Episode
Week 16: Partnerships That Strengthen Us, Decisions That Shape Us
- Podcast
- Bearcat Wrap-up Podcast
- Published
- Dec 5, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 608
- Processing state
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Summary
Happy Friday! Welcome back from Thanksgiving Break. I want to thank everyone for the steady work and professionalism shown as we returned to school this week. The weeks between now and Christmas can feel fast, but your focus and commitment continue to make an impact on our students. As always, our performance targets remain in full view: strong attendance, reduced discipline referrals, and continued academic growth across all grade levels. Thank you for the effort you bring to each of these goals. This week’s Wrap-up highlights two important areas of focus for our district. First, I want to share the opportunities emerging from our visit to NIDEC, formerly US Motors, and how their expansion creates meaningful career pathways for our students. Second, I want to bring attention to the federal funding proposals now moving through Congress and what they may mean for Polk County. Both of these topics speak directly to our mission of preparing students, supporting staff, and building community confidence. A Visit with NIDEC – Opportunity in Our Own Backyard This week, we were invited to tour NIDEC, formerly US Motors, one of Mena’s most important corporate partners and a long-standing contributor to the economic strength of Polk County. Their facility manufactures industrial electrical motors used around the world for moving fluids and air, supporting industries such as mining, petroleum, natural gas, agricultural irrigation, and water utilities. The precision and craftsmanship we observed reflect a level of technical skill and pride that aligns with the values we teach our students every day. NIDEC leaders shared that they are in a period of expansion and will soon need fifteen to twenty-five additional employees, with nearly that many vacancies available right now. What st…