Kimball area students are paying less money for lunches than students in surrounding districts. However, this is about to change. Next year, students will pay ten cents more for each meal they eat at school. Superintendent Dr. Scott Thielman said, “I know that this isn’t an easy decisions but the cost increase is about $2 per month or about $18 per child for a school year.” After reviewing what other districts charge for lunch, the board felt better about this decision. With the increase, Kimball students will still be paying less money than Eden Valley-Watkins, Annandale, Maple Lake, Sauk Rapids, Sartell and St. Cloud, just to name a few. The board voted in favor of this proposal. Preschooler transportation Daycare provider Karla Davis came to the school board on Thursday, May 22, to tell the board how hard it is for daycare providers to get their charges to preschool activities. She asked the board if they would take this into consideration when renewing the transportation with LOL Bus Service. The current bus transportation policy charges on a per pupil basis. This means that if a bus stops at Davis’ house, families are charged $200 per pupil that is picked up. Davis noted that she lives off of Hazel Avenue and it would not be a special trip or an additional route for drivers. She also mentioned that three children and their families from her daycare are interested in attending preschool, so this would be a $600 charge for these families for one stop. Superintendent Dr. Scott Thielman said that this is an issue that the school is currently dealing with. He said, “We can’t have stops at every house on the way back to school.” Thielman noted that they would try to accommodate different situations like this, but “Right now, our transportation costs exceed what we are getting from the state.” Dr. Thielman told Davis that the $200 fee could be taken off of families’ state taxes. “If they owe the state $500, they would only need to pay $300 with this credit.” Similarly, if a family was receiving $500 back from the state, this amount would increase to $700. Davis said she would inform her charges’ parents of this credit. In other business, the school board: o Approved the resignation of Rob DeCorsey, Trudy Kuechle, and Gary Lagerstedt. o Approved an extended contract for Mr. Meyer, Mr. Grommesh and Ms. Pugh. Respectively, these teachers were awarded 12 days, six days and two days. Meyer’s days will be completed in July and August 2003, as well as June 2004. Grommesh can use his days between June and August of 2003. Pugh’s contract extends her days into June 2003. o The board heard a construction report from Keith Stockman of the DLR group. They discussed problems the school is still having since construction has been finished. Included in their problems are the leaking roof where drains were not installed low enough; rooms in the building that were too cold or too hot; mold building up on the school grounds from roof drainage; grass that has not been restored; classroom doors that are not locking; drywall cracks that need to be sealed before painting; and entrance doors that are not working properly. Stockman said he would meet with the various contractors and discuss these problems. He noted that their contractual duties will not be fulfilled until these problems are fixed. o The board also amended the 2002-2003 school calendar year. Elementary students will finish on June 3, while high school will finish on June 5. o Approved the new high school handbook additions. o Read the new First Aid Guidelines which will be used as a resource for high school and elementary staff. o Discussed a preliminary 2003-04 budget. o Were briefed on legislative updates by Dr. Thielman. o Talked about selling the Community Eduction house. They are currently looking into different realtors who have children within the district. o Discussed the possibility of having a new high school schedule next year. Ms. Imholte will bring more information to the next meeting.
