Four members of the Kimball Area High School (KAHS) girls’ basketball team came to the school board meeting to request new team uniforms. According to school policy, uniforms are replaced every 4-5 years. The team’s current uniforms were purchased in 1997-1998, and haven’t been replaced since. Because of district budget cuts, the girls team uniform has been pushed back another year. Incoming KAHS senior Jill Libbesmeier asked the school board if uniforms could be replaced. She said that the varsity team currently doesn’t have a blue set of uniforms and they wear their gold jerseys at all games. Dr. Scott Thielman explained that he asked Activities Director, Dave Traurig to cut the sports budget to offset the district’s financial burden. Traurig determined that the worst uniforms were the volleyball team’s, which would be replaced this year. The teammates asked the board if they could raise their own funds for new uniforms. Thielman replied that this usually isn’t done because of the rotation. He said that sometimes replacement uniforms are not as high of quality and need to be replaced sooner. Pointing out that their uniforms were a year older than the volleyball team’s, the basketball players asked what could be done. Thielman said that he would discuss the issue with Traurig and respond to the players. The board also: • Established compensation rates for board members at $50 per regular meeting and $80 for an all-day meeting. • Appointed board members to various committees. Marguerite Laabs will serve on the Minnesota State High School League, Jerry Gillman and Dave VanVleet were assigned to Meet and Confer. Gillman will also be on the Benton-Stearns Education District, the Stearns County Family Services Collaborative and the MSBA ComNet committee. Representation on the Curriculum Advisory Committee will include chairperson Dorothy Kersten and Laabs. Kersten will also serve on the Community Education Advisory Council and the ECFE advisory council. Gillman and Laabs will also serve as the Youth Advisory meeting representatives. Treasurer Doug Stenger will serve as the District bills auditor. • Heard a construction report from DLR representative Troy Miller. Miller informed the board that all of the punch item lists were complete. The outstanding issues that Miller is still addressing are the locking of the high school handicap door, the light switches in the gym and the window/door between the agricultural and vocational area. Miller also told the board that the roofing issue is almost at a conclusion “that everyone can live with.” • Approved a transportation contract with LOL busing and Hendricks busing. The board agreed to a two-year contract that will be paid on a per route basis. The board also released the contractors quotation upon approval. • Approved a policy for GDJB days. Dr. Thielman recommended the board not release students a day early. The board consented. • Passed a motion to move school district elections. Previous elections were held in room 200, but the school no longer has a room 200. Instead, the board moved elections to the south gym area. • Assigned business manager Joan Schmidt to act as the election clerk for school board elections. • Praised Valery Hansen., Kris O’Brien and the Kimball Community Playhouse for their successful “Music Man” production. • Heard a report from Special Projects Coordinator Peggy Trimble. She showed the board the 2002-03 annual report on curriculum, instruction and student performance. She explained details listed in the report to the board members, including Iowa testing results, a change in state graduating standards and a new section that showed how graduating seniors viewed their time at KAHS. This report was approved and will be featured in the Fall 2003 issue of “Cub Prints.” • Discussed the current parking and road situations at Kim-ball Elementary School. Since Hazel Avenue is being repaired, the board thought now would be an appropriate time to make student drop offs safer. The Superintendent, elementary school principal, school board members along with the busing contractors will meet with local contractor Kuechle Underground, to see what options the school had. • High school principal Karen Imholte talked about new exit survey results from the 2002-03 KAHS graduating class. • Read a letter from the Church of St. Anthony’s, in Watkins, asking the school not to have activities Wednesday nights, as this conflicts with religious activities. The board said they try to stay away from these nights and honor the churches’ requests. If events have to be rescheduled for Wednesday evenings because of weather related problems, the board noted that the school would make an effort to contact the local churches. • Adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m.
