January 19th, 2011

​January 19, 2011
 
The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on January 19, 2011 in the Media Center of the School.  Vice Chair Wing called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with members Hoff, Johnson, Nelson,Rylander, Spangler, Van Santen, and Wing present.  Also present were Superintendent Allan Jensen, Principal Tom Otte, Renee Melby, Dustin Steenblock, and Jeremy Knick.
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
 
Spangler moved to approve the amended agenda, seconded by Rylander .  MCU.
 
Clerk Nelson performed the ceremonial oath of office for the newly elected board members Rylander, Van Santen, and Wing.
 
Nelson made a motion to nominate Wing as Chairperson.  Johnson seconded.  Johnson moved to close nominations.  Van Santen seconded.  MCU.  Nelson made a motion to nominate Johnson as Vice Chairperson. Rylander seconded.  Hoff moved to close nominations.  Van Santen seconded.  MCU.  Hoff made a motion to nominate Nelson as Clerk.  Spangler seconded.  Johnson made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for incumbents Clerk Nelson and Treasurer Rylander.  Van Santen seconded.  MCU.  Wing was appointed as Special Education representative.  Spangler was appointed as MSHSL representative.  Johnson was appointed as Legislative Liaison.  Wing, Hoff, and Van Santen were appointed to the Negotiations Committee.  Rylander, Nelson, and Hoff were appointed to the Finance Committee.  Wing, Johnson, and Rylanderwere appointed to the Planning Committee.  Wing was appointed as the Ashby Education Foundation representative.
 
Nelson moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of December 20, 2010 minutes.
• YTD Financial Report.
• Approval of bills:  December Hand-payables: $90,035.94, December Wire Transfers:  $45,044.86, and January bills: $485,945.65.

Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Communication/Delegations
Negotiations Seminar and New Officers Training will be held in February.
 
Board Reports
Nelson gave a report on Region 1, MSBA Convention, and Lakes Country Service Coop.
 
Wing gave a report on Fergus Falls Special Ed Coop, Ashby Education Foundation, and MSBA Convention.
 
Van Santen gave a report on Sports Boosters.

Mr. Steenblock gave a report on Ag.  Ashby School has received a grant from Communicating for America for a Sustainable Agricultre curriculum which possibly will include a High Tunnel and work on the Farm to School Program.
 
Mr. Knick gave a report on 1st Grade.
 
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Jensen reported on the following:

• Routine bus maintenance.
• Bus routes have been adjusted due to some new bus stops.  There may be a need in the future to expand the routes and run the mini bus in place of the van route.
• The electric boiler is working well with some off cycling being experienced.  The transition between electric to LP is working well.
• There continues to be on going roof leaks due to ice dams and water pooling.  The Superintendent will investigate having a consultant through Lakes Country Service Coop make an assessment of the shape of the roof and develop a schedule of roof maintenance.
• Financial concerns ahead due to state aid payment delays and state aid replacement with early recognition of property taxes.  Cash flow issues were discussed.
• Reminder that the next meeting is February 23, 2011, 6:00 pm.  

Principal’s Report
Mr. Otte reported on the following:

• Today is the anniversary of the Woldahl accident.  A moment of silence was observed and a memorial was placed by the Junior Class on Justin’s locker.
• Dazzling Dave the YoYo Master Lyceum was held for K-12 today.  Science of Spin was presented to Grades 4-8 and other activities throughout the day in the Phy Ed Classes.
• The Geography Bee was held.
• Staff Workshop was held Monday.  Activities included Professional Learning Committee Reports, a presentation on Autism, Smart Goals discussion targeting students and MCA scores, and a School Crisis Team Meeting.
• Snow Week will begin on January 30th with Coronation at 6:30 pm.
• Spelling Bee will be February 7th.
• Winter Concert will be February 14th.
• Mr. Steenblock has been named Young Ag Teacher of the Year for this Region.  He is pursuing the State award.
• Mr. Otte will attend the NASSP Convention in February and hopes to gather information on digital readers and what schools nationally are doing.

 
Action Items
Nelson introduced resolution No.11.05 directing the Administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and/or  positions and reasons therefore.  Johnson seconded.  Roll call vote:  Van Santen-yes, Hoff-yes, Johnson-yes, Nelson-yes, Rylander-yes, Spangler-yes, Wing-yes.  MCU.
 
Spangler made a motion to name the First State Bank of Ashby as the Official Depository, Ashby Dalton Post as the Official Newspaper .  Van Santen seconded.  MCU.
 
Rylander made a motion to set Board Compensation as $0, and the meeting day time and place as the 3rd Monday, 6:00 PM, in the Media Center of the Ashby Public School.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Johnson made a motion to close the meeting pursuant to M.S. 13d.05 for personnel evaluations.  Van Santen seconded.  MCU.
 
The meeting moved to closed session at 8:25 pm.
 
Evaluation of fall sports coaches by Mr. Otte.
 
Chairperson Wing adjourned the closed session at 9:22 pm.
 
Chairperson Wing adjourned the meeting at 9:23 pm.
                                                                                   
                                                                                    ______________________
                                                                                    Warren Nelson, Clerk