MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ISD #361 INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINNESOTA April 20, 2009 5:00 p.m. School Board Members present: Mark Lassila, Will Kostiuk, Darrell Wagner, Roger Jerome, Michelle Heber, and Stuart Nordquist. Also present were Don Langan- Superintendent, Kevin Grover-Assistant to the Superintendent and Garrett McKay- Student Representative. School Board Members absent: none Media Present: The Daily Journal, KGHS/KSDM Moved by R. Jerome, seconded by M. Hebner to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Student of the Month certificates were presented to Shelby Thorstad and Calvin Phung for the month of April and Katrina Holden and Jake Ruelle for the month of May. Chuck Remus, FHS Speech Coach gave a description of the Bronco competitive speech program. Following his presentation Shelby Thorstad and Anna Remus presented their speeches which they have used in regional and state competition. Reggie Engebritson, Special Education Director with the Northland Special Education Cooperative gave an overview of special education requirements and services. Parent Jamie Mark expressed her viewpoint that paraprofessionals should be in attendance at IEP meetings. Diana Hoopingarner, grandparent, spoke to the benefit of continuity of the same paraprofessional following a special needs child year after year. Director Engebritson responded to concerns assuring all parties that services and procedures will comply with IDEA, state law and best practices. Ladd Kocinski, Secondary Industrial Education Teacher, addressed the board with items for consideration in regards to his request for extension of the early retirement incentive to allow his retirement at the end of the 2011 school year. Chris Foreman, parent, related her concern regarding current class size in fifth grade classrooms. She asked the board to consider an additional section for next years sixth grade to address this problem. Moved by R.Jerome, seconded by S. Nordquist to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 16, 2009. Motion carried by a unanimous vote.
Moved by M. Lassila, seconded by W. Kostiuk to approve the bills due and payable amounting to $376,754.41 including check numbers 107718 through 107869. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by R. Jerome, seconded by M. Lassila to accept the program consent agenda items as presented. Motion was amended by R. Jerome and amendment seconded by M. Lassila to remove consent agenda item 8.1.3 at the request of Board Member W. Kostiuk. Motion to approve items 8.1.1 8.1.2 and items 8.1.4 through 8.1.7 was carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by M. Lassila, seconded by M. Hebner to approve item 8.1.3. Motion carried by a 5-1 vote with Board Member W. Kostiuk voting against. 8.1.1 Accept donations in the amount of $8,477.50 3/5/09 Target; Falls Elementary $266.01 3/5/09 Target; Falls High School $546.00 3/5/09 Target; West End Elem. $149.53 3/10/09 Various Donors; FHS Band Trip $749.99 3/10/09 Salvation Army; FHS Band Trip $120.00 3/10/09 Charlene Jensen; FHS Band Trip $400.00 3/10/09 North Star Publishing; FHS Band Trip $210.00 3/10/09 Bronco Track Boosters; Bronco Track $742.97 3/10/09 Anonymous; FHS Library $ 39.00 3/12/09 Various Donors; FHS Band Trip $ 39.00 3/12/09 Various Donors; FHS Band Trip $200.00 3/12/09 Bremer; FHS Band Trip $250.00 3/12/09 Salvation Army; FHS Band Trip $120.00 3/12/09 Various Donors; FHS Band Trip $1484.00 3/12/09 Various Donors; FHS Band Trip $1269.00 3/16/09 Various Donors; FHS Band Trip $381.00 3/17/09 Various Donors; FHS Band Trip $220.00 3/30/09 AM Endowment Foundation; FHS Band Trip $1,000.00 3/30/09 Various Donors; FHS Band Trip $86.00 3/30/09 Coca Cola; Camp Invention $205.00 8.1.2 Approve a contract with Nagurski Studios for elementary school pictures for the 2009-2010 school year. 8.1.3 Approve a contract with Lifetouch Studios for secondary school pictures for the 2009-2010 school year. 8.1.4 Approve a change in the 2008-2009 school calendar which would change May 8 from a teacher in-service day to a student attendance-instruction day. 8.1.5 Approve the application for Title VII Indian Education grant monies for FY10. 8.1.6 Receive authorization for the Superintendent to continue analysis of Van Iwaarden actuarial study for OPEB liability. 8.1.7 Approve the low bid from Contract Tile of Duluth, Minnesota for the Falls High School Flooring replacement project in the amount of $79,616. Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by M. Lassila to accept the personnel consent agenda items as presented. Motion was amended by W. Kostiuk and amendment seconded by
