(By Superintendent Skip Bremer, Osmond Community Schools) “Co-ops give our students more opportunities to compete, grow, and succeed — while keeping both Osmond and Plainview strong and independent.”
At Osmond Community Schools, our goal has always been to provide the best opportunities for our students to grow, learn, and succeed — both in the classroom and in activities. Since this summer, our junior-high cooperative agreements with Plainview Public Schools have created tremendous opportunities for our student-athletes, and I am honored to share the positive progress we are making together.
Junior High Cooperation Growing Strong
Our junior-high cooperative sports agreement with Plainview has been an outstanding success. The students have blended together very well, forming friendships and working as teammates from the very beginning. They have learned the value of cooperation, teamwork, and pride in representing their schools, while parents and community members have offered tremendous support for these students.
Exciting New High School Opportunities
We are also excited with the addition of high school girls’ wrestling, along with boys’and girls’high school bowling coops which will be starting this 2025-26 school year. Both boards will be voting in their Oct. 13 board meeting to begin 2026-27 high school co-ops in football and boys’ and girls’ basketball.
There was support at the joint patron meeting to add volleyball, so this might be added, but as of this writing no decision has been made to do so. Discussions will continue in the spring looking at a timeline for future co-ops. These activities open new doors for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate, and they bring excitement and energy to our communities as we cheer them on.
Why Co-ops Matter
As we look at adding high school co-ops, we are seeking the best interests of our students and communities, both now and for the long-term future of both districts. By joining together, we are able to: — Strengthen Competition and Player Development: Larger rosters create stronger practice environments, with more competition for playing time and more opportunities for athletes to push each other to improve, which should improve overall performance on the field.
— Expand Game Opportunities: With larger participation numbers, we will be able to schedule not only varsity contests, but also junior varsity games. This helps athletes compete at the right skill level and improve so they are better prepared for the next step.
— Sustain and Improve Sports: Coops help ensure that activities valued by our communities can continue and thrive. Both towns benefit from more games, more opportunities to cheer on their athletes, and the preservation of local pride and traditions.
— Build Stronger Communities: Cooperative activities encourage collaboration between our districts, building relationships and partnerships that extend beyond athletics. Students learn teamwork not only within their team, but also between two school systems, modeling cooperation and healthy competition.
A successful co-op does more than support student-athletes today — it lays the groundwork for additional shared opportunities in the future, ensuring that both districts remain strong and vibrant.
Strong Partnerships Make it Work
These successes have only been possible because of the strong collaboration between both school boards and activity committees. The dedication and support from the administration teams in both districts have also been invaluable. We have worked together with mutual respect and a shared commitment to doing what is best for our students now and into the future. We believe that these partnerships continue to strengthen both Osmond and Plainview, ensuring that our students benefit from quality programs and competitive opportunities.
OSMOND, PLAINVIEW CONTINUE TO BUILD SUCCESS Independence and Opportunity Together
It is important to note that these cooperative agreements are not steps toward consolidation. Osmond and Plainview remain independent school districts, each with its own identity and community traditions. These agreements are simply ways for us to better compete together, provide stronger opportunities together, and allow our students to improve and grow in each activity. These cooperative agreements give our students more opportunities to compete, grow, and succeed — while keeping both Osmond and Plainview strong and independent into the future.
Gratitude for Support
On behalf of Osmond Community Schools, I want to thank our students, parents, staff, and communities for supporting these partnerships. The progress we have made already shows what is possible when two districts work together with the same goal in mind: helping students succeed. With continued support, we can look forward to even more opportunities for our young people in the years to come.
