Ashby School Board Minutes

The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on September 21, 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 Al Niemann, Principal Nate Meissner, Renee Melby, Carol Koefod, Barb Kraemer, and Cindy Welch.
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
 
Anderson moved to approve the amended agenda, Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Rylander moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of August 17, 2016 minutes.
• Financial Report for August 2016.
• Approval of bills:  August Handpayables: $52,336.03, August Wire Transfers:  $54,770.50, and September bills:  $183,490.97.
• Approve personnel changes:  Hire Melissa Moen - part time custodian;  Work agreement with Marie Hoffman – Community Ed Director;  Hire Tom Gronwold – Student Council Advisor;  Hire Joe Barfknecht – Paraprofessional and JV Boys Basketball Coach;  Hire Donna Faye Grover – Paraprofessional;  Accept resignation of Donna Faye Grover;  Hire Lisa Mattock – Paraprofessional;  Hire Jennifer Tischer – Paraprofessional;  Hire Zachary Daubenspeck – Paraprofessional;  Hire Kipper Nelson – Jr High Boys Basketball Coach and Jr High Girls Basketball Coach;  Work Agreement Peter Nelson – JV Girls  Basketball Coach;  Hire Laura Petit – JV Girls Softball Coach.
• Acknowledge Donations:  DonorsChoose.org – 2 tables and 8 wobble chairs.
• Teachers Retirement Associaton Part Time Teacher Program

B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.
 
Communications/Delegations
MSBA Superintedent Evaluation Workshop to be held on October 18, 2016.
 
The Transition to Every Student Succeeds Act.
 
MREA Annual Conference to be held November 13-15, 2016.
 
MREA Fall Workshop was attended by Mr. Niemann and Ms. Wing.
 
Reminder that the regular October Board Meeting will be held Wednesday October 26, 2016 in the ITV Room #252.
 
Board Reports
Anderson reported on the Ashby Street Project Layout meeting.
 
Wing reported on Fergus Falls Special Ed Coop.
 
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Niemann reported on the following:

• Consent agenda format change.
• Hiring updates.
• The new bus has arrived and is in service as the activity bus.  Update was given on bus #1.
• MREA Fall Meeting was attended by Mr. Niemann and Ms. Wing.

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

• The first 2 weeks of school have gone great.
• Three new Paraprofessionals have been hired.
• Concerns about the large Kindergarten and First Grade classes.  In general discussion favored hiring an additional teacher to serve our needs in Kindergarten and First Grade.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
• The Senior Class has requested out of state travel for their Senior Class Trip to Wisconsin Dells.
• Fundraiser requests list was presented.
• A meeting was held with a Grant County team of Tina Lindquist, Sheriff Walvatne, Deputy Langlie, Ashby Police, and  Ashby School Adminsitration.
• Mr. Meissner will be attending the Emerging Leaders Conference on September 27th and 28th.
• WE Day was attended on September 20th by the 6th Grade, Student Council, and National Honor Society students.
• Grades 9-12 will attend a presentation on distracted driving at West Central Area on September 30th.
• Homecoming Coronation will be September 24th.
• Homecoming Week is September 26th – 30th.

 
Mrs. Koefod reported on 2nd Grade.
 
Mrs. Kraemer reported on Elementary Music, Elementary Computer, Media Arts, Library, Yearbook, Video Club, and Testing.
 
Discussion Items
Proposed Levy Limitation for Levy 16 Pay 17 was discussed.  Rylander made a motion to levy $995,000.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Insurance bid process for Property and Casualty, Liability, Workers Compensation, and Transportation vehicles was discussed.  Spangler made a motion to put out a Request for Proposals for Insurance Broker Services.  C. Johnson seconded.  Rylander abstained from voting.  Motion carried.
 
Action Items
C. Johnson made a motion to approve the School Nurse Contract with Prairie Ridge Medical Center.  Anderson seconded.  MCU.
 
B. Johnson made a motion to approve the School fundraising requests.  C. Johnson seconded.  MCU.
 
Anderson 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 granting Renee Melby and Al Niemann authority to electronically transfer funds as allowed by MS47.38 and between Money Market and Check Accounts.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.
 
Spangler made a motion to approve Out of State Travel by School Board Members Policy No. 214.    C. Johnson seconded.  MCU.
 
Chair Wing called the meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                            Leslie Anderson, Clerk