OSMOND — Some 20-30 parents and patrons attended the Wednesday, June 4, special meeting of the Osmond School board to hear news of a possible co-op with Plainview Public School and to ask questions.
School board President Mark Moes began by saying that the District 42$ Board of Education strives to give students excellent academics and sports. Some sports are falling short, he said, and the board has been working on figuring out which direction to go.
The meeting was planned to provide patrons input on what the board has been discussing. Superintendent Skip Bremer said the information to be shared in the meeting would be similar to that in a letter to patrons that was sent out recently.
The board has been working in the last several years to establish cooperative partnerships to benefit the students. A co-op was formed last year with Wausa Public Schools which includes high school football, high school wrestling and FFA.
The Wausa school expressed a preference for reaching a contractual agreement on future consolidation before moving forward on any other co-ops; however, the Osmond board believes that establishing co-ops first would build a stronger foundation for any conversations about consolidation.
Since the Osmond board was unable to reach an agreement with Wausa on a co-op for high school basketball either this year or next, it became necessary to pursue other options.
The board contacted Plainview Public Schools, which expressed interest in establishing co-ops not just for basketball, but also for bowling and unified bowling. The conversation then expanded to the possibility of forming other co-ops.
A decision was made at the May meeting to move toward co-oping all junior high sports with Plainview beginning with the 2025-26 school year.
During the special meeting last Wednesday, a number of questions was raised by patrons. One of the questions asked was whether the Plainview board has discussed these issues as well; the answer was yes. The Osmond and Plainview boards both discussed the issue at the May board meetings, with both voting yes on the issue, and with both to have a second vote at their June meetings.
The board was also asked what the reason was for co-oping all junior high sports. Superintendent Skip Bremer said it was to get increased participation, and because Osmond wants to "find a place to stay. If we're going to do this, we should do it all and build toward the future.”
Board President Mark Moes said in order to be able to compete at a high level, the schools need numbers. Board Member Tyler Gansebom added, “We are tying to move forward, so we're not Tigers here, Vikings there, Plainview there.” He added that Osmond tried to work with Randolph, and then they ended that co-op.
Terin Vinson asked if the vote on Monday would be just for junior high sports; she was wondering about girls' wrestling.
Mr. Bremer said this is for junior high for now, but that will lead into high school sports.
Moes said that girls' high school wrestling was discussed last year for Osmond, but it would have taken away from basketball; if Osmond co-ops with Plainview, there will be more girls involved and that won't be a problem.
Principal Kurt Polt said the plan for basketball next year for the boys is that there is someone who has volunteered to coach boys' three-on-three games.
That will give them the opportunity to compete. Then the following year, there might be a co-op.
PARENTS AND PATRONS ATTEND SPECIAL MEETING A comment was made that, if Osmond co-ops with Plainview for high school football, it would be 11-man football. Board Member Tiffany Rice noted that she understood that it would be okay and preferred. Rice also commented on the number of Osmond kids who already go to Plainview for various activities, such as dance, so many of the students know each other.
Moes commented that, they have only had joint committee meetings with Plainview — no joint board meetings, but so far they have been very positive and they are agreeable to having games and practices here.
The board was also asked whether there had been any talk about consolidation. Mr. Bremer said no, and noted that some schools co-op for years and don’t consolidate.
During the Monday, June 9, regular meeting, the board briefly discussed the topic again. The Wausa board had been contacted about dissolving the existing co-operative agreement, with both boards to retain their NSAA obligations in the activities of high school football and high school boys’ wrestling only through the 2025-26 school year.
The board approved co-oping all junior high sports with Plainview Public Schools beginning with the 2025-26 school year, with revenue and expenses beyond coaches’compensation to be shared equally.
Superintendent Bremer announced that he had heard from the Plainview school board, who also voted in favor of the junior high sports co-op.
Regular Meeting
During the regular meeting, for the Celebration of Excellence, Superintendent Bremer praised the willingness of Osmond students to serve the school, churches and community. The annual community clean-up days in May had been postponed and then canceled because of the weather, but some of the FFA students came out last week and painted parking spots and the helipad.
Bremer also mentioned that elementary student Axyl Rice, who was in attendance at the meeting, is a member of the elementary Student Council which organizes activities for the students. Axyl wanted to come see what happens at board meetings.
Board Policies Reviewed
The superintendent went through board policies for review, which included: 5023, student illness; 5024, medication of students; 5025, student insurance; 5030, dating violence; 5031, student appearance; 5032, closed campus; 5033, student driving and parking; 5034, handbooks; 5035, student discipline; 3057, Title IX — updated to the more brief policy version that fits the districts needs. All these policies were adopted.
Also discussed in detail was board policy 6025, student cell phone and other electronic devices. The board discussed clarifying what the policy says about the use of cell phone, smart watches and ear buds. It was decided the committee in charge will look it over once more and possibly make some changes, and then bring it back to be adopted at the July meeting.
Athletic Director Brian Guenther gave a brief report on the work be- ing done on the gym floor. He asked that some board members come in Thursday morning to double check signage before it’s completed.
Principal Polt noted that he doesn’t usually have a report during the months of June and July, but in re- sponse to a question about staffing, said that the district “may or may not need another para.”
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Bremer reported that the district's five-year food ser vices visit was conducted on Friday, April 4, and requirements for this have been completed.
Bremer also reported that the district now has online payments set up if parents choose to use it. A convenience fee is added to the parents’ payment — it does not cost the school. In May, there were 13 entries through the online payments, accounting for 34% of parent payments, he added.
Bremer said there will be a possible update to the lighting and electrical work for the stage area, and reported on summer room remodels.
Other Items on Agenda
The board discussed the additional Tigers and Friends Childcare accommodations in the yellow building and possible early childhood education goals for the future. President Moes shared a thank you note addressed to the board from Joe Ortmeier.
In action items, the board recognized Osmond Education Association as the exclusive bargaining agent for the district's non-supervisory certifi cated staff to begin bargaining next fall for the 2026-27 contract year.
