, both as a professional and as a community member, makes her uniquely qualified to take on this important role. We are confident that her passion, experience, and vision will strengthen our programs and help us continue to build opportunities for students and families.
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Kiefer as she steps into this new chapter of service to Cedar Bluffs Public School!
Cedar Bluffs Public School is excited to announce that Jennifer Kiefer has been selected as our next Director of Community Programs.
Jennifer brings with her a deep and genuine connection to our school and community. She has proudly served on the Foundation Board, contributed to fundraising efforts that support our students, and has been a familiar face through her involvement in youth sports programs. As a parent, she has also entrusted her own children to our after-school program, giving her firsthand insight into the importance of quality care and enrichment for students.
Professionally, Jennifer comes with valuable leadership experience. In her role as a supervisor with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), she developed the skills necessary to guide teams, manage programs, and ensure quality oversight—skills that will serve her well as she oversees our daycare and community programs.
Jennifer’s dedication to Cedar Bluffs, both as a professional and as a community member, makes her uniquely qualified to take on this important role. We are confident that her passion, experience, and vision will strengthen our programs and help us continue to build opportunities for students and families.
Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Kiefer as she steps into this new chapter of service to Cedar Bluffs Public School!
Cedar Bluffs Public Schools Fall 2025 Assessments
Today our freshman JAG class and some of our other high school students sat in on a presentation from UNL representative Miguel. He spoke with the class regarding requirements for applying to UNL, cost, housing and the different majors and minors that are available. Some of our Junior and Senior students will also be attending RED Letter days in a few weeks to visit the UNL campus.
Pink out order forms are out, you can print them off or pick them up in the HS office. They are due on Wednesday, October 1st.
Congratulations Olivia Czech! Olivia was the winner of the Epic Treasure Chest. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Book Blast event.
Here are pictures from today's Wildcat PRIDE assembly and the September Wildcat PRIDE nominees. These students were nominated by their teacher for displaying characteristics of a Wildcat.
#proudtobeawildcat
#proudtobeawildcat
🎃👻 Cedar Bluffs Essential Skills Presents: Boo Your Yard! 👻🎃
Surprise your friends and neighbors with a spooky yard display while supporting our Essential Skills students!
✨ Package 1 – $20: “You’ve Been Booed” yard sign + Halloween character yard stake
✨ Package 2 – $35: Everything in Package 1 + a Halloween gift basket
➕ Add extra gift baskets for just $10 each!
Hauntings begin October 17th – spots are limited, sign up soon before you’re ghosted!!
💀 Payment guarantees your Boo!
📲 Scan the QR code to reserve your Boo and spread some Halloween cheer!
Surprise your friends and neighbors with a spooky yard display while supporting our Essential Skills students!
✨ Package 1 – $20: “You’ve Been Booed” yard sign + Halloween character yard stake
✨ Package 2 – $35: Everything in Package 1 + a Halloween gift basket
➕ Add extra gift baskets for just $10 each!
Hauntings begin October 17th – spots are limited, sign up soon before you’re ghosted!!
💀 Payment guarantees your Boo!
📲 Scan the QR code to reserve your Boo and spread some Halloween cheer!
Start planning your outfits for HOMECOMING next week Wildcats! It will be a fun week with PLENTY of home events to celebrate our students!
Good Luck to the cross country runners at Thayer Central today! Run Fast Wildcats!
Come out to the HS volleyball triangular tonight against Pender & Howells-Dodge! We will be celebrating a few of our youth volleyball groups tonight as well! Youth volleyball players will meet on the stage ahead of their scheduled time.
Stream - https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ne/cedar-bluffs/organization/32475/cedar-bluffs-high-school
Stream - https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ne/cedar-bluffs/organization/32475/cedar-bluffs-high-school
The freshman JAG class would like to thank Mrs. Kelly Kontor for coming to speak with them today about nursing and her experience, schooling, and passion for what she does! It was great to have a Cedar Bluffs Alumni coming back to talk with our students about careers in nursing.
Arlington Invite Results from Tuesday 18 Hole personal best for Gracie - 123! Hard work is paying off!
We will be accepting Applications until the END OF THE DAY Friday September 26th
Now Hiring a Health Aide here is the link for the full job description:
https://5il.co/3py7d
Good Luck to the HS volleyball team tonight competing at Elmwood-Murdock. Games will be played in Murdock tonight.
5:00pm - Reserve
6:00pm - JV
7:00pm - Varsity
https://striv.tv/channel/elmwood-murdock/
5:00pm - Reserve
6:00pm - JV
7:00pm - Varsity
https://striv.tv/channel/elmwood-murdock/
Delayed: The girls golf meet at River Wilds has been delayed to a 10:00am start today due to course conditions. Good luck to our girls competing!
Youth Wrestling Registration is still open for all K-6th grade students interested in wrestling this year!
Practices Start: November 11th
Registration Deadline: October 26th
Competitions: 3 Tournaments Included
No experience necessary. This is a great opportunity for youth to learn a new sport to help with body control, flexibility, discipline, and determination!
Link: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/498694
Practices Start: November 11th
Registration Deadline: October 26th
Competitions: 3 Tournaments Included
No experience necessary. This is a great opportunity for youth to learn a new sport to help with body control, flexibility, discipline, and determination!
Link: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/498694
Volleyball families, be ready for some fun youth volleyball nights coming up! See the flyer for dates and times! Any questions please reach out to Coach Dunlap or Mr. Brinkman.
