Ashby School Board Minutes

January 20, 2016

The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on January 20, 2016 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, Rylander, Spangler, and Wing present.  Absent:  Nelson.  Also present were Superintendent Allan Jensen, Renee Melby, John Kent, Heather Dewey, Susan Casberg, and Peter Hoff.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Rylander moved to approve the agenda, Spangler seconded.  MCU.

C. Johnson made a motion to nominate Wing as Chairperson.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.

Spangler made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for the officers to remain the same as listed below:
            Corey Johnson, Vice Chair
            Leslie Anderson, Clerk
            Dallas Rylander, Treasurer
Rylander seconded.  MCU.

C. Johnson made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for the committee assignments to remain the same as listed below:
                  Special Education representative:  Wing
                  MSHSL representative:  Spangler
                  Legislative Liaison:  C. Johnson
                  Negotiations Committee:  Wing, C. Johnson, Anderson
                  Finance Committee:  Rylander, Nelson, and  B. Johnson
                  Planning Committee:  Wing, Johnson, and Rylander
                  Ashby Education Foundation representative:  Wing
Spangler seconded.  MCU.

Anderson made a motion to appoint Kirby Spangler and John Kent as MSHSL Reps for Ashby.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

Rylander moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of December 16, 2015 minutes.
• YTD Financial Report.
• Approval of bills:  December Handpayables: $24,090.77, December Wire Transfers:  $56,554.14, and January bills:  $582,863.27.

B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

Communications/Delegations
A letter was read indicating that Warren Nelson had been re-elected to a 3 year term on the Region 1 Board.

Susan Casberg spoke to the Board regarding working conditions.  Mr. Jensen will investigate.

Board Reports
Andeson reported on the MN School Board Convention.

Wing reported on the MN School Board Convention and Fergus Falls Special Ed Coop.

Mrs. Dewey reported on School Readiness.

Principal’s Report
Mr. Jensen reported on Mr. Tappe’s hand written report:

• Mr. Tappe is attended the MASSP Conference January 20th – 22nd.
• Second semester started January 19th. 
• There are four new students plus one new foreign exchange student.
• The district is working with Christy Hemp, Math Specialist, from Southwest Service Coop on a Math Improvement Initiative.
• Snow Week is this week January 19th – January 22nd.  The Student Council and Advisor Heidi Hoff have done a great job planning.  Congratulations to Sammy Johansen and Mason Jensen as the 2016 Snow Week King and Queen.
• Mrs. Kent brought students to a Fluid Power Competition held in Alexandria.
• School Counselor Miranda Howard will be taking Maternity Leave and there will be a reduction in services during her absence.  The Lakeland Mental Health School Practitioner will also be on a maternity leave and Lakeland will temporarily fill her position during her absence. 

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

• This heating season there have been a few minor maintenance issues with the gas boiler.  The building is being heated exclusively with propane.
• Word has been received that the control mechanism for our HVAC system is obsolete and is being replaced with a more digitized system.  We are currently not under contract and hope to hold out as long as possible with the replacement.
• There have been a few minor cold weather issues with busses.
• Mr. Jensen made a recommendation to purchase a bus which would establish a 2 year replacement cycle with the larger buses.  B. Johnson made a motion to order a bus with delivery in August.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.
• Mr. Steenblock would like to purchase three compound welding machines, and sell on bids 3 or 4 current machines.  Space would be gained and there would be better machine utilization.
• Jon Hansen has secured software for the Netbooks that enable them to perform like Chromebooks.  These updated devices make the current 1:1 initiative 3rd Grade through 12th Grade.
  
  

Discussion Items
Information was presented about an upcoming new officers workshop.

Football pairing was discussed.  B. Johnson made a motion to extend the current football pairing agreement with West Central Area through the Fall 2018 season.  Rylander seconded.  MCU.

Action Items
Johnson introduced resolution No. 16.03 directing the Administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions and reasons therefor.  Spangler seconded.  Roll call vote:  B. Johnson-yes, Spangler-yes, Rylander-yes, Anderson-yes, C. Johnson-yes, Wing-yes.  MCU.

C. Johnson made a motion to name the First State Bank of Ashby as the Official Depository and Ashby Dalton Post as the Official Newspaper.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

C. Johnson made a motion to set the meeting day time and place as the 3rd Wednesday, 6:00 PM, in the Media Center of the Ashby Public School.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

D. Rylander made a motion set Board Compensation as:  Meetings $50, additional compensation for Chairperson $300/year.  C. Johnson seconded.  MCU.

Chair Wing called the meeting adjourned at 7:38 pm.
                                                                                                            
                                                                                                            Leslie Anderson, Clerk