February 26th, 2014

February 26, 2014
 
The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on February 26, 2014 in the Ashby School Media Center.  Chair Wing called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with members Hoff, Johnson, LaRue, Rylander, Spangler, and Wing present.  Absent:  Nelson.  Also present were Superintendent Allan Jensen, Principal Shane Tappe, Renee Melby, and Ruth Umlauf.
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
 
LaRue moved to approve the amended agenda.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Rylander moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of January 22, 2014 minutes.
• YTD Financial Report.
• Approval of bills:  January Handpayables: $28,837.86 January Wire Transfers:  $50,701.81, and February bills: $110,691.77.

LaRue seconded.  MCU.
 
Communications
Mr. Jensen thanked the Board Members for their service and honored each Board Member with a Recognition Certificate.
 
A letter was read from Jim Rylander, former Board Member, thanking the Board Members for their service and sharing an article regarding bullying, acknowledging the Board for their efforts on the subject.
 
Board Reports
Wing gave a report on Fergus Falls Special Ed Coop.
 
Mrs. Umlauf gave a report on the Music Department and the upcoming Music Trip to New York City.
 
Principal’s Report
Mr. Tappe reported on the following:

• The class scheduling process for 2014-15 will begin soon.
• The Staff Development Training sessions on the early school dismissal days have been very productive.  The Elementary Staff have been working on the selection of a new math curriculum.  The High School Staff have been working on google docs and SMART Board Training.
• The Teacher Evaluation Growth Model is being developed and will be presented to the Board soon for approval.
• The Parent Aware Scholarships awarded have been used to hire an additional staff member to serve the students in Head Start and Learning Readiness.
• $1400 was received from the Wilder Research Project for program enhancement to build and supplement curriculum and opportunities in Learning Readiness.
• The Elementary Math Curriculum review process has a recommendation that will be presented to the School Board.
• A technology update was given.
• An update was given on the Friends of Rachel Leadership Groups.
• Ashby School has been awarded a Minnesota Math Corps position for 2014-15.  This will be a part time position.
• Congratulations to 8th Grader Sydney Jensen for reaching the Multi-Regional Spelling Bee Competition.
• Congratulations to Junior Hunter Fick for qualifying for the State Wrestling Tournament.
• Ashby School was nominated to participate in the Monsanto Grant Application process and the grant application has been submitted.   

 
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Jensen reported on the following:

• An acid neutralization tank in the Science Room is malfunctioning.  The Health and Safety facilitator is doing some research on the possibility of bypassing the tank.
• Fuel usage was reviewed for the current year and the previous two years.
• The air conditioner unit in the server room continues to have problems during the extreme cold weather.
• Bus repairs and needs were reviewed.
• The Administration is exploring the possibility of sharing a School Counselor with Battle Lake School for 2014-15.

 
 
Discussion Items
Bus purchase and lease options were discussed for FY15.
 
FY14 Budget was reviewed.
 
Discussion on snow make up days with consensus being to add them as needed at the end of the school year per past practice.
 
Action Items
LaRue made a motion to accept the resignation of Chad Koep as Assistant Football Coach.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Johnson made a motion to accept the Music Department fundraiser.  LaRue seconded.  MCU.
 
Johnson made a motion to accept the Ashby Education Foundation Grants totaling $8,495.36.  Rylander seconded.  MCU.
 
Chair Wing called the meeting adjourned at 8:09 pm.
 
                                                                                    ______________________
                                                                                    Warren Nelson, Clerk​