Chair Kersten reviewed the procedures for public participation at board meetings with those in attendance. The meeting was called to order by chair Kersten at 6:35 p.m. with the elementary and high school principals and all board members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all in attendance. Motion by Kuechle, seconded by Laabs, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion Carried (MC). Chair Kersten asked for individuals wishing to speak and the agenda item they would be speaking to. Joe Stangle, social studies teacher, addressed the board with a statement from Education Minnesota – Kimball regarding the negotiations process. Four students, one parent and one community member wished to speak to agenda item #5. Motion by Kuechle, seconded by Laabs, to approve payment of the listed bills in the amount of $155,264.86 of which $7,724.15 was construction related costs with exception of one bill to Watson Consulting totaling $1,265. MC. Motion by Laabs, seconded by Stenger, to approve the consent agenda. MC. The consent agenda included: a. Approve minutes of January 15, 2004, Board Meeting. b. Approve minutes of January 27, 2004, Special Board Meeting. c. Accept donation received from the Wrestling Boosters for $2,131 toward purchase of the new wrestling mat. d. Accept resignation received from Tyra Jessey, high school custodian. e. Approve request for maternity leave received from Melissa Winter. f. Approve request for American Cancer Society request to use the athletic facilities June 11 and 12 for the Relay for Life. The treasurer’s report for January was reviewed and discussed. Member Kuechle introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION TO THANK DAVE TRAURIG FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AND ASSIGN ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH FOR THE 2004-2005 SCHOOL YEAR WHEREAS, the Independent School District Number 739 had determined to thank Dave Traurig for his years of service as head football coach and, WHEREAS, the Independent School District Number 739 has determined to assign the position of head football coach to another individual to be determined through a replacement process. BE IT RESOLVED that the School Board of Independent School District Number 739 expresses its gratitude to Dave Traurig for serving as head football coach for the past eight (8) seasons and has determined to assign another individual as the head football coach for the 2004-2005 school year. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by VanVleet. Four students, a parent, and a community member spoke of their positive experiences with the Kimball football program and in support of Mr. Traurig. The students presented the board with a written petition from the student body. Chair Kersten asked for anyone else wanting to speak. Four additional students and an assistant coach spoke on Mr. Traurig’s behalf. Mr. Traurig read a statement to the board telling of his coaching experience in Kimball. He described his coaching theory and style, and he gave examples of programs he has utilized to help improve the football program. He also provided comparisons with the other athletic programs in the Kimball District indicating that student participation in football is very close or equal to the numbers in the other activities. He questioned the evaluation process that the district is currently using. Upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: VanVleet, Stenger, Laabs, Kersten, Kuechle, and the following voted against the same: Serbus, whereupon vote for said resolution carried. Motion by VanVleet, seconded by Serbus, to approve hiring of Tammy Weisman, Special Education Paraprofessional, 5 days per week, 6.5 hours per day, Category II, Step 0 of the non-licensed salary schedule. MC. Motion by VanVleet, seconded by Serbus, to approve hiring of Linda Jenson, Special Education Paraprofessional, 5 days per week, 6.5 hours per day, Category II, Step 0 of the non-licensed salary schedule. MC. Motion by VanVleet, seconded by Serbus, to approve hiring of Joy Mix, ECSE Paraprofessional, 2 days per week, 3.5 hours per day, Category II, Step 0 of the non-licensed salary schedule. MC. Thielman presented insurance quotes received from Tri-State and MSBA. Upon recommendation by Thielman, motion by Laabs, seconded by Stenger to accept insurance quote received from MSBA. MC Celebration of success of students and staff included the Elementary February Students of the