School Board

Meeting #11

Truth and Taxation

Hearing Minutes

Monday, December 21, 2009

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Schmitt called the meeting to order. Roll Call was taken with the following present for all or part of the meeting: Board members P. Anderson, DiGiovanni, Freeman, Longbella, Schmitt and Swecker (Comprising a Quorum); Superintendent Schmitz; Principals Mr. Ogg and Mr. Luksik; Business Manager Mr. Hamann, Financial Coordinator/ Food Service Director Mr. Moore; Middle School Dean of Students Mr. Olsen; Buildings & Grounds Supervisor Mr. Christoffersen; Staples World Manager Ms. Halvorson; B. Anderson, incoming board member Jan. ’10; Mr. Porter, of Mayer, Porter, Beinhorn & Rowe, Ltd. and Administrative Assistant/ Recording Secretary Ms. Shriver. Chair Schmitt led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Adoption of Agenda - Motion by Longbella, seconded by Swecker. Motion Carried.

RECOGNIZE PUBLIC – Chair Schmitt thanked everyone for attending.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Freeman, seconded by Longbella, to approve the following consent agenda: Approval of Minutes for November 16, December 7, 2009 meeting; Acceptance of Cash Donations and In-Kind Contributions - $3,542.15; Approval of Lane Change as submitted by Professional Growth Committee-T. Dockendorf BA90 to MA45 upon receipt of proof of receiving MS Degree; S. Odden BA90 to BA105 (1.5 carryover credits); Jerry Reck BA105 to BA120; J. Richgels MA15 to MA30); Approve list of 403b Vendors. Motion Carried.

FINANCE ITEMS:

Mr. Moore presented the Financial Report including the Fund Description, Cash only, through 12/15/09; Disbursement Report 11/12/09 through 12/15/09 of checks #80401 through #80718 for board review; Investments as of 12/15/09 and YTD Expenditure Report of various funds dated 12/09. (Complete report can be viewed at the District Office.)

Motion by Swecker, seconded by DiGiovanni to approve finance report and authorize payment of vouchers. Motion Carried.

Mr. Porter of Mayer, Porter, Beinhorn & Rowe, Ltd., presented the 2008-09 audit that was approved at the November school board meeting. (Complete audit can be viewed at district office.)

Mr. Hamann, Business Manager, went over the budget revision #1 for 2009- 10 commenting on: a reduction due to student enrollments, change in Special Education costs and reflecting Federal stimulus monies. Motion by Longbella, seconded by Anderson to approve the budget revision. Motion Carried. (Budget revision #1 can be viewed at district office.)

Mr. Hamann presented two options to the board for the 2009 Tax Levy, payable in 2010; first option having a 9.54 percent increase the other with a 8.65 percent increase the difference being the discretionary levies included. The board opted for a third option with a 6.51 percent increase to taxpayers in their school portion of their taxes in 2010. The 6.51 percent increase removed all but two (2) discretionary levies (removed $89,074.71 for lease of facilities for programs; Community Center and golf course; $35,810 for mandated health and safety projects; $170,270 for previous health and safety projects – left $60,835.63 for career and technical education and $12,160.59 for tree growth for loss revenue due to tax reduction on certain forested plots. The career and technical education levy was grandfathered in and would be lost if not included as would the tree growth levy. If services are still required from levies not included this money would come from the general fund.) The 2009-10 budget shows revenues in the general fund of $13,832,892 and expenditures of $14,687,002. Motion by Schmitt to approve the 6.51 percent increase, seconded by DiGiovanni. Motion Carried.

Motion by DiGiovanni, seconded by Anderson, to approve the sale of the 1990 Thomas School Bus to Donnie Bittner for $1,000. Motion Carried.

PERSONNEL:

Motion by Swecker, seconded by DiGiovanni, to approve retirement request from Dean Ogg, High School Principal, effective 9-29-10 with his last working day 6-30-10 with thanks. Motion Carried.

Motion by DiGiovanni, seconded by Freeman, to approve posting for a high school principal. Motion Carried.

Motion by Longbella, seconded by Swecker, to accept Cindy Zetah’s resignation as Special Education para at Middle School effective Dec. 22, 2009. Motion Carried.

