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Co-op coaches selected, new mascot unveiled

RANDOLPH - The co-op between Osmond and Randolph is starting to take shape with new coaches assigned, and new mascot and colors unveiled.

The sports co-op with Osmond will start in the fall and pertains to junior high football, and high school and junior high boys and girls basketball.

The new mascot of the Osmond-Randolph Hawks was chosen by students from both schools, and features black and gold colors.

The Randolph Public School Board approved Rob Engel as the high school boys basketball assistant coach with Bronson

Paul of Osmond as the head coach.

On the high school girls side, Paige Hegge of Randolph will assist Bradley Wright of Osmond.

Eric Brown was approved as the junior high football coach with Dale Krause of Osmond assisting.

In junior high boys basketball, Brian Guenther of Osmond will be the head coach and Engel assisting.

In junior high girls basketball, Brown will be head coach with Dale Krause of Osmond assisting.

With the retirement of Athletic Director Ted Stubbs, Principal Brandi Bartels will take on those additional duties with assistance from High School Secretary Tina Nordhues.

The board expressed concern about Bartels taking on the extra work load.

“I think some things are a little bit easier with general communication when it goes through the office,” Bartels said. “Sometimes that was difficult having it go somewhere else and then the school wasn’t as informed. Some of those things will be easier.”

Other changes were made to the coaching roster including Lyndsee English as the head volleyball coach assisted by Vicki Bermel. Tom Schafer will be the girls track coach. Incoming teachers Jianna Sorensen and Meaghan Vollers were also assigned extra roles - Sorensen, the eighthgrade sponsor, and Vollers as assistant speech coach, junior high girls track coach, junior high volleyball assistant coach, assist high school girls and boys track, and seventh-grade sponsor.

Other coaches, sponsors and volunteer coaches for Randolph were approved at last week’s school board meeting with the exception of Tara Strathman as the new esports sponsor.

Esports, or Electronic Sports, is a new activity proposed at the high school level as an organized video game competition between teams and other schools. Proponents of esports say it builds critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, communication and dedication among players.

“We’re pretty set on it’s something we want to do,” Bartels said. “I think it’s going to be really good to get some of those kids that aren’t really involved in our activities, it gives them a place. We’re kind of excited to see that happen.”

Board Vice President Jim Scott said he doesn’t like the idea of video gaming becoming a school-based sport and doesn’t want Strathman taking time out of her teaching duties to prepare and plan for this type of activity.

“I, for one, would like to look at (not) bringing this into the school. I don’t like it. I just can’t get on board with this,” he said.

Board Secretary Sandy Owens said it’s important for students to be a part of a group.

“Activities enhance your high school experience,” she said. “I wouldn’t pick that particular one but if they’re not doing anything else, it’s something.”

The board will revisit esports at the June meeting. At that time, Bartels will provide more information on any costs involved and more logistics. At the high school level, about eight students expressed interest in participating in esports.

In other school board news, students will start paying for their school lunches next school year. The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in two years of free lunch which is now coming to an end.

The school board set prices for meals, leaving some prices the same or increasing them slightly. The new prices are $2.55 for any student breakfast and $3.30 for adults; elementary lunch, $3.05; high school lunch, $3.35 and adult lunch at $4.55.

The new pricing will keep the school district in line with reimbursement levels.

The Randolph school board also reviewed changes to school policy and tabled the first reading, as well as discussed school accreditation.

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