OSMOND — The Osmond Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 8, began with a Celebration of Excellence presentation by the Osmond FBLA Chapter. Advisor Kaylen Tunink, along with membersAnabelle Vinson, Callie Hoffman and Erica Heiman addressed the board.
They explained what the organization has done so far this year, including some of their fundraisers, competitions and fun events. They also reported on the upcoming State Leadership Conference in Kearney where those placing in the top three will go to nationals.
In response to a question from the board, the girls explained the internships they have had during the school year, which will help them in their future education and employment.
As part of the consent agenda, the board heard a report on policies 3030, 3039-44 and 3046-47 from Superintendent Skip Bremer. The policies cover the Automatic External Defibril lator Program, threat assessment and response, school safety and security, crisis team duties, construction management at risk contracts, design-build contracts, incidental or de minimis use of public resources, animals at school and data breach response. All policies are available to view on the school website.
Athletic Director Brian Guenther explained he didn’t have much to report as the basketball survey results would be discussed later in the meeting, but did tell the board that, so far, he has 11 games and two tournaments scheduled for the girls’ team.
Principal’s Report
Principal Kurt Polt reported on the following upcoming events: OHS prom on April 13; Pre-ACT test for sophomores on April 17; District Music Contest April 19 in Osmond, with no school for students; a junior high conference track meet in Hartington on April 20 at 9:30 a.m.; conference high school track meet in Ponca on April 27 beginning at 9:30 a.m.; the awards convocation is April 22 with academic awards at 2 p.m., junior high awards at 3 p.m., and activity awards at 7 p.m.; seniors honor roll breakfast on April 24 at 7:30 a.m.; conference golf meet in Randolph on April 29.
The spring concerts will be held on Monday, April 29, with K-6 beginning at 6 p.m. and the 7-12 concert to follow at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Polt advised that the seniors last day of school is scheduled for April 30. They will be required to return for graduation practice on May 3 at 9 a.m. and the graduation ceremony will be May 4 at 2 p.m.
Polt reported that kindergarten round-up is on April 11. The school sent out 12 letters to parents, but unless others show up that night, they might be looking at single digits, he said.
The superintendent also reported that the local FFA Chapter brought home numerous awards from the state FFA convention, and went through the various awards which included chapter awards, team awards and individual awards. Those awards may be seen on the school website or its Facebook page.
Polt told the board that Anna Kahny had won an award at the ESU8 art show at Neligh. He then showed the board a video put together by the mass media class for the NCN Backroads Tour.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Bremer advised that the Facility, Transportation and Grounds Committee met April 3 and discussed the potential building and office remodel. The district should hear in a couple weeks if it will be awarded grant money for any of the safety issues.
Bremer said that, even if the district doesn’t receive a grant, he feels they need to move forward on relocating the main office to the area by the main front door, and then reconfigure the existing main office and distance learning room to fit current needs. The rest of the remodeling and changes should wait until the board has better cost analysis and plans in place.
Bremer reported on contract renewals for teachers, saying that the only one not returning is kindergarten teacher Leah Kuhl. He advised that Amber Harrison will be filling that position, which will leave one of the SPED positions open.
Mr. Bremer told the board that the early childhood education committee had met and said that Paige Kumm is beginning efforts in starting the Cradle to Cap Initiative. They have also recently started a Step Up To Quality process with the hope to help provide the community with quality care and help with the transition into kindergarten.
Basketball Survey Results
Superintendent Bremer then went through the results of the basketball survey with the board. He first gave an update on the current co-op, which includes FFA, junior high and senior high football as the Vikings, and junior high and senior high boys’ wrestling as the Tigers.
As far as the survey, the patrons’ response is to keep the girls on their own this year, and in the future try to co-op with Wausa, and try for a junior high co-op for one year. They are strongly saying “don’t just plan for next year, but for the future.”
Regarding boys’basketball, respon- dents said to find ways to help them have access to the gym or ways to improve their skills. Mr. Polt said he won’t know until seeing the enrollment next year but his vision, if they have five players, is to have a short season and play junior varsity. If there are less than five, have them come in early and work on skills.
As far as junior high basketball, the board will wait until the committee meeting with Wausa on April 10 to decide about continuing beyond a one-year agreement. They want to see where Wausa is as far as possible future high school basketball co-ops.
If it will be soon enough, Osmond will continue the junior high co-op.
According to the survey results, patrons believe the junior high should follow where the ghigh school co-op would be.
There was discussion on having an open gym for youth, but the board would like to have it organized rather than just coming in and shooting the ball. Board Member Tyler Gansebom asked when the gym would be available, and if the high school kids could do something with the youth.
With the co-op committee meeting being on Wednesday, Board President Mark Moes said he would like to have future co-op meetings before regular board meetings because it would be better rather than waiting almost a month to talk about what was discussed.
The question was asked if the board should vote on these matters now or not, and if there was a chance of finding a basketball co-op before May 1. The comment was made that parents want to know what the board is going to do.
In the end, the board voted to keep the girls on their own for one year, and voted to keep the Osmond boys’ team as Tigers for the 2024-25 year. The board will speak with Wausa about a junior high co-op for one year only dependent on their future plans, and then recommended voting on it at the May meeting.
The board then went into closed session for personnel matters.
