School board begins meeting with pledge; talks music sharing; cooperative approved
OSMOND — The District 42R Board of Education met Monday, April 11, with a little different opening than usual. After the joint meeting held with the Randolph school board in March, it was suggested that the Osmond board do as Randolph does — and which was done at the joint gathering — and begin meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance. So at Monday’s meeting, the board, administration and visitors stood, faced the United States flag, and recited the pledge.
Principal Gives Report
Principal Kurt Polt reported on a number of upcoming events. The seniors’ honor roll breakfast will be held on Thursday, April 14; early dismissal for Easter break will be at 2:06 that same day, with school resuming Tuesday, April 19.
The District Music Contest will be held at Hartington on Friday, April 22. The pre-contest recital, which was to be held the night before, has been moved to Monday, April 18, because of other conflicts.
The 2021-22 awards convocation is scheduled for Monday, April 25, with the academic awards at 2 p.m., junior high awards at 3 p.m. And activity awards at 6:30 p.m. Kindergarten round-up will be held on Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m., and the conference track meet will be held in Winnebago on Saturday, April 30, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The spring concerts will be held on Monday, May 2, with the kindergarten through sixth grade concert at 6 p.m. And the 7-12 concert at 7:30 p.m.
The seniors’ last day of school is Tuesday, May 3, but they are required to return for graduation practice on Friday, May 6, at 10 a.m. The graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 7, at 2 p.m.
Principal Polt then stated that it is his recommendation that the board move forward with the co-op agreement with Randolph Public School for junior high and varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball, and junior high football. His recommendation was based on enrollment numbers, projected participation numbers and positive survey results.
Superintendent Gets Request for Music Sharing
Superintendent Dave Hamm advised that he had received an inquiry from Plainview Public School Superintendent Dr. Darron Arlt about the possibility of sharing instrumental music for the 2022-23 school year. Plainview has not had any applications for their open position, and Art asked about buying a portion of Christalin Ginn’s contract for sixth, seventh and eighth periods. Hamm said he told Arlt it wouldn’t be a possibility because Mrs. Ginn is also vocal music instructor.
The two discussed other options, including Plainview students coming to Osmond for first period and being part of the Tiger marching band, which seems to be the most plausible scenario, he said. He noted that this is one of those situations the board has talked about, in which a neighbor has a temporary need, and the Osmond school helping where it can.
Board Member Michelle Reikofski agreed, saying, “We’ve talked about this as small schools, where, if someone needs a hand, you help them out. So this is our chance to do that.”
Hamm said that Dr. Arlt would be speaking to the Plainview school board that same night, but as far as the Osmond board, all seemed to be in favor of helping them out. Mrs. Ginn, who was also in attendance at the meeting, was first asked her thoughts on the matter.
Mrs. Ginn agreed that it is important to help each other out and would like to further discuss Plainview students coming here, but said there needs to be further discussion before making a decision.
When asked about the numbers for next year, she said her expectation is 40 returning music students next year. She also advised that Osmond will host the District Music Contest next year. She also asked, as far as honor bands, what her role would be with the Plainview students; pep band would be another concern. She wondered if any other area schools have been in this situation, and how to do this.
Board Member LaDonna Stanosheck commented, “If we can help, I think we should.”
SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES RANDOLPH COOPERATIVE
Reikofski agreed, but said she also agrees with Mrs. Ginn’s concerns.
Hamm stated that what he recommends is that the Osmond district does not seel part of Mrs. Ginn’s contract, but that Plainview pays her a stipend. He advised that the Plaiview board would be talking that night, and then Dr. Arlt will come back and discuss the matter with Mr. Hamm. As far as what he needed from the Osmond board, he said, he just needed to know that they are not against it. Other Superintendent Items
Other Superintendent Items
Mr. Hamm advised that he had given members a copy of the current extra duty schedule, which is not part of the negotiated agreement, so the board has the flexibility to make changes. He stated that speech coach Leah Kuhl has asked about the possibility of having speech treated more like the other “head” positions. He proposed that both play production and speech fall into the same category as head cross country and assistants, and also that the assistant speech coach be paid when the number of students warrants. He noted that Patricia Marks has been volunteering as assistant speech coach for several years, and has been doing an excellent job. The board was in agreement with his proposals.
Mr. Hamm gave a report on the external visit that the district will have next fall and what has been done so far in preparation for it, as well as what needs to be accomplished and who is responsible for working on it.
The superintendent gave a summary on board negotiations with the teachers for the 2022-23 school year and stated that the district is now close to the state average. He advised that he applied for a supply chain assistance grant for the school food program, and it was received. He also advised that the district needs to choose a new natural gas supplier by next fall, and he reported that he had received a thank you from the post-prom committee.
President’s Report
Board President Mark Moes congratulated Kenzie von Rentzell on her state speech championship, and Principal Polt added that she was selected to go to Lincoln for the “2022 NSAA Speech Championships: Best of the Best” which will air on Sunday, April 24 (see article on Page 5). They also congratulated the speech team for its first-place finish at state.
Cooperative Agreement Approved
The board then discussed the cooperative agreement with Randolph Public School. Board Member Larry Krohn had a number of questions, and said he just wants to make sure that things are equitable between the two schools. As far as games, both schools will host depending on where the opponent is coming from; however, with practices, it makes more sense for Osmond students to travel to Randolph, where the students have a longer school day.
If approved, the administrators would meet, then the athletic directors, and then the Student Councils would meet to discuss school colors, mascot, etc.
After discussion on the subject, the board approved the two-year cooperative agreement with Randolph Public Schools for the following sports: junior high football, jurnior high girls’ and boys’ basketball, and high school girls’ and boys’ basketball, beginning with the 2022-23 school. It was approved on a 5-1 vote, with Krohn voting no. In a message received from Randolph Monday night, that board unanimously approved the cooperative.
In other business, the board: — heard that the end of the school
— heard that the end of the school year would be the last of the free school lunches. — had teacher contracts signed by
— had teacher contracts signed by board members Mark Moes and Tyler Gansebom.
— approved teaching contracts for Bradley Wright, Dale Krause and Christy Koehler. approved Facility Advocates as the district’s energy savings company.
Heard Moes read a statement of congratulations to prospective school board members with an invitation to attend board meetings and ask current members if they have any questions.
Went into closed sessions for personnel matters.