Month who were Montana Tshida, Jesse Sorensen, Tyler Anderson, Bobby Sanderson, Amy Jendro, Jamie Zwilling, Kayla Stuve, Cody Minor and Molly Hurrle. Shawn Meyer had been chosen as a semi-finalist for teacher of the year. Fifteen elementary students will advance to the regional science fair: Tabitha Capes, Mitch Koistinen, Kelly Mackereth, Tina Markwardt, Jamie Thompson, Andrea Woodford, Molly Hurrle, Abby Zoller, Chelsie Colwill, Alex Fischer, Jessica Gageby, Lee Hendrickson, Tina Henkemeyer, Alex Mies and Shantel Tschida. Winner of the District Spelling Bee was sixth-grader Joe Cruz, runner-up was seventh-grader Tiffany Mehrhoff. Other participants of the District Spelling Bee included: Ryan Dammann, Cameron Wittenberg, Tyler Loch, Peter Frank, Beth Libbesmeier, Kelsi Woods, Kristina Mackereth, Erin Gilpatrick, Becky Vossen, Bobby Arens, Katie Brugger, Kara Weiland, Amanda Carlson, Jamie Krantz, Theresa Kummer, Jon Green, Dan Kriedeman, Sammi Stewart-James and Heather Ryan. The St. Cloud Times included a profile of elementary teacher Denise Nusbaum and her family. The honor roll breakfast was well attended with 80 students receiving A honor roll, 120 students receiving B honor roll and 14 additional students being nominated by staff to be included on the honor roll. Carl Stein was featured in the St. Cloud Times in the student spotlight section. Amy Notch, Cubbie Land representative, explained how grant dollars would be used from a grant received from Child Care Choices in the amount of $5,100. Construction of a small shed, concrete for the shed and a walkway, a building permit and riding toys and a stroller will be purchased with the grant dollars. Labor will be donated. Cubbie Land, ECFE and ECSE will have use of these items. Thielman presented the proposed revised FY04 budget. The budget shows a deficit of $60,000 but a balanced budget is anticipated by the end of the year due to changes in revenue. He explained to the board that a monthly budget review can be expected. The policy Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students With IEPs From School Grounds was presented for the first reading. Recommended by MSBA, this policy gives the ability to remove student with IEPs if necessary. Mr. Clark reported on parent teacher conferences, the reading celebration to take place on March 3, and the Chicken Soup for the Soul event to take place on March 23. Mr. Clark attended a principals meeting where the No Child Left Behind Act and alternative testing were discussed. He explained that there has been an increase in special education students at the elementary level in the past few weeks. Ms. Imholte reported that it is mid-term of quarter 3 and Sno-Daze activities are occurring this week. Parent-teacher conferences are going well, the Spanish trip will be back on February 19. Joe Stangle is again working with the ninth grade to set up job shadowing sessions. Tenth- and eleventh-grade MCAs will be held on March 9 and 10, currently the course description books are being worked on. Upcoming events include the band concert and art show on March 15 and the Chicken Soup for the Soul event on March 23. Superintendent Thielman reported that the current technology plan is being revised, an offer was accepted on the Community Education house, the property will be closed soon pending survey questions. The Dollars for Scholars event is scheduled for May 15, Tonic Sol Fa is scheduled to perform, a sign will be placed on the high school property for advertising. There will be a speakout session for the Early Childhood Coalition on March 30 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the elementary school. He thanked te
achers for their time at parent-teacher conferences, met with the state finance committee about a transfer of funds. The week of February 23-27 is School Board recognition week with Monday being School Board Member Day at the capitol. A business expo is scheduled for March 27 and is being arranged by the Chamber of Commerce. Committee reports included Benton Stearns Ed. District – Serbus, Negotiations – Stenger, VanVleet, Curriculum Advisory Committee – Laabs, ECFE Advisory Committee – Kersten. Communications included a letter received from Karla Rick on behalf of the teachers that are current members of the Elementary Site Team in regards to program reductions. Motion by Laabs, seconded by VanVleet, to adjourn at 8:31 p.m. MC Marguerite Laabs, Clerk Published in the Tri-County News March 18, 2004.
