November 10, 2014 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  Notice of this meeting was posted at the Jeffrey Elementary School, Osceola Middle School/High School, Pinnacle Bank of Osceola, and the Osceola Post Office. A copy of the agenda items is tentative and may be changed by the Board if necessary.

Discussion:  President Schleif called the regular meeting to order at 6:01 PM and informed those in attendance that a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted in the meeting room, then directed the public to its location.

Discussion:  Mr. Jay Spearman, representative for Ameritas Investment Corporation, reviewed figures to refinance the earlier qualified capital purpose undertaking fund bonds that were designated for the HVAC units at the Osceola Middle/High School. The purpose of refinancing is to save money over the remaining life of the current bond.

Discussion:  Staff members Mrs. Suzanne Peterson and Mrs. Lisa Stowe discussed the merits of having another embroidery machine to accommodate the incoming orders and to grow the embroidery business. The intentions of having an embroidery machine was not only to teach skills to students but to provide business experiences in sales, creativity, and production management to students. If the business continues to grow, summer jobs for students may be considered.

Discussion:  Mrs. Deborah Anderson personally announced to the Board that she will be retiring at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. Mrs. Anderson thanked the Board and the Administration for the opportunity to work at Osceola Public Schools. On behalf of Osceola Public Schools, the Board thanks Mrs. Anderson for her 40 years of faithful service. You will be missed, Mrs. Anderson, but you are wished the best in your future endeavors. Volleyball Coach Joan Caraway and Assistant Volleyball Coach Amanda Lemburg addressed the Board about the declining participation in the volleyball program. Coach Caraway inquired about the possibility of cooping the volleyball team with another area school.

Discussion:  Elementary Principal Sarah Johnson gave her written and oral report about: the success of Red Ribbon Week; the attendance of an RTI conference and an ILCD workshop; upcoming events; and the NeSA test results. Thank you Dr. Sidak, Mrs. Evette Watts, OYAO, Polk County Health Department, and Annie Jeffrey Memorial County Health Center for your presentations, organization skills, and donations in making Red Ribbon Week a big success!

Discussion:  MS/HS Principal Dale Maynard gave an oral report about: pursuing the engineering side of the robotics program; the attendance of seclusion and restraint training, and transition training; SWAG hosting a glow-in-the-dark game night; and the start of basketball at home is December 4th.

Discussion:  Superintendent Steven Rinehart gave his oral and written report about: a Board holiday party after the December regular board meeting; agenda items; the helpfulness of the negotiations software; the selling of surplus basketball shooting equipment; the purchasing of equipment to allow "on-the-move" Striv TV video feed; and the minimum wage law increase.

Discussion:  There were no board reports.

Discussion:  The FFA Alumni Association has the opportunity to acquire a greenhouse for the agricultural and FFA programs. The Board showed interest, but wants more information about the setup and operating expenses of the greenhouse. FFA Alumni Association will be contacted.

Discussion:  Mrs. Nicole Kropatsch was elected as a board member in November. If Mrs. Kropatsch decides to keep teaching at Osceola Public Schools, she will need to resign her board member position. If that is the case, an ad will be placed in The Polk County News to search for another candidate from whom the Board will appoint to her vacated position.

Discussion:  President Schleif repeated that a motion was made by Darin Sterup and seconded by Jennifer Boruch to enter into executive session at 8:34PM for the protection of the public interest or to prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual in compliance with the law until the finish of business for discussion of the superintendent's evaluation and a strategy session with respect to negotiations/collective bargaining.