School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, April 16, 2007

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the Board Room in Lamberton on Monday, April 16, 2007. Members present were: Clarke, Derickson, Kelsey, Moldan, Myers, Rogotzke, and Westerman. Superintendent Brennan, Principal Olson, Lead Teacher Riley, ValRee Graff, Joe Dietl, and Denise Clarke were also in attendance.

Chairman Derickson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Clarke and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the March 19, 2007 meeting, and the treasurer’s report.

Lead Teacher Riley reported that on April 5^th Ronald McDonald came to give our students a 45-minute program regarding bullying. He taught our students strategies on how to handle bullies and we are grateful to Ms. Moll for setting this up for us. Lisa Fest, who teaches nutrition to our students through a program sponsored by Cottonwood County, recently completed a nutrition unit with our 2^nd graders. The 2^nd grade classes each developed a menu that our cooks have agreed to serve for lunches in May. MCA’s for 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grades will be given April 17^th, 18^th, 24^th, and 25^th. Our 2^nd graders will be taking the NWEA’s beginning the week of April 23^rd. The 3^rd-5^th graders will be taking the NWEA’s soon after they are finished with the MCA’s. Kindergarten and 1^st graders will be given the DIBELS tests in reading, which tests to see if they can recognize the letters of the alphabet, checks their phonemic awareness, and their reading fluency. We participated in the statewide tornado drill on April 12^th. I attended another meeting about integration in Walnut Grove. The plan at this time is for us to meet only in October, November, and March, plus one day in which each grade level will go on a field trip together. It was decided to zone the school districts, so now RRC will be with WWG, Wabasso, and Milroy. Tracy, MCC, and Balaton are in another zone. This will make for fewer students when a grade level is hosting. Another change is that 1^st-2^nd grades will host together, 3^rd-4^th , and 5^th-6^th. Kindergarten will not be hosting but will be going on one fall and one spring field trip. Then, in May, everyone will get together for a Festival Day. The Fire Marshal toured the Jeffers site. When he met with me, he asked that the other teachers become involved with sounding the alarm for fire drills. We will be implementing this policy starting next fall.

Principal Olson reported that a representative from the Humphrey Institute will be in the building tomorrow. We will be meeting with community members, students, and staff during the afternoon. We will be weighting grades with our college classes and AP courses, etc. On April 12^th, we had a tornado drill. The Student Council food drive netted over 600 pounds. We had a visit from the Fire Marshal. A nameplate, recognizing the Estate of Ruth Fering Black as a contributor to the Auto Shop, will be placed on the plaque at the Auto Center. Two of our speech team members advanced to State competition and we have 2 alternates. The FCCLA State Convention is at the end of this week. FFA State

April 16, 2007 – Page 2

Convention begins next week. The Spring Play will not be put on this year. Prom will be at the end of this week with the junior and senior parents providing the after prom party. Thanks to those parents for their extra work and concern for our kids. The Music Concert has been moved to Wednesday, May 9^th. Every spring it will be on the second or third Wednesday of May because of too many conflicts with sports, etc. The churches were all contacted and have given their approval. A benefit for Arianne Rise will be held on May 9^th with a picnic theme and silent auction. We gathered students for a brief assembly and gave them a pep talk on attitude.

Board Member Clarke commented on the RRCNet committee meeting held before this meeting.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Rogotzke and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $54,130.13. Receipts were $520,886.71.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to accept the resignation of Renee Simonson as our Elementary Head Custodian and Dale Gustad as our High School Custodian, due to his plan to retire, and to thank them for the service they have given to the district and the students.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried, to grant a special leave of absence to Charles Nordby. Mr. Nordby will retire the end of September and this special leave will cover the cost of his retirement rate, the district’s share plus one month of health insurance cost based on the District’s Master Agreement with the Teachers. The Board states that this action does not start a new past practice and will be considered a one-time agreement.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Westerman and unanimously carried, to count the snow day of Wednesday, April 11, 2007 as a staff day, but not a student day. The day will not be made up.

The following was discussed: Q-Comp Committee met with a representative from the State Department this month and it went very well, the equity drive for Highwater Ethanol was held here last Saturday and their board of directors had some great comments regarding our school, and Jeff Shaner and Bill Nickel will be painting the upper part of the Jeffers gym.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Clarke and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 8:13 p.m.

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Alan J. Clarke, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder