May 17th, 2010

​May 17, 2010
 
The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on May 17, 2010 in the Media Center of the School.  Chairman LaRue called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM with members Hoff, Johnson, LaRue, Nelson, Rylander, Spangler, and Wing present.  Also present were Superintendent Allan Jensen, Principal Tom Otte, Renee Melby, and Jeanne Miller.
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
 
 Wing moved to approve the amended agenda, seconded by Spangler.  MCU.
 
 Rylander moved to approve the following consent agenda:

• Approval of April 19, 2010 minutes.
• YTD Financial Report.
• Approval of bills:  April Hand-payables: $34,440.64, April Wire Transfers:  $45,545.66, and May bills: $36,854.93.

 Nelson seconded.  MCU.
 
Communication/Delegations
 
Board Reports
Mrs. Wing reported on Fergus Falls Special Ed Coop.
 
Mr. Nelson gave a summary of the MSBA Journal article entitled “What Will It Take to Get Off The Funding Cliff” and a report on Region 1.
 
Mr. LaRue inquired about the possibility of pairing in football next year.  Information will be gathered for the next meeting.
 
Camille Schultz joined the meeting at 6:20 pm.
 
Principal’s Report
Mr. Otte reported on the following:

• A policy for Participation in Multiple Spring Sports was presented.

Johnson made a motion to approve the Participation in Multiple Spring Sports Policy.  Wing seconded.  MCU.

• Graduation will be held Sunday May 30th at 2:00 pm.
• The MN State Highway Patrol drug dog was in the building with no problems detected.
• The SHIP Grant for Wii Fit equipment applied for along with the Child and Youth Council was denied.  The grant has been resubmitted for an apple orchard project.  Pending final approval the orchard would be planted in the fall.
• The class schedule for 2010-11 has been set.  Noted changes include:  Chemistry will be offered every year, Spanish I and II will be received from Evansville via the new portable  ITV System that was made possible by a Lakes Country Service Coop Grant, 6th Grade Science will be taught by Mrs. Kent, Mr. Koep will teach 6th Grade and 7th Grade Math, Intro to Computers will not be offered, and College English will consist of Writing and Public Speaking.  It was noted that the Colleges have begun to look at PSEO and con-current credits differently than in the past.
• DARE Graduation will be Thursday, May 20, 2:15 pm in the Auditorium.
• Grades 7-12 will attend a Mock Crash sponsored by the Ashby Fire and Rescue Departments on Friday May 21st at 1:00 p.m.
• Elementary Track and Field Day will be June 1st, Kndg-Grade 3 in the AM and Grades 4-6 in the PM.
• Sex Education Presentations will be conducted by Cyndy Rastedt, Otter Tail Wadena Community Action Council Director, for grades 8, 10, and 12 to reinforce the current health curriculum.
• Senior awards will be May 25th at 2:15 pm.
• Five Interviews for the 2 positions for the MN Reading Corp have been conducted with selection to be made tomorrow.
• Heidi Hoff has been out on medical leave.  A variety of subs have been helping in the front office occasionally. 
• An Art Integration Grant has been secured that will provide training for 3 teachers.
• Mr. Otte, Mrs. Wing, Mr. Steenblock, and Greg Smedsrud from Communicating for America have been meeting to set up a Justin Woldahl Memorial Scholarship.   A welding certification program is also being researched.
• Help wanted ads have been placed for Head Girls Basketball Coach, and Assistant Boys Basketball Coach.  Mr. Knick will be the Head Boys Basketball Coach.
• Targeted Services will have 3 summer sessions with 19 students participating.
• Co-Valedictorians will be Kelly Falk and Katie Hansen.

 
Chris Schaefer from Design Tree Engineering Inc. joined the meeting and presented the drawings for the Off-Peak Electric Boiler Project.  There is a cost share competitive grant through the MN Department of Energy that this project would qualify for.  Mr. Jensen has negotiated with Design Tree a fee structure to write the grant application.  Johnson made a motion to move forward with the bid process for the Electric Boiler Project with bid opening on June 15th at 2:00 pm.  Nelson seconded.  MCU.
 
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Jensen reported on the following:

• The effect on cash flow with the State deferring aid payments on March 15, March 30, and April 15 until May 30th.  Also the final 33% of the Stabilization money has not been released to the School Districts by the State of Minnesota.
• Budgets for FY11 will be presented at the June meeting.  FY10 Budget was revised in December 2009 and some technology expenditures have been added.
• The Pomme de Terre Consortium has been downsizing the last couple years.  With Dr. Lundstrom’s upcoming retirement the remaining districts have been looking into services from Lakes Country Service Coop.  That arrangement was not as financially attractive as hoped so the districts are putting together a limited scope of activities and expect to have the program in place by the end of June.
• Title I Stimulus money was expended in FY10, Special Ed Stimulus money will be expended over FY10 and FY11, and the Stabilization Stimulus money replaced State Aid in FY10.
• The bidding regulation requirements were reviewed.
• An update on the delinquent lunch account status.

 
Ms. Schultz reported on Elementary and High School Art.
 
Mrs. Miller reported on Special Education.
 
Discussion Items
Johnson made a motion to purchase a Hustler lawn mower upon satisfactory completion of a demo.  Nelson seconded.  MCU.
 
 
Action Items
Nelson introduced Resolution No. 10.10 relating to the termination and nonrenewal of the teaching contract of Angie Baker, a probationary teacher.  Rylander seconded.  Roll call vote:  Rylander – yes, Spangler – yes, Johnson – yes, Wing – yes, Hoff – yes, Nelson – yes, LaRue – yes.  MCU.
 
Johnson made a motion to accept the resignation of Aaron Rasmussen as part-time custodian.  Wing seconded.  MCU.
 
Nelson made a motion to approve the Elementary/Middle School Teacher contract for Chad Koep.  Wing seconded.  MCU.
 
The meeting went into closed session at 9:23 pm for evaluation of probationary staff Katie Jo Johnson, Angie Baker, Dustin Steenblock, Tanya Nelson, and to discuss a student issue.
 
Chairman LaRue moved back to open session at 9:49 pm.
 
Nelson made a motion to adjourn, Wing seconded.  MCU.  Meeting adjourned at 9:50 pm.
 
                                                                                    ______________________
                                                                                    Warren Nelson, Clerk
 
 
 
 
 
Closed portion of  May 17, 2010 School Board Meeting
 
Meeting closed at 9:23 pm.
 
Mr. Jensen began recording and announced the time and purpose of the closed session:  Probationary staff evaluation, and a student issue.
 
Probationary staff:  Ms. Katie Jo Johnson has resigned, Mrs. Angie Baker has been non-renewed, Mr. Steenblock no reservations on performance, Ms. Nelson no reservations on performance and has raised expectations in the English Department.  Ms. Nelson was hired for a 2 year probationary period.
 
Mr. Otte discussed a student’s continuing open enrollment status.
 
Returned to open meeting status at 9:49 pm.