MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ISD #361 INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINNESOTA January 20, 2009 5:00 p.m. School Board Members present: Mark Lassila, Willi Kostiuk, Darrell Wagner, Michelle Heber, and Stuart Nordquist. Also present were Don Langan-Superintendent, Kevin Grover-Assistant to the Superintendent and Brittney Long-Student Representative. School Board Members absent: Roger Jerome Media Present: The Daily Journal, The Certificates of Election were read to certify the election of Stuart Nordquist, Mark Lassila and Michelle Hebner each to a four year term beginning January 20, 2009 and ending January of 2013. Oaths of Office were given to Stuart Nordquist, Mark Lassila and Michelle Hebner to install them as duly elected board members. D. Langan, Superintendent called for election of officers beginning with the position of Board Chairperson. S. Nordquist nominated Roger Jerome with W. Kostiuk seconding the motion. M. Hebner nominated Darrell Wagner with M. Lassila seconding the motion. After calling for further nominations three times it was motioned by S. Nordquist, seconded by M. Lassila and voted unanimously to close the nominations for Board Chairperson. A roll call vote was taken for the first nomination for Roger Jerome with votes as follows: M. Lassila-Nay, W. Kostiuk-Aye, D. Wagner-Nay, M. Hebner-Nay and Stuart Nordquist-Aye. Motion was defeated with a vote total of three nays to two ayes. A roll call vote was taken for the second nomination for Darrell Wagner with votes as follows: M. Lassila-Aye, W. Kostiuk-Nay, D. Wagner-Aye, M. Hebner-Aye and Stuart Nordquist-Nay. Motion was carried with a vote total of three ayes to two nays. Darrell Wagner consequently took over as Board Chair for the remainder of the meeting. D. Wagner, Board Chair called for nominations for the position of Clerk. M. Lassila nominated R. Jerome with M. Hebner seconding the motion. With no further nominations made after being called for three times, the nomination on the table was carried unanimously. D. Wagner, Board Chair called for nominations for the position of Treasurer. M. Hebner nominated M. Lassila with W. Kostuik seconding the motion. With no further nominations made after being called for three times, the nomination on the table was carried unanimously. D. Wagner, Board Chair called for nominations for the position of Vice-Chairperson. M. Lassila nominated M. Hebner with W. Kostiuk seconding the motion. With no further
nominations made after being called for three times, the nomination on the table was carried unanimously. Moved by M. Lassila, seconded by M. Hebner to approve the agenda as presented. Superintendent Langan requested the agenda be amended by removing personnel item 13.2.5 regarding the special education coordinator position and replacing it with a new item 13.2.5 which would suspend the science/math position at Falls Elementary and reassign affected teacher into a newly vacated elementary position. Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by M. Hebner to amend the agenda as discussed. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Students of the month awards were deferred to the February meeting as students were unable to attend. There was no request from the Audience to address the Board during Open Forum. Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by S. Nordquist to hold the regular school board meetings on the third Monday of each month with meeting to begin at 5:00 p.m. Notation was made that if the meeting coincides with a legal holiday it will be moved to the following Tuesday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Board Chair D. Wagner set the following committees: A. Administrative Salary Committee: D. Wagner, M. Lassila, R. Jerome B. Local 510 Salary Committee: S. Nordquist, R. Jerome, M. Hebner C. Local 331 Salary Committee: D. Wagner, M. Lassila, W. Kostiuk D. Local 4798 Salary Committee: W. Kostiuk, M. Hebner, S. Nordquist E. Recreation Committee: S. Nordquist, R. Jerome F. MSBA Legislative Representative: S. Nordquist G. MSHSL Representative: R. Jerome H. Continuing Education Committee W. Kostiuk I. Community Education Advisory Bd: M. Lassila, R. Jerome J. IEIC Committee: M. Hebner K. Meet & Confer: Committee as a Whole L. Grievance Committee: M. Lassila, R. Jerome M. Collaborative Committee: R. Jerome Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by M. Hebner to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 15, 2009 with correction of adding W. Kostiuk as in attendance. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by M. Lassila, seconded by M. Hebner to approve the bills due and payable amounting to $332,491.32 including check numbers 107293 through 107446. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by S. Nordquist, seconded by M. Hebner to accept the program consent agenda as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. 13.1.1 Accept donations in the amount of $3,578.00 12/3/08 Northland Foundation; Camp Invention $410.00 12/7/08 TruStar; Camp Invention $205.00 12/16/08 Lion s Club; Camp Invention $200.00
12/17/08 Border State Bank; Elem. Band/Choir Sports $100.00 12/23/08 Various Donors; Secondary Band Trip $2335.00 12/23/08 Bronco Swim Boosters; Girls Swimming $ 300.00 12/29/08 Anonymous; FHS Library $ 28.00 13.1.2 Appoint Jerry Hilfer as the LEA Representative in filing an application for funds as provided under Public Law 103-382 for Title I, II, IV and V funding for the 2009-2010 school year. 13.1.3 Accept a Letter of Concurrence from the Indian Education Advisory Council. 13.1.4 Approve the 2009-10 Annual Facilities Plan Notation was made on item 13.1.4 that an expenditure in the amount of $44,640.00 which is the remaining balance for the window panel replacement project at Falls Elementary School will not be expended prior to the end of this fiscal year. Consequently that expenditure line item needs to be moved from the 2008-09 Facility budget to the 2009-10 budget. Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by M. Hebner to remove personnel item 13.2.5 from the consent agenda. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by S. Nordquist, seconded by M. Lassila and carried unanimously to approve personnel items 13.2.1 through 13.2.4. 13.2.1 Acknowledge Ashley Kostiuk and Kylee LaVigne as volunteer coaches with the Boys Swim Team. 13.2.2 Acknowledge Ron Peterson and Alyssa Ruelle as a volunteer coaches with the girls basketball team. 13.2.3 Hire Marilyn Bigler as a replacement Educational Support Professional for 7 hours per student contact day in accord with the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 4798. 13.2.4 Accept the resignation of Debbie Gushulak as an elementary teacher effective January 31, 2009. 13.2.5 Approve the assignment of Andy Fougner as district Special Education Coordinator with all costs to be borne by Federal special education revenues. THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND REPLACED WITH A NEW 13.2.5 SEPARATE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. Moved by M. Hebner to post the vacant elementary position. Motion died for lack of a second. It was then moved by M. Lassila, seconded by W. Kostiuk to approve new personnel item 13.2.5. Motion carried by a four to one vote with Member M. Hebner voting against. 13.2.5 Suspend the science/math coordinator position for the remainder of the school year and reassign D. Lorenson to the elementary position vacated by D. Gushulak.
