OSMOND — The District 42 R Board of Education met Monday, Feb. 9, in the multi-purpose room. Among action items during the meeting, the board approved having True Ag & Turf replace the Ferris mower engine at an estimated cost of $3,345. They also accepted the five-year agreement with Albireo Energy for the district’s Building Automation System, with costs from $3,636 to $4,419.58 over the five-year agreement.
Elementary Principal Report Elementary Principal Paige Parsons explained to the board that, with so much going on during February, she planned a “Feel the Love” calendar with fun events to keep spirits high. The events include such things as “Souper Bowl Jeans Day,” ice cream sundaes and other treats on “Munchy Mondays," guessing jar, "Death by Chocolate” on the Friday before Valentine’s Day, and a bowling party on Feb. 25.
Parsons reported on the ESU8 winter workshop, the K-6 MTSS leadership meeting with seventh and eighth grade staff and the first plan ning meeting of the Parent Teacher Organization, which will take place Feb. 12.
Ms. Parsons advised that the fourth through sixth grade staff has reported improvements with behaviors which involve inappropriate comments and disrespect. She said staff have highlighted other areas of focus.
The principal reported that the elementary instructional framework and appraisal system are due for an overhaul, and she has worked with administration to start thinking through the “revamp,” and will get the support of teacher leadership to rewrite and design a new instructional framework.
Parsons also explained she will be working with K-12 ELA teachers to organize the current ELA standards.
Ms. Parsons reported that the fifth and sixth grade honor choir will be held Feb. 23 in Hartington.
7-12 Principal Report
Principal Kurt Polt reported that Feb. 6 was the mid-quarter cut-off date
making the halfway point of the third quarter. Winter junior high MAPS test ing began on Monday, with students testing in reading and math.
The principal also reported that the state patrol was at school last Wednesday with an assembly on cell phone safety, and there was an inservice for teachers on the subject the next day.
Polt advised that state girls’ wrestling championships will begin Feb. 17, and state boys’ begins Feb. 19, with both to be held in Omaha, and National FFA Week begins Feb. 23.
Dates in March will include spring break on March 6 and 13, high school band and choir trip to Dallas on March 11, district speech at Wayne High School on March 16 and state speech at Kearney March 28, Class D All-State band in Kearney on March 21.
Principal Polt advised that March 2 is the first day that the NSAA allows spring sports practices, which include
golf and track and field.
Polt then gave a report on junior high sports co-ops, including boys’ and girls’ wrestling and basketball, as well as the upcoming track season.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Skip Bremer went over the policies for this month, which included a brief review of Policy 1001, General policy Statement, and Policy 1002, Creation, Amendment and Distribution of Board of Education Policies.
There was a revision to Policy 1003, Purpose Statement, which an ad hoc committee has been working on. The proposed purpose statement, which was adopted, is now “Provide all students a quality education, with a focus on character, academics, and extra-curriculars, empowering them to be critical thinkers and productive citizens in a dynamic society.”
Supt. Bremer advised that the NRCSAspring conference will be held March 18-20 in Kearney and asked members to let him know if they plan to attend so he can get them registered.
Bremer reminded the board that the three members up for reelection this year are Justin Koehler, Tyler Gansebom and Tiffany Rice, and the incumbent filing deadline is next Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Workshops that are coming up, he said, include the NRCSA Legislative Forum on Thursday, Feb. 26, in Lincoln; NRCSA Conference March 18-20 in Kearney, and the NASB budget and finance workshop in West Point on March 24.
Committee Reports
The Facilities and Grounds Committee was asked to report. Board President Mark Moes commented that he is waiting for bids on some improvement items.
Superintendent Bremer advised that the district’s contract for its Building Automation System (BAS) has expired. The facilities committee recommended going with Albireo En- ergy, with a five-year contract. Bremer explained the new security system and what it provides. The board voted to accept the five-year agreement with Albireo Energy for the BAS system, with costs from $3,636 to $4,419.58 over the five-year agreement.
Board Member Michelle Reikofski brought up looking at a new HVAC system. She mentioned the age of the north section of the building, and the even older original building. She also said that the school will need roof repair on the north building sometime in the next five years.
The ad hoc committee of Reikofski, Rice and Bremer, having completed work on the new purpose statement, provided an initial draft for the school’s vision and core values. They stated they are still working on it, and the next steps are to do surveys and listening sessions to see what the community wants.
In other business, the board approved having True Ag & Turf replace the Ferris mower engine at an estimated cost of $3,345.
