School board hears from guidance counselors; discusses masks
OSMOND — The District 42R Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 8, was preceded by focus group meetings with retired persons and local business leaders. Those meetings will be reported on in next week’s issue of the Republican.
Counselors Speak
The school board meeting began with reports by guidance counselor Lacy Stelling and well-being counselor Diane Martin. Mrs. Stelling spoke to the board about weighted classes and asked if the board would like to continue with the district having them.
After discussion on what the benefits of the weighted classes are, what dual-credit courses Osmond offers and the difference between the two, the board decided that the administration can make the decisions on those classes.
With the K-6 grade classes, Stelling said she has been talking about careers, and Mrs. Martin added that she has been talking to them about self awareness, thoughts, feelings and emotions. She said this helps them be more aware and manage themselves.
The two also spoke about their vision for the 2021-22 school year and the programs that are available, including Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) interventions which align with MTSS standards, SAEBRS (Social, Academic, Emotional, Behavior Risk Screener) and DESSA, which is a strength-based assessment that measures the social and emotional competencies of students K-12.
Principal Report
Principal Kurt Polt reported that the third quarter ends on March 11 with the fourth quarter to begin on March 15, and report cards will be sent home on March 18. He also reported that the calendar for 2021-22 has been completed and seen by all staff members.
Polt advised that the screen and projector that the board has discussed has been ordered and should be completed before graduation.
The principal reported that the high school and junior high quiz bowl teams competed in the ESU8 competitions under a COVID-19 format, with the high school team winning its pool. He also reported on the speech team’s success at the district meet, winning the runner-up plaque and qualifying seven members for the state meet.
Mr. Polt advised that the Class D All-state band concert was moved from UNK to Palmer High School on March 20. Osmond will be represented by four band members.
Class registration for next year is on hold, Polt said, until there is a better understanding of the classes that will be offered and the periods they will be offered.
Polt reported the ACTs for juniors will be March 23, and the spring concert will be held March 25 to prepare for the district music contest at Hartington in April.
After the principal’s report, Board Member LaDonna Stanosheck said that some in the focus groups asked about having monthly school calendars printed and put around town. Polt and board members agreed that would be a good idea. Board Member Mark Moes added that others had wondered how to be put on the district’s call list. Mr. Polt said he will have something put on the school’s website and Facebook page about how to get on it.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Dave Hamm told the board that, if they had no objections, the district would plan on switching to making masks optional for students and staff beginning March 22 and go back to having students eat in the lunchroom. The local health district is still recommending wearing masks through the end of the school year; however, many schools in the health district are making changes after their March board meetings. He added that there have been no students quarantined because of close contact for six weeks, and no students have tested positive for several months. The board supported Hamm’s request.
Hamm reported that some personnel have received the Moderna vaccine already with an additional 15 to receive the single-dose vaccine later this week. More than half the staff members will then be vaccinated.
The superintendent reported on GEERS and ESSER funds, both of them part of the Coronavirus Aid, Re lief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and discussed the items these funds will pay for, including some of the new chromebooks, laptops and computers the district needs.
Hamm discussed with the board LB408, which would cap the growth of property tax revenue at 3% from one year to the next. He also advised that the district will switch from Google Classroom as its learning management system to Canvas, a platform that the Nebraska Department of Education is encouraging all school districts to switch to.
Mr. Hamm advised that, once the bid for concrete for the bus barn addition has been formalized, he will place an invitation to bid for construction of the building, and asked for the board’s thoughts on timeframes.
Hamm also advised that a surprise treat for the students will take place on March 22.
Board Comments
Board President Mark Moes congratulated the speech team on their success, and congratulated the boys’ basketball team on its runner-up placing at districts.
Board Member Michelle Reikofski advised that the sharing committee will meet in Wausa on March 18. The board discussed the fact that the focus groups want to make sure that things are equal between Osmond and Wausa so that students aren’t always going to Wausa.
In other business, the board:
— approved the proposed concrete bid from Aschoff Construction in the amount of $64,992.
— approved advertising for bids for the renovation of the yellow building.
— approved the teaching contract with Kaylen Tunink to serve as business education teacher for the 2021-22 school year.
— went into executive session to discuss personnel openings.
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.
