ORGANIZATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 748
JAN. 7, 2014
DISTRICT CENTER BOARD ROOM
The organizational school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chair Michelle Meyer. Members present: Meyer; Mary McCabe, vice chair; Jason Nies, clerk; Krista Durrwachter, director; Pam Raden, director; Dan Riordan, director; and Michael M. Spanier, interim superintendent. Members absent: None.
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Durrwachter to approve the agenda with the following additions – action item for approval of New Instructional Calendar to account for school cancellation on Jan. 7, 2014. All in favor. Motion carried.
Acting Chair Meyer opened nominations for the position of chair. Raden nominated Meyer for chair. McCabe seconded the nomination. No other nominations were received. Meyer was elected as chair.
Chair Meyer continued presiding over the meeting.
McCabe nominated Durrwachter for vice chair. Raden seconded the nomination. No other nominations were received.Durrwachter was elected as vice chair.
Durrwachter nominated Nies for clerk/treasurer. Raden seconded the nomination. No other nominations were received. Nies was elected as clerk/treasurer.
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Nies to designate Sentry Bank, US Bank, Minnesota School Districts Liquid Assets Fund, and PMA Financial Network as depositories for 2014. All in favor.Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Raden to authorize a signature facsimile for payment of board-authorized expenditures bearing the signature of the chair and clerk/treasurer. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by McCabe to authorize use of current facsimile for payment of board-authorized expenditures until new one is received.All in favor.Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Riordan to set 12 regular board meetings for 2014 to be held at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month (unless a national holiday). Proposed time to continue at 7 p.m. – except during the summer months of June, July and August which would begin at 4:30 p.m. Board meeting dates were set as follows: Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 17, April 28, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Raden and seconded by Durrwachter to set the salary of board members for chair and treasurer at $3,200 annually, and directors at $2,800 annually. Stipend for special and other designated meetings will be $50 for meetings from one to two hours, $100 for meetings from two to four hours, $150 for meetings from four to six hours, $400 for meetings longer than six. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Nies to adopt the following resolution allowing the payment of claims prior to board approval in certain circumstances presently in effect:
Steve Wruck, director of business services, be authorized to make payment prior to board approval of claims that cannot be deferred until the next board meeting without loss to the district of discount privileges and Wruck is authorized to initiate and transact electronic fund transfers for the purpose of investment of excess monies and for payment of bond principal and interest. Said authority is delegated pursuant to M.S.1996, Section 123B.02, Subd. 18. All in favor.Motion carried.
Meyer appointed the following to board committees:
School Board Committees
Policy: McCabe and Riordan
Finance and Operations: Nies, Meyer and McCabe
Committee Appointments
Negotiations: Durrwachter
Benton-Stearns Education District: Riordan
Legislative Network and SEE: Raden and Riordan
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Committee: Raden, Meyer and Durrwachter
Technology: Nies, Raden and Meyer
Community Outreach: Raden, Meyer and Durrwachter
Facilities: McCabe, Nies and Meyer
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Nies to identify the official newspaper for publication as Sartell Newsleader. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Nies to identify Ratwood, Roszak and Maloney, and Kennedy and Graven as the district’s legal representatives. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Nies to have Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 as a regular school day for the loss of the instructional day of Tuesday, Jan.7, 2014. Also recommend, for moving Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 In-service /Workshop to Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. The closing was due to inclement weather and road conditions. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by McCabe to adjourn the meeting at 5:04 p.m. Motion carried.
Jason Nies, clerk/treasurer
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PROPERTY TAX HEARING
SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 748
DEC. 16, 2013
DISTRICT CENTER BOARD ROOM
The public hearing for the proposed 2013 payable 2014 levy was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Michelle Meyer. Members present: Meyer, chair; Mary McCabe, vice chair; Jason Nies, clerk; Krista Durrwachter, director; Pam Raden, director; Dan Riordan, director; and Michael M. Spanier, interim superintendent. Members absent:None.
Business Manager Steve Wruck reviewed the 2013 payable 2014 levy materials including the 2013-2014 budget, types of levies, and property tax calculations.
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REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 748
DEC. 16, 2013
DISTRICT CENTER BOARD ROOM
The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chair Michelle Meyer. Members present: Meyer, chair; Mary McCabe, vice chair; Jason Nies, clerk; Krista Durrwachter, director; Pam Raden, director; Dan Riordan, director; and Michael M. Spanier, interim superintendent. Members absent: None.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Riordan to approve the agenda. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Nies to approve consent items a-d as presented below:
- Minutes of the meeting held on Nov. 18, 2013
- Checks in the amount of $1,801,534.33 as presented:
General 1,280,193.24
Food Service 84,438.68
Transportation 133,739.58
Community Service 43,148.24
Capital Expenditure 153,009.64
Building Fund 105,052.31
Summer Rec Agency 1,952.64
Check numbers 154251to 154553.
Receipts in the amount of $1,722,980.07 as presented:
General Fund 1,191,930.91
Food Service Fund 156,656.43
Transportation Fund 11,592.12
Community Service Fund 67,339.69
Capital Expenditure Fund 14,070.43
Building Fund 3.71
Debt Service Fund 281,386.78
Receipts 39187-39301
Wire transfers in the amount of $3,840.42 as presented:
General Fund 388.48
Food Service Fund 3,451.94
Wire transfers 201300033-201300036
- Accept the following donations:
| Name |
To |
Donation |
Purpose |
| Oak Ridge Elementary PTC | Sartell-St. Stephen School District #748 | $2,368.20 | Ukuleles |
| Sartell Fastpitch Softball Association | Sartell-St. Stephen School District #748 | $2,000.00 | Batting Cage |
- Accept the resignation of Deb Gallus, ORE, student supervisor, effective 12-09-13; Brian Johnson, DSC, supervisor of buildings and grounds, effective 11-22-13 and the retirement of Mary Jo Vigeron, SMS teacher, effective 02-13-14.
Student Representative Report: Mary Lindell, senior at Sartell High School
- The SHS Sounds of the Season Winter Choir Concert was held on Monday, Dec. 16.
- The SHS Winter Winds Band concert had more than 300 people in attendance.
- Winter sports are in full swing with practice and games.
- National Honor Society will ring bells at Coborn’s this week.
- Student Council held the voting for Winter Wonderland royalty.
- PME and ORE have had very successful winter donation drives that will continue through the week including gathering hats, mittens, food and toys for community organizations.
- Sartell Middle School is gearing up for the7th- and 8th-grade musical, Seussical the Musical, held in late February.
Superintendent Report: Mike Spanier, interim superintendent
- Student Council has raised more than $1,400 to be used for gift baskets for Sartell families this holiday season.
- The Target Club collected more than 250 hats and mittens that were donated to Catholic Charities.
- The SHS SPED department has partnered with WACOSA to recycle holiday cards. The program provides real job skills for our students. These will be collected until second quarter ends the third week in January.
- The SHS Girls Swimming and Diving team participated in the State Tournament with a third-place victory.
- At SMS, the Stock Market Game team of Sarah Owens, Zachary Ittel, Austin Haus, Tyler Anderson and Hannah Congdon placed first in the region out of 55 teams. The team placed 71st out of 1,154 teams nationwide. Students who participate in the Stock Market Game are given a virtual $100,000 to invest over a period of 14 weeks. Under the direction of volunteer, John Elliott, students research various stocks and make choices to buy and sell.
- In early December, 322 Sartell Middle School 7th-graders had the opportunity to volunteer and provide community service through Kids Connecting to Community. Through this program, students had the opportunity to volunteer at a variety of locations including programs and buildings throughout the district, Catholic Charities, Sartell Senior Connection, St. Cloud Hospital, Whitney Senior Center, Country Manor, St. Cloud Public Library and the Salvation Army. Students were engaged learners and able to learn about the location or program they helped to support while giving back to the community. 8th-graders will have the opportunity to participate in similar activities on Feb. 27 and 28.
- Congratulations to our two U.S. Academic Triathlon teams for taking first and second place at Kennedy Community School. The first-place team: Jaden Nguyen, Mallory Daniels, Ella Krauel and Amber Pietrowski. The second-place team: Brad Kalla, Janagan Ramanathan, Elaine Lo and Adrienne Gefre.
- ORE and PME held their Geography Bees with winners Charlie Magnuson at PME and Matthew Bolton at ORE who will now take the state qualifying test. SMS will hold its final on Jan. 6.
- Kindergarten Round-Up and registration will be held in the buildings in late January. The district works to inform the community about ‘Round Up’ over the next month.
- On Dec. 5, more than 40 families were at Holiday Dazzle for cookie decorating, crafts, gym time and more.
- On Dec. 7, the ECPTO, along with several SHS Honor Society students, hosted a Drop and Shop event, for parents to have children participate in several activities, while parents could have some ‘free’ time.
- On Dec. 11, families had the opportunity to participate in the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie event at the District Service Center with themed crafts and activities from the popular story book.
- Preschool is currently working on scheduling for next year to have their offerings out in late January with a Preschool Registration Night to be held in early February.
School Board Committees
Negotiations Committee
- The committee continues to work with the multi-unit 284 group.
Benton Stearns Education District (BSED)
- The Benton Stearns Board approved the BSED financial audit.
- BSED held a paperwork night for Special Education Staff where staff could be focused and supported on completing special education-related paperwork.
- BSED will continue to provide Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training
Board Goals
- The Board established goals during a work session that will guide them through June 30, 2014.
- The School board will hire a superintendent who meets the needs of our district in February 2014.
- Improve student achievement at all levels by providing outstanding instruction in caring, safe and supportive environment.
- The district will increase the use of technology as a learning tool to enhance innovative methods of instruction at all levels and meet the needs of our students for the 21st century.
Kyle Breitkreutz, director of technology, presented a technology update.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by McCabe to APPROVE THE PERSONNEL OMNIBUS RESOLUTION.
New Employees or Changes:
| Name | Bldg. | Position | Compensation | Change | |
| 1. | Christopher Campbell | Athletic | Asst. Boys Swim | $3,174/BS1 | Replacing Jason Anderson |
| 2. | Julie Dockendorf | ORE | Paraprofessional | $14.99/6.25 hrs. per day, RIV, S1 | New position added |
| 3. | Lynda Hallerman | Trans. | Bus Monitor | $14.42/4 hrs. per day | New position added |
| 4. | Breanna Hubbard | Trans. | Bus Monitor | $14.42/5.5 hrs. per day | New position added |
| 5. | Kayla Johnson | ORE | LTS teacher | $184.81/ BA,S1 | LTS for Teresa Heck |
| 6. | Noel Meyer | SHS | Winter strength coach | $1,1148/ BS2 | New position *outside funded |
| 7. | Erica Nelson | SHS | Asst. Knowledge Bowl | $1,503/BS1 | New position added |
| 8. | Sharon Schnapp | SMS | Cashier | $14.91/ 2.25 per day R1, S3 | Increasing daily hours from 2 hrs. per day |
| 9. | Sandy Warzecka | ORE | LTS teacher | $184.81/BA, S1 | LTS for Sarah Gill |
| 10. | Rachel Westrup | ORE | LTS teacher | $184.81/BA, S1 | LTS for Kelsey Keller |
Leave of Absence:
| Name | Bldg. | Position | Action | Expected Duration | |
| 11. | Kelsey Keller | ORE | Teacher | Maternity Leave | Jan. 25-March 21, 2014 |
A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Nies to HAVE SECOND READING AND APPROVE REVISED POLICY 614. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Raden to HAVE THIRD READING AND APPROVE NEW POLICY 523. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Riordan to APPROVE THE SENIORITY LISTS. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Riordan to APPROVE 2013 PAYABLE 2014 PROPERTY TAX LEVY IN THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS:
General Fund $2,630,113.42
Community Service 183,591.71
Debt Service 4,473,068.43
Final Certified Levy $7,286,973.56
All in favor. Motion carried.
Schedule Work Session and Committee Meetings
Dec. 17 at 4:15 p.m. – Finance and Operations, District Service Center
Dec. 19 at 7:30 a.m. – Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction Committee, District Service Center
Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. – Organizational Meeting, District Service Center
The board completed official reviews of Policies 410 and 415.
The board had first readings of revisions of 616 and 618.
The board had the second of three readings of proposed new Policy 711.
Discuss Reading Interventions for ORE and PME: The district will continue to move forward with securing a reading interventionist at each building for the remainder of the school year to provide service in both grades 3 and 4.
Discuss All-Day Everyday Kindergarten 2014-15: The district will offer all-day, everyday kindergarten next year at no cost to families due to new state funding. Should families choose to have their child in half day; the assigned school will work with the family to best meet the needs of the child.
Discuss School District Calendar: The board discussed the process the district will follow in creating and proposing the calendar. The director of learning services will lead a committee with a similar process and make-up as the committee that proposed the 2013-14 calendar which consisted of district administration, staff and parent/community input.
The board discussed an email received from a staff member who is the parent of a middle school student. The staff member expressed concerns about safety and access to the middle school building.
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. was made by Riordan and seconded by Nies. All in favor. Motion carried.
Jason Nies, clerk
