In two separate special meetings held on Monday February 27 the South O’Brien Education Association presented its proposal for salary and benefits along with contract language for the coming school year. The Education Association was represented by Kim Poekes. The South O’Brien School Board accepted the proposal without comment.
The South O’Brien School District Board of Education followed up with its proposal presented by Superintendent Wade Riley. The Board of Education is interested in some base salary adjustments and discussion of contract language. The special meetings adjourned.
The regular meeting of the South O’Brien School Board opened with standard acceptance of the tentative agenda with the addition of the preschool report and accepting the minutes of the previous meeting and claims. The financial report indicated that SAVE and PPEL funds, used for facilities are strong and shared that upcoming planned projects would easily be handled by the funds.
Nancy Stoll and April Jurgens are the 3- and 4-year old preschool instructors. The programs are referred to as the Little Pee Wee and Pee Wee Paws programs. The teachers described a typical day of teaching children of such young ages. The both noted that at this age the primary focus is on social and emotional development. They explained that for students barely more than toddlers the best form of learning for them is through play. The toys used in the preschool classrooms encourage childrenÕs development of fine motor and gross motor skills. The children learning to dress themselves for outside play was noted.
Enrollment for 2023-24 preschool began March 6, 2023.
The technology committee of the school board reported their recommendation to purchase cyber insurance to protect against malware that could lock the computer system demanding ransom to release the files. Security scans, backup plans for files and records as well as training were addressed with the board accepting the recommendations.
The committee recommended the purchase of 16 Smartboards with carts, 149 laptops and hardware for file backups for both sites.
The proposed 2023-24 school calendar was accepted as presented.