School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Tuesday, January 22, 2002

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the elementary school library in Jeffers on Tuesday, January 22, 2002. Members present were: Derickson, Gransee, Imker, Mattison, Meyer, Moldan, and Myers. Superintendent Brennan, Principal Benz, Arlyce Anderson, Walt Schoper, Joe Dietl, Judy Westerman, and Denise Clarke were also in attendance.

Chairman Gransee called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the December 17, 2001 meeting and the treasurer's report.

Walt Schoper addressed the Board concerning the issue of moving the 6^th grade to Lamberton. He said that he is very proud of the Red Rock Central School District, but that some citizens of the Jeffers area are concerned that if the 6^th grade moves to Lamberton, then the 5^th grade, 4^th grade and so on would be moved in the future and that neighboring school districts may try to take away some of our kids because of declining enrollments. The Board thanked Mr. Schoper for coming forward and making his opinions known. The Board also told Mr. Schoper not to worry because the Superintendent's recommendation only concerns the 6^th grade and not the other grades that he mentioned.

Upon motion of Meyer, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried, that the slate of officers remain the same for the 2002 calendar year. Chairman - Gransee, Vice-Chairman - Moldan; Clerk - Derickson; and Treasurer - Mattison.

Chairman Gransee appointed the following committee members: MSHSL - Meyer; Legislative - Gransee; CRTC - Gransee and Derickson with Mattison as alternate; Negotiations and Personnel of Certified Staff - Imker, Gransee and Moldan with Mattison as alternate; Negotiations and Personnel of Non-certified Staff - Mattison, Meyer and Moldan with Derickson as alternate; Staff Development - Myers with Imker as alternate; System Accountability - Myers and Mattison with Derickson as alternate; Redwood County Joint Powers Board - Moldan with Gransee as alternate; Tri-County Joint Powers Board - Craig Myers; Community Education - Meyer with Myers as alternate; a Finance Committee will be established as needed.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Derickson and unanimously carried, to set the Board compensation the same as the last two years: Chairman $400, Clerk $200, Treasurer $200, Board/Committee meetings $50, all day meetings $100. Mileage will be reimbursed at the district rate of $0.30 per mile.

Principal Benz reported the following: The System Accountability meeting will be held on January 23^rd at 7:00 p.m. in Jeffers. Report cards will be handed out on January 24^th. Semester 2 began January 22^nd. The teacher workday on January 21^st was very beneficial and the staff appreciated it and made good use of it. Mock Trial had a scrimmage last week in Windom. The Decathlon team's Region meet has been moved to January 28^th. The 8^th grade attended Youth Frontiers at Wabasso January 22^nd. Pre-registration for the 2002-2003 school year is underway. The One Act Play will be presented to the students on January 25^th with competition on January 26^th. The Speech Team is preparing for competition. Two alumni have been observing teachers this past month, Megan Hubley with Mr. Rise and Rachel Batalden with Mrs. Larson. New members to the National Honor Society have been announced. Snow week will be February 11-15, with coronation on the 11^th. Candidates and attendants have been voted for. This year's winner of the Excel Award from Red Rock Central is Katie Furth. Large group music contest will be held in Lamberton on March 13^th. Basic Standards writing test for 10^th graders will be held on January 29^th, math test and reading test for 8^th graders will be held on February 5^th and 7^th respectively. Mid point for the 3^rd quarter will be February 22^nd. Annual advisor, Mrs. Altermatt, has changed the way annual ads are sold, and the annual staff has raised double the amount they raised last year. Region FLA Star Competition will be held on February 4^th. The RRCNet has over 80 wireless accounts to date. There are 15 kids involved in working with the RRCNet.

January 22, 2002 - Page 2

Upon motion of Imker, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried to pay claims in the amount of $78,515.49. Receipts were $531,054.94.

Member Myers introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION

TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCTIONS

IN PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS AND REASONS

THEREFOR

WHEREAS, the financial condition of the Red Rock Central school district dictates that the school board must reduce expenditures immediately, and

WHEREAS, there has been a reduction in student enrollment, and

WHEREAS, this reduction in expenditures and decrease in student enrollment must include discontinuance of positions and discontinuance or curtailment of programs, and

WHEREAS, a determination must be made as to which teachers' contracts must be terminated and not renewed and which teachers may be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits in effecting discontinuance of positions,

BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2884 as follows:

That the School Board hereby directs the Superintendent of Schools and administration to consider the discontinuance of programs or positions to effectuate economies in the school district and reduce expenditures and, as a result of a reduction in enrollment, make recommendations to the School Board for the discontinuance of programs, curtailment of programs, discontinuance of positions or curtailment of positions.

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Mattison and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Myers, Derickson, Meyer, Imker, Moldan, Mattison, Gransee, and the following voted against the same: None; whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

Upon motion of Derickson, seconded by Imker and unanimously carried, to accept the resignation of Forrest Benz effective June 14, 2002, and to thank him for his fine service to the children of the district for the past 32 years.

Principal Johnson's report was distributed to the board and read as follows: We have a new second grade student. We are working on integration projects for the elementary and meeting with Mr. Olson with our ideas. The 6^th grade will be going on their annual ski trip on January 31^st. Community Education will meet on January 28^th in the Jeffers elementary library. DNR Firearm Safety class will meet on February 5^th from 7 to 9 p.m. Title I and others will change due to The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. We are to have a meeting in February to learn more about the act. One of the biggest changes is with our Aides and must be acted upon within three years. These are (1) completed at least 2 years of study at an institution of higher learning; (2) obtained an associate's or higher degree; or (3) meet a rigorous standard of quality established at the local level. The Elementary Student Council raised $394.13 for the playground by selling calendars.

The meeting was declared adjourned by Chairman Gransee at 9:00 p.m.

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Paula R. Derickson, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder