School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, March 17, 2014

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the Board Room in Lamberton on Monday, March 17, 2014. Members present were: Bierl, Clarke, Erickson, Kelsey, Rasmussen, Rogotzke, and Stavnes. Superintendent Brennan, Bruce Olson, Principal Goetstouwers, Lead Teacher Altermatt and Denise Clarke were also in attendance.

Chairman Rogotzke called the meeting to order.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Upon motion of Rasmussen, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the February 18, 2014 meeting, and the treasurer’s report.

Lead Teacher Altermatt presented the following report: The month of March has been a quiet month in Jeffers. We will have a lyceum on April 1^st by the History Players. They will portray Maude Hart Lovelace, author, in two performances – one for K-2 and another for grades 3-4. Free books for our 4^th graders, “The Way to Go”, and 1^st graders, “My Favorite Book”, have been donated by the following community businesses: Wanda State Bank, Fox Brothers, First Security Bank, Highwater Ethanol, Croatt Auction, ADM, and Mills Resolute Bank. Thank you cards will be sent out. Our recycling bin is being emptied every week. Forms will be sent out this week for 2014-2015 preschool. Kindergarten Roundup will be April 28^th. Letters will be sent out soon. We received $357.10 from Labels for Education. This is the last amount for this year. The next amount will be sent in next fall. Total amount for this year is $835.40. We use this for lyceums, ball equipment, etc.

Principal Goetstouwers gave the following report: Our Wrestling and Boys’ Basketball teams received team academic state awards – gold division GPA of 3.75+. The Boys’ Basketball team was the highest overall in the state. At Large Group Contest, our Choir received all 3 superior ratings and our Band received all 3 superiors, which included a perfect score! Our Wrestling team had 4 individuals advance to state competition. Spencer Jenniges placed 2^nd, Alex Schroepfer placed 1^st, and Jordan Schroepfer and Jared Welch both competed at the state level. The Girl’s Basketball team had a great season and ended up losing to the #1 seed. One of our Knowledge Bowl teams (Tyler Luttmann, Thomas Blomgren, Rene Celedon, Joel Derickson, and Carter Engen) placed 5^th at sub-region and went on to regions and came in 8^th. The kids in the Drama Department performed brilliantly in “Murder By Indecision”. The teacher evaluation plan is completed and is getting piloted. It will be presented to staff in both buildings in the next two days. We hope to have the Union approve it within the month so we can present it to the Board at the next meeting. Viking Coca-Cola directed a portion of its sales of the products Powerade and Powerade Zero back to local schools (roughly $700). We have received positive feedback from our 9^th grade students on the New Horizons Relationship Series. Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Smith presented on seatbelt safety to 9-12^th graders last week.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $138,214.43. Receipts were $559,625.50.

Upon motion of Erickson, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to approve the 2014-2015 school calendar as presented.

March 17, 2014 – Page 2

Superintendent Brennan gave a brief summary on the Integration Program. The Southwest Integration Collaborative is in the process of change due to several state changes and/or amendments to the state’s plans related to Integration Procedures and Achievements. The basic question now is how and to what degree do our integration activities increase test scores and lower the “achievement gap”. Superintendent Brennan stated that he requested, in writing, and has been approved an extension of the due date to April 25^th. We are looking into having an ACT prep course for next years’ juniors to teach the kids how to take the ACT test.

Upon motion of Erickson, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to use March 25^th as a snow make-up day.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Clarke and unanimously carried, to accept the mandated school policies, as presented, as the first stage to review and study only.

Board Members Kelsey and Stavnes reported on the conference call they were asked to make to Nathan Kinner, of the auditing firm of Kinner & Company, regarding the Student Activity Fund. They stated that their questions were answered during the call. They commented that new forms are being used in the Activity Fund, under the recommendation of Kinner & Company, whereby advisors, student leaders, and administration sign off on each bill before it is paid out. It would cost the District approximately $500 per year to go back and audit the funds if that would be decided, or Stavnes and Kelsey could do an internal audit into preceding years. Kelsey and Stavnes asked the board if they would like to continue with either option or to go forward with the new system that is in place. The Board decided to go forward with the new system and thanked Kelsey and Stavnes for their efforts.

Discussion was held regarding our Foreign Language program and the inability to retain a Spanish teacher with WWG.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, to discontinue the Spanish program.

Principal Goetstouwers was asked to talk with the students about this and also to send a follow-up letter to parents.

Board Members Erickson and Rasmussen volunteered to hand out diplomas at graduation this year.

Discussion was held regarding the athletic field irrigation project, the Fab Lab, and the Junior High music festival.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to go into Closed Session at 6:28 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to come out of Closed Session at 6:58 p.m.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 6:59 p.m.

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Alan J. Clarke, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder