Dear Panther Families and Community,
We are well into the second semester, and our students have settled into strong routines in their classrooms and winter activities. I continue to be proud of their hard work, positive attitudes, and the many ways they represent Hershey Public Schools through service and involvement. It is truly a pleasure to serve as the Superintendent of the Hershey School District.
In the past few years, the Nebraska Legislature has worked to lower property taxes for families across the state. Lawmakers have passed several bills to help give property tax relief. These bills are meant to reduce how much schools rely on local property taxes and to have the state help more with school funding. This is important for rural communities like ours.
One of the biggest changes is that Nebraska now gives more property tax credits. These credits lower what property owners pay on the school part of their tax bill. Even though families pay less, schools still receive the funding they need to operate. The state helps cover part of the cost, which provides relief for taxpayers. More information on the bills that provided these tax credits is found below in this newsletter.
Hershey Public Schools is thankful for these changes. Updated numbers from December 2025 shows that this year, Hershey’s levy before tax credits is .8514. After the state tax credits are applied, Hershey’s effective tax levy is .5523. That means our effective levy is about 35% lower than the original levy rate. This is a big difference for local taxpayers, and we appreciate the state’s efforts to help reduce the burden on families.
Students will not be in session on Monday, February 16, because we are hosting the ESU #16 regional PLC teacher inservice day. Students will also be out of school on Wednesday, February 25, as we host the SPVA Speech Meet. Thank you for your flexibility and support as we welcome these events to Hershey.
Please be sure to check your phone messages, texts or push notifications for weather-related school announcements, as this is one of our primary ways to communicate late starts and school closings. If your phone number has changed, contact your school office as soon as possible so we can update your information. Updates will also be shared through traditional media outlets and on our social media channels. Whenever possible, we make weather-related decisions the night before; however, changing conditions may require a decision early in the morning. Student safety is always our top priority in these decisions. If school is in session during winter weather, families may use their best judgment about whether it is safe for their child to attend.
I’m always happy to visit, stop by my office or give me a call anytime if you have questions, concerns, or comments.
Educationally,
Jane Davis, Ed.S.
Superintendent
Please read the full - February 2026 District Newsletter