M. Lassila to remove consent agenda item 8.2.15 at the request of Board Member S. Nordquist. Motion was unanimously carried to approve personnel consent agenda items 8.2.1 through 8.2.14 and 8.2.16 through 8.2.20. 8.2.1 Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Local 510 for settlement of a grievance in lieu of arbitration. 8.2.2 Accept the resignation of Tara Hiscock as assistant girls hockey coach effective March 25, 2009. 8.2.3 Accept the resignation of Roberta Boyum as a secondary Family and Consumer Science Teacher and Early Childhood Family Education parent Facilitator effective May 31, 2010 and pursuant to the terms of the Early Retirement 8.2.4 Accept the resignation of Kevin Dowty as an elementary teacher effective May 31, 2010 and pursuant to the terms of the Early Retirement 8.2.5 Accept the resignation of Donna Frederickson as a K-12 music teacher 8.2.6 Accept the resignation of Emmi Lattu as a kindergarten teacher effective May 31, 2010 and pursuant to the terms of the Early Retirement 8.2.7 Accept the resignation of Mary Moe as a kindergarten teacher effective May 31, 2010 and pursuant to the terms of the Early Retirement 8.2.8 Accept the resignation of John Prettyman as an elementary teacher 8.2.9 Accept the resignation of Randee Roketa as a kindergarten teacher 8.2.10 Accept the resignation of Darrell Schmidt as a secondary English teacher 8.2.11 Accept the resignation of Karen Swenson as an elementary teacher 8.2.12 Accept the resignation of Daniel Zika as an elementary teacher effective May 31, 2010 and pursuant to the terms of the Early Retirement 8.2.13 Accept the resignation of Sharon Zika as a Title I teacher effective May 31, 2010 and pursuant to the terms of the Early Retirement 8.2.14 Approve a leave of absence request from Joan Pearson beginning the 2010-11 school year through the 2014-2015 school years pursuant to M.S. 122A.46.
8.2.16 Approve the hire of Paul Hjelle as head boys and girls cross country coach for the 2009-2010 season pursuant to Schedule C of the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 331. 8.2.17 Approve the hire of Jill Herzig as head girls swimming coach for the 2009-2010 season pursuant to Schedule C of the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 331. 8.2.18 Approve the hire of Erin Shikowsky as head girls volleyball coach for the 2009-2010 season pursuant to Schedule C of the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 331. 8.2.19 Acknowledge Josh Koenig as a volunteer boys baseball coach for the 2009 season. 8.2.20 Accept the resignation of Danni Kallerman as an educational support professional effective Friday, April 17, 2009. Moved by S. Nordquist, seconded by W. Kostiuk to approve personnel consent agenda item 8.2.15. Motion carried by a five to one vote with Board Member R. Jerome voting against. 8.2.15 Approve the retirement of Ladd Kocinski effective May 31, 2011 in accord with the terms outlined in his letter of retirement. Moved by R. Jerome, seconded by W. Kostiuk to accept the personnel agenda items 8.3.1 and 8.3.2 as presented. Board Member S. Nordquist removed himself from discussion and voting due to conflict of interest. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. 8.3.1 Accept the resignation of Susan Nordquist as a secondary Spanish teacher effective May 31, 2009 and pursuant to the terms of the Early Retirement 8.3.2 Approve the hire of Stuart Nordquist as head football coach for the for the 2009-2010 season pursuant to Schedule C of the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 331. The Board received amended policy 701 Non-instructional operations and business services policy for review and action at the May meeting. Also received was a draft version of a Superintendent Assessment Form for acceptance at the May meeting. Member S. Nordquist introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION PROPOSING TO PLACE MARIE SANDBECK ON UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR.05 FTE BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 361, as follows:
1. That it is proposed that Marie Sandbeck, a teacher of said school district, be placed on unrequested leave of absence for.05 fte without pay or fringe benefits, effective at the end of the 2008-2009 school year on June 30, 2009, pursuant to M.S. 122A.40, subdivision 11. 2. That written notice be sent to said teacher regarding the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence for.05 fte without pay or fringe benefits as provided by law and said notice shall include a date for hearing if requested and be in substantially the following form: Ms. Marie Sandbeck 3637 County Road 21 International Falls, MN 56649 Dear Ms. Sandbeck: NOTICE OF PROPOSED PLACEMENT ON UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE You are hereby notified that at the regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 361 held on April 20, 2009, consideration was given to your placement on unrequested leave of absence of.05 fte without pay or fringe benefits as a teacher of Independent School District No. 361, and a resolution was adopted by a majority vote of the Board, proposing your placement on unrequested leave of absence effective at the end of the 2008-2009 year on June 30, 2009, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 122A.40, subdivision 11 upon the grounds described in said statute and which are specifically as follows: discontinuance of your position; namely, an elementary teacher, the financial limitations of the school district and decrease in enrollment. Under the provisions of the law, you are entitled to a hearing before the school board provided that you make a request in writing within fourteen days after receipt of this notice. If no hearing is requested within such period, it shall be deemed acquiescence by you to the school board s proposed action. Yours very truly, SCHOOL BOARD OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.361 Roger Jerome, Clerk 3. That each and all of the foregoing grounds of said notice are within the grounds for unrequested leave placement as set forth in M.S. 122A.40, subdivision 11 and are hereby adopted as fully as though separately set forth and resolved herein.