By Mari Radtke
A public hearing was held by the South O’Brien Board of Education on Monday March 27 for the purpose of accepting a bid to replace doors and handles throughout both buildings. There were no public comments.
During a safety evaluation conducted by Tetra Tech of Omaha, NE South O’Brien received the suggestion that all interior school doors should be lockable from both the inside and outside. The school board approved the approved a bid letting on March 15. A public hearing was held March 27 with no public comment. Information about the proposed project was available. The project is expected to exceed the $196,000 threshold starting the bid process. The state awarded South O’Brien $50,000 per building to help meet safety recommendations. South O’Brien will have that first $100,000 to help offset the cost of interior door replacement. The balance will be paid with available PPEL funds. The bid opening is scheduled for April 18, 2023.
Business Manager Aaron Giese was unavailable on Monday. Superintendent Wade Riley gave the financial report to the board. Particular notes when comparing the current budget with last year’s budget was that general fund balance is up by $225,000 at the same time. April is when the district typically receives its second major income from taxes. He expects $375,000-$400,000. He also noted that free breakfast at the elementary building is going well. Board President Gina Paulsen opened the possibility of snacks during ISAS testing. Riley responded affirmatively and that peppermints would also be provided. He sighted research suggesting peppermint releases endorphins and increase brain power.
Renae Negus gave the board an overview of the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program in South O’Brien Elementary. She shared how students are helped with understanding the need to act in different situations and with different adults. She highlighted changes in the last year. This program has been used by South O’Brien for about 18 years. Consistency is a key need for PBIS to be successful. She spoke of expectations, acknowledgements at a school-wide level for tier 1. She described tier 2, or greater needs for individual students and then tier 3 for more intensive needs. She did report to the board South O’Brien’s need to improve tier 3 methods.
An intensive evaluation of the district’s use of the program with AEA was a major focus to the program over the past year. Items for staff to address going forward are 3 core expectations. Respectful, responsible and kind are the Wolverine way. These core expectations were voted on by the teachers as the most useful from where the elementary building is currently, based on the work with AEA.
She did note that consistency throughout the building, all grade levels needs improvement. Age-appropriate expectations for behavior in all locations such as lunchroom or hallway were developed. The same kind of information was developed for individual classrooms, giving teachers classroom control. The various ways to communicate understandably to each age groups in different places with different adults is reported to have improved student understanding of what is expected of them.
The board passed the resolution allowing the issuance of up to $17,000,000 bonds and to levy a tax for their repayment. Early retirement for 12-month classified staff was approved. 12-month classified staff might be a secretary position or maintenance. A qualified employee is one employed year round, 55 years or older and employed at least 15 years with the district.