Health standards, activities hot topics at school board meeting
OSMOND — The Monday, Aug. 9, meeting of District 42R Board of Education began with several policy hearings, including those on parent and guardian involvement, student fees, student bullying and Title 1 parent and family engagement.
In addition to board members and administrators, those in attendance included Brian Guenther, Cleo Pfanstiel, Jared and Jenny Wingert, Tammy King and Jennifer Gansebom. Two topics seemed to be the draw for some of the audience attendance: proposed health standards and school activities.
Input Sought on Health Standards
The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is currently seeking input on the second draft of the state’s health education standards, after the first draft was scrapped in the wake of public outcry on its content.
Board Member Larry Krohn stated that he would like it put on the September agenda whether the board will adopt any standards. Superintendent Dave Hamm told Krohn that, because health standards are not a core subject, the board does not have to approve the new standards. He added that there is a different between what is adopted and what is taught.
Board members were asked if they could read through the standards by the September meeting so it could be put on the agenda. Board Member Tyler Gansebom asked “Do we make a resolution that they scrap the whole thing? But then there’s another one down the road.”
Board Member Michelle Reikofski, who is on the Nebraska Association of School Boards, was asked about that board’s take on the situation, and she said she did not get an indication of what people thought about the new health standards.
Because part of the health standards involves discussion on how students “identify,” one of the audience members said that her grandson is a student in South Dakota, and they have students in his school who run around saying “I’m a cat,” and the school is allowing it.
Eventually, Hamm said, the NDE will pass standards and the board will have to decide whether it is going to adopt them. Gansebom suggested going through them and each stating what he/she disagrees with; however, Board President Mark Moes said then they could have people “coming at them” for being against something. He said it can be put on the agenda, the board can see what others have done, and have a conversation about it.
Hamm added that, for now, they as board members and the community can go online and comment on the standards. They can be found at www. education.ne.gov/healthed.
Activities Meeting Coming
Hamm read a reply from the Wausa school board regarding sharing junior high and high school extra-curricular activities, with the Wausa board saying no to football in the next two-year cycle. Hamm said he would like the board to give Athletic Director Guenther and Principal Kurt Polt some direction, and said there are a lot of options available.
Guenther asked the board if parents and athletes should be consulted first. The Wingerts commented that they should bring it to the community, but stressed that the board needs to take action, and also said that they want what’s best for the kids.
Moes said that the Wausa board was told what Osmond needs and asked them to pick and choose; they were not told it was all or nothing. Polt added that, yes, Osmond needs help, but it’s a matter of having someone say yes. When the district started sharing junior high football with Wausa, the board thought that would continue.
Reikofski stated again that the board wants to do what’s best for the kids. She said it was hard during the fiveschool project, and there have been other ideas that have been shot down. She added that there are some people who don’t have students so they don’t understand what’s going on here.
After some discussion, it was agreed the board will plan a meeting with parents and athletes to get their input, followed by a meeting with the community. A list of options and reasons for them will be put together.
Principal Report
Principal Polt reported on a number of dates for the beginning of the school year: teacher in-service days on Aug. 9, 10 and 11; elementary open house and Chromebook checkout, both on Aug. 10; first day of school, Aug. 12; jamboree volleyball game at Plainview on Aug. 20, and season opener vs. Wynot on Aug. 26; first football game vs. Allen, Aug. 27; Homecoming vs. Winside, Sept. 17; first cross country meet at Hartington, Aug. 26; no school on Labor Day, Sept. 6.
Polt advised that a home room period has been added to the schedule, from 8:10 to 8:30 a.m. Marching band competitions are scheduled, including the Lions Club parade in Norfolk, Harvest of Harmony in Grand Island, and March to the Meridian in Yankton.
The bell system and gym projector are scheduled to be worked on as soon as those persons can get here. Also, senior banners have been completed and sent to the printers. School and fall sports pictures are scheduled for Aug. 24.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Hamm noted that several board members had inspected the progress done so far on the wrestling building, for which several changes had to be made. Those for the fitness center, amounting to $2,417, will be billed to that fund, with the rest — $3,168 — billed to the district. The major cost increase, he said, was for adding gas lines.
Hamm asked board members’ thoughts on whether to have a separate budget workshop meeting or including it as part of the budget hearing in September, with the board deciding on having it the same night.
The superintendent reported on required trainings for staff members; the pre-service agenda; a transfer of $10,000 to the athletic fund, which is done annually, and insurance premium payment, with an increase in coverage on the wrestling building because of upgrades and the bus barn because of the addition.
Mr. Hamm explained information he learned on ESSER funds in a webinar he attended last week. Items he learned included: since it is considered a special grant, it is not counted against the district’s expenditure lid; the district must have a “return to learn” plan that meets certain criteria; the district must maintain a maintenance of effort in the general fund.
Hamm commented on the school start letter which is included in this week’s issue of the Republican, and also shared the latest staff hires: Candace Gansebom, para, and Dan Albee, kitchen staff.
The superintendent thanked staff members who worked to get the buildings and grounds ready for the new school year; the teachers and paras for work on the “Jump-Start” summer reading program; staff who attended trainings during the summer, and office staff for getting forms and handouts prepared.
Hamm advised that a non-binary bathroom has been completed for the district’s two non-binary students’ use. In response to questions, he said if the district doesn’t provide it, there could be legal repercussions if one of them files a complaint.
In other business, the board approved a transfer of $110,000 from the general fund to the depreciation fund. This is done each August, with the board deciding each year on the amount to be transferred.
Stay in the know!
To get news alerts on your cell phone, get the Cedar County News app in the ITunes store or in the Google Play Store.
