By Mari Radtke
At the final meeting of this board, School Business Officer (SBO) Aaron Giese reported to the board a new addition to the financial reports given to the board members He explained the to the board that the additional information is highly recommended by Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). The additional reporting line is used to keep a current monitor of available authorized spending for the district. The tool is used as a way to assist the board, administration and staff of any need to fast changes. Giese shared that the authorized spending is not a reflection of cash on hand but more of a measure of how much a district would be allowed to spend in any given fiscal year. He went on to show the board that South O’Brien is currently showing good financial performance.
Also reported by Giese to the board is the addition of the “Capital Projects” fund in the reports. The report provided in November did not yet reflect the bond funds. The Capital Projects fund will show the board the income and use of only those bond funds used only on the construction projects within the scope of the bond issue.
Renae Negus, Elementary Guidance Counselor gave the board an update of a purchase she requested a little more than year ago, the Second Step Program. Second Step is a 5-year contract that began in August 2022. It is used for guidance lessons in the elementary school. This is an online-based program. Mrs. Negus goes into each classroom once every six-day cycle, grades TK-6. The lesson of the day is set up through the classroom teacher’s computer and delivered by Mrs. Negus to the students. The Second Step Program is structured into Elementary, Middle and High School. Without a middle school, South O’Brien reworks the categories into TK-5 which focuses on growth mindset and goal setting, emotion management, kindness, problem solving. She added that she also supplements with a career focus. There are 20 lessons. Sixth grade is in the middle school component of the program. Lessons focus on mindsets and goals, about bullying and harassment, thoughts, emotions and decisions, and social situations and managing conflict. Sixth grade has 26 lessons.
Negus also spoke to the board about “Closed Gap,” a software program where students can check in daily on their computers. Age appropriate prompts are used to give insight to staff for the state of any individual student. The computer asks the students simple questions such as “How do you feel today?” Closed Gap is a space/planet theme so the communication stays with the theme. The answers provided give the adults insight into a student’s situation such as a poor night’s sleep or missed breakfast, for example.
The Instructional Coaches presented information to the board about TLC (Teacher Leadership and Compensation) in South O’Brien. The structure of building leaders and the weekly meetings were described and methods such as video recording or modeling used to assist with improved teaching. There are also mentor teachers and building media leaders.
The special election results were announced. The extension of a revenue purpose statement for PPEL funds was approved by the voters by a 564-121 margin.