The meeting was called to order by Chair Laabs at 6:30 p.m. with all members except Helgeson present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all in attendance. Motion by Peglow to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Stenger. MC After review, motion by Stenger, seconded by Zipoy to approve the listed bills in the amount of $143,231.73. MC Motion by Peglow, seconded by Dockery to approve the consent agenda as presented. MC. The consent agenda included: Approve minutes of Jan. 23, 2008, Re-organizational Board Meeting Approve long-term substitute contract with Alicia Posch, elementary special education, beginning Jan. 29, 2008, and ending May 30, 2008. Approve spring coaching assignments: Track: Assistant – Dennis Abernathy, Jr. High – Jason Mortenson; Golf: Head – Judd Bonham, Assistant – Kris O’Brien; Softball: Head – Gary Riess, Assistant – Eric Primus, 8th Grade – Joe Stangle, 7th Grade – Barry Strand. Baseball: Head – Nate Schwieters, Assistant – Jay Klein, 8th Grade – Paul Sundin, 7th Grade – Steve Harloff. The treasurer’s report was reviewed and discussed. Motion by Peglow, seconded by Stenger to accept the resignation of Deb Welle, speech/language clinician, when a suitable replacement is found. MC Motion by Peglow, seconded by Dockery to accept resignation received from Cynthia Lenzen, EBD instructor currently on leave of absence. The board extends their thanks to Cindy for her years of service to the students at Kimball High School. MC After review by Mr. Widvey, motion by Stenger, seconded by Peglow to approve the High School Course Registration Guide for 2008-2009 as presented. MC Because there is not currently a separate junior high student government organization, motion by Dockery, seconded by Peglow to combine the two activity accounts, renaming as High School Student Government, and eliminating account #65. MC Celebration and Success of Students and Staff included: Jay Klein and his wife Jen have a baby boy, born Feb. 19. Bill Hesse and his wife Beth have a baby girl, born Feb. 10. The sixth-grade boys’ basketball team placed second at both Albany and Rockford, the fifth-grade boys placed first at Albany. The seventh-grade boys will be participating in an ironman competition March 4. Varsity boys’ basketball had a big win over Rockford, and lost in a close game against Eden Valley. Paulette Hauge received the Literacy Award from Central Minnesota Reading Council. Austin Roerick is Kimball’s Spelling Bee champion. Section 5A Individual Wrestling will be hosted by Kimball this Friday and Saturday. Science Fair winners Matt Donnay, Shelby Schiefelbein, McKenzie Dammann, Jaycee Thompson, Lexie Rose, Johnna Johnson-Talbot, and McKenzie Libbesmeier will attend the Science Fair Competition at St. Cloud State University on the 23rd. Kimball FFA had two students run for Regional office – Taylor Petty and Beth Libbesmeier. Congratulations to Beth Libbesmeier who will be the Regional Treasurer. Both A and B Honor Roll students celebrated on Feb. 13. There were 185 students total receiving honor roll certificates. Mr. Tritabaugh reviewed the proposed policy on Reserve Fund Balances. It was explained that this document has been requested by the auditors, and also ties in with the Statutory Operating Debt Plan which requires a policy for an 8 percent fund balance. Mr. Clark reported on the well-attended parent/teacher conferences held on Feb. 7, 12, and 13. The PIE organization held a book fair in conjunction with the conferences raising about $1000 dollars for their organization. The Title program was monitored by the state. A representative was in the District for two days during which a couple minor compliance items regarding policy on homeless students arose. These items will be corrected for the future, otherwise the monitoring went very well. Mr. Widvey reported on the second quarter Student Activity Account financial report. High School conferences will be held on the 21st and the 25th. We are four weeks into the second semester and everything is going well. The superintendent’s report included Elementary Students of the Month for January – Kindergarten – Maicy Laumer, Grade 1 – Sidney Schreiner, Grade 2 – Michael Binsfeld, Grade 3 – Adam Theis, Grade 4 – Brianna Jonas, Grade 5 – Ashley Baumann, Grade 6 – Olivia Straley. Elementary Students of the Month for February include Kindergarten – Bailee Schiefelbein, Grade 1 – Rachel Merten, Grade 2 – Shawn Laudenbach, Grade 3 – Brandon LaFave, Grade 4 – Jarod Olson, Grade 5 – Danielle Helgeson, Grade 6 – Megan Bisila. Upcoming meetings include 2/27 – Health & Safety, 2/29 – SEE Regional Meeting, 3/10 – Budget Committee, 3/12 – Meet & Confer, 3/12 – Board Meeting. Because the federal government made some addendum language changes to the food service contract, the Department of Education is requiring that all food service contracts be re-bid. This process will be starting with letters going to potential bidders on Feb. 21, and bids being taken on April 7. Mr. Tritabaugh attended the National Superintendent’s Conference on Feb. 14-17. It was a very good conference with good speakers and sessions. Each board member received a certificate recognizing Feb. 25-29 as State School Board Member Week. The IRS regulations for 403(b) administration have changed. The superintendent has been attending a number of meetings regarding these changes. Currently the Benton-Stearns Education District is looking at hiring a third party administrator to handle the new requirements. It is believed that this will be the most cost-effective process to be sure the requirements are met. Mr. Tritabaugh will be out of the district March 3-7. Committee reports included SEE – Laabs, BSED – Laabs, Budget – Dockery and Tritabaugh, Curriculum – Zipoy and Clark. Communications included a request for input to schedule a meeting with the Eden Valley-Watkins School Board to discuss possibilities of sharing administration and/or education programs. Motion by Peglow, seconded by Stenger to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. MC. Robin Dockery, clerk Published in the Tri-County News Thursday, March 27, 2008.
