OSMOND — The Monday, May 13, school board meeting began with a presentation by the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members who qualified for the national FBLA convention. Those who qualified include Matthew Alderson, James Doyle, Keely Gubbels, Anabelle Vinson, Callie Hoffman and Erica Heiman. The FBLA advisor is Kaylen Tunink.
The students advised that the national convention will be held June 27 through July 3 in Orlando, FL.
In order to qualify, the students had to be in the top three placings at the state competition. They explained what they qualified in and why they would like to attend the national event. They then explained the agenda, the costs involved and the fundraisers and scholarships which will pay for much of the costs.
The board asked questions of the students and congratulated them on qualifying, and later during the meet ing, approved a donation of $3,375 toward the trip.
Principal’s Report
In the absence of Principal Kurt Polt, who was attending the Wausa School Board meeting, Superintendent Skip Bremer read the principal’s report.
The last day for students is Wednesday, May 15, with a 1 p.m. dismissal.
Grades are due that day with all report cards being sent home by the end of the week. Staff will conduct work days on May 16 and 17.
On May 6, a district leadership data day was held at the Osmond Public Library meeting room. It involved school administration and six other staff members.
District track was scheduled for May 8 at Hartington. Three Osmond students qualified for the state meet in Omaha on May 17 and 18. They are Xander Brown in discus, Hunter Buchanan in long jump, and Dominic True in the 1,600 meters and the 3,200 meters.
District golf was scheduled Monday night, also at Hartington.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Bremer discussed policies for review, which included 3049, drones and unmanned aircraft; 3050, technology in the classroom; 3053, nondiscrimination; 3055, payroll errors and omissions. These were approved by the board.
A new policy, 3059, on audio and video recording, was read and explained in entirety. Because it is a new policy, it will not be approved until the June meeting.
Bremer explained several staffing changes, including: Leah Kuhl resign- ing as kindergarten teacher; Amber Harrison moved to the kindergarten position; Christy Koehler moved to SPED director/teacher, and Jenny von Rentzell moved to SPED teacher and Title 1 teacher.
New to Osmond Community School will be Erin Braun — from Kansas but born in Osmond — who was hired for third grade. Bremer advised that all teacher contracts have been signed for the 2024-25 school year.
The superintendent advised that the district received a grant for $50,400 to move the office to the front entry and explained the work to be done. The school has until Oct. 1 to have a contract signed and/or the work done on the project.
Bremer discussed with the board some concrete work that needs to be done, including some in the play- ground area and near the flag pole. He also discussed a proposal from R&S Tuckpointing on all tuckpointing work that needs to be done. The proposal from R&S, in the amount of $68,400 to do all maintenance and repairs, was
approved.
Mr. Bremer briefly discussed leg islative bills and said KSB School Law is working on updating policies to fit new legislation. Regarding Title IX, Bremer said he has registered the district for training which is required for all staff, board members, community coaches and volunteers. There is a separate administrative training for those who might be involved in Title IX allegations and investigations, he said. Bremer added that they will have to wait and see what happens with Governor Pillen's decision for Nebraska schools to not follow the new federal guidelines.
Superintendent Bremer gave an update on the Tiger Branch of Security Bank. There will be an information table at the Aug. 13 open house and a student assembly explaining the K-6 bank on Aug. 21, along with infor -
(Continued on SCHOOL BOARD SHOWS SUPPORT FOR FBLA update on the Tiger Branch of Security Bank. There will be an information table at the Aug. 13 open house and a student assembly explaining the K-6 bank on Aug. 21, along with information for sixth graders to apply for teller positions. There will be a grand opening on Sept. 18, and he encouraged school board members to attend.
Shared Questions
The board discussed and answered questions which were to be discussed that same night at the Wausa school board meeting. The questions were: What are our current short and long term needs in all curricular and extracurricular areas?
What are potential staffing concerns in our district?
How might we share staff/academics/ extracurricular activities?
How might we co-op staff/academics/ extracurricular activities?
Whether through state requirements, state funding issues, or other reasons, if the Wausa and Osmond districts were to go down the path of exploring consolidation, how might that look?
An article on the answers to these questions, both from Osmond and Wausa board members, will be shared next week.
In other business, the board: — approved entering into a cooperative agreement for junior high boys’and girls’basketball with Wausa for the 2024-25 school year with an equitable share of the facilities, with administration to finalize details.
— approved extending Superintendent Bremer’s contract through the 2025-26 school year, by approving the contract amendment.
