Omaha, NE, May 2013 - Heralding the commitment to music education, the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation designated 307 school districts across the country as Best Communities for Music Education in a record-breaking year for participation. Millard is proud to again achieve this distinction.    

The Best Communities designation recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education as an integral part of the core curriculum. This year, nearly 2000 schools and school districts participated in the survey.

According to NAMM Foundation Executive Director Mary Luehrsen, the Best Communities for Music Education program is the bellwether of rising endorsement for this vital cause. “There is overwhelming research tying music education to higher overall student success in school and in life,” she said.

Commenting on the honor, Millard Superintendent Dr. Keith Lutz said “Music has always been a key component of our world-class education. This distinction is well earned by our parents, our community and especially by our talented and dedicated music instructors throughout the district.”

Millard regards music education as essential for every child by providing unique aesthetic, creative and academic experiences. The district offers a comprehensive music curriculum at all levels with options including band, strings, orchestra, vocal music and music theory.

Millard Public Schools and Tri County Public Schools in DeWitt are the only districts in Nebraska that made the list for 2013. Millard has been honored with this distinction five previous times: 2010, 2007, 2005, 2001 and 2000.

Millard, NE: Today the Board of Education of Millard Public Schools conducted a refunding of the 2006 bond issue. The refunding involved the issuance of $50 million of refunding bonds netting a total savings of approximately $4.7 million for the District. The Millard Board of Education continually monitors the District’s investments and moves to refund outstanding bonds when it becomes prudent to take advantage of lower interest rates. When discussing this latest refunding, Board President Mike Pate stated, “Bond refunding remains an ongoing priority for us and demonstrates good fiscal management. This is the second time this school year we have taken this step saving taxpayers millions of dollars in the process.” This past October the Board conducted a refunding of its remaining 2003 bonds. The refunding involved the issuance of $14.5 million of refunding bonds resulting in a savings of $1.8 million for the District.  Superintendent Dr. Keith Lutz commented, “The Millard community is well represented by this Board of Education. Millard maintains the fourth lowest cost per student of all 249 districts in the entire state. The Board has always worked hard to balance fiscal responsibilities to our taxpayers while ensuring a world-class education for our students.” Millard Public Schools is the third largest school district in Nebraska. It operates 35 schools with a total enrollment of more than 23,000 students. Millard has received national recognition for providing innovative programs of choice. Students regularly meet and exceed national and international test averages. Millard is guided by its strategic plan based on the District’s mission to guarantee each student a world-class education. Policy for the District is established by the Millard Board of Education. Members of the Board of Education are President Mike Pate, Vice-President Patrick Ricketts, Secretary Mike Kennedy, Treasurer Dave Anderson, Board Member Paul Meyer and Board Member Linda Poole.   

Millard, NE: On October 17, 2012 the Board of Education of Millard Public Schools conducted a refunding of its remaining 2003 bonds. The refunding involved the issuance of $14.5 million of refunding bonds netting a total saving of approximately 1.8 million for the District. The Millard Board of Education continually monitors the District’s investments and moves to refund outstanding bonds when it becomes prudent to take advantage of lower interest rates. When discussing this latest refunding, Board President Dave Anderson stated, “While we anticipated a significant savings, we are pleased that the final number exceeded our expectations.” Superintendent Dr. Keith Lutz commented, “The Millard community is well represented by this Board of Education. Millard maintains one of the lowest costs per student in Douglas and Sarpy counties. The Board is very aware of their fiscal responsibilities while also ensuring our students the excellent staff, curriculum and facilities Millard is known to provide.” Millard Public Schools is the third largest school district in Nebraska. Established in 1870 and through time consolidating with seven rural districts, Millard today encompasses 35 square miles in Douglas and Sarpy counties. It operates 35 schools with a total enrollment of more than 23,000 students. Millard has received national recognition for providing innovative programs of choice. Students regularly meet and exceed national and international test averages. Millard is guided by its strategic plan based on the District’s mission to guarantee each student a world-class education. Policy for the District is established by the Millard Board of Education. Members of the Board of Education are President Dave Anderson, Vice-President Linda Poole, Secretary Mike Kennedy, Treasurer Patrick Ricketts, Board Member Mike Pate and Board Member Todd Clarke.