by Mari Radtke
School Business Manager Aaron Giese pointed out key reports to the board at the Monday October 21 school board meeting. The first half of the year property tax income would be coming this month but are not showing. He went ahead and told the board the financial reports would be dramatically different next month. The budget report was produced after the last budget was certified. That report is very detailed and allows board members to know how much came and went by fund for the prior fiscal year. He gave the board members a set of coming financial reports and activities to expect.
The 2023 audit report was provided. The highlights show that revenues and expenses were down during the fiscal year. The result was a net benefit to the district of $52,745. State and federal revenue sources were down in the fiscal year.
The Marching Band and Color Guard gave an overview of their season to the Board of Directors. Their season began in February. Students shared the benefits they received by participating with either program, their schedule, and paid compliments to the upper classmen for their contributions. Mrs. Myer was very busy adding choir to her workload. Teamwork and perseverance were mentioned growth areas the students got from joining.
The certified enrollment was discussed. The enrollment was measured on October 1 and certified on October 15. That number up 15 from last year and gained 7 open enrolled in students.
The elementary school reported its activities. Among them were “High-five Friday,” Orange City play attendance by 2nd and 3rd grade students; 4th grade at Prairie Heritage Center and fire safety week for PK at the school and a field trip to the fire station for TK-2. The preschool ventured to Solsma’s Pumpkin Patch. “Spend It or Save It” was presented to grades 5 and 6.
Bully prevention activities were outlined. An appreciation station for staff was described and Buddy Groups were started. Standardized testing is underway at the elementary school. Intervention groups were created and various methods of teacher evaluations have begun.
Events supporting 21st Century Skills were explained. Juniors attended a Career Day at NCC and a college fair while there. Senior Seminar is covered topics such as resiliency, the dangers of drugs and alcohol, college and job applications, financial aid, mental health resources, community involvement credit scores and credit history. Speakers shared information on topics such as insurance, home and auto loans, credit and debt, the dangers of substance use and grit and resilience. Twenty four South O’Brien students took part in ACT testing.
Bully prevention efforts were outlined. CAPS students and volleyball team joined together to produce the “Pink Out Event.” The teacher development activities were outlined.
The punchlist for the Primghar site was done on Tuesday October 15. The hope is that all things in Primghar is complete by Friday. Work at the Paullina site is on-going. The new locker rooms are on track to reach completion by November 1. The doors and hardware project, paid for, in part, by the Governor’s Safety money, is complete at Primghar. The doors and hardware installation at Paullina is planned for summer 2025.
The board was presented with 3 bids for the replacement of steam lines on the east side of the Primghar Building. Superintendent Wade Riley recommended to the board to accept bid #2 from Midwestern Mechanical, Inc. They do not recommend a vitaulic method of joining pipes. They bid using a welded pipe method. The down side is that it isn’t as fast an installation process. The benefit is said to be that the joints don’t rust. It is also less expensive. The timeline using the welded method is 3-4 weeks done during the summer. Sue McCauley moved, Richard Radtke seconded the motion to approve the bid by Midwestern Mechanical, Inc. to replace the steam lines on the east wing of the Primghar building. The bid was $269,060. It passed unanimously.
Series 2024 General Obligation bonds not to exceed $8,935,000 was considered. Five sealed bids were submitted and reviewed by the Superintendent, Secretary of the Board and the Municipal Advisor at a special meeting in the afternoon. Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. of Milwaukee, WI was the winning bidder. The purchase price of the bonds was $9,111,782. The true interest rate is set at 3.8391% giving the bonds a net interest cost of $3,037,702.72. The Board approved the sale of the bonds under the stated terms. After expenses are paid the district has $9,017,933.25 to spend on capital improvement projects. The call date is 2029 and several options may be available to the School Board at that time. John Beck moved and Josh Rausch seconded approving the sale of bonds as outlined by the Municipal Advisor.
Requests for Allowable Growth and Supplemental Aid for to cover the Special Education deficit was approved. Total Special Education Revenue is $2,022,902.98 and $96,557.90 carryover. Expenditures for Special Education is $2,063,100.95, leaving a deficit of $40,197.97. School Business Officer Aaron Giese reported that Special Education deficit has been falling steadily over the last few years. The Allowable Growth request for EL services was approved in the amount of $1873.10.
A sharing agreement for Girls’ Wrestling with Sheldon Community School District was presented to the board. Girls wrestling is currently the fastest growing sport in Iowa. The agreement passed.
Discussion of paying for an architect design fee for window replacement at Paullina was considerable. The project is added to the construction project and creates more cohesive design for the entire Paullina complex. The window project is expected to be $400,000 to $500,000. The Architect fee is just over $58,000.
Sound Panels for the West Gym received 2 bids. One bid exceeded $40,000. The other bid was close to $12,000. The project is intended to help soften the loud echoes in the West Gym. The purchase was approved.
Elementary School music risers are aged. A bid for $16,319.37 was shared with the board. To do high school music performances, larger instruments may need to be purchased to stay at Primghar. The purchase was approved, contingent on cost sharing with SOS Music Boosters.
NCC asked South O’Brien to consider joining in the Career Academy and sign a Memorandum of Understanding with MMCRU. Classes would be delivered at Marcus. Several career paths were sited and gave SOS students an option to take classes at Marcus. Scheduling is one concern Riley expressed. The Memorandum is only keeping options open. It is not any kind of commitment.
MercyOne approached the school district about taking fitness equipment. Riley described the equipment as older but not worn. It will remain housed at the former hospital until the district can get organized to accept them. Some items could be used in elementary PE classes. The board approved accepting the equipment in its entirety.