OSMOND — The District 42R Board of Education met Monday, Oct. 13, beginning with an Excellence in Education report by Superintendent Skip Bremer. He explained the numbers on the MTSS (MultiTiered System of Supports) report which showed benchmark percentages in each of the elementary grades, most of which are at or above benchmark. He also shared a report on high school guidance for seniors by Kaylen Tunink, as well as a report by guidance counselor Lacy Stelling and Title I by Amber Walloch and Jennifer von Rentzell.
Athletic Director Brian Guenther gave a brief report on bowling and girls’ wrestling, which has been approved by the NSAA.
K-6 Principal Report
Principal Paige Parsons reported that the K-6 professional development day on Sept. 26 was highly productive. The teachers appreciated it and have asked that more of those days be considered in the future.
Ms. Parsons said a first-quarter PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) celebration is planned for Oct. 17. Her goal for PBIS Tiger Stripes tickets had been 650, but so far she is at 1,600 tickets. The celebration will include a movie, popcorn, candy and water.
Parsons explained the elementary MTSS and SEL (Social Emotional Learning) process, behavior supports, the different tiers and rules for transitioning from one tier to the next.
Ms. Parsons reported on elementary participation in homecoming, which included dress-up days, the pep rally and coronation.
The kindergarten through second grade students will have visits to the public library every other month throughout the year, with the first one taking place on Oct. 3. Parsons also reported that the fourth grade students had visited Ashfall Fossil Beds on Oct. 10.
7-12 Principal Report Principal Kurt Polt reported that the first quarter ended Oct. 10 and report cards will be sent home by the end of this week. Parent-teacher conferences were held Oct. 7. The fall MAPs testing has been completed in 7th through 11th grades.
Upcoming dates included the sophomore career fair at Wayne State College on Oct. 14, fall break on Oct. 24, and honors breakfast for first quarter honor roll recipients on Oct. 28. The national FFA convention in Indianapolis begins Oct. 29; there are no Osmond students going, but advisor Jessica Evans will be attending.
Mr. Polt advised that he has begun work on the 2026-27 school calendar, and has some ideas on several events to hopefully simplify the calendar. He also noted that having homecoming coronation on Monday and then parent-teacher conferences and the dance on Thursday with fall break on Friday worked out well this year.
Polt reported that Kennedy Moes will be the junior high girls’basketball coach, Brian Guenther will be junior high boys’ basketball coach, and Dale Krause will be the bowling coach. He also reported on the student numbers for the fall and winter activities.
The principal commented on the article and pictures in the paper about himself and the Student Council members who had helped plant trees at the ball fields and read a thank you note from the Osmond tree board.
Principal Polt also commended the Osmond marching band for its many successes this year.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Bremer made a brief note of the finalized 2025-26 tax numbers that were printed, which had no changes from those printed in September.
Bremer discussed the superintendent evaluation which will be done at the Nov. 10 board meeting. There are several ways the evaluation can be done, but he did request that if board members have suggestions for areas of improvement, they share them at the evaluation. Board members were asked to fill out the evaluation form and bring it to the meeting. The superintendent contract renewal will be done at the Dec. 8 board meeting.
Superintendent Bremer advised that he is exploring two options besides PowerSchool for the district’s School Information System. There are parts of the current system that are liked, and others that are disliked.
Bremer informed the board that transit vans with all wheel drive (AWD) have been ordered. As part of the action items, a motion was approved to purchase the vans for the added cost of making sure that they were both AWD.
Bremer reported that several paraeducators had stepped down, and he has hired Irene Burrell and Maelynn Johnson as paras.
Bremer also reported that registration and hotel reservations have been made for the NASB State Education Conference in Omaha Nov. 19-21.
Bremer advised that the Rule 10 safety visit with Craig Frerichs was moved to Oct. 13, and Unified Bowling will begin this month.
Board Comments, Reports
In answer to a question about the daycare at the school, it was reported Paige Kumm is still waiting on the state to give approval for the daycare.
Board President Mark Moes asked how things have gone with the added position of K-6 principal after the first nine weeks. Bremer replied that things have gone great, with reports from K-6 grades and Mr. Polt able to visit in the 7-12 classrooms and having time for other things. Polt and Parsons both agreed.
Board Member Justin Koehler gave a report on the FFA corn plot, which he said was harvested this week with quite a few kids involved. He said the sign has been put together and painted. It needs a little more work and then will go in the southwest corner of the football/track grounds by the road.
Board Member Tiffany Rice said she had a couple people ask about the community sign and what can be put on it. Bremer said it would be things the public and parents are invited to. He noted that City Clerk Brittney Timmerman get the school information from him, and she needs at least a week’s notice.
In other action, the board: — approved a cooperative agreement with Plainview Public Schools for the following high school activities: Football and boys’ and girls’ basketball beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
— accepted the resignation of Brad Thoendel.
