Good News!
FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVING
Congratulations to Hastings Public Schools students who qualified and participated in the State Future Problem Solving competition at UNK on April 12.
Hastings High School teams:
Global Issues Problem Solving Team Booklet competition – Middle Division
3rd Place – Vivienne Turner, Ella Tinsman, Lyla Russell, Wesley Bryant
7th Place – Madison Armenta, Harrison Welsch, Emma Leonard
Global Issues Problem Solving Team Booklet competition – Senior Division
6th Place – Manon Buderus, Zara Osgood, Owen Phelps
7th Place – Timberlyn Foster, Eva Magallanes, Natalie Warner, Sophia Reynolds
10th Place – Sam Tunks, Anthony Kuehn
Global Issues Problem Solving Skit Competition – Middle Division
6th Place – Vivienne Turner, Ella Tinsman, Lyla Russell, Wesley Bryant
11th Place - Madison Armenta, Harrison Welsch, Emma Leonard
Global Issues Problem Solving Skit Competition – Senior Division
3rd Place – Manon Buderus, Zara Osgood, Owen Phelps
5th Place – Timberlyn Foster, Eva Magallanes, Natalie Warner, Sophia Reynolds
6th Place – Sam Tunks, Anthony Kuehn
Hastings Middle School team:
Global Issues Problem Solving Team Booklet competition – Middle Division
6th Place – Roy Caldwell, Andrew Peeler, Alice Saenzpardo, Jonathan Pedraza
Arizmendi
Watson Elementary teams qualified for State:
Watson Gold team members
Cora F, Lillian H, Khloe H, Ruby Q, and Karyss S.
Watson Black team members
Leo R, Theo R, Owen C, Cash K, and Eli R.
Nebraska Young Artist Award for Music
Congratulations to Hastings High School student Mylee Mick! Mylee was selected as a winner of the 28th annual Nebraska Young Artist Award for Music presented by the UNL Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. Mylee was one of 60 students invited to a day of activities on campus April 2.
https://arts.unl.edu/hlfpa/news/60-students-chosen-nebraska-young-artist-award-winners/
CHESS
Congratulations to Hastings Public Schools students who placed in the annual ESU 9 Chess Tournament on April 1:
Division I (3rd grade)
1st Place – Harvey R – Hawthorne Elementary
3rd Place – Izabell B – Lincoln Elementary
Division II (4th grade)
2nd Place – Sawyer K – Watson Elementary
3rd Place – Oliver R – Watson Elementary
Division III (5th grade)
3rd Place – Kaleb B – Watson Elementary
Division IV (6th grade)
1st Place – Josiah R – Hastings Middle School
2nd Place Jared W – Hastings Middle School
Division V (grades 9-12)
1st Place – Khris Matul Rosales – Hastings High School
3rd Place – Esther Allen-Pickett – Hastings High School
Agriculture Art Contest
Congratulations to Longfellow student Ryker S! Ryker won second place in the Nebraska Department of Agriculture art contest.
Sports Honors
Congratulations to Hastings High Boys Track member Austin Carrera for setting the Class B State Record in the 3200m at the Waverly Invite with a time of 9:01.62.
Congratulations to Hastings High School Senior Jack Ortegren on being one of 12 junior athletes who represented Nebraska in the NWBA Wheelchair Basketball National Championships held in Richmond, Virginia April 11-13. Jack is a team leader on the Nebraska Red Dawgs team and finished his 14-year playing career at the National Tournament where the Red Dawgs made it to the semi-final round.
Congratulations to Hastings High Boys Soccer player Jose Mares for breaking the career goals school record with his 50th goal on Saturday, April 12th. The previous record was 49 held by Joel Pedroza (2003-2006)
Educational Leadership Award
We are incredibly proud to share that our very own Superintendent, Jeff Schneider, has been named a 2024/2025 UNKLES Award recipient by the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska at Kearney!
The Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is proud to recognize the 2024/2025 recipients of the UNKLES Award—an honor that celebrates exceptional leadership and service in the field of education. First presented in 1991, the UNKLES Award (University of Nebraska at Kearney Leaders in Education and Service) is awarded to graduates of the Educational Administration program who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to educational leadership. Nominees are selected by department faculty and previous UNKLES recipients, joining a distinguished group of just 58 educational leaders who have earned this prestigious recognition.
Among this year’s honorees is Jeff Schneider, whose 31-year career in public education has been defined by unwavering dedication to the students, staff, and community of Hastings Public Schools. A proud graduate of UNK’s Educational Administration program, Schneider began as a middle school math teacher before advancing into leadership roles as assistant principal and principal of Hastings Middle School. He went on to serve as Director of Finance for ten years and later as Superintendent, a position he has held with distinction for the past six years. Throughout his career, Schneider has exemplified servant leadership rooted in collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement. He attributes much of his success to the mentorship he received from colleagues within Hastings and across the state, as well as his active involvement with the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA). As he transitions from his role as superintendent, he reflects most fondly on the meaningful relationships he built—connections that have shaped his leadership and lasting impact on Nebraska public education.
HPS BOARD OF EDUCATION Briefs, April 2025
- Hold Student Fee hearing
- Approve minutes of the previous meetings
- Approve expenses as submitted: Payroll - $3,621,709.26; Vendors - $1,215,114.22;
Total Warrants - $4,836,823.48 - Approve 2025-2026 Student Fees
- Approve purchase of Math curriculum materials
- Approve Transportation contract
- Approve Senior High Girls Wrestling program
- Approve 2025 Summer School and Summer Activities program
- Approve 2025-26 custodial supply bids
- Approve Internet bid
- Approve Window bid
- Authorize purchase of maintenance truck
- Approve consent agenda
Under Consent Agenda: Administrative transfer; cerfiticated resignations, transfers, and appointments; Extra-standard resignations, transfer, and appointments; Classified resignations and appointments.
Dates of future Board Meetings:
Work Session: Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. – Board Room at HPS District Offices
Regular Board Meeting: Monday, May 19, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. – Board Room at HPS District Offices