The tentative FY2010 Revenue Budget was distributed for Board perusal. Formal action will be taken at the regular meeting in February. Member S. Nordquist introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: 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. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member M. Lassila and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: M. Lassila, W. Kostiuk, D. Wagner, M. Hebner and S. Nordquist and the following voted against: none whereupon said resolution was duly passed and adopted. Jerry Hilfer, FES/WES Principal, gave the following report: Enrollment is currently 617 which is increased one from last month. An in-service for paraprofessionals was held on January 19 th. Topics were bullying and the paraprofessional handbook. The teacher in-service included time with Dr. Jeff Hardwig, information on Renaissance Learning Resources including Star Math & Reading, Math Facts in a Flash and Accelerated Reader. Dave Skwarok also presented training on advanced technology with copy machines. Three lyceums were conducted by presenters from the Minnesota Science Museum. Program resulted from money earned from Box Tops for Education
Program. Appreciation was given to Angie Schwartz and Deana Lorenson for their work with arranging the lyceums. Tim Everson, FHS Principal, gave the following report: Enrollment is 634 which is no change from last month. Today was the first day of second semester with students allowed to drop/add classes through Tuesday of next week. Winter Sports Week is scheduled for February 2-6. Kevin Grover, Assistant to the Superintendent, gave the following report: The Minnesota State High School League is promoting legislation which would allow local levy authority for 4% of basic aid to run after school programs. This will be carefully watched as there are both pros and cons to this legislation. A thank you was extended to the Falls Police Department for their coverage at the boys hockey game the prior evening. Don Langan, Superintendent gave the following report: During the last three sessions a bill has been in both the house and senate to change the On-line learning law to impose procedural changes to the State s policy to level the playing field. The bills have been vetted to both the Department of Education and Education Minnesota. He will travel to the capitol to meet with legislators to work on these changes. The Governor is promoting legislation which would make Q-Comp mandatory for all Minnesota school districts. This would cost the state millions of dollars of which the district would get no new money as we already participate in the Q-comp program. Everyone is waiting to see the Federal stimulus package. Under the proposal states would acquire revenues to be used for capital projects. Currently there are two separate bills in Washington for monies to be used for school renovation and technology innovations. The district would most likely qualify as a REAP district which is for rural schools based primarily on free/reduced population. This should give us a strong position to receive some of these moneys. A note of clarification regarding the Applied Learning Initiative Program in regards to collaboration with Rainy River Community College. We currently do not work with RRCC as they do not have these programs in place but rather collaborate with Mesabi Range at this time. The district is hopeful to expand these programs next year and would intend to move collaboration from Mesabi Range to RRCC once RRCC has programs in place. February 5 th at 1:00 has been set for mediation of the Union 510 grievances. A request has been received from Local 4798 to include the Indian Education tutor positions as part of their bargaining unit. This request will be recommended to the board for approval effective July 1, 2009. Advertisement for proposals for the 2009-10 building trades project will be published soon.
Brittney Long, Student Representative reported on the following: Winter Sports week events planned are dress up days, sports team snow sculpture contest, pep fest, and all-athletic pizza feed. A conference will be attended in Brainerd on middle schools. A Hypnotist has been hired to perform in the gymnasium on Saturday. It is a g-rated program and the charge is $6 or $5 with a food item to be donated to the food shelf. A penny drive is being conducted with proceeds to go to cancer society. Student Council plans to purchase a new sound system for the gymnasium. The class project for eighth graders will be a mini Relay-For-Life. They will be talking to classrooms about healthy eating and exercise. Carnations will be sold for Valentine s Day. Mark Lassila, Community Education Advisory Committee reported on the following: Word was received that the local office of the Red Cross had closed. They viewed a dvd showing PALS activities from the past few months. November, December and upcoming programs were reviewed. Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by S. Nordquist to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Attest: Roger Jerome, Clerk