OSMOND — The Osmond Elementary Student Council attended the District 42R Board of Education meeting on Monday,April 13. Five students and the Student Council advisor, Jaci Kumm, were in attendance. Mrs. Kumm explained what the Student Council is and what it does.
She told the board about the events that had taken place each month of this school year, and then each student gave a little more information about some of those events. They also commented on some of the other things that happen during the school year, such as fundraisers, monthly meetings and giving welcome packets to new students.
The board thanked the students for attending the meeting.
Athletic Director’s Report
Athletic Director Brian Guenther told the board members thatAcademic All-State awards have been entered for winter activities and spring ones are due May 1. The NCATeam Academic Excellence Awards are also being entered and Osmond is doing very well again.
The junior high sports schedule is nearing completion, and Mr. Guenther had a rough draft available for board members to look at. He also said that varsity schedules for the Plainview-Osmond teams and Osmond teams are being worked on, and he hopes to have a rough draft of those schedules by the next board meeting.
K-6 Principal’s Report
Elementary Principal Paige Parsons reported on the K-12 Buddy Day, in which elementary students celebrated ReadAcrossAmerica Month by “buddying” up with 7-12th grade students. Activities included reading with buddies in various parts of the building and outside, recess, lunch and music bingo.
She also announced that the Forever Mia Foundation had graciously supplied each K-6 student with a new book to take home, and the students did a mystery “book tasting” where they picked their book based on a one-word clue.
Ms. Parsons reported that the administrative team had interviewed seven candidates for an open elementary position, and Grace Nordhues was hired to teach fifth grade. She explained that Erin Braun, who had been teaching third grade, will now be in charge of junior high interventions, while Jaci Kumm, who was teaching fifth grade, will now be teaching third grade.
Parsons also reported that the PTO planning committee met March 19 to discuss bylaws and decided on Osmond Tiger Partners as an official name for the organization.
The principal advised that she had attended a statewide webinar regarding mClass Dibels 8, the benchmarking assessment that was recently assigned by the Nebraska Department of Education. Schools have one year to make the transition to Dibels. Parsons said that Osmond will continue with its current Acadience license for the 2026-27 school year and adopt Dibels 8 for the 2027-28 school year.
Ms. Parsons advised that the elementary school will implement the Behavior Intervention Support Team (BIST) program to strengthen behavior support in the building. It will provide training in June on effective behavior strategies, establish consistent processes for behavior management and offer structured documentation tools. In addition, the BIST organization will partner with Osmond staff throughout the year, providing on-site support.
Upcoming events this month include kindergarten round-up on April 23 at 4 p.m. and the spring concert on April 30.
7-12 Principal’s Report
Principal Kurt Polt reported that the seniors honor roll breakfast will take place Wednesday, April 15, at 7:30 a.m. Juniors have completed the ACT, and Sophomores will take the Pre-ACT test, also on April 15.
Other upcoming events that Mr. Polt reported on included: State FBLA contest in Kearney, April 1618; District Music Contest in Laurel on Friday, April 24; academic awards on Wednesday, April 29, with high school at 2 p.m. and junior high at 3 p.m., and spring concerts on Thursday, April 30, with K-6 at 6 p.m. and 7-12 at 7:30 p.m.
May events that Polt reported on include the conference track meat in Creighton on Saturday, May 2, beginning at 9:30 a.m.; conference golf at Rolling Hills on Monday, May 4, at 10 a.m., and the high school awards convocation on Monday, May 4, at 7 p.m.
Principal Polt advised that the seniors’ last day of school will be on Tuesday, May 5, but they will be required to return for graduation practice on Friday, May 8, at 9 a.m. Graduation will be held Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. Mr. Polt said he will be unable to attend because of family obligations, but Ms. Parsons will take his spot in the program.
Polt reported that prom on Saturday went well. He reported that the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) will take place this week.
Principal Polt advised that class registration is ongoing, and said there are some conflicts, but he will get them ironed out.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Skip Bremer briefly covered the latest board policies to review which included 2013, Violation of Board Ethics; 2014, Relationship with District Legal Counsel; 2016, Participation in Insurance Program by Board Members; 2017, Indem- nification and Liability Insurance; 3001, Budget and Property Tax Request; 3002 Deposits; 3004, General Purchasing and Procurement; 3005, School Activities Fund; 3008, Gifts, Grants and Bequests; 3009, Audit, and 3010, Insurance. There were no changes suggested for any of them, SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES PURCHASES, HEARS OFHIRE and they are all available to read on the school website.
Mr. Bremer reported that the district’s online survey went live on March 16 and a number of school listening sessions were held. Survey results and information from the listening sessions will be combined to help the ad hoc committee with its goals and objectives, and a report will be given next month.
Bremer went over some preliminary budget numbers with the board. He had some numbers comparing the 2025-26 budget numbers with those of 2024-25, and also with the preliminary numbers for the 2026-27 budget.
Board Report, Discussion Item Board President Mark Moes congratulated the speech team and coaches for their state championship and individual championships, and the FFA members who qualified for state competition. He also congratulated FFA advisor Jessica Evans who recently received two awards, FFA Advisor of the Year and the 2026 Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award.
One of the items that was to be acted on this month, taking action on air conditioning for the south side of the building, was moved from being an action item to a discussion item. Superintendent Bremer suggested not rushing it. This will be an expensive upgrade, so the district needs to get bids and get the best possible deal. They need to decide which fund to use and how much the district should do at once. There are too many unanswered questions, he said, to push forward with it now. The board decided it is in the district’s best interest to keep looking and planning; this might not happen until next year.
In other business, the board: — approved accepting the Johnson Plumbing and Heating quote of $7,391 for the recirculation pump project.
— accepted the bid to replace the kitchen dishwasher from Martin Brothers Distributing with the Hobart ventless dishwasher at $28,453. To clarify, the current hood needs to be replaced and a new one would cost $18,000-20,000 to replace, plus cut a new hole in the roof. This new, larger dishwasher is ventless, plus will allow for pans to fit correctly.
— accepted the bid from DSN Security to replace and update the district’s security camera system with a quote not to exceed $38,000.
