November 21st, 2011

​November 21, 2011
 
The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on November 21, 2011 in the Media Center of the School. Chair Wing called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with members Hoff, Johnson, Nelson, Rylander, Spangler, VanSanten, and Wing present. Also present were Superintendent Allan Jensen, Principal Peter Remboldt, Renee Melby, Marcy Andreasen, Lisa Wigdahl, and Perry Butler.
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
 
Spangler moved to approve the agenda, VanSanten seconded. MCU.
 
Rylander moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of October 17, 2011 minutes.
• YTD Financial Report.
• Approval of bills: October Handpayables: $25,725.68, October Wire Transfers: $45,485.88 and November bills: $30,147.79.

Nelson seconded. MCU.
 
Communications/Delegations
Lakes Country Service Coop Board election ballots were distributed and ballots cast.
 
Board Reports
Van Santen reported on Ashby Sports Boosters.
 
Nelson reported on Lakes Country Service Coop and Region 1.
 
Wing reported on Fergus Falls Special Ed Coop
 
Principal’s Report
Mr. Remboldt reported on the following:

• October students of the month are Senior High: Ashley Ness, Junior High: Katie Anderson. 
• Quarter 1 honor roll had 36 students on the “A” honor roll and 35 students on the “B” honor roll. 
• Recent news media coverage has included the Elementary Gardens and the 8th Grade Art Trip to the Terry Redlin Museum. 
• The Pam Liester book give away was November 16th and 17th with hopes of doing it again in December.
• The Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast will be November 23rd. Produce from the Elementary Gardens will be used as decorations. They hope to use produce from the gardens next year for the meal.
• Title 1 Parent Meeting will be held November 28th.
• 11th and 12th grade will be going to the Guthrie Theater “A Christmas Carol” and the Minneapolis Institute of Art on December 1st.
• Christmas Music Program for grades K-12 will be December 12th, 6:30 pm.
• The Football Club is doing a fundraiser with DVDs of the 2011 season.
• 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Andes Ski trip is set for February 2nd.
• Prairie Wetlands field trip for 5th grade is tentatively scheduled for early May. Ms. Henning is in the process of trying to procure funding to defray the costs. This field trip would cover 9 of the 22 Science Standards.

 

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

• The propane value project to bring the LP tank up to Federal code has been completed. Additional work will include a fence around the tank.
• Substitute bus driver pay was discussed as a point of information and the continuing problem of finding substitute drivers.
• Headsets will be added to the office telephones as an upgrade.
• Mr. Jensen attended the MREA Conference on November 3rd. He shared information presented at the conference.
• An illustration showing the Property tax law change of Homestead Credit being replaced with Homestead Market Value Exclusion can be found on the Otter Tail County website: www.co.otter-tail.mn.us

 
Athletic Director Report
Mrs. Andreasen reported on the following:

• Fall Sports
• Pheasant Conference Football changes
• Athletic Trainer
• Open coaching positions
• Winter Sports coaching assignments
• Boys and Girls Jr. High Basketball Little Eight Conference swap

 
Mrs. Wigdahl gave a report on High School Math.
 
Mr. Butler gave a report on Business Education and Technology.
 
Discussion Items
MSBA Leadership Conference will be held January 11-13, 2012.
 
Bus purchase/lease options were discussed. Mr. Jensen will gather additional information on bus purchase/lease options and information regarding contracting bus services.
 
Roof management options were discussed and consensus reached to not enter a management contract at this time.
 
Ashby, Brandon, Evansville joint board discussion has been postponed until after Brandon and Evansville make decisions on their proposed joint efforts.
 
Fiscal year 2011 Audit Report information was discussed.
 
 
Action Items
VanSanten made a motion to accept the FY2011 Audit Report. Spangler seconded. MCU.
 
VanSanten made a motion to approve contracts for Music Teacher Ruth Siverston and Long Term Substitute Rachel Ehlert. Nelson seconded. MCU.
 
VanSanten made a motion to change regular meeting dates to January 23, 2012 and February 23, 2012. Rylander seconded. MCU.
 
Nelson made a motion to approve the amended Fergus Falls Area Special Ed Coop Joint Powers Agreement. Spangler seconded. MCU.
 
Spangler made a motion to move to closed session in the Ashby School Media Center for the purpose of discussion of labor negotiations pursuant to M.S. 13D.03 Subdivison 1(b). Rylander seconded. MCU. The meeting moved to closed session at 8:47 pm.
 
The meeting moved back to regular session at 9:40 pm. Labor negotiations with the Ashby Education Association were discussed during the closed session.
 
Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Nelson seconded. MCU. Chair Wing called the meeting adjourned at 9:41 pm.
 
                                                                                    ______________________
                                                                                    Warren Nelson, Clerk