REGULAR MEETING
Official Minutes
Board of Education
January 19, 2022
Ind. School District 739
Kimball, MN
Chair Schreiner opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. with members K. Helgeson, E. Helgeson, Gallagher, and Mahlum in attendance remotely. Member Becker was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Motion by K. Helgeson, seconded by Gallagher, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed by roll-call vote 5-0.
Chair Schreiner called for nominations for the position of Board Chair. K. Helgeson nominated Schreiner, Mahlum seconded the nomination. Chair Schreiner called for nomination three additional times, to which there were no other nominations. Motion carried by roll-call vote 4-0 with Schreiner abstaining.
Chair Schreiner called for nominations for the position of Vice Chair. Mahlum nominated K. Helgeson, E. Helgeson seconded the nomination. Schreiner called for nomination three additional times, to which there were no other nominations. Motion carried by roll-call vote 4-0 with K. Helgeson abstaining.
Chair Schreiner called for nominations for the position of Clerk. Gallagher nominated E. Helgeson, Mahlum seconded the nomination. Schreiner called for nomination three additional times, to which there were no other nominations. Motion carried by roll-call vote 4-0 with E. Helgeson abstaining.
Chair Schreiner called for nominations for the position of Treasurer. Gallagher nominated Mahlum, K. Helgeson seconded the nomination. Schreiner called for nomination three additional times, to which there were no other nominations. Motion carried by roll-call vote 4-0 with Mahlum abstaining.
Motion by K. Helgeson, seconded by Gallagher, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried. The Consent Agenda included:
• Approve minutes from the December 15, 2021, Regular Meeting.
• Approve minutes from the January 5, 2022, Special Meeting.
• Approve minutes from the January 12, 2022, Special Meeting.
• Approval of Bills.
• Treasurer’s Report.
• Accept resignation received from Angela Ziebol, Sign Language Interpreter, effective January 1, 2022.
• Approve hiring Janelle LeBlanc, part-time Interpreter, beginning January 17, 2022, at $49.00/hour.
• Approve hiring Janice Wuertz, part-time Interpreter, beginning January 17, 2022, at $49.00/hour.
• Resolution Accepting Donations.
Mrs. Bonnifield reported the following:
• Shared photos from around the high school showcasing student work, Snow Daze events, and the COVID testing station.
• The District Advisory Committee will be meeting on January 31, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• An update was given on the spring course registration.
Mr. Timmerman reported the following:
• Kindergarten Registration night is scheduled for February 24, for 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
• The end of First Semester is Friday, January 21. Report cards will be available on Friday, January 28.
• Parent/Teacher conferences are February 1 and 3, from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Sign-up information will be sent to parents on Tuesday, January 25.
• FASTBridge testing will be complete soon. Students are showing growth, but still not at the “expected” grade level. Teachers are working hard on meeting student needs.
• Character Strong is going very well. The program meets two times per month. Students meet to discuss and share ideas regarding the focus for that month.
Mr. Widvey reported the following:
• Provided a construction update for the high school building.
• The school district is currently looking for an in-house substitute teacher for second semester.
• Semester 2 starts on Tuesday, January 25.
• Provided an update on the OSHA ETS.
• Spoke with board members about setting up Facilities Committee meeting in the next month.
Adoption of 2022-2023 School Calendar tabled for further discussion at February 16 School Board Meeting.
Motion by E. Helgeson, seconded by Gallagher, to approve Policy 513, Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design, and abolish Policy 513.1, Early Entrance. Motion carried by roll-call vote 5-0.
Motion by Mahlum, seconded by E. Helgeson, to approve request of leave of absence for Emily (Webb) Greniger, 6th-grade teacher, beginning on or about April 1, 2022, through the end of the school year. Motion carried by roll-call vote 5-0.
Motion by K. Helgeson, seconded by Gallagher, to approve leave of absence request for Emily (Webb) Greniger from Varsity Assistant Softball Coaching beginning January 19, 2022, through the end of the 2022 softball season. Motion carried by roll-call vote 5-0.
Motion Mahlum, seconded by E. Helgeson, to accept resignation received from Carol Bloch, part-time custodian, effective February 1, 2022. Motion carried by roll-call vote 5-0.
Approval of Flexible Learning Plan tabled for further discussion at February 16 School Board Meeting.
Motion by Gallagher, seconded by K. Helgeson, to move to closed session with attorney pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, subd.3(b). Motion carried by roll-call vote 5-0. Move to closed session at 8:26 p.m.
Motion by Gallagher, seconded by K. Helgeson, to open closed session. Motion carried by roll-call vote 5-0. Closed session opened at 8:37 p.m.
Motion by Gallagher, seconded by E. Helgeson, to close closed session. Motion carried 4-0 by roll-call vote. Closed session closed at 8:50 p.m.
Motion by K. Helgeson, seconded by E. Helgeson, to reopen regular board meeting. Motion carried 4-0 by roll-call vote. Meeting reopened at 8:50 p.m.
Motion by Gallagher, seconded by K. Helgeson, to approve settlement as recommended by legal counsel. Motion carried 5-0 by roll-call vote.
Next meeting dates:
• Benton Stearns Education District Board Meeting: 2/16.
• School Board Meeting: 2/16.
Motion by E. Helgeson, seconded by Mahlum to adjourn: 8:53 p.m.
Eric Helgeson, Clerk
Published in the Tri-County News Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.