(April 12 regular meeting)
Superintendent Mark Messman reported that about 18-20 informational meetings have been set up so far in the community regarding the upcoming May 6 vote on a $12 million construction project. Other meetings may be scheduled if needed.
The $12 million series of projects includes much-needed renovation of the 90-year-old main high school building, and security improvements at both elementary schools in Eden Valley and Watkins. Building a new track and football field near the elementary school in Eden Valley is needed soon, though not urgently, because the current field is located on city property for which the city has plans to turn into a recreational park complex. (Note that this is a football field and track, with bleachers, concession stand, and other auxiliary buildings; it is not a stadium, as some have rumored.)
A tax impact calculator is available on the home page of the school website at evw.k12.mn.us (under ?ÄúNews?Äù). If this is not precise enough for you, you can call Ehlers & Associates for assistance, (800) 552-1171. Documents from the community task force that came up with this plan also are available on the school website. Any futrther questions may be directed to superintendent Messman at (320) 453-2900 ext. 1143. Tours of the 1927 building can be arranged.
Absentee ballots are now available in the district office (see official notice on page 15).
The board accepted retirement requests from John Gertken (Industrial Arts), Lori Rippentrop (kindergarten at Watkins Elem.), and Diane Steffes (fifth grade). The board discussed reorganization of the ag program which now includes many of the industrial ed courses.
Hiring and staffing in other areas was discussed, including an elementary music teacher (after accepting the resignation of Libby Bell from that position at the end of this school year), a speech/language pathologist, and technology integrationist.
The board approved contracts with three new teachers for the 2017-18 school year: Jaclynn Condon (School Readiness), Jasmine Wolters (Secondary Special Ed.), and Ryan Tri (Secondary Social Studies and P.E.).
No certified staff were put on unrequired leave , although some classified/essential staff will receive notice of non-renewal of their contracts.
The district does not currently have a meal deficit policy (for students who have lunch balances in deficit). The new food service director has recommended having such a policy. Currently, no student is singled out for a deficit balance nor for free-and-reduced lunches; no trays are taken away. ?ÄúWe try to work with families to communicate students?Äô best interests,?Äù Messman said. He added, though, that families cannot simply ignore deficits in the lunch balance.
The board discussed a building for Little Eagles (about 10 kids age 3-4). Currently they rent the old fire hall from the city for $100/month. The district could purchase the building for about $58060,000. ?ÄúWe?Äôre in the education business, not the childcare business,?Äù Messman said. Little Eagles is the most successful Community Ed program, supporting itself. The community needs daycare, but the district is not interested in running one.
The district accepted a bid for a replacement vehicle, a white 2016 Dodge Caravan SXT for $18,759 complete from AM Maus & Son in Kimball.
The next regular meeting of the Eden Valley-Watkins school board will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 17, in the board room. The June meeting has been moved to Monday, June 12, to allow for canvassing of the election.