School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, March 18, 2002

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the elementary school library in Jeffers on Monday, March 18, 2002. Members present were: Derickson, Gransee, Imker, Meyer, Moldan, and Myers. Mattison was tardy. Superintendent Brennan, Principal Benz, Principal Johnson, John Stenzel, Rosalee Vind, Joe Dietl, Sean and Shari Waters, Amanda Rand, and Denise Clarke were also in attendance.

Chairman Gransee called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the February 19, 2002 meeting and the treasurer's report.

Director Moldan and Superintendent Brennan led a discussion concerning the Redwood County Collaberative and the Cedar Mountain School District's membership in it. The Board gave their unanimous approval for Moldan to vote, at the April 9^th meeting, that Cedar Mountain either stay completely with the Redwood County Collaberative or move completely to the Pack Four Collaberative.

Principal Benz offered the following information: Classroom flags were presented by the Legion Auxiliary. The Pledge of Allegiance is said every Monday morning. The Academic Decathlon team competed at the State level on March 5^th and 6^th bringing home 15 medals. The Speech team has competed in 3 large meets and 1 invitational meet. Subsections for Speech will be held on March 25^th at SVRLB. Windom's Student Council challenged our Student Council to a Food Drive the first week of March. The Sophomores were the winners in our school with 306 pounds of food to donate to the county Food Shelves. A pizza party will be held for all Sophomores who participated in the Food Drive. The band and choir presented a fine concert on March 11^th. On March 13^th we hosted the area large group contest for band and choir with approximately 1000 students in attendance. Our band and choir earned superior ratings. National Honor Society new member installation will be held on March 21^st at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. Seniors and their parents will be meeting on March 25^th concerning the upcoming class trip April 4-8. We will be hosting the Jazz Festival on March 26^th. This will be a workshop day for the teaching staff at the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center. Twenty juniors will be participating in Boys and Girls County on April 2^nd. We are back to normal attendance of staff after a few weeks of many illnesses. The Technology staff has met twice to evaluate and plan for the future. Third quarter will end on March 28^th. Report cards will be given out April 3^rd if possible. The 2002-03 schedules have been refined and are nearly ready for final registration. Mrs. Larson's Stats class took a lunch survey which will aid the cooks in meal planning.

Superintendent Brennan distributed Principal Johnson's report. Grades 3 and 5 completed their Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment and we hope to have results before school is out for the summer break. The Final Four in the elementary noon basketball tournament are the Bears, Badgers, Frogs, and Penguins. Dr. Suess Day on March 1^st went over great as always.

A brief discussion on the use of handwriting in the high school was held.

Upon motion of Meyer, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried to pay claims in the amount of $82,246.29. Receipts were $467,241.44.

The Board discussed the 2002-03 Service Contracts on various programs offered by the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative.

Upon motion of Imker, seconded by Derickson and unanimously carried, to approve the Service Contracts with the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative for the 2002-03 school year.

March 18, 2002 - Page 2

The Board reviewed the Indoor Air Quality Plan which was completed with the assistance of MacNeil Environmental, Inc. to meet the state guidelines.

Upon motion of Mattison, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried to approve the Indoor Air Quality Plan as written.

The Board reviewed a request from Deb Furth, FLA advisor, to help defray expenses for 17 students to participate in the Minnesota FLA/FCCLA Convention.

Upon motion of Meyer, seconded by Moldan and unanimously carried, to contribute $2,128.00 to the FLA organization for costs associated with sending 17 STAR event winners, and 2 supervisors to the FLA/FCCLA Convention (this includes registration fees, some motel costs, transportation, and salary for a substitute teacher) and wish the local FLA Chapter well at state.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Derickson and unanimously carried, to grant Anjie Horn an extended leave due to childbirth and childcare for the first part of the 2002-03 school year.

A letter was received from Mary Shaner stating that she would like to remain on the call-back list to teach within the Red Rock Central school district.

Discussion was held in regard to establishing a school district newsletter. It would be printed at the school, published once a month, and distributed to local establishments such as restaurants, banks, etc. The Superintendent will oversee the project, with staff contributing news items.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried, to establish a School District Newsletter to be published once a month and overseen by the Superintendent.

Discussion was held concerning a referendum. Principal Johnson explained the new Title I requirements that will take effect in the next couple of years.

Sean Waters was given a chance to address the Board in regard to his area newspaper, "Village Insight". This newspaper is distributed free of charge to the communities of Lamberton, Storden, and Jeffers. He stated that he and his staff will work with and be a tool for the school district to inform community members on issues throughout the district.

Discussion was held on the cost of transforming a part of the pod area into a weight room and starting a day care in the Lamberton and Jeffers buildings. There will be a Renaissance Reading Night at Jeffers Elementary on March 25^th from 6:30-8:30. How to better communication between staff, school board and administration was discussed.

Upon motion of Mattison, seconded by Moldan and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.

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Paula R. Derickson, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder