REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 748
DEC. 20, 2021
SARTELL HIGH SCHOOL WATAB ROOM 101-102
The Truth in Taxation public hearing for the proposed 2021 payable 2022 levy started at 6 p.m. called by Chair Jeremy Snoberger.
Business Manager Joseph Prom reviewed the 2021 payable 2022 levy materials including the 2021-2022 budget, types of levies, and property tax calculations.
The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 6:20 p.m. by Snoberger. Members present: Snoberger; Jason Nies, vice chair; Amanda Byrd, clerk; Matt Moehrle, treasurer; Patrick Marushin, director; Tricia Meling, director; and Dr. Jeff Ridlehoover, superintendent. Members absent: none.
A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Nies to APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. All in favor. Motion carried.
During the public comment opportunity four members of the community addressed the school board. Peter Joseph Wilson, 1108 Celebration Drive, spoke on the topics of curriculum and training of teachers and students; Kara Zdan, 257 Sunburst Ave., spoke on the topic of security theater; Chris Yasgar, 39522 115th Ave., spoke on the topic of district policy regarding signage; Steve Kron, 412 Pheasant Drive, thanked the school board and administration for assisting with opt-out curriculum and upcoming tough decisions.
A motion was made by Moehrle and seconded by Meling to APPROVE CONSENT ITEMS B.4.a – B.4.g AS PRESENTED BELOW. All in favor. Motion carried.
B.4.a. Minutes of the regular school board meeting held on Nov. 15, 2021
Minutes of the school board work session held on Dec. 1, 2021
Minutes of the special school board meeting held on Dec. 3, 2021
B.4.b Checks in the amount of $1,007,303.29 as presented:
General Fund 579,944.79
Food Service Fund 169,684.52
Transportation Fund 193,456.94
Community Service Fund 11,773.01
Capital Expenditure Fund 46,105.72
Activity Accounts 4,502.50
Internal Service Fund 1,835.81
Check numbers 182526 – 182768
ACHs in the amount of $3,773.09 as presented:
General Fund 3,322.97
Food Service Fund 161.66
Community Service Fund 140.30
Activity Accounts 148.16
ACH numbers 212200071-212200102
Receipts in the amount of $4,629,755.50 as presented:
General Fund 2,657,900.06
Food Service Fund 319,673.26
Community Service Fund 93,423.17
Building Fund 45.13
Debt Service Fund 1,542,435.48
Activity Accounts 4,374.00
Internal Service Fund 11,904.40
Receipts 49571 – 49727
Wire transfers in the amount of $1,565,716.16 as presented:
General Fund 1,038,498.95
Food Service Fund 50,755.81
Transportation Fund 18,888.42
Community Service Fund 29,003.10
Capital Expenditure Fund 1,616.90
Internal Service Fund 417,801.98
Wire transfers 202122331 – 202122404
Building Fund Checks in the amount of $61,872.00 as presented:
Building Fund 61,872.00
Check number 601225
B.4.c Approve resolution accepting the following donations;
Lynn Quinn, Sartell High School-Tech Ed, $3,000, Habitat for Humanity build; Rasmussen University, Sartell High School, 43 Wacom tablets, donation for the Sartell High School Art Department; Sartell-St. Stephen Pre-K-5 PTO, ISD #748, $10,000, RIS playground; Sartell-St. Stephen Education Foundation, ISD #748, $24,760, 2021-2022 SSEF grants; United Way of Central Minnesota, ISD #748, $500, school supplies to be distributed to student with needs; Wal-Mart, Sartell Middle School, 12 cases of glue sticks, general donation.
B.4.d Accept the resignation of Brenda Koltes, ORELC, para, 12/10/21; Serena Nebel, SMS, SPED, 6/7/22; Cholena Schmid, SHS, food service worker, 11/23/21; Alyssa Zirbes, RIS, para, 11/22/21. Accept the retirement of Anastasia Clitty, SHS, receptionist, 2/1/22.
B.4.e Approve Combined Polling Place Resolution
B.4.f Approve Renewal of the Community Education and City of Sartell Partnership Agreement
B.4.g Approve Pro Fields Service Agreement
Superintendent Report:
- Superintendent Ridlehoover reported on happenings around the district. In an incredible act of goodwill, Ryan and Bethany Cross of BCI Construction donated land to Habitat for Humanity toward the Sartell High School build project. School winter concerts have been a success and the district is going full in winter sports. Students at the high school continue work on the “Bandana Project” to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The state’s budget forecast shows a surplus of $7.7 billion as recently reported during a recent MASA finance committee meeting. Community Education staffing is functioning well with the additional hours to part-time staff. The calendar committee has continued to meet and will have draft calendars for review and approval at the regular January meeting. There has been a lot of activity within social media regarding threats to school districts. This is deeply concerning and troublesome and the district will remain in connection with local law enforcement. ALiCE training has continued, with a public thank you to the Sartell Police Department and Stearns County Sheriff’s Office for the increased visibility. Recommendation on adjusting masking for after the end of the school day to be, masks are strongly recommended instead of required. Board members discussion was encouraged on the recommended change. District enrollment is at 4,078 K-12 students. Ridlehoover presented a certificate from MSBA to Chairman Snoberger for completion on the four phases of leadership.
Student Representative Report:
- Student Representative Kate Ellis reported Oak Ridge has finished their ECFE classes and will begin new classes in February. Kindergarten students had gingerbread house and door-decorating contests. Pine Meadow continued Sabre Strong activities, which included the use of the building’s new book vending machine, thanks to PTO and SSEF. Students have earned a building BINGO contest tomorrow. Riverview Intermediate staff had a great staff development day, including work on PLTW. The Minnesota DNR recently awarded a grant for archery within the school. Sartell Middle School has band, choir and orchestra concerts being performed this month. DCD students held its annual Holiday Café and the building will have a Snowflake Shuffle tomorrow. Sartell High School students had parent teacher conferences over Zoom and will be registering for classes for next year. Winter sports are all up and running, with the winter band concert being held tonight. The Mill store has been very popular with students and Winter Wonderland is currently being planned.
Educational Equity and Student Experience Committee Report:
- Superintendent Ridlehoover provided an update on the committee’s progress.
District Finance Report:
- Director of Business Services Joe Prom provided an update on district finances.
COVID-19 Report:
- Director of Human Resources Krista Durrwachter provided an update regarding COVID-19.
School Board Committee Report:
- Byrd reported on the recent Curriculum, Instruction and Advisory Committee. Topics included an AIPAC update and High School course changes.
- Meling reported on the Sartell Senior Connection meeting she attended. The group is excited to present about their membership at a School Board meeting.
- Snoberger gave a negotiations update. Negotiations with the Sartell Education Association will continue with the tentative agreement being voted down by the group’s membership.
A motion was made by Moehrle and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE #1-34:
New Employees/Changes:
Abigail Baker, PMPS, para, $16.75/hour, RIV, S1, 3.25 hours/day, replacing Michala VanHeel-reduction in hours, 12/13/2021; Karen Butler, RIS, para, $22.31/hour, RIV, S6, 7 hours/day, correction in wage, 10/15/2021; Carey Carstensen, ORELC, para, $16.75/hour, RIV, S1, 6.5 hours/day, replacing Brenda Koltes, 12/13/2021; Sarah Corrieri, ORELC, kindergarten-LTS, $23,640, BA, Step A ($42,002), .5628 FTE, replacing Molly Meier, 1/3/2022; Robert Dyer, ORELC, para, $18.89/hour, RIV, S3, 6.5 hours/day, replacing Jody Navratil, 1/3/2022; Debra Edelbrock, ORELC, cafeteria worker, $16.20/hour, RI, S1, 2.75 hours, increased need, 11/23/2021; David Gasperlin, RIS, custodian, $17.97, RIII, S1, 8 hours/day, 260 days/year, replacing Lori Tchida, 1/3/2022; Mallory Johnson, SMS, Knowledge Bowl, $945 (2.25 percent), BA, A ($42,002), replacing David Thompson, 12/1/2021; Anne Marie Kimble, SHS, assistant Nordic ski, $2,660 (9.5 percent), BA, A ($42,002), 66-percent contract, new position, 12/7/2021; Sarah Lauer, SMS, Knowledge Bowl, $945 (2.25 percent), BA, A ($42,002), Replacing Nicole Schmitt, 12/1/2021; Allison Ley, SHS, Jr Class Advisor, $1,407 (3.35%), BA, A ($42,002), replacing Kelsey Box, 12/1/2021; Sydney Musatov, SHS, assistant dance coach-outside funded, $2,205 (10.5 percent), BA, A ($42,002), 50-percent contract, replacing Alexia Mackendanz, 11/8/2021; Brandon Nordhues, SHS, spring musical pit conductor, $2,629 (5.35 percent), BA, H ($49,145), new position, 4/4/2022; Mathew Oleson, SMS, junior high boys swim, $2,667 (6.35 percent), BA, A ($42,002), replacing Josiah Torvik, 12/1/2021; Paul Plombon, SMS, junior high wrestling-outside funded, $2,667 (6.35 percent), BA, A ($42,002), replacing Mitchell Keeler, 11/22/2021; Faith Schlecht, ORELC, early childhood, $21,803, BA, Step A ($42,002), .5191 FTE, replacing Leslie Yasgar, 11/29/2021; Cholena Schmid, SHS, food service worker, $16.20/hour, RI, S1, 3 hours/day, replacing Christine Duininck, 11/19/2021; Erin Stone, ORELC, kindergarten-LTS, $20,427, BA, Step A ($42,002), .4863 FTE, replacing Crista Walz, 1/24/2022; Lori Tchida, Trans, bus driver, $25.55, 5 hours/day, school year, replacing Dianne Amundson, 9/7/2021; Lori Tchida, RIS, custodian, $22.68, RIII, S5, 3 hours/day SY, 8 hours/day NSY, new position, 9/7/2021; Felicia Thoemke, RIS, para-LTS, $16.75/hour, RIV, S1, 7 hours/day, replacing Kristina Peterson, 11/29/2021; Joey Vanek, SHS, junior class advisor, $1,407 (3.35 percent), BA, A ($42,002), replacing Anne Zidon, 12/1/2021; Isaiah Wallace, SMS, junior high boys swim, $2,667 (6.35 percent), BA, A ($42,002), eeplacing Lyndsey Welch, 11/29/2021; Tracey Watkin, SHS, one-act play technical director, $1,680 (3.35 percent), BA, I ($50,164), new position, 12/1/2021; Natalie Westergren, SHS, para-LTS, $16.75/hour, RIV, S1, 7 hours/day, new position, 12/20/2021.
Leaves of Absence:
Robert Graham, SHS, custodian, LOA, 12/3/21-12/31/21; Kelly Haws, RIS, SPED, LOA, 12/22/21-1/21/22; Kathy Mugg, ORELC, para, LOA, 1/3/22-6/3/22; Nancy Nieters, PMPS, para, LOA, 12/9/21-1/31/22; Kimberly Nistler, SHS, counseling secretary, LOA, 4/29/22-6/3/22; Rick Primus, SHS, custodian, LOA, 12/9/21-2/15/22; Laura Sobania, SHS, food service worker, LOA, 11/22/21 – 1/14/22; Carol Williamson, SMS, cook, LOA, 11/30/21-12/31/21; Leslie Yasgar, ORELC, early childhood, LOA, 11/24/21-6/7/22.
All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Byrd TO APPROVE CLERICAL, PARAPROFESSIONAL, 284 MULTI-UNIT, CERTIFIED STAFF & ECFE SENIORITY LISTS. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Meling and seconded by Moehrle TO APPROVE THE CERTIFICATION OF THE 2021 PAYABLE 2022 PROPERTY TAX LEVY IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,068,898.65.
A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Byrd TO APPROVE ADOPTION OF POLICY 908. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Moehrle and seconded by Meling TO APPROVE ISD 748 2021-2022 WORLD’S BEST WORKFORCE STRATEGIC PLAN. All in favor. Motion carried.
Schedule Work Session and Committee Meetings:
- Organizational Meeting – Monday, Jan. 3 @ District Service Center – 6:30 p.m.
- Future Board Work Session – Wednesday, Jan. 5 @ District Service Center – 6:30 p.m.
- Policy Committee Meeting – Wednesday, Jan. 5 @ District Service Center – 4 p.m.
- Future Regular Board Meeting – Time/Location to be Determined at the Organizational Meeting
Correspondence
- MSBA/Letter – Jeremy Snoberger
A motion to ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:29 pm. was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin. All in favor. Motion carried.
/s/ Amanda Byrd, clerk
Publish: Feb. 4, 2022
