School district adopts long term facilities plan

A long term facilities plan for the Staples-Motley School District was approved at the board meeting Aug. 15.

The board also received the annual report on QComp and held a closed session to evaluate the superintendent following the regular meeting.

Marci Lord, school business manager, presented the facilities plan which needs to be submitted to the state department of education. She explained that recent legislation combined health and safety levies with deferred maintenance levies to require a ten-year facilities plan. 

“This is really, really new,” said LeRoy Peterson, buildings and grounds supervisor. “We have lots of questions and the people at the state department have questions.” 

Superintendent Mary Klamm said the legislation was designed to require school districts to plan and prepare for facility changes. 

Lord said aid from the state will increase next year to support the projects on the plan.

She also presented the list broken into health and safety projects and deferred maintenance projects, the form that is more familiar to the school board.

Peterson noted that nothing has been done to the exterior of the buildings for a long time and those projects are on the new list.

Cindy Swenson, coordinator of the district’s QComp program, pointed out three highlights of the annual report which illustrate the success of the program.

The Staples Motley Education Association votes on the program each year and for the last two years close to 90 percent of the members have approved it.

The number of peer coaches will double next year, which Swenson indicated shows teacher leadership. This is at no additional cost to the district.

A new component this year is an additional duty for Swenson, that of mentoring new teachers. While new teachers usually have someone they can consult with in their field or in their grade level, Swenson will also meet with them on a regular basis to advise or just to answer questions.

After adjourning the regular meeting the board met for about 90 minutes in a closed session to evaluate Supt. Klamm. She has just completed her first year on the job.

The board had previously been given a superintendent evaluation form developed by the Minnesota School Boards Association. Board chair Mary Freeman and member Bruce Lund compiled those responses into a report. 

Freeman said that at the closed session board members had the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns with Klamm.

The following statement from the board was released the next morning: 

“As ISD #2170 Superintendent, Mary Klamm is perceived by school board members to have excellent visionary leadership. She demonstrates the ability to create positive relationships with the community and with outside agencies and engages in collaborative efforts when the opportunities are available. Her initiative to pursue improvement throughout the district is a leadership strength.

“She exhibits the ability to work positively in problem solving, and seeks growth opportunities for herself, staff and students. Inviting feedback, listening to a varied audience, and slowing down when considering possible changes would enhance the frequent decision-making at the administrative level. The multiple voices of the school board must be sought to minimize the possibility of ‘jumping’ to a conclusion or decision. Communication while ideas are in the development stage will provide greater transparency in district-wide decision-making. 

“Trust and credibility are assets of leadership that are highly valued and will be maintained and enhanced through improved communication.”

In other business the board:

o Approved a contract with Janet Mattson for school nurse consulting services. Mattson will be available to advise and assist the school district nurse in specifics related to the school setting.

o Accepted the retirement request of Gwen Landis.

o Approved contracts for Hallie Bergeson, elementary social worker; Deb Meyer, elementary enrichment teacher; Victoria Serich, elementary receptionist; Lori Nienow, high school receptionist and secretary to the activities director and the community education director; Sarah Steinkopf, kindergarten teacher; Roseanne Rivers, school readiness teacher; and Corey Asfeld, elementary physical education.