REGULAR MEETING Unofficial Minutes Board of Education May 17, 2017 Ind. School District 739 Kimball, MN
The meeting was called to order by Chair Schreiner at 6:01 p.m. with members Davis, Hooper and Zipoy present. Clerk Becker and member Meyer were absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Motion by Zipoy, seconded by Davis to approve the agenda as presented. MC
Mike Schindler, representing the Kimball Fire Department, presented a request for consideration by the board to allow the Kimball Days?Äô Softball tournament, beanbag tournament, and children?Äôs activities to be held at the high school site rather than using the elementary ball field and the
St. Anne?Äôs property. Logistically, there is more space available at the high school as well as more parking. The concern would be if the school district would allow for the sale of beer on school property. Because two members were absent, Chair Schreiner asked that discussion be tabled until the June board meeting.
Pre-School Coordinator, Lisa Hennen shared with the board the current enrollment numbers in the preschool and enrichment programs as well as the various options available for families. The Kimball Preschool program is a Parent Aware 4-star rated program, which qualifies the program for both Pathways I and Pathways II scholarships for families. Lisa also provided information and statistics on the importance of preschool for all children prior to entering kindergarten. This year assessments were done at the beginning of the year, and now again at the end of the year. Only one of eight students did not reach 100% of skills over the year, and several of those eight students exceeded their expected skill set. Unfortunately, current census numbers are showing a decline in children ages 0-4, which indicates a decrease in preschool enrollment as well as preschool funding. Currently about 27% of preschool students come from surrounding districts. Ms. Hennen was thanked for sharing her presentation by the members.
Celebrations and success of students and staff included Monday, May 15th, being Ms. Arlene Sands final concert, which was in the format of a talent show of students in grades 4-6. Kudos to Ms. Sands for a long career and for the many students she taught throughout those years. The Robotics program did well at World?Äôs Competition in April; it was a huge experience for those students. A huge thank you to the Post Prom committee for another successful post prom lock-in activity for the attendees. There were a reported 105 participants at the event.
Motion by Hooper, seconded by Zipoy, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion Carried. The Consent Agenda included:
?Ä¢ Approve minutes from the April 19, 2017 Regular meeting
?Ä¢ Approval of Bills
?Ä¢ Treasurer?Äôs Report
?Ä¢ Approve Policy No. 410.2 ?Äì Return To Work Program
?Ä¢ Approve hiring of Michaela Gallup, Secondary Ag Education and FFA Advisor, for 2017-2018, at BA, Step 1 of the Master Agreement
?Ä¢ Accept letter of resignation for the purpose of retirement, received from Arlene Sands, Elementary Music and Sr. High Choir, effective June 2, 2017
?Ä¢ Approve hiring Holli Saurer, Long-Term Substitute for Anna Anderson, beginning May 15, 2017
?Ä¢ Acknowledge donation of a Turbo Shear, received from Malco Products, Inc., for the Industrial Tech Program
?Ä¢ Accept $600 donation received from Donald & Jennifer Schiefelbein, towards Knowledge Bowl
?Ä¢ Accept $75 donation received from Meeker Cooperative towards Robotics
?Ä¢ Accept $500 donation received from Kingston Lions Club towards the Scholarship Fund
?Ä¢ Accept $250 donation received from Patrick Tekavec towards the Scholarship Fund
?Ä¢ Accept $100 donation received from Laura & Shawn Meyer towards the Scholarship Fund
?Ä¢ Accept $200 donation received from Taher, Inc. towards the Scholarship Fund
?Ä¢ Accept $50 donation received from Gerald & Diane Lang towards the Scholarship Fund
Ms. Johnson reported on testing at the elementary being complete; everyone worked very hard. Now it?Äôs on to field trips. 5th Grade returned from their Iron Range trip last week. The school wide picnic will be held on June 1st. Fifth Grade graduation will be held on May 25th. Targeted Services programs will run in June, with the ESY running in both June and August. Ms. Johnson is currently working on an on-line program that will allow students to continue to utilize their math and reading skills throughout the summer. Families not able to use this particular system may use the Moby Max and Study Island programs as well.
