REGULAR MEETIN Unofficial Minutes Board of Education October 21, 2015 Ind. School District 739 Kimball, MN
The meeting was called to order by vice chair Zipoy at 7:35 p.m. with all board members except Schreiner present. The meeting was started following the final required public meeting regarding the upcoming levy election. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Motion by Stein, seconded by Becker to approve the agenda as presented. MC
FFA Advisor, Tracy Nelson introduced Brianna Jonas, a National FFA Proficiency Finalist in Wildlife Management. Brianna will be competing at the National FFA Convention October 28-31. Brianna presented her opening speech that she will present at convention, which focuses on her work nuisance trapping and educating people about Minnesota?Äôs trapping industry. Brianna is a senior, and a five-year member of the Kimball FFA Chapter. She welcomed the board to openly critique her presentation, to which she received encouragement to do well at convention.
Janel Bitzan, representing BerganKDV, the District?Äôs audit firm, gave an overview of the FY2015 annual audit. The District was given an unmodified opinion on the basic financials, which is the best opinion available. A couple internal control findings, lack of segregation of accounting duties, and preparation of the financial statements were noted. These are two findings that we are unable to correct simply due to the size of the district and the limited number of office staff available. There was one material audit adjustment related to capital assets, which does not impact the cash assets of the district. There were no legal compliance findings. ADM?Äôs, or Adjusted Daily Membership, and students served has increased over the prior year by about 26 students. Resident ADM?Äôs was at 741.28 at year end, with actual ADM?Äôs served at 685.08. This reflects a net loss of 56 students due to open enrollment. The budget for the general fund indicated an operating decrease of $343,000, while the actual operating decrease was $134,000. This was due in large part to the final replacement of the elementary roof using insurance funds received in the prior year. The ending general fund balance was a deficit of $96,000. The district remains in SOD (Statutory Operating Debt) at the end of the fiscal year, however, great improvement was made over prior year, and it is expected the district will be out of SOD at the end of FY16. The board thanked Ms. Bitzan for her work with the district, and sharing the information with them.
Celebrations and successes of students and staff included presentation of MSBA Certificates for members Becker, Meyer, and Schreiner for having completed all three Phases of MSBA Board Member training. Recognition of Penny Blanchard and Vicki Woods being selected by their peers and recognized at a banquet sponsored by Resource Training & Solutions as Outstanding Support Staff for the Kimball District. Nice Bike to Tracy Nelson having applied for and receiving an $850 grant from the CMBA.
Motion by Stein, seconded by Becker to approve the consent agenda. MC. The consent agenda included:
?Ä¢ Approve minutes from the September 16, 2015 Regular meeting
?Ä¢ Approve minutes from the September 23, 2015 Special meeting
?Ä¢ Approval of Bills
?Ä¢ Treasurer?Äôs and Quarterly Reports
?Ä¢ Approve At Will Employee Letter of Assignment for non-licensed staff
?Ä¢ Approve Summer Swaisgood, Cubs Club staff, beginning September 14, 2015, at Category 2, Step 1 of the Non-Licensed agreement
?Ä¢ Approve hiring of Tina Markwardt, Enrichment staff, beginning September 30, 2015, at Category 2, Step 1 of the Non-Licensed agreement
?Ä¢ Approve continued long-term substitute contract with Patty Schiefelbein, for Brenda Mass, until November 4, 2015
?Ä¢ Accept $1,200 donation received from South Haven Firemen?Äôs Relief Assn. toward Project Lead the Way
?Ä¢ Accept $1,000 donation received from Fair Haven Lions toward the Kimball Senior Scholarship Fund
?Ä¢ Accept $50 donation received from Larry & Lois Jensen, toward the Kimball Senior Scholarship Fund
?Ä¢ Approve winter coaching assignments: Jay Klein ?Äì Head Boys Basketball, Rick Hendrickson ?Äì Assistant/JV, Aaron Laabs ?Äì C squad, Jarol Cole ?Äì 8th, Barry Strand ?Äì 7th; Jeremy Kuechle ?Äì Head Girls Basketball, Joe Stangle ?Äì Assistant/JV, Brianna Barrett ?Äì C squad, Crystal Donahue ?Äì 8th, Barry Strand ?Äì 7th; Mike Schindler ?Äì Head Wrestling, Andrew Pokorny ?Äì Assistant, Chris Schiewe ?Äì Jr. High; Jody Markgraf ?Äì Head Speech, Jody Markgraf ?Äì One-Act Play
Ms. Johnson reported on things going well at the elementary this fall. Some upcoming events include Grandparents Day on October 29, Halloween festivities on October 30, evening conferences on October 28th and all day on November 2nd, Dare Graduation on November 4th, 4th-6th grade Holiday concert on December 7th, and K-3rd grade Holiday concert on December 8th.
