SIDNEY, NE — Sidney's West Elementary School has its new principal.

At Monday night's school board meeting, the board formally accepted Bryan Schoening to take over the role starting in the 2021-22 school year.

Schoening is currently a geometry and algebra teacher at Sidney High School where he has taught since 2012. He is western Nebraska through and through, graduating from Sidney High School in 2009 and completing his college degree at Chadron State.

"I'm really excited about that," Schoening said. "Just having that connection to Sidney and adding that additional support for our students and community is very exciting for me."

Schoening will take over for current West Elementary Principal Gene Russell. Russell previously announced he will be leaving the district at the conclusion of this school year to take over as superintendent of Ogallala Public Schools.

The school board also approved the hiring of Ellen Fiscus as a school psychologist for the district. Fiscus currently works with the district through her post at ESU 13.

Also at the meeting, Sidney superintendent Jay Ehler announced Pat Harless will be retiring. Harless has been a nurse at Sidney Public Schools for nearly 30 years, according to Ehler.

A discussion on changing the policy in regards to mid-term graduation was tabled until the next meeting. Sidney High School principal Chris Arent brought forth the proposal that would change deadlines and some requirements for students who wish to graduate early.

After talking about the issue, the board decided to table the discussion to give time for possible revisions to the proposal and to allow for KSB School Law, a firm that gives legal advisement to schools to look over the policy as well.