School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, January 25, 2016

 

A special meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884 was held in the Gymnasium at Jeffers on Monday, January 25, 2016.  Members present were: Bierl, Clarke, Hansen, Kelsey, Rasmussen, Rogotzke, and Stavnes. Others in attendance: Superintendent Olson, Principal Goetstouwers, Doreen Kronback, staff and residents of the Red Rock Central District.

Chairman Rogotzke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Superintendent Olson welcomed the audience and thanked them for their attendance and interest in RRC children’s education.

Superintendent Olson presented the following information: Census shows declining enrollment the next 5 years; Affordable Care Act (ACA) is going to require additional fund expenditure for insurance costs of required staff; Day to day cost for the operation of both buildings increase yearly; To be fiscally responsible, the Board of Education keeps on hand three months expenses at all times, if the fund balance falls too low the State Department steps in. Proposed bus routes, possible later pickup times, late route will be kept, Jeffers pickup point and Preschool pick-up and delivery.

Principal Goetstouwers presented the following information:  Staff flexibility with all children in one building, able to keep elementary electives in the afternoon; Eliminate windshield time for staff; Easier to cover for staff when all in one location; Special Education needs of the students easier to address with teacher’s strength and licensure; Eliminate teacher overload costs and do more for children with the cost savings; More administrative and male presence for elementary students; Classroom assignments for elementary students, Library, Fab Lab; High school students and elementary students schedules are such that the groups of students will not be in the hallways at the same time and the playground equipment will be installed and fenced in on the northwest corner of the school property.

Questions and concerns from the audience: Is there enough space in one building for the Pre K – Grade 4 on the Northwest side of the building; Is there room for more students in Lamberton if there is an increase in enrollment; Will the student to teacher ratio remain the same; Safe to have Grades 5 and 6 on third floor; Moving current playground equipment; Request to have playground equipment remain in Jeffers; Concern about blending elementary students with high school students; Gymnasium space for sport practices; How will open enrollment effect the District; Need to poll district to see how many will open enroll; Length of time the District will exist if the Jeffers Building is closed; The plan for the Jeffers Building and a letter expressing concern about the closure.

Superintendent Olson thanked the group for coming and expressed his deep concern for all the students of our District.

Chairman Rogotzke thanked the audience for their attendance and adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m.

 

________________________                                                   __________________________

Alan J.  Clarke, Clerk                                                                    Doreen Kronback, Reporter