MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ISD #361 JANUARY 22, 2013 6:00 p.m. Falls High School Library PRELIMINARIES: 1.0 CALL TO ORDER 2.0 ROLL CALL: Meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Willi Kostiuk at 6:00 p.m. Members present were Michelle Hebner, Michael Holden, Darrell Wagner, and Dena Wenberg. Also present was Superintendent Nordy Nelson and Student Representative Anna Ringhofer. Member Gordon Dault participated in the meeting via Skype from the location of Casa Aquamarine Soliman Bay, Tulum Riviera Maya, Tulum Quintana Roo, Mexico. Media Present: The Journal 3.0 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4.0 PREVIEW & APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Agenda was amended by changing item 12.1.3 from termination to resignation and item 14.2 to February 7 th. Item 13.1 was moved to take place following agenda approval. Moved by D. Wagner, seconded by M. Holden to approve amended agenda. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Don Zierke, School Financial Auditor from Miller-McDonald, Inc. presented the report of the FY12 audit. He highlighted fund balances, student adm s and current and past findings with corrective action plans. 5.0 ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Vice-Chairperson W. Kostiuk called for nominations for the position of Chairperson. Member M. Hebner nominated Darrell Wagner for the office of Chairperson. Motion was seconded by member M. Holden. After calling for nominations twice more and no further nominations made, the vote was called for. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. Newly-elected Chairperson D. Wagner called for nominations for the position of Vice- Chairperson. Member W. Kostiuk nominated G. Dault for the office of Vice Chairperson. Motion was seconded by member D. Wenberg. After calling for nominations twice more and no further nominations made, the vote was called for. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. 6.0 OPEN FORUM 6.1 Student of the Month Certificates were presented to Hallie Bates and Cody Esler. 6.2 An appreciation plaque was presented to Mark Lassila for his service on the School Board. 6.3 Public Open Forum: Darrell Schmidt, secondary Advanced Placement English Teacher assisted by Hallie Bates and Anna Ringhofer presented a synopsis of the rigors of the Advanced Placement English course offered at Falls High School.
7.0 Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by M. Holden to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of December 17, 2012 and the special meeting of January 7, 2013. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. 8.0 Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by M. Holden to approve the bills due and payable amounting to $382,422.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS: 9.0 Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by M. Holden to approve the 2013-14 Annual Facilities Plan. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. The approved plan will complete the indoor air quality project in all Falls High, West End and Falls Elementy classrooms. 10.0 Update on bus emergency notification plans: Superintendent N. Nelson updated the Board on the plan to place rosters in all district busses for use in notification of parents in a delayed or emergency bus situation. NEW BUSINESS: 11.0 Program Consent: 11.1 Accept donations in the amount of $19,302.76. 12/14/12 Wherley Motors; arena scoreboard advertising 500.00 12/21/12 Larry & Alyce Mannausau; FES Library in memory Marge Hayward 100.00 12/21/12 Dave & Gigie Harder; FES Library in memory Marge Hayward 10.00 12/28/12 Falls Education Foundation; grants to ISD 361 for teaching supplies 16692.76 12/31/12 Fairview Healthline; arena scoreboard advertising 1000.00 12/31/12 Wells Fargo Bank; arena scoreboard advertising 1000.00 $19302.76 11.2 For the period of January 1, 2013 through January 30, 2014 designate Bremer Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, both of International Falls, the Minnesota Liquid Asset Fund (MSDLAF), and PMA with Associated Bank as official depositories. 11.3 Designate The Journal as the official publication for the school district. 11.4 Designate Ratwik, Rosak & Maloney as the district s legal counsel for the period of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. 11.5 Appoint Melissa Tate as the LEA Representative in filing an application for funds as provided under Public Law 103-382 for Title I, and II funding for the 2012-13 school year. 11.6 Appoint Tom Vollom as the LEA representative for Title VII Indian Education for the 2012-13 school year. 11.7 Appoint Brenda LeDuc as the Homeless Liaison for the 2012-2013 school year as recommended by Superintendent Nelson. 11.8 Appoint Tim Everson as Human Rights Officer for the 2012-13 school year. 11.9 Appoint Susan Palm as Human Rights Officer for adult female employees for the 2012-13 school year. 11.10 Appoint Kevin Grover as the secondary Section 504 Officer for the 2012-13 school year. 11.11 Appoint Melissa Tate as the elementary Section 504 Officer for the 2012-13 school year. 11.12 Appoint Nordy Nelson as the Title IX Officer for the 2012-13 school year. 11.13 Appoint Nordy Nelson, Tina Besch, Michelle Hopkins and Stacy Frederickson with authority for wire transfers for the district s financial operations. 11.14 Approve a request from the fifth grade teachers for participation in a 2013 fundraiser to support a field trip to the Forest History Center in May, 2013. 11.15 Approve a non-financial agreement with Kootasca Head Start for definition of services to students requiring early childhood special education services. Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by D. Wenberg to approve the program consent agenda items as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote.
