Ashby School Board Minutes

September 16, 2015

The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on September 16, 2015 in the Media Center of the School.  Chair Wing called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with members Anderson, B. Johnson, C. Johnson, Nelson, Spangler, and Wing present.  Absent:  Rylander.  Also present were Superintendent Allan Jensen, Principal Shane Tappe, Renee Melby, Carol Koefod, and Barb Kraemer.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Nelson moved to approve the amended agenda, Spangler seconded.  MCU.

C. Johnson moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of August 19, 2015 minutes.
• YTD Financial Report.
• Approval of bills:  August Handpayables: $42,305.55, August Wire Transfers:  $44,623.99, and September bills:  $121,187.38.

B. Johson seconded.  MCU.

Board Reports
Nelson gave a report on Region 1 and Lakes Country Service Coop.

Wing reported on Fergus Falls Special Ed Coop Executive Board Meeting.

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

• Open House had a great turnout.  Thanks to the Ashby Education Foundation for sponsoring the Drive 4UR School fundraiser.
• An update was given on the baseball field.
• Michelle Walker has been hired as a Paraprofessional due to needs to help groups of students particularly in the area of Math.
• The first fire drill of the year was held on September 8th.
• Ashby School is eligible for Early Learning Pathway II Scholarships this year as well as Pathway I Scholarships as the previous two years.
• The new staff are doing great and the school year is off to a great start.
• John and Helen Etnier are working as Interventionists to mirror the math and reading corp programming from years past to establish a program to successfully provide rigor and consistency to our students.
• Upcoming dates:  Homecoming week at West Central Area September 21st-25th.  Homecoming week at Ashby October 3rd-8th.  September 30th the 7th-12th Grade Students will be attending the Eric Samuel Timm lyceum at West Central Area.  Parent Teacher Conferences are October 12th.
• Interviews for the open Paraprofessional position were held today.
• Mr. Tappe has been elected to the Western Division Principals Board of Directors.
• A Technology Update was given.  Devices will be distributed to the students by the end of this week.
• An update was given on the ITV System indicating the problems have been resolved.
  
  

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

• The School year is off to a great start.  The new teacher workshop held in August was successful.
• The school building looked great for the open house and start of school thanks to Leo and his help.
• The secure area on the stage is functional.
• The sound system in the large gym performs well.
• A new steel roof is needed on the storage building housing the irrigation controls.
• The handicapped ramp on the west side of the building has been repaired.
• A mower with a bagger is needed for the new grass infield.
• The new wireless system has been installed and improved speed has been achieved.
• Mini bus #8 and Mini bus #7 are both back in working order.
• Engine replacement on Bus #4 has begun.
• The bus inspection went well.
• There is a need for a cost reimbursement policy for bus driver physicals.  Nelson made a motion to approve a policy to reimburse up to $120 for bus driver physicals.  Anderson seconded.  MCU.

Mrs. Koefod reported on 2nd Grade and the TRAP Team.

Mrs. Kraemer reported on Library, Elementary Music, Elementary Computer, Media Arts, Video Club, Yearbook, and Testing.

Discussion Items
There was a discussion of the Proposed Levy Limitation for Levy 15 Pay 16.

Action Items
Spangler made a motion to approve the Annual Assurance of Compliance with State and Federal Discrimination Laws.  C. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

C. Johnson made a motion to approve granting Allan Jensen and Renee Melby authority to electronically transfer funds as allowed by MS471.38 and between Money Market and Checking Accounts.  Nelson seconded.  MCU.

Nelson made a motion to certify the Levy 15 Pay 16 at $930,000.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.

Spangler made a motion to set the Truth and Taxation Meeting on Taxes Payable 2016 for December 16th at 6:00 pm.  Anderson seconded.  MCU.

C. Johnson made a motion to approve Long Term 5th Grade Substitute Teacher Contract for Diane Olson.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

Spangler made a motion to approve the corrected contract for Long Term Music Substitute Teacher Jan Smith.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

Nelson made a motion to accept the resignation from Sheryl Bjorklund as Paraprofessional.  C. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

Anderson made a motion to approve designating Superintendent Allan Jensen as the Identified Official with Authority to Authorize User Access to MDE Secure Websites for the Ashby ISD 261 for the 2015-16 School Year.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.

Nelson made a motion to accept the resignation from Andrea Knick as Volleyball Coach.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

B. Johnson made a motion to accept the donation to the Science Department of $130.00 from the Rib Fest Team of Ben Johnson, Rob Risbrudt, and Tyson Lanlie.  Anderson seconded.  MCU.

Chair Wing called the meeting adjourned at 8:01 pm.
                                                                                                            
                                                                                                            Leslie Anderson, Clerk