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member M. Hebner and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: M. Lassila, W. Kostiuk, D. Wagner, R. Jerome, S. Nordquist and M. Hebner and the following voted against the same:none where upon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Moved by R. Jerome, seconded by M. Lassila to adopt the administration s recommendation for no program reductions impacting continuing contract teachers for the 2009-2010 school year. Motion carried unanimously. T. Everson, Falls High School Principal gave the following report: Enrollment is currently 621 which is four less than last month. The High School has finished their MCA testing and elementary students will begin next week. Course request forms have been completed and turned in. Structuring of the master schedule will begin this week with hopes of having schedules in students hands the first week of May. J. Hilfer, Fall Elementary & West End Elementary Principal reported as follows: Enrollment is 614 which is four less than last month. Dates to note: o April 20-23 is Grades 3-6 MCAII Math & Reading tests o April 21; Kindergarten orientation and registration o April 30; Elementary Band/Choir Concert in FES Gym o May 1; 3-4 grades spring concert in FES gym & KG Concert in FES gym o May 6-7 Muffins with Mom in FES cafeteria o May 12; Grade 5 MCAII science test o May 14; grades 1-2 spring concert in FHS gym o May 15; elementary track meet o May 28; last day of classes Teachers have submitted their professional growth plans. He felt they were good projects and demonstrated a lot of work. K. Grover, Assistant to the Superintendent gave the following report: After compiling information from around the region he is recommending to reimburse state competitors $8 per meal for state competition. This would be placed in the athletic handbook as procedure. NWEA testing in the elementary area is complete. Secondary students will start Thursday. The board will be given all testing results. Prom was held on Saturday. He commended those who worked on the prom which was very successful. Voyageurs National Park is proposing a program in which district staff can work with park staff to develop classroom curriculum. They would be compensated by the park with no expense to the district. The district would have to commit to
allowing the teacher to make presentations during National Park Week. This program would start the 2010-2011 school year. He is seeking input from any teacher who would be interested with action at the May meeting. D. Langan, Superintendent gave the following report: The Senate version of the education formula results in a reduction in the general fund of $330,879. This revenue loss would be in 2009-2010. The Governor s proposal would amount to a slight increase while the House version would be a flat line on everything. The district s current revenue budget was prepared according to current statute and formulas and is conservative. The Senate and House are looking at two things. One is general fund operating balances. Most districts who have the larger fund balances are in rural districts which also receive sparsity aid. Our district is currently at a 21% fund balance which is below the possibility of a 25% ceiling for balances. Secondly the million dollars per year from past sessions appropriated for Applied Learning Institute are still in both the Senate and House packages. There is a good chance these revenues will get through the process. He has been invited to join a delegation of educators to visit China the last week of June. This would be at no expense to the district. Garret McKay, Student Representative gave the following report: Prom was held last Saturday with approximately 55 couples attending. This is Spring Sports Week with an all sports feed barbeque on Wednesday in the parking lot. The week will end with a pep fest on Friday. April 29 th will be another blood drive sponsored by Student Council. They already have many donors signed up. They are working on election of officers for next year. Roger Jerome, Recreation Committee Member reported as follows: They are reviewing their budget which reflects minimal increases. They will act on the final budget in June. They are concerned about long-term funding. Moved by S. Nordquist, seconded by D. Wagner to close the meeting at 6:44 p.m. for a negotiations strategy session. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by S. Nordquist to reopen and subsequently adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Attest: Roger Jerome, Clerk