School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the Board Room in Lamberton on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Members present were: Bierl, Clarke, Erickson, Kelsey, Rasmussen, and Rogotzke. Stavnes was tardy. Superintendent Brennan, Principal Goetstouwers, Lead Teacher Altermatt, Jan Benedict, Sharlla Maras, Russ Derickson, and Denise Clarke were also in attendance.

Chairman Rogotzke called the meeting order at 6:30 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Bierl and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the February 19, 2013 meeting, and the treasurer’s report.

Lead Teacher Altermatt presented the following report: Our Jump Rope for Heart goal was $1500 and we earned $3904. We had a lyceum with Harriet Bishop for grades 1-4. Our “Interactive Television Unit” is set up and was used for the first time. It is to be used for virtual field trips (such as the Minnesota Science Museum, History Center, etc.) for elementary students. This $10,000 portable unit is 100% paid for with the Rural Utility Service grant funding. Another reading book representative will meet with the upper class teachers on April 6^th. The 4^th graders took the NAEP test in reading or math on March 5^th. The Life Touch photo shoot was March 6^th. All went well. The pictures have arrived and have been sent home. The staff has been notified from the Southwest Research and Outreach Center about 2 educational programs that will be held this summer. The first program is Improving Teacher Quality – “Plant Nutrition-A Study of Elements Necessary for Growth” (grade K-8) 10 days; and the second program is University on the Prairie (grade 7-12) 3 days. Third grade classes attended a program at Lake Shetek on collecting maple sap. Greater MN Family Services has a new program called Early Childhood Counseling Services. Jan Rhubee is the classroom counselor and it is held in Windom. This is a specific program for birth to 5 year old children and their families and it is free.

Principal Goetstouwers offered the following report: FabLab update – Mike Seegar from First Technologies connected with Mr. Wegman and me. He suggested that we use the wood shop for the lab. He gave us lists of equipment that we’ll need. We are looking into Physics/Chemistry lab updates – with the hopes of improving our science scores. We are also looking at getting a new reading series for grades 3-6. We met with one rep already and will meet with more. We need this to meet the Common Core Standards. Our 3 Knowledge Bowl teams went to sub-region competition with 1 team advancing to regions where they placed 7th. Our band received 3 superior ratings and the choir received 2 superiors and 1 excellent rating at our annual Large Group Contest. Another FFA Advisory Committee meeting will be held next Tuesday. Surveys were administered and will be tallied soon in hopes to promote and identify interests of the FFA members. Officers voted on summer trip to St. Louis itinerary and parents meeting will be held on March 26^th. The trip is slated for July 20-24 and includes the following: Cardinals baseball game, Budweiser Brewing tour, St. Louis arch, Monsanto tours, John Deere facility tour and corn cleaning/processing plant tour. Our students put on a great performance of, “Lizzie Borden of Fall River”. Our wrestling team sent 5 individuals to state, at which Spencer Jenniges became runner-up in his weight class. Four of the 5 ended up 5^th or better at state.

March 19, 2013 – Page 2

The boys’ basketball team was ranked 3^rd seed and lost to the 2^nd seed in semifinals. The girls’ basketball team won their 1^st round of play, but lost to the #1 seed. I have almost completed all discussions about post-high school plans with 11^th graders. I am hoping that Katelyn will be able to take that over next year. USAgain issued us a Certificate of Sustainability. Textiles - 9,132 lbs collected; Water – 12,784,800 gallons saved; Landfill space – 52 cubic yards saved; CO2 Emissions – 63,924 lbs prevented. Our spring pictures from Life Touch have been taken and returned to the school. We will determine if we’ll do this in the future depending on the outcome. The school receives $2 automatically for every picture taken regardless if the family purchases them. Viking Coca Cola presented us with a check for $868.19 based on purchases of all Powerade products sold in the Lamberton community. Students are completing scholarship applications. Most local deadlines will end before mid-April. MCA test dates and proctors are established - the first day is April 9^th. The Senior class trip will be from March 21-25 with students expected back in school on the 26^th. Third quarter ends on March 25^th.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $137,763.81. Receipts were $380,325.59.

The following items were discussed: Send Mr. Wegman and Mr. Runck to workshops on the FabLab; general discussion on the FabLab; last payment for Johnson Controls project; last payment for ½ bus this summer; health insurance meeting on April 11^th; and extracurricular pay schedule.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to go into Closed Session at 7:20 p.m. to discuss 3 personnel issues.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, to come out of Closed Session at 7:35 p.m.

General discussion was continued: A.D. position for next school year; future of Jeffers building; possible applicants for Superintendent position; and student enrollment.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Bierl and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 8:08 p.m.

_______________________________ _______________________________

Alan J. Clarke, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder