REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NOV. 17, 2014
DISTRICT CENTER BOARD ROOM
The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 7 p.m. by Michelle Meyer, chair. Members present: Meyer; Krista Durrwachter, vice chair; Jason Nies, clerk; Mary McCabe, director; Pam Raden, director; Dan Riordan, director; and Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent.
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Riordan to approve the agenda. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Riordan to amend the agenda to move the Discussion Item #6 – Auditor Report to present when the auditor arrived in order to save time. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Raden to approve consent items a-c as presented below:
- Minutes of the regular school board meeting held Oct. 20, 2014.
- Checks in the amount of $1,941,810.22 as presented:
General Fund 1,545,721.73
Food Service Fund 153,459.25
Transportation Fund 109,518.46
Community Service Fund 38,860.11
Capital Expenditure Fund 94,116.39
Summer Rec Agency Fund 134.28
Check numbers 157937 to 158265
Receipts in the amount of $3,837,570.83 as presented:
General Fund 2,417.977.31
Food Service Fund 232,069.37
Transportation Fund 12,882.02
Community Service Fund 127,968.74
Capital Expenditure Fund 6,559.11
Building Fund .70
Debt Service Fund 1,038,663.58
Scholarship Trust 1,000.00
Summer Rec Agency Rec 450.00
Receipts 40321 to 40434
Wire transfers in the amount of $36,574.68 as presented:
General Fund 31,806.85
Food Service Fund 4,091.52
Summer Rec Agency Fund 676.31
Wire transfers 201400023-201400026
- Accept the following donations: Sabres All-Sports Booster Club, Sartell High School, $5,200, for TV-Technology
- Accept the resignation of Jane Schneider from her mid-day route, Transportation, bus driver, effective Nov.6, 2014.
Student Representative Report: Ryan Kororll, senior at Sartell High School
- The fall season came to a great finale with both Football and Girls Swimming and Diving making it to the State Competition. The Swimming and Diving Team placed second in the State Class A Competition.
- Winter sports and activities are now starting practice.
- The student sections have been filled with enthusiasm and higher-than-average attendance with very involved and dedicated fans.
- The Respect Retreat will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 19, which involves current ninth-graders and supports them in developing respect and a stronger sense of community.
- Student Council and National Honor Society students attended WE Day with a variety of motivational speakers to inspire youth.
Superintendent Report: Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent
- The makeup snow day for Nov. 10, 2014, will be made up by students on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, as noted as a possible makeup day on the approved district calendar. The Staff In-service/Workshop will be held on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015. Students will not have school this day.
- Articles were shared and discussed provided from Phi Delta Kappan.
- Literacy Instruction in the Brave New World of Technology, written by Michael McKenna
- E-test and E-books are Changing the Literacy Landscape, written by Bridget Dalton
- Social-Emotional Skills, written by Maurice Elias
- The Primary Years Agenda Strategies to Guide District Action, written by David Jacobson.
School Board Committees: School Board Members will report on committee meetings that have taken place since the last Board meeting.
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Advisory Committee Submitted by Michelle Meyer
- New Sartell High School Courses – Brenda Steve, high school principal, spoke on the new course offerings at the high dchool. The Tech Ed Department had the largest number of course changes. The students are excited and engaged with these new class offerings.
- Student Help Desk Course Presentation – Joe Schulte, instructional technology specialist at Sartell High School, Ryan Kororll and Seth Jenkins, Sartell High School students, gave a presentation on the Student Help Desk course. This class gives students the opportunity to problem-solve for peers any issues that occur with full access. They also gain software experience with various applications to test and implement for students and staff. These students have begun Google Certification training. They have also developed an informative website and are looking forward to expanding their online presence.
Link to Student Help Desk Informative
- Elementary Reading Program – Sara Nelson, Pine Meadow Elementary principal, presented on the new Reading Wonders curriculum program being implemented at the elementary buildings. The Reading Wonders program provides teachers with the tools necessary to teach students reading and writing and is designed specifically for the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards. The program also incorporates leveled readers at every grade level which ensure similar thematic content while meeting the needs of all students. Assessments are also built into the curriculum. Reading Wonders: Wonderworks is an intervention program designed to support emerging readers. It’s completely aligned with the Reading Wonders program. There is also an online component of the program which is available for students and parents. Teachers are already experiencing success with this program.
Striving for the World’s Best Workforce
- Goals, Assessment Results and Plan Overview – Kay Nelson, director of Learning Services, presented a PowerPoint on the District Strategic Plan for meeting the requirements of Creating the World’s Best Workforce Legislation.
Link to World’s Best Workforce Presentation
- Request for Approval: District 748 World’s Best Workforce Strategic Plan – Nelson presented the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Striving for the World’s Best Workforce document. The World’s Best Workforce statute was passed in 2013 to ensure every school district in the state is making strides to increase student performance. The committee approved this document.
Link to Striving For The World’s Best Workforce ISD 748 Strategic Plan
Technology Committee Submitted by Pam Raden
- BrightBytes Survey was discussed and how the district will use the results
- Continued technology training opportunities for administration and non-certified staff
- Reviewed longevity and availability of devices
- Communication expectations for teachers and buildings was discussed
- The elementary PTOs will be funding SMARTBoards for our Kindergarten and first-grade classrooms
Report on Enrollment: Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent, presented the current month’s enrollment report for district schools.
District Partnerships Update: Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent, gave a report and update on four partnerships the district currently is involved in with external agencies.
Auditor Report: Nancy Schulzetenberg, a representative from Kern, Dewenter, Viere, presented their findings of the 13-14 audit. Copies of the auditor report are online and at the District Service Center.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Riordan to APPROVE:
New Employees or Changes: Jodi Aizcorbe, SHS, cashier, $13.90 per hr. 2.25 hrs. per day, change in assignment-Carol Williams vacancy; Stephanie Andrews, PME, PT cleaner, $13.90 per hr. 3.25 hrs. day R1, S1, new position; Shane Broermann, SMS, JH boys swim, $2,137 BS1, replacing Chris Campbell; Mark Huber, DSC, cleaner, $13.90 per hr. 3.5 hr./day R1, S1, new position; Stacy Kubesh, SHS, special education homebound, $35.80 per hr. hours per day – TBD, replacing Kelly Hansen; Angel Leon, SMS, LTS para, $15.71 per hr. 35 hr./week R4, S1; replacing Karen Butler; Brian Nyholm, SHS, assistant boys hockey, $3,198 BS1, new position; Beau Penk, SHS, assistant wrestling, $3,897, new position; Joe Perske, SMS, PE teacher, $50,669 MA30 S20, return from LOA; Sue Sathre, SMS, JH boys swim, $2,137 BS1, replacing Michael Symanietz; Doreen Schmidt, PME, LTS teacher, $191.45/daily contract BA, S1; replacing Meghan Brown; Nancy Trehey, DSC, parent educator, $32.98/hr. BA S1, new position; Sandy Warzecha, ORE/PME SFX, Title 1 teacher, $23.93 3.25 hr. day, replacing Jill Haehn; Carol Williamson, SHS, cashier, $16.70 per hr. 2.25 hrs. per day; change in assignment-Diane Brum vacancy.
Leaves of Absence: Meghan Brown, PME, third-grade teacher, requested leave, Feb. 23-May 11, 2015; Therese Nierengarten, SMS, social worker, requested leave, Oct. 25, 2014-June 2, 2015.
All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by McCabe to HAVE SECOND READING AND APPROVE REVISIONS TO POLICY 205 and 425. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Riordan to APPROVE AUDIT REPORT. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Nies to APPROVE MASTER CONTRACT AND ADDENDUM A TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN GOODWILL-EASTER SEALS MINNESOTA AND SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #748. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Raden to APPROVE THE DISTRICT PLAN FOR MEETING MINNESOTA STATE STATUTE 120.B11: STRIVING FOR THE WORLD’S BEST WORKFORCE. Meyer, Durrwachter, Nies, McCabe and Raden in favor. Riordan not in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by McCabe to APPROVE SPANISH CLUB AND MUSIC FUNDRAISERS. All in favor. Motion carried.
Schedule Work Session and Committee Meetings
Policy Committee – Dec. 4 at 4:15 p.m. at the District Service Center
Facilities Committee – Dec. 9 at 4:15 p.m. at the District Service Center
December Board Meeting – switched the regular Board Meeting time to 5 p.m. Dec. 15 at the District Service Center
The board had the official review of policies 520, 523, 525, 527, 529, 530 and 531.
The board had the first of two readings of revisions of the following policies: 522 and 526.
Minnesota School Board Association Conferences: A schedule of upcoming conferences is available on the MSBA website.
Meyer announced a five-minute recess.
A motion to close the meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statue Section 13D.05 Subd. 2(b) to consider concerns related to an employee was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Riordan at 8:25 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion to reopen the meeting was made by Riordan and Nies at 8:28 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried.
Board Member Nies introduced the resolution and moved its adoption to release Jeanne Kober, an employee of Independent School District No. 748. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Board member Durrwachter, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Meyer, Raden, Durrwachter, McCabe, Nies, Riordan and the following voted against the same: None.
Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. was made by Raden and seconded by Nies. All in favor. Motion carried.
/s/ Jason Nies, clerk
Publish: Dec. 19, 2014