OSMOND — The District 42R Board of Education met Monday, June 10, and began with a presentation by Jack Moles of Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA).
Moles first introduced himself - he was first a teacher, then principal, and then a superintendent for many years before becoming involved in NRCSA. He then provided a list of reasons to join NRCSA:
The district would be a part of a growing rural voice: in seven years it went from 186 members to 220. When some groups can’t take a stand on an issue because they represent both large and small districts, NRCSA is not as tied to that limitation.
It provides a great spring conference geared toward issues facing rural schools. It provides a legislative forum during each session of the Unicameral, which includes senators who will address members on issues facing the Legislature.
It has an awards program for outstanding superintendent, board members, teachers, staff members, etc., which are given at the spring conference. The NRCSAhas a scholarship program for students from member schools who are going into the fields of education or fine arts.
The district would be represented by NRCSA on the federal level and would receive frequent updates on federal legislation that could impact it. There are opportunities for the district to be actively involved, as staff and/ or board members.
NRCSA takes on projects that are designed to assist rural school districts, such as when it helped develop reopening plans after COVID-19. Dues are affordable at $850 per year.
Moles answered several questions from the board, which later during the meeting voted to join NRCSA.
Principal’s Report
Principal Kurt Polt advised that the shot clocks are up in the gym, and that the backboards needed to have framing done for the clocks to fit.
He reported that one new family with three students has made enquiries. He also reported that, this year, graduation was held the first week end in May to stay away from other graduations and from Mother’s Day, but because of other events next year it will have to go back to the second Saturday in May.
Polt said that athletic director Brian Guenther has added several games to the girls’ basketball schedule, as well as a holiday tournament.
The principal advised that a halftime para is not returning and Riley Wagner, who had helped out a few days is also not returning. Asked if there had been any enquiries about the custodian position, Polt said no, there had not.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Skip Bremer went over a number of policies that needed to be reviewed, including a second reading of Policy 3059-audio and video recording. Other policies reviewed and which had no changes were 4002, drug free workplace; 4003, drug policy regarding drivers; 4004, employment of relatives, domestic partners, etc.; 4005, communication between board and district employees; 4006, insurance; 4007, personnel records; 4008, outside employment.
Bremer briefly reported on classi - fied/hourly staffing and said he had created a para-educator matrix for years of experience.
Regarding the co-op with Wausa Public School, Superintendent Bremer said there will be a joint meeting July 2 at 8 p.m. in Wausa. Their board was meeting this same night (June 10) and would vote on junior high basketball; otherwise the rest is going smoothly.
Bremer informed the board that lunch prices will be increasing next school year: Breakfast, $2.40; lunch, $3.20 elementary, $3.45 high school, $3.90 adult; extra entree, $1.70; milk, 40 cents. Afternoon snack milk will be only for kindergarten.
Bremer reported that insurance rates are going up and explained what he has been doing as far as getting quotes.
The superintendent updated the board on the office remodel and pro vided some information on some bids for concrete work. The board needs to have a special meeting to vote on bids, and it was set for Friday, June 14, at 8 a.m.
Bremer then read through some of the students’recent accomplishments, which included FFA state awards with Matthew Alderson state champion in agricultural education; FBLA, Erica Heiman, Callie Hoffman andAnabelle Vinson state champions in broadcast journalism, and track, Xander Brown state discus champion.
Bremer gave a presentation on Sparq meetings, which would create, organize and store all board meeting contest online in one place, but would also provide a public site that would display public content such as minutes and agendas. After the presentation and some discussion, the board voted to utilize Sparq Meetings and Publishing.
The board also approved a resolution to increase the 2024-25 district’s base growth percentage by up to an additional 7% or other maximum amount as permitted by law. This was something that was done last year as well.
