REGULAR MEETING
Unofficial Minutes
Board of Education
February 15, 2012
Ind. School
District 739
Kimball, MN
The meeting was called to order by chair Helgeson at 6:00 p.m. with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all in attendance.
Zipoy/Stenger approved the agenda as presented. MC
The High School English Department staff, Amy Notch, Melissa Winter, and Tabitha Mortenson shared with the board the activities in their various classes. Reading and Writing test results were also shared. All of the current seniors have passed their reading/writing tests which are a requirement for graduation. Kindergarten instructors Brenda Mass and Steve Palm highlighted the integration program activities, the different curriculum areas, planned field trips and their communication process with parents. They also commented on the challenges of having both full-and part-time kindergarten students within the same classroom. The teachers were all thanked for their presentation and information provided.
Celebrations and successes of students and staff included the Minnesota Center for Reading Research recognition of schools that have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two consecutive years. Both Mr. Widvey and Mr. Houseman will be attending the award ceremony. Wrestling had a nice win on Tuesday resulting in a trip to Minnewaska on Friday for the final four section competition. The elementary basketball program is doing well, as is the 8th grade girls who took first at the Rockford tournament. Thank you to Ms. Pelzer for working with Hannah Zipoy and a number of other students to prepare them for the Brain Bee. Hannah has advanced to the state level of competition.
Mr. Widvey reported on registration to be held on the 22nd. Pre-registration was completed last week. MCA on-line math testing is finished for 7th and 8th grade. There will be retests in March and April for those not passing.
Member Zipoy asked if there was any progress on the Bio-Medical portion of the Project Lead The Way program. Mr. Widvey’s response was that it is down to sending someone to the week-long boot camp training for the program.
Member Gagnon wished to thank Mr. Widvey and Mr. Klein for their time in clearly laying out to the current 8th graders their requirements over the next four years at Kimball High School so that those students are fully prepared for graduation.
Mr. Houseman reported on a grant available for a field trip for students aged 10 and under to attend the Children’s Museum exhibit titled “How People Make Things.” Kindergarten Round-Up will be held on March 13th. NWEA testing is underway. The Chip Shoppe fundraiser activity is completed with great success.
The possibility of moving up the deadline for requesting and approving fundraisers was discussed. All agreed that it would make better sense to gather requests prior to staff leaving in the spring, and having the board review and approve the fundraisers in June, prior to any fundraising activities taking place.
Superintendent Tritabaugh reported on upcoming meetingsÐFebruary 29thÐHealth & Safety, March 14thÐMeet and Confer (only if necessary), March 21stÐBenton-Stearns Education District, Stearns County Family Services Collaborative, and the regular board meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Tritabaugh presented a proposal of $100/$75/$50 for a tiered schedule for kindergarten tuition for 2012-2013. This reduces each tier by $50 from 2011-2012. Gagnon/Schreiner approved the proposed tuition schedule as presented. Motion carried with Stein opposing.
School Board recognition week is this week. Certificates were presented to each board member. A copy of the news release regarding the Minnesota Waiver being granted will be in the Tri-County News this week.
Committee reports included Benton-Stearns Education DistrictÐTritabaugh, Community EducationÐGagnon.
Communications included a letter indicating frustrations over the length of time a child would need to be on the bus in order to accommodate attendance at a parochial school outside of the District.
Zipoy/Gagnon approved payment of the listed bills in the amount of $139,939.32. MC
Schreiner/Gagnon approved the consent agenda. MC The consent agenda included the approval of the minutes of January 18, 2012 Board Meeting.
The treasurer’s report was reviewed and discussed.
Stenger/Gagnon approved the listing of spring coaching assignments: BaseballÐAdam BeyerÐHead, Matt DingmannÐAssistant, Craig SchaferÐ8th, Jamie LeitherÐ7th; SoftballÐHeadÐGary Riess, 1st AssistantÐ(pending), 2nd AssistantÐEric Primus, 8thÐJoe Stangle, 7thÐBarry Strand; GolfÐHead Girls’ÐKris O’Brien, Jr. HighÐJason Huschle; TrackÐAssistantÐChris Rossman, Jr. HighÐLori Brown. Motion carried with Zipoy and Stein opposing.
The listing of board committees was reviewed and members volunteered for committees of interest and to fill vacancies. Schreiner/Gagnon approved the listing of committee assignments. MC
Motion by Gagnon, seconded by Schreiner to adjourn at
8:17 p.m.
Tom Schreiner, Clerk
(This is a summary of the minutes of the School Board. To obtain a full copy of the official minutes, contact the District Office at 398-5585, or check the District website at www.kimball.k12.mn.us.)
Published in the Tri-County News Thursday, March 1, 2012,
