May 31 Sartell A

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 748

APRIL 15, 2013

ST. STEPHEN CITY HALL

The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 6 p.m. by Chair Michelle Meyer. Members present: Meyer, chair; Mary McCabe, vice chair; Jason Nies, clerk/ treasurer; Pam Raden, Krista Durrwachter and Dan Riordan, directors; Brady Anderson, student member; and Joseph Hill, superintendent.

Meyer thanked St. Stephen Mayor Cindy Vanderweyst, clerk Cris Drais and any city council members for hosting the board meeting at St. Stephen City Hall. Meyer also welcomed staff, residents, guests and students to the board meeting.

A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Raden to amend the following items on the agenda:

• Move Item C, Closed Session, to the end of the agenda.
• Add Action Item D, #7, Approval of Non-Union Contracts.
• Approval of the Jan. 7, 2013 Organizational School Board Meeting minutes, clarifying the board members on the Finance and Operations Committee.
• Review Action Item D, #2, Approval of New Instructional Calendar (Snow-day Adjustment), reflecting the March 18 and April 11 snow days.

All in favor.  Motion carried.

Recognition of visitors and public forum: Rich Sylte, commissioner of the Sartell Fast-Pitch Softball Association, 408 5^th Ave. NE, St. Stephen, addressed the board on the topic of softball facilities.  Marilyn Schumer, 1213 C.R. 2 S, St. Stephen, addressed the board on the topic of school late starts and closings, calendar survey and how parents should address staff concerns.

A motion was made by Riordan and seconded by Durrwachter to approve consent items a-c as presented below:

Minutes of the meeting held on March 25, 2013.

Checks in the amount of $942,045.97 as presented:

General Fund                                                                               576,673.37

Food Service Fund                                                                        90,495.09

Transportation Fund                                                                  132,368.44

Community Service Fund                                                             17,331.36

Capital Expenditure Fund                                                          110,399.81

Building Fund                                                                                14,508.28

Summer Rec Agency Fund                                                               269.62

Check numbers 151482 to 151689

 

Receipts in the amount of $4,031,432.27 as presented:

General Fund                                                                          3,643,098.53

Food Service Fund                                                                     140,485.00

Transportation Fund                                                                  54,604.78

Community Service Fund                                                         142,237.51

Building Fund                                                                                        71.12

Debt Service Fund                                                                       40,060.33

Scholarship Trust                                                                           2,000.00

Summer Rec Agency Fund                                                            8,875.00

Receipts 38365-38472

 

Wire transfers in the amount of $4,984.26 as presented:

General Fund                                                                                      2,196.41

Food Service Fund                                                                             2,582.54

Community Service Fund                                                                    205.31

Wire transfers 201200046-201200050

 

Accept the retirement of Mary Jane Burton, SMS para-professional, effective 5-31-13.

Accept the resignation of Tija Balsimo, ORE kindergarten teacher, effective 3-1-13; and Courtney Seumnick, SMS special education teacher, effective 5-31-13.

 

Superintendent’s Report:  Superintendent Hill reported on:

 

Teaching and Learning

• Janagan Ramanathan, fifth-grader at SMS, placed fifth at the state geography bee which was held April 5th at St. Cloud State University. He was the only fifth-grader, and the youngest student, in the competition.
• Grade 8 students learned about meteorology and weather at SMS from WCCO meteorologist Lauren Casey.
• Sartell Middle School had 107 7th- and 8th-graders participate in the SCSU Math Contest. There were four students from SMS in the top 10 percent and eight students in the top 5 percent in 8th grade. Bryn Rogers was the first-place winner overall for 8th grade at the contest. The team of Rogers, Josh Maricle-Roberts and Morgan Grugger earned first place out of the 36 schools for the contest. There were three 7th-graders in the top 10 percent and seven in the top 5 percent. The team of David Anderson, Cindy Zhang (a 6th-grader who also placed in the top 5 percent) and Nick Juntunen earned first-place overall.
• Eight 7th- and 8th-graders presented projects at the Minnesota State Science Fair in Bloomington April 8-9. Maddie Thieschafer and Becca Kucala won special awards for their projects: the Broadcom Masters Award, the Wolfram Research Award, Silver Grand Awardand best use of the scientific method.
• Statewide testing will be taking place over the next few weeks and will impact all 3rd- through 11th-graders.

Arts and Activities Highlights

• Sartell High School students will perform “Fiddler on the Roof” at 7 p.m. April 18, 19 and 20 and at 12:30 p.m. April 20 at SHS.
• The SHS choirs participated in the Region 8AA North Large Group Festival in Sauk Rapids.  Bel Canto (9th-grade women), Coro Basso (9th- through 11th-grade men), and Donne Voce (10th-through 12th- grade women) participated, and all received Superior ratings, which is the highest rating possible.
• Students from the Elementary Art Club recently visited the Minnesota Institute of Art.  Both schools’ clubs will host All-School Student Art Shows. The PME Student Art Show will take place from 3-6 p.m. April 30and the ORE Student Art Show will take place from 2:30-5:30 p.m. May 2.
• The National Honor Society hosted its annual induction banquet on Monday, April 8, and inducted 45 new members.
• Several choir and band concerts have been, and will continue to be, performed in April and throughout the month of May.
• The 2012-13 CLC Sports Standings ranked our Sartell Sabres third overall for our fall sports, and first overall for winter standings. When considering a composite score of all fall and winter rankings, Sartell-St. Stephen Schools rank No. 1 going into a promising spring season.
• The SHS Student Council won the Minnesota Association of Student Councils Outstanding Student Council award. Brady Anderson won MASC Officer of the Year, and Hayley Johnson won the Ardis Kyker Leadership Scholarship. They were recognized for trying new things and being willing to try something new in the effort to try to include more people in our school to be a part of our school community.
• The Sartell High School Knowledge Bowl Team took fifth place at the state tournament this past weekend.  The team consisted of Bailey Evenson, Laura Somppi, Quinn Skoog, Curt Koopmeiners and Gopi Ramanathan. Last year’s state-qualifying team placed ninth at the state tournament.
• Dave Olson, a fifth-grade teacher at SMS, was honored as the Coach of the Year by the Minnesota State High School League Coaches’ Association.
• Dave Angell, math teacher at SHS, was honored as the Boys’ Basketball Class AAA Coach of the Year.
• Sartell High School had three winners in the annual high school art competition. Taylor Daniels won first place in the acrylic painting category. Sienna Schneider won the Ellingson Award for her photograph. Katelyn Evenson won best of show with her sculpture. These are all viewable at the St. Cloud Library through Monday, April 22.

Community Highlights

• The April Community Education/Summer Recreation/Sabre Spotlight was sent out last week to all district households. Online registration began April 11 for Summer Recreation and Community Education courses.
• State Trooper Tony Mazzone was at Sartell High School on Friday, April 5. He presented to students at a morning assembly on the dangers of distracted driving. Trooper Mazzone put extra emphasis on texting and driving, as well as always wearing a seatbelt.
• May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week.
• PME and ORE Prairie Fire Theater opportunities are happening in May. Students will be performing “Jack and the Beanstalk.”
• With the renovations of the District Service Center, the district received notice through Excel Energy that for the District Service Center, the district will be saving $45,000 on energy through the custom-energy rebate, and has been able to reduce gas costs by 50 percent due to building renovations.
• Llama Llama Read and Run hosted 92 individuals for an evening of Llama Llama stories, snack, gym time and the opportunity to use the Family Library.
• The Sartell-St. Stephen Education Foundation has committed at least $25,000 to award for grant applications. Deadline for submission was the first week in April with the Grant Committee to meet next week for a Q and A session with the applicants. The SSEF Board will vote in early May to award the grants.

 

Student Representative Report:  Student representative Brady Anderson, a senior at Sartell High School, reported on the high school highlights.

• The Student Voice survey results were returned
  • 84 percent want a five-day Spring Break
  • 16 percent want long weekends
  • Michelle Meyer, board chair, and Kyle Breitkreutz, director of technology, will meet with the Student Voice group in the upcoming weeks.
  • The National Honor Society Induction banquet happened last week with 45 inductees.
  • SHS Student Council elections are happening this week.  The Council has been recognized statewide by the National Student Council Association.
  • The Student Council will host the third annual Fun Fest this Saturday, April 20 at Sartell High School with the proceeds going to Sabre Nation Service Day.
  • Three students were recognized by the Great River Regional Library Competition and received awards, including:   Taylor Daniels, first place in the acrylic painting category;  Sienna Schneider, the Ellingson Award for her photograph; and Katelyn Evenson won best of show with her sculpture.
  • Prom is fast approaching and students are working in preparation of this event which will be held on Saturday, May 11.
  • Indoor track meet was held at SCSU with the boys taking first place and the girls placing third in their conference, along with individual wins.

 

School Board Committee Report:

Operations and Finance

• Discussed staffing for the 2013-14 school year.
• The technology access plan was discussed including the redistribution of devices, the opening up of learning spaces and linking staff development to utilizing technology.

Board Policy Committee

• The Policy Committee continues to review policies on a routine basis.

Negotiations Committee

• The committee has had contact with the Sartell Teacher’s Association and is working to find a date to meet.
• The committee has two days scheduled in May to work with the paraprofessional union to discuss their process.

PME, ORE and Early Childhood Parent-Teacher Organization

• ECPTO – The Early Childhood PTO is looking to host guest readers this week, during the Week of the Young Child.

SHS PAC Meeting

• Ramp Up to Readiness was discussed and highlighted as a career- and college-readiness program that will be implemented at the high school next year.

 

Community Education Program, Budget and Leadership Assumptions FY 2013-14:  Mark Grelson, director of community education, and Ann Doyscher-Domres, community education program coordinator, presented on the community education partnership and programming.

 

Assessment Audit:  Mike Spanier, director of learning services, and Amy Trombley, district assessment coordinator, presented the results of the recent assessment audit and the 2013-14 Assessment Plan.

 

Review and Recommend Elementary Gifted Programming FY 2013-14: Kim Killmer and Julie Hagen, elementary extensions teachers, along with Randy Husmann, Oak Ridge principal, shared information about Gifted and Talented programming enhancements and goals for the 2013-14 school year.

 

Athletic Scoreboard Sponsorship Consideration: John Ross, activities director, provided an update on the Athletic Facility Scoreboard and Communications System that is being installed in collaboration with the Sartell Booster Club. The board members approved the administration to continue with this project.

 

School Start Times FY 2013-14:  Steve Wruck, director of business services, presented on the adjusted start times between Sartell Middle School and Sartell High School.  The instructional day was increased at the high school which equalizes the time between the two buildings.

 

2013-14 Calendar Recommendations:  Dr. Hill, superintendent of schools, Julie Tripp, SMS principal and District Calendar Committee chair, and Amy Trombley, district communications coordinator, presented information on the District Calendar Committee process and final recommendation.

 

A motion was made by Riordan and seconded by Nies to APPROVE THE 2013-14 CALENDAR TO INCLUDE BOTH A WEEK-LONG SPRING BREAK WITH THE ADDITION OF DAYS TO SUPPORT LONGER WEEKENDS IN FEBRUARY AND APRIL. Yes votes by Meyer, Nies, Raden, Durrwachter, Riordan. No vote by McCabe. Vote is 5-1. Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Durrwachter to APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION TO HAVE MONDAY, MARCH 18, AND THURSDAY, APRIL 11, AS NON-SCHOOL DAYS.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

Certified staff will account for the April 11 school cancellation through in-service in June.

 

A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Raden to APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO DISCONTINUE AND REDUCE PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS. All in favor. Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Riordan to HAVE THIRD READING AND APPROVE NEW POLICY 905 – ADVERTISING. All in favor. Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Riordan and seconded by Raden to APPROVE THE PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY KERN, DEWENTER, VIERE (KDV) TO DO THE DISTRICT’S AUDITS FOR THE 2012-13, 2013-14 AND 2015-16 SCHOOL YEARS. All in favor. Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Riordan to HAVE SECOND READING AND APPROVE THE REVISED POLICIES 612, 618 AND 619. All in favor. Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Riordan to APPROVE THE NON-UNION CONTRACTS. All in favor. Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Riordan to APPROVE THE PERSONNEL OMNIBUS RESOLUTION. All in favor. Motion carried

 

New employees or changes:

	Name	Bldg.	Position	Compensation	Change
1.	Dianne Amundson	DSC	Server, 2 hrs./Monday, Wednesday, Friday	RI, S1/$13.49 hr	Replacing Julie Blanchette
2.	Brad Bodick	SMS	7th-grade softball	BS1, $1492	Replacing Cale Cripe
3.	Hollie Neitzke	SHS	Server, 2 hrs./Monday-Friday	RI, SI $13.49 hr	Replacing Traci Schuneman
4.	Ronell Uran	SMS	8th-grade softball	BS11, $1875	Replacing Barb Melsha

 

Leaves of absence:

 

	Name	Bldg.	Position	Action	Expected Duration
5.	Therese Niererngarten	SMS	Social worker	Leave of Absence	Extension of leave through 08/31/13
6.	Michele Nelson	SHS	English instructor	Leave of Absence	09-26-13 to 11-02-13

 

Schedule Work Session and Committee Meetings:

1. PME PTO, April 16, 6:30 p.m.
2. SMS PAC, April 16, 6:30 p.m.
3. Policy meeting, May 2, 4:15 p.m.
4. Finance and Operations Committee Meeting, May 14, 4:15 p.m.

 

The Board had the first of three readings of proposed new Policy 215.

 

The Board had the first of two readings of revisions of Policies:  214, 701, 701.1, 702, 703, 704, 706, 707 and 708.

Policy 214 was revisited because of the pay structure.

 

The board took a recess at 7:57 p.m.  The meeting began again at 8:07 p.m.

 

Chair Meyer entertained a motion to close the meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13D.05, Subdivision 2(b) to consider concerns related to an employee. Motion was made by Durrwachter and seconded by Riordan to close the meeting at 8:09 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried.

 

A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Riordan to reopen the meeting at 8:17 p.m.

Board Member Durrwachter introduced the resolution and moved its adoption to release Carrie Miller, an employee of Independent School District No. 748. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Board Member Riordan, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Meyer, Raden, Durrwachter, McCabe, Nies and Riordan; the following voted against the same:  None.

Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

 

A motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. was made by McCabe and seconded by Riordan.  All in favor. Motion carried.

__________________________________________

Jason Nies, Clerk/Treasurer