April 19th, 2010

​April 19, 2010
 
The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on April 19, 2010 in the Media Center of the School.  Chairman LaRue 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 Tom Otte, Renee Melby, and Brenda Johnson.
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
 
Wing moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Spangler.  MCU.
 
Rylander moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of March 15, 2010 and March 29, 2010 minutes.
• YTD Financial Report.
• Approval of bills:  March Hand-payables: $23,763.81, March Wire Transfers:  $51,014.62, and April bills: $97,030.74.

 Johnson seconded.  MCU.
 
Communication/Delegations
 
Board Reports
 
Principal’s Report
Mr. Otte reported on the following:

• A draft policy for participation in multiple spring sports was presented for the Board review.
• Kindergarten Roundup was held on April 13th.
• Dolly Parton Imagination Library kickoff was held April 13th.  Funds have been secured to cover one year.
• The MN Reading Corps Grant was successful and will fund a half time reading tutor for Pre-School and a half time ready tutor for K-3.  The only cost to the District will be tutor coaches.
• Para time for 2010-11 may be reduced by 3 or 4 hours per day due to the involvement in the MN Reading Corps Program.
• National Honor Society Induction will be held April 23rd with 4 new members being inducted.
• The Board gave approval to hold the Senior Awards presentation during the school day to allow all students grades 7-12 the opportunity to observe all the awards and scholarships given for academic achievements.
• Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-7.
• Round I of MCA testing was last week.  Round II of the Math testing for Grades K-8 starts April 20th.  Science testing will be done in May.  The Accuplacer testing will be done in a couple weeks.
• The K-12 Music Concert will be May 4th.
• Lakes Country Service Coop Honors Banquet will be held May 5th with the top four GPA Seniors attending.
• The 6th Grade Field Trip will take place in May.
• The 6th Grade/5-8 Math Teacher position has been posted.
• The Western Division Principals Association has notified Mr. Otte that he will be nominated for the Secretary Position.
• Mr. Otte has an opportunity to attend the MN Principals Academy over the next two years which is funded by federal programs.  The Board encouraged Mr. Otte to pursue this valuable professional development opportunity.

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

• Letters announcing the chronic lunch account policy have been sent.  Certified letters were sent to those in chronic status.
• The newly purchased 1999 GMC 14 passenger mini bus has arrived.  A new route bus is needed but no decisions will be made until the Legislature session is complete.
• The lighting project has been completed.  Mr. Jensen described the change orders and bid alternates 1 and 2.  The rebates have been received.
• The bond refunding sale was finalized April 13th.
• A cash flow review was presented due to the State deferring payments and the aid shift.
• A proposal for summer lawn maintenance from Brian’s Lawn Care is being sought due to the fact that the primary lawn mower needs to be replaced.  New mower prices will also be available for review at the next board meeting.
• A family reunion will be held in the school facilities July 10-11, 2010.
• Possible position reductions for 2010-11 may include some para time and non-renewal of the Reading/Title I/High Potential Teacher position that was funded in 2009-10 with stimulus money.
• A brief update on the education issues of the Legislative session was given.
• The replacement of the Pomme de Terre Agency Director/Curriculum Director/ITV Director position is in the discussion stage with the districts involved.  The districts will also look at a proposal from Lakes Country Service Coop to purchase curriculum services.

 
Mrs. Johnson presented a report on Elementary and High School programs that she is involved in outside the school day.
 
Discussion Items
Chris Schaefer from Design Tree Engineering Inc. joined the meeting and presented a proposal for the Off-Peak Electric Boiler Project.  Hoff made a motion to accept the Design Tree Engineering preliminary analysis and move forward to start the process of  design, review, approval, and bidding.   Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
There was a discussion on school advertising possibilities.  Mr. Jensen will gather information from other schools on the structure of the process.
 
 Action Items
Johnson introduced Resolution No. 10.09 approving membership in Minnesota State High School League for 2010-2011.  Hoff seconded.  Voting in the affirmative:  Hoff, Wing, Rylander, Johnson, Spangler, LaRue.  Voting in the negative:  none.  Resolution passed.
 
Johnson made a motion to approve the school calendar for 2010-11.  Rylander seconded.  MCU.
 
Spangler made a motion to approve the application for Q-Comp Aid for 2010-2011.  Wing seconded.  MCU.
 
Johnson made a motion to accept resignations of Katie Jo Johnson as Spanish Teacher, Ryan Risbrudt as 6th Grade Teacher/Coach, and Brenda Risbrudt as Lawn Maintenance.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.  
 
Chairman LaRue adjourned the meeting at 8:38 PM.
 
                                                                                    ______________________
                                                                                    Warren Nelson, Clerk