Mr. Widvey updated on the nice bike initiative in the addition of new rugs with logo; five at the high school and one at the elementary. Quarter one ends on October 30th, with conferences also the evening of October 28th and all day on November 2nd. A notice will go out to parents informing them that any head coaches will not be present after 5:00 on the evening of the 28th due to a Central Minnesota Conference Coaches event being scheduled for that same evening. A mini-sessions day is in the planning stages, also planning is underway for a Career Day possibly in early April.
Member Zipoy asked for an update on the World?Äôs Best Workforce (WBWF) meeting. Kuddos to Nancy Bonnifield for leading a well-run meeting, and for taking on much of the efforts with regards to the WBWF. The purpose of the WBWF program is to consolidate Integration and Achievement, Staff Development, College and Career Readiness, the Testing Committee, and to set goals. The Committee met earlier in the week and reviewed these programs as well as the goals from last year. Some of those goals were the security system at the elementary, improvement on test scores and graduation rate, creating a more welcoming atmosphere in the two buildings. This committee will be meeting again in January and plans to review the survey questions from last year to select additional goals, and to try to close some of the gaps.
Mr. Wagner advised the board that staff (teachers) are interested in pursuing the Q-Comp incentive program for teachers. They have been advised that if this moves forward it will only have state funds available, not levy funds. With this program goals are set at an individual level, building level, and a district-wide level. As goals are met, teachers are able to receive incentive pay.
A committee made up of the two principals, several teachers, and a couple board members will be meeting soon to work on the current Transfer Policy. This policy currently allows administration to change a teacher?Äôs assignment as they see necessary or appropriate, within the limits of the individual?Äôs licensure.
He and the principals are completing more walkthroughs of the buildings this year as compared to last year. Also, he will be subbing for 2nd grade teacher Brooke Olmscheid at the elementary and English/Language Arts instructor Tabitha Mortenson at the high school. Each principal selects a teacher deserving of a free day.
A group including a 5th grade teacher and a 6th grade teacher will travel to Eden Prairie to visit their system and see what they are doing differently to achieve high test scores given the diversity within their school system.
Another board work session needs to be scheduled to begin reviewing policies. This will be scheduled sometime in November.
Lastly, a thank you from the Wagner family for the memorial plant they received.
Reports included negotiations ?Äì Becker and Wagner; Benton-Stearns Education District ?Äì Wagner.
Motion by Becker, seconded by Hooper to accept the FY15 Annual Audit as presented by Ms. Bitzan. MC
Motion by Stein, seconded by Hooper to adopt Resolution of School Board Supporting Form A Application to MSHSL Foundation, as prepared by Mr. Westrich. MC
Announcements included the Special Election on 11/3, with polls open from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The next Regular board meeting, and canvassing of the election on 11/11, and the next Benton-Stearns Education District meeting on 11/18.
Motion by Meyer, seconded by Stein to adjourn at 9:03 p.m.
Brian Becker, Clerk
Published in the Tri-County News Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015.