The meeting was called to order by chair Kersten at 6:34 p.m. with the superintendent, principals and all board members except Kuechle present. The Public Participation at Board Meetings document was read to all in attendance. Approximately 60 persons attended this board meeting. Motion by Laabs, seconded by Stenger, to approve the agenda as amended. Unanimously carried (UC). Motion by Stenger, seconded by VanVleet, to approve payment of the listed bills in the amount of $780,044.57, of which $22,040.00 was construction- related costs. UC. Motion by Gillman, seconded by Laabs, to approve the consent agenda. UC. a) Approve minutes of February 20, 2003, Regular Board Meeting. b) Acknowledge donation of $359.48 from Target Take Charge of Education Initiative. c) Approve continuing .75 part-time teaching position for Deb Bertram. d) Approve hiring of Linda Rose, special education paraprofessional at the high school, starting at $9.00 per hour. e) Accept resignation received from Bonnie Arnhold, high school paraprofessional, effective March 24, 2003. The treasurer’s report for February was reviewed and discussed. Motion by Laabs, seconded by Gillman, to approve the Title I Parental Involvement Policy. UC. The 2003-2004 proposed calendar was presented for approval. With the correction to graduation time and the addition of the High School New Student Orientation, motion by Laabs, seconded by Stenger, to adopt the 2003-2004 school calendar. UC. Superintendent Thielman presented the ADM/Staff Ratios and Fund Balance Data report as found on the CFL (Minnesota Department of Children, Fam-ilies and Learning) Web site. Key numbers brought to the attention of the group were the number of licensed classroom teachers, excluding special education and the actual average daily membership (ADM) served for each school year from 1997-98 through 2001-02. This report indicated that the number of staff in 1997-98 was at 52.95 and fluctuated over the years to the amount of 52.00 in 2001-02. Over this same time period the actual ADMs served dropped by more than 130 students, from 978.26 in 1997-98 to 847.82 in 2001-02. Another point of interest was the percentage of unreserved fund balance. This amount also dropped from 17.39 percent in 1997-98 to a low of 2.81 percent in 2001-02. Dr. Thielman stated that the district had formed a Budget Advisory Committee to assist in finding areas for reduction. Elementary Principal Jon Clark stated each proposed reduction at the elementary campus. The total estimated savings came to $187,767. High School Principal Karen Imholte reviewed the proposed reductions at the high school campus. The total savings were approximately $170,000. Activities Director Dave Traurig reviewed proposed reductions in activities totaling $27,669. Dr. Thielman reviewed proposed district-wide reductions and some one-time savings. In total, the proposed reductions came to $658,542. At this point of the meeting, members of the audience who had signed up to speak to an item on the agenda were given the opportunity to speak briefly to this item. Ten parents and one staff member responded to the proposed reductions. The biggest question was regarding the discontinuance of recess for the elementary students. Other questions raised included negotiating with licensed staff who are at or very near retirement, the work-release program for juniors and seniors, raising the activities fees, charging a fee for students who take college-level classes. Several parents did voice approval of the recess item and there was praise for the many good teachers this district has in place. Member Gillman introduced the following resolution, striking item #21, and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION DISCONTINUING AND REDUCING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent School District No. 739 adopted a resolution on January 23, 2003, directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions, and WHEREAS, said recommendations have been received and considered by the school board, BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 739, as follows: That the following programs and positions, or portions thereof, be discontinued: 1. 0.625 Elementary Music 2. 1.20 Elementary LiPS Program 3. 1.0 Elementary Special Education Teacher 4. 0.5 Elementary Custodial 5. 4.0 Elementary Paraprofessionals (3 AOM, 1 Kindergarten) 6. 0.23 Elementary Nurse 7. 1.0 Elementary Recess Supervision 8. 0.27 Elementary Media Assistant 9. 1.0 District Leadership Development Coordinator 10. 0.5 High School Social Studies, Science, English 11. 0.6 High School Dean of Students 12. 0.5 High School GEAR coordinator 13. 0.7 High School Electives 14.Reduction in High School Behavior Interventionist/Paraprofessional 15. Reduction in FCCLA 16. Reduction in FFA trips 17. Reduction in after-school computer lab 18.Reduction in Extended Contracts 19.Discontinue Girls’ Gymnastics Program 20. Discontinue Boys’ Cross-Country Program 21. Discontinue Cheerleading 22. Reduce ninth-grade Football Coach 23. Reduce one Junior High Wrestling Coach 24. Reduce Miscellaneous Activities Expenses by 45 percent 25. Reduce supervisors for fall and winter activities 26. Reduce pay for ticket sellers 27. Increase Activity Fees 28. Reduce Technician time – 20 days composite 29. Reduce Secretary time – 55 days composite The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Kersten and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Gillman, Kersten, Laabs, Stenger, VanVleet And the following voted against: none. Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Motion by Gillman, seconded by Laabs, to remove the item of Non-Renewal/Reduction of Staff until negotiations with the senior staff members can take place. UC. Motion by Gillman, seconded by Laabs, to direct the board negotiations committee to enter into negotiations with licensed staff members who are at or very near retirement to possibly change the outcome of the reductions stated in the above resolution. UC. Motion by Laabs, seconded by Stenger, to approve payment of the commercial property, liability, auto insurance policy premium as presented. UC. Keith Stockman, DLR Group, gave a very brief rundown of the building project and areas that have been completed. He requested that each of the following contractors be paid their retainage to close out their respective contracts. Motion by Laabs, seconded by Gillman, to approve payment to Melrose Telephone Company for $16,206.01 for the telephone and paging systems. UC. Motion by Kersten, seconded by VanVleet, to approve payment to Multiple Concepts Interiors for $10,917.09 for the flooring contract. UC. Motion by Gillman, seconded by Laabs, to approve payment to Hauenstein & Burmeister, Inc. for $5,275.85 for lockers and athletic equipment. UC. Motion by Laabs, seconded by Gillman, to approve payment to Melrose Telephone Company for $18,861.06 for the technology package. UC. Motion by Stenger, seconded by Gillman, to approve payment to Calmar Manufacturing Company for $4,357.30 for casework with the condition that because there is one counter area needing replacement, this check will be held until work is completed. UC Celebrations of successes of students and staff included UTVS Broadcasting sent a letter thanking Kimball High School for allowing Matt Mattilla to job shadow at their facility. Ridgewater College congratulating KAHS for having contestants and winners at their 19th Annual Skills Fest on February 13, 2003, as follows: Shawn Dahlinger, Ben Stockinger, Phillip Konz and Kevin Sommers – 2nd Place Dairy Linear Evaluation; Luke Becker – 3rd Place Customer Service; Chris Rose, Drew Beck, Wade Pramann and Steve Landwehr – 3rd Place Dairy Linear Evaluation. The following students participated in their FFA contests that same day: Jamie Hanson – 2nd in Public Speaking, Kimball FFA Poultry Team place 2nd overall; individually Erich Deutsch placed 4th, Diana Donnay placed 6th, Amelia Hentges placed 8th; other participants were
Brandi Schiefelbein and Becky Rosenow. These FFA members have earned a trip to the state convention to compete in their contests. The band Solo & Ensemble results are State Superiors (highest rating possible in a MSHSL music event): Jenna Stenger – flute solo, Travis Winkelman – French horn solo, Jodine Lemke – oboe solo, Jill Libbesmeier – trumpet solo, Erin Heath – trumpet solo, Ryan Winkelman – bass clarinet solo, Clarinet Quintet, Flute Quartet, Flute Duet, Sax Quartet, Jazz Combo, Woodwind Trio and Percussion Ensemble. State Excellents: Woodwind Choir and Brass Choir. Subsec-tion Superior: Flute Duet. As well, Jenna Stenger’s flute solo was chosen “Best in Site”, meaning that she was chosen out of the 24 competitors at her site as the top performer. All students represented our school very positively as musicians and as young adults through their excellent behavior. Career Day was held on Wednesday, March 12. The event was very successful and very organized. March Students of the month were recognized. There was also a choir contest held on March 17, and the choir concert was held on March 18. Elementary Students of the Month were recognized, there was also a Career Day for sixth-graders at the elementary. Don Rose VCR Repair and Service donated a new VCR to the elementary. Elementary staff, principal Clark and Ms. Trimble did a wonderful job with the Reading Round Up that brought I Love To Read Month to a close. Congratulations to the Girls’ Basketball team for being the Section Champions. This is the farthest the Kimball Girls’ Basketball team has ever gone in tournament competition. Chair Kersten had the pleasure of chaperoning the band and a fan bus to a couple of the ball games at Minnewaska High School and was very impressed with our students. The board has set a planning meeting for Sunday, April 6, from 3-5 p.m. at the District Board Room. This planning session will be held to revisit the board goals set last fall and also to revisit the strategic plan. Ms. Imholte announced that there would be a TAG sponsored picnic for high school staff in May. She also shared a request from the TAG group to produce a community calendar. The board was in agreement that they would support this activity. Principal Clark reported on recent tours he has given to potential families, a coin collection competition being held at the elementary to benefit the food shelf, April 16 AAA events, 6th Grade musical has been cancelled due to several grade-level issues, a Spring choir concert will be held on May 6 at 1:30; application for the Artist In Residence Grant has been completed; a response on the Social Worker grant should be received soon, the Federal Title program dollars are in question. Ms. Imholte reported on the possibility of losing funding for students on work release; March 24 at 4:30 is the Attendance and Discipline Review Committee meeting; March 31 is a workshop day; staff will be participating in business visits; April 1 will be a Solo and Ensemble concert put together by Mr. Haake and Ms. Hansen. Dr. Thielman reported on the energy usage as reported by Eric Peterson, reiterated the need to pursue negotiations with senior staff members, and he will put out a notice of a public forum to be held regarding the reductions reviewed earlier. Committee reports included Benton-Stearns Education District – Gillman. Communications included letter received from Larry Jensen, President of Education Minnesota – Kimball requesting to commence negotiations. A letter was also shared by Chair Kersten regarding the scheduling of school activities on Wednesdays which conflicts with religion classes at the area churches. Laabs indicated she had received information on a Phase III Board Member Training. Motion by Gillman, seconded by Laabs, to adjourn the meeting at 10:40. UC. Marguerite Laabs, Clerk
