Leslie Bergstrom

The meeting focused on reviewing Wellness Policy 721, specifically section 721.08.02, which involves creating a Wellness Policy Report Card, an action not taken since 2020. Updates were provided on active school and community opportunities, including the 'Oregon In Motion' event, library book sales, and various recreational activities like pickleball and hiking. A detailed update on the Oregon Food Pantry highlighted budget uncertainties, increased need (serving 185-220 families monthly), and challenges securing Thanksgiving turkeys. District updates covered student support services such as mental health screeners for 6th and 10th graders, attendance procedure recalibration, and the Be a Champion Mentor Program. HR discussed collecting staff wellness input. Updates from Brooklyn emphasized hygiene promotion, plans to revitalize their school garden using DPI grant goals, and utilizing SEL survey data. Forest Edge reported on securing a grant for ballistic kits and creative student activities involving gardening and a bike blender for making salsa. Oregon High School noted the success of their cellphone policy, student club recruitment, and plans to work on the Healthy Schools Academy grant. Oregon Middle School plans to use SEL data and host a staff wellness walk. Prairie View detailed the use of their movement room and Zen Den, and plans to analyze SEL data for sense of belonging improvements. Rome Corners is focusing on outdoor student time and staff happiness initiatives. The School Nurse provided updates on vision/hearing screenings, immunization compliance reporting, and observed health trends including high rates of non-flu/covid illnesses and mental health concerns presenting physically. Committee goals included garden cleanup at BKE, promoting kindness at OMS, and assessing staff belonging needs at PVE.

The agenda for the meeting included several key sections. The Consent Calendar covered routine items such as approval of minutes from the previous meeting (specifically the February 9, 2026, meetings), approval of payments, Treasurer's Report, staff changes (resignations/retirements/assignments), field trip requests, donations, new scholarships, and safety drill reports. Information items included the Superintendent's Report highlighting student achievements, a public comment period, and reports from the Oregon Education Association and students. Discussion items involved committee reports from the Visioning Steering Committee and Policy Committee, and a discussion concerning funding for the Oregon Splash Pad. An additional information item addressed the 2026-2027 Staffing Plan and updates on Strategic Planning, Teaching & Learning, and Federal/State Legislation. A Closed Session was planned to discuss negotiating the SRO Agreement for the 2026-2028 school years.

The meeting agenda was approved, followed by the Consent Calendar. Key items approved included payments totaling $1,657,931.21 and several staff retirements and one resignation for certified and educational assistant positions, effective in the spring and summer. The Superintendent's Report covered student highlights. Discussion items focused on committee reports, including updates from the Visioning Steering Committee and the Policy Committee. Further information was provided regarding the operationalization of the Portrait of a Graduate through school goal reports and an update on Federal and State legislative matters, particularly concerning Wisconsin's budget surplus. The board moved into a closed session to prepare for negotiations with the Oregon Education Association for the 2026-27 collective bargaining agreement and to review health insurance bid negotiations.

The Policy Committee meeting agenda included Old Business regarding a possible change to the premium-only Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Post-Retirement Benefit for eligible employees, transitioning from the 403(b) Benefit, and updates to Policy 611 concerning Financial Policies, specifically Fund Balance Calculation as prescribed by GASB standards. The discussion on the HRA benefit involved phasing in the minimum retirement age requirement for administrators and discussing investment fund choices. The committee also reviewed the details of the proposed HRA for legacy employees, comparing the status quo versus the proposed HRA structure across various retirement scenarios. Policy 611 revisions addressed the classification of various fund balances, including Non-spendable, Restricted, Committed, Assigned, and Unassigned Fund Balances, and detailed procedures for the use of the General Fund Unassigned Balance.

The meeting's agenda was approved. The Consent Calendar included the approval of minutes from four previous meetings (November 10, November 19, December 1, and December 3, 2025), approval of payments totaling $2,047,551.85, review of the Treasurer's Report ending October 31, 2025, acceptance of staff retirements, and acceptance of numerous donations for various district projects, including the 8th Grade Leaf Raking Project, Oregon Special Olympics, the Splash Pad, and athletic programs. Under Action Items, the Board received the Audit Report for 2024-25 and approved the Fund Balance Report. Additionally, the Board approved the 10-year Capital Plan (Fund 46) by a 6-1 vote. Discussion items included updates from the Visioning Steering Committee and the Policy Committee, a Teaching & Learning update on Rome Corners Intermediate School Goals, the DPI Report Card Update (where the district scored its highest yet), information on the Spring 2026 Election, and a Federal and State Legislative Update. The Board also moved into a closed session to review applications for the District Superintendent position.