Motion by Freeman, seconded by Anderson, to approve the 2009-10 custodial contract for Brian Miller at Motley School, eight (8) hours/day, 148 days, at Grade 5 due to retirement/ reassignment of staff. Motion Carried.

Motion by DiGiovanni, seconded by Anderson, to approve the 2009-10 custodial contract for Margaret Fisher at high school, three (3) hours/day, 143 days, at a Grade 5, due to death and reassignment of staff. Motion Carried.

Motion by Swecker, seconded by DiGiovanni, to approve the 2009-10 custodial contract for Mark Wonders at the high school, three (3) hours/day, 143 days, at a Grade 5, due to death and reassignment of staff. Motion Carried.

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Freeman, to approve the 2009-10 special education assistant at Staples Elementary contract for Amber Houselog, 6.75 hours a day, Grade 7, contingent on student enrollment in district. Motion Carried.

Motion by Swecker, seconded by DiGiovanni, to approve the resignation from Jil Fiemeyer, School Promotions, ef fective 12/23/09. Motion Carried.

Motion by Anderson, seconded by DiGiovanni, to approve the posting for a school promotions position. Motion Carried.

After discussion, Longbella, Schmitt and Swecker voted to approve the 2009-11 Teacher Master Contract as presented by the board negotiator representatives contingent on SMEA member ratification of same, before the state deadline of Jan. 15, 2010, with members Anderson, DiGiovanni and Freeman abstaining due to interest in contract either personally or because a family member is affected. The 2009-10 raise is approximately one (1) percent and for 2010-11 is approximately an additional two (2) percent raise inclusive of step and lane changes. Motion Carried.

REPORTS:

School Board: FED – 11- 24-09 Governing Board of Education mtg. minutes in board packet. Mr. Schmitz commented that at superintendent’s meeting it was stated FED is looking at forming a joint powers allowing OLL instruction; NJPA – 10-19-09 Board of Directors mtg. minutes were in packet. Chair Schmitt mentioned they are looking at returning the revenue fee but it is not finalized.

Principals/Middle School Dean of Students: Mr. Olsen, Middle School Dean of Students, informed the board that the Facility Committee met Dec. 7, a MEEP team will meet to develop a committee to look at effects of moving entryway/office. Mr. Luksik, Elementary Principal: music programs were held at both sites; Jan. 11-21 NWEA and Ed check up testing will be done, data will be given at Jan. 25 meeting to see if 80 percent of students are meeting goals tech training will also be done on this day; he said many grade levels are doing community service projects; and there were approx. 100 at the local parent teacher connection’s Polar Express night. Mr. Ogg, High School Principal, handed out an information sheet on the 23 students as November’s Student of the Month; he congratulated FFA members who attended Ag and Natural Resources day at U of M Crookston Ag team taking second lead by top individual Dustin Smith and Forestry lead by Ryan Bart, second place individual; students in partnership with American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, were involved in “Showing You Care for Our Wounded Veterans” mailed Christmas cards to wounded veterans in hospitals and also mailed Christmas cards to veterans that attended our Veteran’s program in November: there is tentative plans for a benefit for Wayne and Connie Hoffert Jan. 16.

Mr. Christoffersen, Buildings & Grounds Supervisor, said his staff will be going full bore on various projects during Christmas

break.

Committee Reports: Facilities – Minutes from Nov. 18 and Dec. 15, 2009 meetings in board packet. Anderson, DiGiovanni and Longbella, who are on facilities committee along with Superintendent Schmitz went over the minutes, discussing possibility of Freshwater moving to high school, changes for security of Staples Elementary and Motley buildings; and getting other tenants in FED building. They also said that potentially we would seek bids in January as the economy may get better prices; need to do some repairs and get staff input.

Other – Chair Schmitt thanked DiGiovanni for his 16 years of being a school board member and presented him with an appreciation award.

UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE: Minnesota School Board Association’s Annual Leadership Conference, Jan. 14-15, 2010, Minneapolis; next regular meeting, Staples Motley High School Media Center, Tuesday, January 19, 6:45 p.m.

ADJOURN: Motion by Longbella, seconded by DiGiovanni, to adjourn at 9:23 p.m. Motion Carried.

Chad Longbella, Clerk

Jennelle Shriver, Recording Secretary

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