12.0 Personnel Consent: 12.1.1 Accept the resignation of Stephanie Knaack as an Educational Support Professional effective January 2, 2013. 12.1.2 Accept the resignation of Joanna Brunkhorst as an Educational Support Professional effective January 4, 2013. 12.1.3 Approve the termination resignation of Jamie Fentem as an Educational Support Professional effective January 2, 2013. 12.1.4 Approve the hire of Elizabeth Ingerson as an Educational Support Professional effective 1/2/13 and in accord with the master agreement between ISD 361 and Local 4798 and contingent upon passage of the para pro assessment test. 12.1.5 Approve the hire of Lynda Faith as an hourly Title I Teacher for 2 hours per day and in accord with Schedule D of the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 331. 12.1.6 Approve replacement of two Educational Support Professionals due to resignations/retirements. 12.1.7 Approve the hire of Dustin Christopherson as a full-time custodian effective on or about February 6, 2013 and in accord with the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 510. 12.1.8 Approve the hire of Nick Schoenecker as the Assistant Boys Baseball Coach for the 2013 season in accord with Schedule C of the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 331. 12.1.9 Approve the hire of Karen Bates as the Speech Coach for the 2013 season in accord with Schedule D of the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 331. Moved by M. Holden, seconded by W. Kostiuk to approve the personnel consent agenda items as presented or amended. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. 13.0 Other New Business: 13.1 Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by M. Holden to approve the FY12 audit per the report presented by Mr. Donald Zierke, a school financial auditor from Miller-McDonald, Inc. and Superintendent recommendation. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. 13.2 Per audit findings a policy on school purchasing authority has been developed for School Board review. Policy to be considered for formal action at the February meeting. 13.3 Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by G. Dault to grant approval for the Superintendent to gather cost estimates and RFPs for renovations to the School district kitchens and dining areas in need of upgrade in terms of equipment and aesthetics. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. 13.4 Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by G. Dault to grant permission to the Superintendent to initiate board conversation on future planning regarding potential sale of the district s bus transportation fleet. The board facility committee will be utilized to compile possible scenarios of the district s transportation fleet. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. 13.5 Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by D. Wenbert to accept the Superintendent s recommendation for acceptance of the low bid from Shannons, Inc. in the amount of $512,500.00 for the phase 3 classroom ventilation upgrade project at Falls High School. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. 13.6 Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by W. Kostiuk to adopt the Resolution Directing the Administration to Make Recommendations for Reductions in Programs and Positions and Reasons Therefor. Motion carried unanimously and reads as follows:
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCTIONS IN PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS AND REASONS THEREFOR. Whereas, the financial conditions of the School District may dictate that the School Board reduce expenditures, and Whereas, there may be a decline in student enrollment projections, and Whereas, reductions in expenditures and decrease in student enrollment projections may include discontinuance of positions and discontinuance or curtailment of programs, and Whereas, a determination must be made as to which teachers' contracts must be terminated and not renewed and which teachers may be placed on Unrequested Leave Of Absence without pay or fringe benefits in affecting discontinuance of positions. BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 361, as follows: That the School Board hereby directs the Superintendent of Schools and Administration to consider the discontinuance of programs or positions to effectuate economies in the School District and reduce expenditures and make recommendations to the School Board for the discontinuance of programs, curtailment of programs, discontinuance of positions or curtailment of positions as needed. REPORTS AND INFORMATION: 14.0 Future meeting dates: 14.1 Administrative Salary Committee negotiations with Falls Principals Association; January 23, 2013, 4:00 p.m. Falls High School Room 130 14.2 Local 331 Committee negotiations with Local 331; February 7, 2013 4:00 p.m. Falls High School Room 130 14.3 Superintendent is requesting date for public input on school safety. 14.4 Superintendent is requesting date for School Board in-service and work session. After discussion it was determined to hold a School Board work session on February 13 th at 5:30 p.m. followed by a public meeting on school safety at 7:00 p.m. to be held in the school cafeteria. 15.0 Administrative Reports: 15.1 Melissa Tate, FES/WEE Principal: - enrollment is currently 632 - parent teacher conferences for selected students will be held on January 28 th from 4:30 8:30 p.m. Families of students not selected may have a conference upon request. - a grant application for PBIS has been submitted with award notification by 2/22/13. - The Reading Well by 3 rd Grade plan has been resubmitted. A copy will be posted to the school district website. - initiatives for strategies have been planned to motivate grades Pre K 6 for taking the MCA tests. Pep fests, inspirational notes and quick reading and math problems are a few noted. 15.2 Tim Everson, FHS Principal (as reported by M. Tate) - Enrollment is currently 567
- John Sandberg s 8 th grade social studies class has undertaken school projects of which one was lobbying for colder water fountains. Another will be the possibility of a senior trip either during the year or the summer following their graduation in 2017. - Today marks the first day of third quarter. 15.3 Nordy Nelson, Superintendent - MSBA Winter Institute: He, along with two board members, attended the MSBA winter conference in Minneapolis. The general speaker was very good and spoke on the topic of building trust. He also attended sessions on principal and teacher observations, discipline and discharge. - He met with representatives from TSP Architects and Global Pool Specialty regarding the costs for repair of the pool. The cost incurred was well over $160,000 of which he feels the district has no liability. Resolution of this bill will more than likely require mediation. - Legislation (PSEO): he will be meeting with Senator Tom Baak and Representative Dave Dill on this topic on February 5 th in an attempt to get legislation to recoup some of the losses due to post-secondary enrollment. ISD 361 incurs higher participation and consequent revenue loss than any other district in the area. 16.0 Committee Reports: 16.1 D. Wenberg reported the Recreation Board met but did not have a quorum to conduct business. D. Wagner reported on a session he attended at MSBA which covered effective strategies for School Boards and Superintendents to get along and definition of their roles in the district. He also relayed that MSBA recommended adopting the School Board Code of Ethics each year. G. Dault added that he had attended that session also and felt it was very important. 16.2 Student Representative A. Ringhofer reported that two students had raised $155.75 for Sandy Hook Elementary. Winter Sports Week is approaching with an athletic feed, pep fest and other activities. The National Honor Society will be inducting new members on Sunday, January 27 th. The FHS band is operating a coat check at the basketball games as a fund raiser for their spring trip to Chicago. Prom Committee is selling pizzas as a fund raiser also. A Valentine s Day dance will be held for grades 9-12. Jeans for Teens are being collected in the front lobby of the High School. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by D. Wenber to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Attest: M. Holden, Clerk