OSMOND — The District 42R Board of Education met Monday, Nov. 11, in regular session. The board spoke by phone with Kyle Overhue of AMGL about the district’s 2023-24 audit. He explained all the numbers on the audit, with just a few minor suggestions, including making sure bank reconciliations are correct, and possibly increasing fees for sports activities if necessary to keep it from having a negative balance.
Superintendent Steve Bremer gave kudos to school business manager Margaret Ryan for her work on the audit.
Counselor Speaks
Guidance counselor Lacy Stelling spoke to the board about the district numbers for enrollment, attendance, free and reduced lunches and testing scores, all of which may be found on the Nebraska Department of Education website.
Test numbers shown were for English Language Arts, math and science, and all scores were very positive, she said.
The numbers shown were for the school years 2021-22 and 2022-23. Those for the 2023-24 school year are not yet on the website but will be coming out soon, she said.
Mrs. Stelling also noted that the junior classACT test has been scheduled for March 25, 2025.
Principal’s Report
Principal Kurt Polt reported that the OHS choir traveled to Randolph on Nov. 4 for the Lewis & Clark Conference vocal music clinic and concert. Eighteen choir members participated and four were selected to the conference honor choir. The Osmond fall vocal concert was held the following night, Nov. 5.
Also on Nov. 5, Jennifer Wiseley held a mock election for all students in grades K-12, Polt told the board, and it was well attended.
Winter sports practice will begin Nov. 18, Polt said, and conference play production will be held in Wausa Nov. 19 — Osmond will co-host with Wausa. The community performance will be on Tuesday, Nov. 26. District one-acts are at Leigh Public School on Dec. 4.
The conference quiz bowl competition will be held at Wayne State College on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Thanksgiving break will begin that day with a 2:06 p.m. dismissal, and school will resume Dec. 2.
The K-6 and 7-12 Christmas concerts will be held Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively, with a short break in between the two.
Mr. Polt advised that he and the elementary teachers had begun the process of looking at renewing the current reading curriculum or purchasing a new one as the current curriculum will be expiring.
Polt reported that he had attended the principal’s assembly at ESU8 on Oct. 21 and is registered for the state principals conference in Lincoln Dec. 4 and 5.
The principal advised that he has begun preliminary work on the 202526 school year calendar.
Polt then gave an update on the FFA program. He gave a shout out to FFA advisor Jessica Evans, who is very busy during the fall. She not only is going to many events but many times is in charge of them, he said. The students have a farm plot here and chickens that they take care of. Mr. Polt listed some of the grants that Mrs. Evans is working on, and said she will have a $500 scholarship available and would like to have another for someone going into the ag program. She has been wanting to put up a sign to let people know about the FFA program here, and he has contacted Love Signs to begin the process.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Bremer gave an update on the co-op with Wausa and the feasibility study. There will be a discussion of the progress at the Dec. 9 meeting and a public joint community presentation in January with the two boards. He added later that if any patrons want to come in and ask questions about the feasibility study, they can.
Bremer reported on the school remodel, saying the district is now waiting to be scheduled for the security window at the front entrance to be installed.
He also spoke to the board about a bid for updating the school with Cat6 cabling to make the security camera monitors work better. The matter was tabled until next month, pending any other bids Mr. Bremer can get on the project.
The superintendent reported that Unified Bowling has begun. He is coaching again this year, with four athletes and 13 partners. He thanked Jenny von Rentzell and Dennis Kuhl for their help with the program. He also told the board about one of the athlete’s recent many strikes during competition.
Mr. Bremer reported that registration and hotel reservations are complete for the NAST State Education Conference in Omaha Nov. 202-22. He also reported on the Board retreat Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. and the Rule 10
SCHOOL BOARD HEARS POSITIVE REPORT
compliance visit Dec. 10 at 1:30 p.m.
Board Comments
Board President Mark Moes commented on the nice Veterans Day program held that morning. He said some of the men who attended the meal afterward commented on the awards in the FFA room.
Moes said he had gotten a couple of calls with positive comments from Wausa people about the football coop, who said they hoped Osmond would come back (to play with Wausa). He noted that it’s a four-year commitment, so Osmond will be back.
Board member Tyler Gansebom reported on the community sign the district is working on with the city. They have gotten permission for a spot south from its original location, but need to have electricity installed there. There is no change in cost from Love Signs from the original quote, so they are good to go, but it will probably be a springtime project. Moes commented that the district needs to get an agreement in writing with the city.
Board member Larry Krohn also commented on the Veterans Day program that morning. He said he couldn’t believe how respectful and polite the sixth grade students were, who were carrying trays at the meal. Bremer commented that the kids like to serve, and it is important for the kids to do this.
Moes advised that the grounds committee will meet soon to walk through the building to decide what to do with the offices.
In other business, the board: — went over board policies 4018, 4019, 4020, 4024, 6035 and 5012, all of which are on the school website.
— discussed the purchase of a 2025 Chevy Equinox for the SPED program, and voted to purchase it in the amount of $28,333.
