More than 40 Kimball Area Public Schools teachers came to the school board meeting Thursday, Jan. 15, as a public visual regarding negotiations. Keith Haake spoke on behalf of the group, “Our purpose in attending tonight’s meeting is to make clear to the school board the licensed staff support of our negotiations team. Our hope is that, through the mediation process, we can come to a fair and equitable settlement which would allow us all, teachers and board alike, to focus our energies totally and completely on the students.” The negotiations committee had a mediation meeting Saturday, Jan. 17. The board also discussed new graduation standards. Kimball Area High School (KAHS) Principal Karen Imholte presented the board with three types of students and approaches they may take to meet the requirements. Her presented scenarios showed that college-bound students should have enough opportunities to explore more classes. Struggling students also would have time to make up classes they failed. “I think that they are given plenty of opportunity,” board member Jerome Kuechle said. Special projects coordinator Peggy Trimble worked on the standards. She said a goal was to make students well-rounded and the requirements were set to meet this objective. The board approved the new standards. In other business, the board: o Accepted a $3,000 donation for the elementary school from P.I.E. (Partners In Education) for field trips. o Had a split vote 3-3 on a resolution to find a new head football coach for the 2004-05 season. (See the article on page 1.) o Passed a motion to approve the school’s non-discrimination policy. o Reviewed the school’s ACB policy prohibiting sexual harassment and sexual violence. o Agreed to have local legislators introduce a bill to move a portion of the district’s reserve transportation fund into the general fund. “This will help eliminate the general budget fund deficit,” Superintendent Scott Thielman said. “We will leave $30,000 in this fund for replacement vans and vehicles.” If passed by the legislature, $150,000 from the transportation fund would be reallocated. o Celebrated successes of staff and students. Imholte said teacher Bill Liedman was awarded a $200 Tech Prep Mini Grant to buy stopwatches. Three teachers, Nancy Bonnifield, Leah Arnold and Bill Liedman, were part of the Minnesota Career training. KAHS students Jenna Stenger and Nick Stein were nominated for Arts, Athletics and Awards (AAA). Stein was also in the St. Cloud Times’ outstanding senior section. Students earned a concert Friday, Jan. 16, from the KCLD food drive competition. o Thielman honored elementary students of the month. He also said the state recognition of paraprofessionals would be the week of Jan. 20-23. o Jon Clark recognized elementary students who raised $850 for field trips at their fish fry. He honored the knowledge bowl team and all of the work done during their season. o Heard from Imholte. Seventh-graders took the MCA tests during the week; all students were present for the tests. The last week of the semester was Jan. 12-16. o Was briefed by Jon Clark, elementary principal. Clark told the board the elementary school will have a Code Red drill Wednesday, Jan. 21. Letters will be sent to parents. A used book exchange will be Jan. 29-30. The school will have an anticipated 70 incoming kindergartners next year. o Heard from Thielman, who said the community education property was sold. The district will receive $125,000 for the property, and two new Kimball Public Schools students will reside in the house. o Gave committee reports. Dorothy Kersten said seven sections of the ECFE classes were full, and the community is planning a business expo. o Completed position and committee appointments. Kersten was named chair, Kuechle vice chair, Doug Stenger treasurer, and Marguerite Laabs was named clerk. Committee appointments were as follows: budget Kuechle, curriculum Kersten and Laabs, athletics Kuechle and Laabs, negotiations VanVleet, Stenger and Matt Serbus (alternate), technology Kersten and Kuechle, legislation Laabs, MSHSL Laabs, meet and confer VanVleet and Stenger, Benton-Stearns Ed. District Serbus, Community Education and ECFE Kersten, auditor Stenger, transportation Stenger and VanVleet, family services Laabs, student/board Laabs, health and safety Stenger, joint powers Serbus.
