August 16th, 2017

The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on August 16, 2017 in the Media Center of the School.  Chair Wing called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with members Anderson, Hoff, B. Johnson, C. Johnson, Spangler, and Wing present.  Absent:  Rylander.  Also present were Superintendent Niemann, Principal Nate Meissner, Renee Melby, and John Kent.
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
 
B. Johnson moved to approve the amended agenda, Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Recognition of Visitors:  none.
 
C. Johnson moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of July 19, 2017 minutes.
• Financial Report for July 2017.
• Approval of bills:  July Handpayables: $17,724.84, July Wire Payments:  $50,429.60, and August bills:  $92,536.94.

• Personnel Changes:  Twelve week Maternity Leave for Mrs. Umlauf
• Acknowledgement of Donations:  Summer Rec donations - Lions $500, Legion $500, Driggins Electric $35, Lakeside Lumber $50, Johnson Nelson Masonry $400, First State Bank $100, Rylander Insurance $100, Glende Nilson Funeral Home $25, Legion Auxiliary $100, Ness Express $25, Dewey Farms $25, Otter Tail Power $100, City of Ashby $500, Park Region Telephone $200, Community Club $100, Pomme de Terre Township $200

Hoff seconded.  MCU.
 
Board Reports
Anderson reported on Region 1.
 
Wing reported on: Ashby Education Foundation, upcoming MREA Fall Meeting, Fergus Falls Special Education Coop Executive Board Meeting, and Lakes Country Service Coop Board Meeting.
 
Principal’s Report
Mr. Meissner reported on the following:

• The policy and handbook changes were reviewed.
• There has been a change in funding for college entrance exams.  Districts will get reimbursed for the free and reduced qualifying students.  His proposal would be for the District to pay for the remaining and give all our students the opportunity to take the ACT free of charge in School.  The District will continue to offer the John Baylor Prep test prep course throughout the year preparing Juniors to take the ACT in April.
• Open Paraprofessional positions at this time:  1 full time and 2 part time.
• An update was given on the open Counselor positon.

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

• Update was given on the summer construction projects.
• Bus drivers are in place for all routes.
• MREA Fall Meetings are coming up.
• A letter was received from The Alliance Defending Freedom – North Star Law and Policy Center regarding trans gender bathrooms.
• Ashby’s School Readiness Plus application was not funded.  Very few districts in the State were funded.
• Bandwidth has been increased from 150 Mbps to 500 Mbps through North West Links.
• After School Program FY2017 finances were shared with the Board.

 
Athletic Director’s Report
Mr. Kent reported on the following:

• Fall Sports have started and an update was given on number of participants.
• Football equipment is being moved to the West Central Area facility.
• The new Athletic Trainer this year is Matt Borowski.
• The first Volleyball match is August 31st.
• The first Football game is September 1st.
• Homecoming is September 25-30, 2017 with the football game being played on Saturday September 30th at 3:00 pm.
• There has been a parent request to allow their child to drive to Barrett for football practice until school starts.
• There are improvements needed on the Softball Field and estimates are being sought.
• The Golf Tournament was cancelled due to weather.  Possibly it will be rescheduled in September.
• All Coaches positions are currently filled.
• The “Why We Play” MHSHL Video was played.

 
Discussion Items
First Reading for “100 series” Board Policy Revisions
 
First Reading for “200 series” Board Policy Revisions
 
Action Items
B. Johnson made a motion to approve the revision to the High School Student Handbook.  Anderson seconded.  MCU.
 
Spangler made a motion to approve the revisions to the Elementary Student Handbook.  Hoff seconded.  MCU.
 
Anderson made a motion to approve the revisions to the Staff Handbook.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Hoff made a motion to change the date of the regular October Board Meeting to October 25, 2017, 6:00 pm.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.
 
Bids received for milk:                       

  Land O Lakes – Dean’s:          Esc.      Firm
  1/2 pint 1% milk                   .169       .189                                                                            
  1/2 pint skim milk                 .156       .176
  1/2 pint chocolate skim         .170       .190
Anderson made a motion to accept the Escalading bid from Land O Lakes – Dean’s Foods.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.
 
Hoff made a motion to accept the Ashby School Literacy Plan.  Spangler seconded.  MCU.
 
Hoff made a motion revising the committed funds for Administrative Unused Sick Leave for FY17 to $2,990.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.
 
Spangler made a motion to adjourn.  B. Johnson seconded.  MCU.  Chair Wing called the meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                            Leslie Anderson, Clerk