Special board meeting on legislative issues

ODESSA – The Board of Directors of Odessa School District #105 met in the high school library on Wednesday, April 28, at 6 p.m. The meeting was also available via ZOOM. The board also held a workshop in the district office at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the 2021-2022 budget and staffing. Present were board members Ed Deife, Janie Steward, Heather Valverde, Chris Crossley and Carmen Weishaar, Superintendent Dan Read, Principal Jamie Nelson, Assistant Business Manager Staci Claassen, Operations Supervisor Justin Parr and Athletic Director Bruce Todd.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the March 24, 2021 regular board meeting, payroll warrants #613630 and 613648, direct deposit warrants #900008254-900008310 for $310,688.63, general fund void/reissue warrant #613649, $752.35; general fund A/P warrants #613650-613695 for $54,887.75 and ASB fund A/P warrants #613696-613708 for $5,617.66. It also accepted the resignation of Amber Walker as the first-grade teacher.

Superintendent’s report

Read reported a student enrollment of 203.58 full-time equivalent students. He then reviewed highlights of the proposed 2021-2022 school year calendar, the main considerations of which are the discontinuation of early release Wednesdays and a change to the school day of 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Discussion followed on the most recent COVID numbers for the county, the Student Well-Being Recovery Plan and upcoming levy rule changes.

Principal’s report

Nelson reported that the National Honor Society inducted new members on April 19, that Katreace Boss placed third in the FFA District 9 Employment Skills LDE and that the annual FFA plant sale would begin May 1. She also reported the FBLA students had a successful state competition with several groups placing. Emily Scrupps, Chloe Winkler, Yvette Davey, Laela Hardung and Ashlyn Neilsen also received awards for their Regional/State STEM Research Projects.

AD report

Bruce Todd reported baseball, track and golf seasons are finishing up and the basketball season will immediately follow. Jon Hayashi will be the junior high head boys basketball coach pending board approval. An assistant junior high girls basketball coach is still needed. Todd also reported that scheduling is underway for winter sports and that the camera system will be installed this week at the football field.

Legislative report

A report will be reviewed at the May 12 Special Board Meeting.

Facilities report

Justin Parr reported a quote has been received for the HVAC system controls project.

Parr also reported that bus drivers are busy with sporting events and end-of=year trips. Applications for the open bus driver position are being accepted, and the hiring process will begin later this summer.

The community garden project is progressing with the addition of raised beds.

Financial report

Superintendent Read presented the ASB balance sheet for March, as well as the financial activity reports for the general fund for March showing an unassigned fund balance of $860,047.93.

Board member approvals

Assurances of employment for 2021-2022 to certificated and classified staff as presented by Superintendent Read, the hiring of Koree Smith and Ashley Kniola for the food service position, the 2021-2022 school calendar with the student’s first day being August 30, 2021, and the last day of school being June 10, 2022 (Read noted that input was received on several calendar options from staff prior to the recommendation of the final calendar proposal), the band trip to Silverwood on May 16 and the senior class trip to Silverwood on June 3, the hiring Jon Hayashi as JH head boys basketball coach, the Wilson Creek sports agreement amendment and the heating control project utilizing the Small Works Roster.

Also approved was a Special Board Meeting on May 12, 2021 at 6 p.m.

The next regular board meeting will be held Wednesday, May 26, at 6 p.m. in the high school library, with a workshop at 5:30 p.m. before the regular meeting.