South O’Brien School District Board of Education Regular Meeting
South O’Brien School District Board of Education Regular Meeting
08/18/2025 06:00 AM
Paullina Site Library
MEETING MINUTES
Mission
“Preparing students to be responsible citizens and lifelong learners.”
Attendance
Voting Members
Gina Paulsen, Board President
John Beck, Board Vice President
Sue McCauley, Board Member
Richard Radtke, Board Member
Josh Rausch, Board Member
Beth Sibenaller-Woodall, Board Member
Dallas Jalas, Board Member
Non-Voting Members
Wade Riley, Superintendent
Aaron Giese, SBO/Board Secretary
A. Call to Order
School Board Vice President John Beck called the meeting to order at 6:00 AM.
B. Roll Call and Declaration of Quorum
Directors Josh Rausch, Beth Sibenaller-Woodall, Sue McCauley, Dallas Jalas, and John Beck were present. Directors Gina Paulsen and Richard Radtke joined the meeting prior to agenda item E.2.
C. Adoption of Agenda
Motion to adopt the agenda adding item I.5.
Motion made by: Josh Rausch
Motion seconded by: Dallas Jalas
Voting:
Gina Paulsen – Not Present
John Beck – Yes
Sue McCauley – Yes
Richard Radtke – Not Present
Josh Rausch – Yes
Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
Dallas Jalas – Yes
Motion carried.
D. Welcome and Delegation
1. Public Forum
None.
E. Consider Consent Items
1. Minutes of Previous Meetings
Motion made by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
Voting:
Gina Paulsen – Not Present
John Beck – Yes
Sue McCauley – Yes
Richard Radtke – Not Present
Josh Rausch – Yes
Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
Dallas Jalas – Yes
Motion carried.
2. Financial Reports
a. Financial Statements
Board Secretary/School Business Official Aaron Giese provided the board with commentary on the school financials including receipts and expenditures, fund balances, and upcoming items to look for.
Motion made by: Sue McCauley
Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
b. Consider Payment of Invoices
Board Secretary/School Business Official Aaron Giese highlighted some invoices and expenditures for the month and answered questions posed by board members.
Motion made by: John Beck
Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
F. Reports
1. Reports by Administration
a. Directors
Superintendent Wade Riley presented information to the board from the directors of the district including buildings, transportation, maintenance, nutrition, technology, and activities.
b. Elementary
Superintendent Wade Riley provided an update to the board from the elementary including 21st-century skills, college and career readiness, positive climate and culture, high performance and growth, and facilities.
c. Secondary
Superintendent Wade Riley provided an update to the board from the secondary including 21st-century skills, college and career readiness, positive climate and culture, high performance and growth, and facilities.
d. Superintendent
Superintendent Wade Riley updated the board on a number of items including the bond project at the Paullina site, summer projects, and upcoming dates to look for.
2. Recognition of Staff, Students and Patrons
See the school website and SO’ app for updates.
G. Board Committee Reports
None.
H. Unfinished Business
None.
I. New Business
1. FY24 Audit Report
Board Secretary/SBO Aaron Giese provided information to board members regarding the completion of the Fiscal Year 2024 audit which was completed by Nolte, Cornman, & Johnson PC. Motion to accept the FY24 audit report.
Motion made by: Josh Rausch
Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
2. Name Delegate to IASB Delegate Assembly
Motion to nominate Director Sue McCauley as delegate for the Iowa Association of School Boards annual assembly.
Motion made by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
3. Consider Appointment of Truancy Officer
Motion to appoint Mrs. Denise Phillips, 7-12 Principal, as the District’s Truancy Officer for the 2025-26 school year. Mrs. Phillips will be assisted by Mrs. Jean Steen, the Elementary Principal.
Motion made by: Sue McCauley
Motion seconded by: John Beck
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
4. Discussion of Issuance of PPEL Notes
Superintendent Wade Riley, Board Secretary/SBO Aaron Giese, and the Board of Directors discussed the possible need to issue Physical, Plant, and Equipment Levy notes due to the forecasted shortfall for the bond project at the Paullina and Primghar sites. Discussion was also held regarding possible property tax reform and how that could affect levies moving forward in future fiscal years.
5. Consider Approval of Softball and Baseball Field Improvements
Bids for renovations to the baseball and softball fields from Schmillen Construction, Inc. and Van Holland Lawn Service, LTD. were presented to the board. The board decided that more information and some alternative options were necessary before moving forward. Motion to table approval to a later date.
Motion made by: Beth Sibenaller-Woodall
Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
J. Personnel
1. Resignations
Cynthia Simm – JH/HS Head Cook
Motion made by: John Beck
Motion seconded by: Josh Rausch
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
2. Employment of Staff
Mary De Boer – JH/HS Head Cook
John Beck – Volunteer Assistant HS Football Coach
John Kelley – Custodian/Substitute
Motion made by: Josh Rausch
Motion seconded by: Dallas Jalas
Voting:
Gina Paulsen – Yes
John Beck – Abstain
Sue McCauley – Yes
Richard Radtke – Yes
Josh Rausch – Yes
Beth Sibenaller-Woodall – Yes
Dallas Jalas – Yes
Motion carried.
K. Communication
1. IASB Information
Board members were encouraged to check out resources on the IASB website, including information about the upcoming annual convention.
L. Talking Points
Board members discussed the progress on the bond project and the start of school.
M. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 AM.
Motion made by: Josh Rausch
Motion seconded by: Sue McCauley
Voting:
Unanimously Approved
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Paullina site library.