Odessa School Board

ODESSA – Some coaching positions filled, some newly opened

The school board has approved Jon Hayashi as the head coach of the junior-high girls basketball team. The board also approved Dalles Deife as a volunteer assistant volleyball coach, helping out head coach Suzie Deife who is coaching both the varsity and junior varsity teams.

The golf program is also likely to be offered later this spring if the number of students interested remains steady. Advertising for a golf coach has been posted.

The Board of Directors of Odessa School District #105 met in the library and the meeting was available via ZOOM on Wednesday, February 24, 2020 at 6 p.m., preceded by a workshop in the district office at 5:30 p.m. at which the board discussed the heating system and capital projects. Present were board chair Ed Deife; board members 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 January 27, 2021 regular board meeting; payroll warrants #613492 and 613510 and direct deposit warrants #900008132-900008192 for a total of $307,707.96; general fund A/P warrants #613511-613546 for $46,584.59 and ASB fund A/P warrants #613547-613558 for $4,825.86.

Superintendent’s report

Read reported 204.42 full-time equivalent students for the month of January. He shared the levy results of 70.74% for the Educational Programs Levy and 71.55% for the Capital Projects Levy and expressed his appreciation of the community support.

Read shared the latest Lincoln County COVID numbers, which have decreased significantly over the last few weeks. The staff will meet Thursday, March 4, to discuss plans for possibly extending the school day past 1:30 p.m.

The district will begin the process of adopting a new sex education curriculum for required implementation during the 2021-2022 school year, with Principal Jamie Nelson securing a sample curriculum for review by the curriculum committee.

Read requested that his contract renewal include a decrease from .8 to .6 full-time equivalency and include school years 2021-2022 through 2023-2024.

Principal’s Report

Nelson reported that first-semester academic awards were presented to students by grade level. Junior-high students receiving a 3.5 grade-point average or higher participated in the Take 5 Award which included lunch from Chiefs delivered to Larry Weber’s classroom.

Trooper Tom gave a presentation to each of the high school classes. A video highlighting the effects of social media on teenagers will be presented soon to 6-12th grade students. Parents will also have an opportunity to view the video.

FBLA completed their Winter Conference remotely with many teams placing.

AD Report

Bruce Todd reported the high school had their first football game and three volleyball matches last week with senior recognition for each sport. Junior high will begin football and volleyball competitions next week.

Todd reported that the camera in the gym has been installed but needs more calibration before it can operate.

Legislative Report

Read discussed a variety of bills that have met the cut-off deadline and are being considered by legislators.

Facilities Report

Justin Parr reported plans are moving forward on upgrading the HVAC system controls and that roof repairs have been weathering well. He also reported that bus inspections will happen next month.

Bus driver and head cook positions for the 2021-2022 school year have been posted.

Financial Report

Read presented the ASB balance sheet for January and the financial activity reports for the general fund for January showing an unassigned fund balance of $990,846.36.

Date of Next Regular Meeting

The next regular board meeting will be held Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the high school library. The board scheduled a workshop at 5:30 p.m. before the regular meeting.

Superintendent

Contract

The board unanimously approved the superintendent’s contract.

Board Recognition

Certificates of appreciation were presented to board members by Superintendent Read in honor of School Board Recognition Month, thanking them for their service to the district and to the community.