Mr. Widvey reported on graduation scheduled for June 1st at
6:30 p.m. The 6th grade trip to Deep Portage was held last week. After being told by Deep Portage staff that they would love to keep our students over the summer because of their great behavior, Kimball 6th grade teachers have requested to make the trip again next year. Preliminary MCA scores are available now, with final scores being made available sometime next fall. Preliminarily, with the exception of one grade-level test, it appears that all were either at or above state average. The 10th grade reading and science scores, when compared to their 8th grade scores, improved by about 30% and 20% respectively. Overall, very proud of the results. Kudos to the staff and students working hard over those five weeks. The ACT preliminary results show an overall average score in the 24 range. There were a couple students in the low 30s. Fifth grade orientation was held on May 16th. He asked that the board consider increasing the required number of credits for graduation. Currently the requirement is 23-1/2. He and Mr. Klein feel there is a need to add more to the senior year. Discussion followed on holding a Career Day.
Mr. Wagner gave an update on the press-box construction schedule. Now that several track and field events have been successful, there has been some great feed-back and we have received some requests from school to be included in future meets. Representative Emmer?Äôs visit went well. Staff absenteeism has been extremely high this year; a lot of illness throughout the year. Records show that only two employees did not use a sick day throughout the year. Mr. Westrich and Mr. Wagner are looking into creating a Hall of Champions in the hallway passing both gymnasiums. There would be banners with inspirational and motivational captions lining the hallway. This is the hall where students line the halls for the send-off for State Competitors. If anyone is interested, there will be a big announcement at the elementary building on Monday, May 22nd. It will involve a celebration and a contest. Lastly, there have been several new roof leaks located in the southeast corner of the high school building. We are trying to locate them to get them repaired.
Chair Schreiner reported on Benton-Stearns Education District.
Motion by Davis, seconded by Hooper to authorize a $600 expenditure to cover the District?Äôs share of Phase I Active Threat training with the City, Police, Fire, and Emergency Management. MC
Schreiner reviewed improvements to the proposed 3-year contract with Superintendent, Jim Wagner, for the 2017-2018 thru 2019-2020 school years. Included is an increase in the tax shelter annuity match for up to $3000 for 2017-2018, and up to $4000 for the following two years. Salary increase includes $300 for an annual salary of $100,000 for the 2017-2018 school year, with a performance bonus of up to 5.5%, as evaluated by the school board. The amount of the performance bonus shall be added to the base salary to determine the new base salary for 2018-2019. The superintendent shall also be eligible for a performance bonus of up to 3.0% in 2018-2019, following board evaluation, and again being added to the base salary, determining the base salary for 2019-2020. The superintendent shall also be eligible for a performance bonus of up to 3.0% in 2019-2020, following board evaluation. Motion by Davis, seconded by Hooper to approve the superintendent contract for 2017-2020 as presented. MC
The second revised budget for 2016-2017 was reviewed, with minor changes from the January revision. Motion by Hooper, seconded by Davis to adopt the second revised budget as presented. MC
Motion by Davis, seconded by Hooper to accept the resignation received from Mikayla Markwardt, Cubs Club staff helper, effective May 5, 2017. MC
Motion by Zipoy, seconded by Hooper to accept resignation received from Julie Libby, Cubs Club and Community Education, effective May 5, 2017. MC
Motion by Zipoy, seconded by Hooper to accept $1,000 donation received from Kimball Firemen?Äôs Relief Association, toward the School of Fish program. MC
Motion by Davis, seconded by Hooper to approve a correction to track coaching assignments. Brianna Barrett should be Jr. High, not Assistant. Tyler Warren should be approved as a Jr. High track coach. MC
Announcements and future meeting dates included the Health & Safety Meeting on Wednesday, May 24, the next Benton-Stearns Education District meeting, as well as the next regular board meeting are on June 21st. It should be noted that the requested ?ÄúMeet the Coach Night?Äù will not happen this year.
Motion by Hooper, seconded by Davis to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
Brian Becker, Clerk
Published in the Tri-County News Thursday, June 1, 2017.