by Eric Harold
The South O’Brien School Board approved a modified 2023-24 school calendar in order to accommodate as early a start as possible to the construction that will begin this spring and extend into the start of the next school year.
The board voted to give up two days and not make them up. Doing so will not leave the district short of reaching the required mandatory 1,080 hours of instruction.
“We meet all of our requirements, and we have a plan in place,” said board president Gina Paulsen.
With the modified plan, the school year would conclude on Friday, May 24.
Looking to the coming week or so, concern was expressed that there will be additional snow days that aren’t presently accounted for. There was discussion about the possibility of using Wednesday early outs to make up for a missed day if the need arises.
If multiple days are missed, the board will likely have to revisit the matter next month.
District staff will not be so lucky as they have to make up two days in accordance with their contracts, according to superintendent Wade Riley.
Riley said the hope is that the contractor awarded the construction bid will begin removing the parking lot and other larger aspects of the project immediately after Memorial Day.
Board looks ahead to the 2024-25 School Calendar
A public hearing was held early in the meeting regarding the 2024-25 school calendar. Board president Gina Paulsen opened the hearing at 6:01. No one requested to comment and no written comments had been received. Paulsen declared the public hearing closed at 6:02 p.m.
South O’Brien School District staff members voted in favor of Option 2, which includes a start date of August 20, which is the first Tuesday after the Iowa State Fair.
The alternative plan, Option 1, would have given a two week vacation for Christmas and called for students to return from break on January 5. Option 2 has them set to return on January 2.
Option 2 will see students in class on the Monday after Easter, whereas Option 1 would have designated that day as snow makeup day.
With Option 2, no snow day makeups are built in, but rather just tacked on at the end.
No summer school will be offered this year
Superintendent Wade Riley informed the board of the administration’s decision to not offer summer school this year due to anticipated significant construction at both buildings related to the bond project. Online credit recovery options will still be available as needed.

Other action taken and notable items addressed at the meeting include:

Approved second reading of board policy code 800 series which governs long-range planning, surveys, objectives, maintenance, and repairs of buildings and sites.

• Held first reading of Board Policy Code 505.8, 505.08-R(1) which governs school communications with community stakeholders.
• Motion to approve the purchase of several technological items including laptops, desktops, screens, antivirus systems, server racks and more in both Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025.
• Motion to approve the bid from Spencer Office Supply for the purchase of a walk-behind floor scrubber for the Paullina building.
• Motion to approve out-of-state travel for the Future Farmers of America program to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for a career development event.
• Resignations: Rebecca Lickiss – JH/HS Choir Instructor; Brandi Kaptein – Elementary Special Education Instructor; Blake Wilson – Full-Time JH/HS Custodian.
  New hires: Carley Vial – Four-Year-Old Preschool Instructor, Jeremy Lansink – Volunteer High School Track Coach, Dylan Kreibaum – Full-Time JH/HS Custodian.