OSMOND - Approximately 50 residents attended a special joint meeting of the Osmond and Wausa school boards on Wednesday, Jan. 15, to hear a presentation on the feasibility study administered by Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA).
The two school districts had asked NRCSA to take a look at factors such as: an overview of the districts, student demographics, facilities, finances, curriculum, staffing, and transportation to help identify possible opportunities and challenges.
Jack Moles, executive director, and Jeff Bundy, office manager, of NRCSA were on hand to explain the study. Also in attendance were Os mond board members Mark Moes, president, Larry Krohn, Michelle Reikofski, Tiffany Rice, Tyler Gansebom and Justin Koehler; Wausa board members Mike Kumm, president, Brian Wakeley, Terry Nelson, Katie Clausen, Derek Cunningham and Pepper West; athletic directors Brian Guenther and Mark Erickson, superintendents Skip Bremer and Brad Hoesing, and principals Kurt Polt, Shane Anderson and Heather Heimes.
After Superintendent Bremer welcomed those in attendance, Moes opened the meeting for Osmond and Kumm opened for Wausa.
Principal Polt explained the sports that the two schools have co-oped this year, which include both high school and junior high football, high school and junior high wrestling, junior high basketball and FFA.
Moles then gave a presentation on the feasibility study, and said the two districts are very similar in a number of ways, including enrollment, curriculum, district size and assessed value. He then explained the benefits and the challenges of a merger between the two districts.
All of this information is included in the feasibility study which is available on the school website, as well as on the school’s Facebook page. Printed copies are also available at the school.
Several questions were asked during the question and answer session. Clark Gansebom asked what the state looks like as far as other schools merging. Moles said his school’s merger was pushed by economics: lower numbers, less state aid. He added that the state would like to see more consolidation.
Wausa board member Kumm said it is being discussed because of lower enrollment. Changes beyond their control may force it. If the state controls how schools are funded, taking away property taxes, neither wants to lose independence, but they don’t want it to be an emergency. If the districts lose funding, they’ve got to look at the future. The challenge of hiring staff is not looking good, he said. “This doesn’t mean that a merger is going to happen, but I know if it comes to it, I know who I’m going to call.”
Superintendent Skip Bremer shared his thoughts on the meeting and the feasibility process.
“I greatly appreciate all the time and effort from both boards and administration personnel on seeking ways to partner to better serve the needs of our students.
"We want to thank NRCSA (Jack Moles and Jeff Bundy) for their work in compiling the district data, creating the feasibility study, and sharing it with our patrons. Our two districts are very similar and share many common needs. Following this presentation, both boards will now process the information from the report and determine ways both districts can partner together to meet the needs of our students.
As we look into the future, both districts are keeping informed of state legislative funding models and other changes that will affect rural Nebraska and our communities. Both districts want to be prepared for any future changes that may be coming to school districts.
“Our current agreements (high school and junior high football, high school and junior high wrestling, FFA, and junior high basketball) have been very positive.”
