November 12, 2018 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Notice of this meeting was posted at the Jeffrey Elementary School, Osceola Middle School/High School, Pinnacle Bank of Osceola, and the Osceola Post Office. A copy of the agenda items is tentative and may be changed by the Board if necessary.

Discussion:  President Schleif called the regular meeting to order at 6:07 PM and informed those in attendance that a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room, then directed the pubic to its location.

Discussion:  There were no board members absent.

Discussion:  Board Member Doug Rathjen addressed the public about how the proposed building projects have been developed through many years of discussion and ideas.  Mergers and consolidations have not come to fruition so the prospect of building and/or upgrading to help the District offer the safest and best education to the students arose. 

President Schleif talked discussed the more urgent needs of the District such as roof replacements at the old gymnasium and the elementary building, more extensive school safety, modifications to the kitchen and food service area, fire and life safety code upgrades. and available daycare..

Mr. Jacob Sertich of Wilkins Architecture presented the site layout of a proposed addition.  Included in this addition would be a 1000 person seating capacity gym, lockerrooms, bathrooms, new school kitchen and serving area,, daycare, and a community walking track.  

Mr. Tobin Buchanan of First National Assets talked about the bond tax asking and the bond issue financial information.  As the current levies are being discontinued, the total of the overall tax impact of a new levy currently would be at 4.5 cents per $100,000.00 of valuation over what is now being paid. For example the tax asking would cost $45.00 more per year than what the current levy tax asking is costing an owner of a $100,000.00 home.

Superintendent Rinehart informed the public of the opportunities that could be available to help the community and school become more viable by having a daycare, larger gym,and community walking track through a bond issue.  The bond would also allow for more options for school safety and security.

Mr. Mark Lewis of B-D Construction answered building construction and cost questions from the public.  Mr. Lewis commented that there is always some difference in cost from the plan to actual construction.  However, the service of a building manager can stave those costs.  Also, both the plan and the bond have been designed to be conservative yet have a margin that can allow some growth that is managable.

Mr. Sterich, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Lewis, Superintendent Rinehart and the Board answered questions presented by the public.

Discussion:   

Discussion:  Elementary Principal Brett Webster gave his written and oral report about: Mrs. Johnson and IMr. Webster attended the Blue Ribbon Ceremony in Washington D.C.; the Veteran's Day Program was very well done; and the Elementary Christmas Concert is schedule for Monday, December 17th at 7:00 PM.
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Discussion:  MS/HS Principal Dale Maynard gave his written and oral report about:  the state testing reports will be out soon but not all data is available; Mrs. Brandow is teaching coding for robots; 10 waivers have been obtained by Mrs. Reese for some online classes; midterm grades will be compiled on November 13th; fall season sports have concluded and winter sport practices have begun November 12th; One Act is doing well with 2nd and 4th places being earned at Loup City and York respectively; MS sports will begin after Thanksgiving; the One Act public performance is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Friday, November 16th; a Jamboree Boys Basketball game is scheduled for 7:00 PM on November 20th; and there was an art show and music program on November 1st.

Thank you, Miss Evans and Mrs. Brundrett, for putting together a night of music and art!

Discussion:  Superintendent Steven Rinehart gave his written and oral report about:  the NASB State Conference is scheduled for this week; proposal from Head Cook Vicky Klein on changing number of kitchen staff, and a possible Board Christmas party on Monday, December 10th.

Discussion:  President Schleif reported that he and other school board presidents met with Senator Kolterman to discuss issues facing schools.

Board Member Jennifer Boruch reported that Superintendent Rinehart and she attended a building and construction workshop.

Discussion:  Welcome, Mr. Pliefke, to Osceola Public Schools!

Discussion:  President Schleif repeated that a motion was made by Jennifer Boruch, seconded by Chelsey Tonniges, to enter into executive session at 9:04 PM until the finish of business for strategy session on collective bargaining with OEA, and the evaluation of personnel job performace.  All members voted yes. 

The Board of Education came out of executive session at 10:55 PM after discussing the Superintendent's evaluation and discussing negotiations strategies.