At its last meeting, District #739 School Board approved revisions to the third part of the transportation policy. This policy deals with students and families who live outside of the district line. Currently, these families are charged on a per mile basis. The board changed the policy so all students up to two miles out of the district line will be bussed at no charge. The board hopes that this will allow more options to families who are considering open-enrollment in Kimball schools. The board also decided not to charge students who are picked up further away, as long as multiple families used the same bus stop. Board member Jerome Kuechle questioned this revision. “Aren’t we ripping off families with over two kids? If we are picking up two children from different families, why are we charging the others?” Chairperson Dorothy Kersten said that this policy will give them a starting base, plus it may allow families considering open-enrollment to talk about Kimball schools with their neighbors. Boardmember Gillman added that it could be very expensive if all students were picked up at no cost. Kersten also talked about the long term effect of the policy. “If we bring it down gradually, it is better. I think that it is reasonable.” She also said that she would rather see a fee this year and none next year, if this is what the board decides. She said it is easier to charge families less than to not charge them this year and throw a fee at them next year. At the meeting, the board also: • Authorized Cubby Land Daycare as a separate fund from Community Education. The board noted that this will help everyone since the daycare made money last year. Currently, the state is taking away funding from community education programs if they have a surplus. • Read and approved the new high school staff handbook. • Approved the hiring of Jody Pope as the new elementary physical education assistant. Granted a 0.65 contract with Pat Tekavec for high school science classes. • Fulfilled Larry Jensen’s request for a leave of absence. Jensen’s position will be filled by Nathan Hylla, whose contract was approved as a full-time social studies teacher. • Heard a construction report from DLR representative Troy Miller. Miller told the board that the roofing contract is complete, now that the screws in the gym roof have been painted. Board members questioned if the screws would rust or cause further problems. Because of their concerns, the board agreed to hold 1 percent of the retainage fee set out by the contractor. The board also agreed to close out the contracts recommended by Miller. • Celebrated staff and students. The board recognized FFA for raising $9,000 for the Don Nystrom family. They also praised the students that were in the Kimball Days parade, honored Ted Zipoy for his international tractor pull results. Celebrated the success of the three girls who were named to represent the town in the Little Miss Kimball contest – Melody Rose, Johnna Johnson-Talbot, and Elizabeth Kastanek. • Secondary Principal Karen Imholte said that there has been more activity at the high school since fall athletic teams have begun practice. • Heard elementary principal Jon Clark said that more teachers have been coming in to use their floating days. He also described the new drop-off and parking situations that will be installed this school year. Each student will receive a letter about this at school. • Discussed the elementary school report card put out by the state. Kimball earned five stars in math and three stars in reading (each rating was based on a five-star scale). Clark indicated that he was concerned when he first saw the three stars in reading, but this was consistent with all schools in the area. He noted that every surrounding school received this award, and some varied in their math scores. “Eden-Valley Watkins had the same rating as us,” Clark said. “Benedix Elementary in Annadale, Monticello, and Oak Hill in St. Cloud all received three stars in reading and math. Compared to the area schools, we are even or better than them. When people look at these star ratings, we are doing pretty well.” • Was informed by Imholte that the high school will have three exchange students this year. When looking at enrollment she said there will be an additional 16 students coming in from last year’s sixth-grade class, open-enrollment, and exchange students. The school has lost 10 students, so the net gain is six students. • Was briefed by Thielman on an initiative foundation grant that the community is applying for. “We met the initial criteria, so we are hopeful … this would help the early childhood initiative.” The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
