Oskaloosa School Board Leadership Changes
Former Oskaloosa School Board member and president Tom Richardson receives a plaque recognizing his years of service to the district.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Some changes to the Oskaloosa School Board took place on Tuesday night when Tom Richardson retired from the board after being defeated by Lynette Stream.
Before the change of the board and leadership, the previous board finished some business that was conducted under their watch.
The board was presented with the 2016-17 certified annual report and depository balances. No action was required for that presentation.
The board heard a request for the School Budget Review Committee to increase spending authority for the district. All voted in favor of the request with the exception of Carl Drost.
The board, in its final action, approved a 1.4 million dollar bid to update the high school gymnasium structure.
Before stepping down, Richardson spoke about the things he hopes to continue doing away from the board. He also stated that he doesn’t intend to run for school board in the future.
The board then reviewed the election results, and adjourned so the new board could swear in its new member and elect officers.
Shelly Herr who was the board’s vice president, was voted in unanimously as the new board president, replacing Richardson.
Sharma Parlett was voted in as the board’s vice-president.
Carl Drost, at the beginning of the nomination process, said that he wouldn’t seek either of those positions. Drost had previously served as board president before Richardson.
Kraig Van Hulzen was appointed as board delegate to the Sick Leave Bank Committee.
Erik Edgren was tasked with being the Oskaloosa School District representative to the Mahaska County Conference Board.
Carl Drost was appointed as representative to the Oskaloosa Education Foundation.
MidWest One Bank, TruBank, and Bank Iowa were named as depositories for the Oskaloosa Community School District.
Greg Life is currently the district’s legal counsel and was reappointed to that position.
The board heard a presentation on physical education curriculum and standards.
The board directed Superintendent Russ Reiter to begin discussion on goals of licensed staff salary structure.
The next scheduled meeting of the Oskaloosa School Board is Tuesday, October 10th, at 6pm.
