School Board Minutes
Red Rock Central District No. 2884
Monday, April 17, 2000
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held
in the Board Room in Lamberton on Monday, April 17, 2000. Members present were:
Clarke, Gransee, Imker, Johnson, and Therkilsen. Mattison was tardy; Porter was
absent. Superintendent John Brennan, Principal Benz, Joe Dietl, Arlyce Anderson Willis
Booze, Winifred Churchill, John Croatt, Guy Dammann, Julie Erickson, Steve Grunewald,
Roger Hoehne, Vicky Missling, Stan McCone, Bryce Pack, Deb Pack, Jill Pederson, Kathy
Penner, Clare Polzin, Sharon Schultz, Marion Weber, Shirley Wolf, and Lucille Hagert
were also in attendance.
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
Upon motion of Therkilsen, seconded by Imker and unanimously carried, to approve the
agenda as amended.
Upon motion of Gransee, seconded by Imker and unanimously carried, to approve the
minutes of the March 20, 2000 meeting.
Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Therkilsen and unanimously carried, to approve
the treasurer's report.
Stan McCone, who operates a small food business, addressed the board with a concern
regarding his dealings at RRC in a fund raiser incident. He felt he received unfair
treatment in his unsuccessful attempt to obtain the school account. Superintendent
Brennan assured him that things would be handled differently in the future.
Mary DeCock and Mandey Gillis gave a brief summary of the Senior Class trip to Orlando,
Florida, earlier this month which they reported was enjoyable as well as educational.
Class advisor Arlyce Anderson commended the class on being one of the best groups of students she has chaperoned in the last three years.
Principal Benz reported the following: The Academic Decathlon team ranked 5th in
the small school category in state competition. The Special Education Department
received a very high score in its recent audit by the State. He commended Special
Education teacher Kathy Penner for her excellent work. There was a good turn out at the
Speech Team Open House held on April 10 for parents and guests. RRC participated
in the statewide Tornado Drill on April 13. Thirty-one students donated blood at
the Bloodmobile sponsored by the Lamberton Legion on April 14. Mid terms are scheduled to
be mailed the week of May 1st. Spring play tryouts will be the week of April 17.
The 6th grade tour of the high school will be the second week of May. Upcoming
events: Prom - April 29; High School Concert - May 8; Junior High Concert - May 16; Baccalaureate
- May 21; Senior Honor Banquet - May 23; Commencement - May 28. Final registration
and scheduling has been completed for the 2000-01 school year. There will be over 40 students attending CRTC next year. The Auto Mechanics class is filled
and five students are being asked to make a substitution. Nicole Hoines of Pipestone,
who has five years of teaching experience, has signed a contract for the instrumental band position. There were nine applicants.
Page 2 - April 27, 2000
Principal Johnson's written report is as follows:
He requested and received a written waiver to carry over all of the 1999-00 school
year unspent Title I funds. RRC can expect to receive $140,000 plus carry over for
the 2000-01 school year. Students raised over $2,000 for the Jump Rope for Heart
project which was coordinated by Nancy Kissner. The school received two letters of thanks
from the American Heart Association for their support in this worthwhile project
and congratulated Mrs. Kissner on a job well done. Tonya Knorr of Heartland State
Bank made a presentation to grades K-6 on the importance of saving money. FLA students conducted
a finger printing project in the elementary and familiarized students in Grades K-3
in the use of 911.
Gransee reported the last negotiation's meeting with the support staff did not go
well and the Board and the Union are now farther apart than they were previously.
Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Mattison and unanimously carried, to pay claims
in the amount of $199,182.44. Receipts were $729,718.21.
Motion by Therkilsen and seconded by Clarke to place Nancy Kissner on unrequested
leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits, effective at the end of the 1999-2000
school year on June 30, 2000. Voting yes: Clarke, Gransee, Imker, Johnson, Mattison, and Therkilsen. Voting no: no one.
Motion by Therkilsen and seconded by Porter to terminate the teaching contract of
Chris Johnson, a probationary teacher, at the close of the current 1999-2000 school
year. Voting yes: Clarke, Gransee, Imker, Johnson, Mattison and Therkilsen. Voting
no: no one.
Gary Gillis recently resigned as Head Girls' Basketball Coach and Jeff Shaner has
applied for the position.
Upon motion of Gransee, seconded by Therkilsen and unanimously carried, to appoint
Jeff Shaner as Head Girls' Basketball Coach for the 2000-01 school year.
RRC is presently and actively involved in the MN Tax/Aid Anticipation Program this
school year. This program has helped the District through the cash flow problems
experienced last year. All the funds are invested within the MN School District
Liquid Asset Fund which has a little higher interest than RRC's borrowing rate. Approximately
$42,000 in interest has been received as of March 31,2000. Dr. Brennan recommended
continuing the District's membership in the Tax/Aid Anticipation Program for next
year.
Upon motion of Gransee, seconded by Imker and unanimously carried, to approve the
completion of the application process for the MN Tax/Aid Anticipation Program for
next year.
Dr. Brennan has been reviewing options to purchase a soft water system for the Junior/High
School building. This will extend the life of the plumbing fixtures (boiler/hot
water heaters) and the equipment needed with the Hot Lunch Program. Dr. Brennan
requested the Board to approve the Finance Committee and he select the soft water system
to be purchased due to lack of information at the time of the Board meeting.
Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Therkilsen and unanimously carried, to have the
Finance Committee and Superintendent Brennan select the soft water system to be purchased
due to lack of information at the time of the Board meeting.
RRC has been invited to join the Marshall Area Adult Education Consortium which will
enable its residents to participate in Adult Basic Education classes. This program
is funded by state aid.
Page 3 - April 17, 2000
Upon motion of Therkilsen, seconded by Imker and unanimously carried, to become a
member of the Marshall Area Adult Education Consortium at no cost to the district.
Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Gransee and unanimously carried, to employ Nicole
Hoines as instrumental band instructor for the 2000-01 school year.
Athletic Director Bryce Pack asked the Board's approval in the pairing of baseball
with Westbrook/Walnut Grove beginning next school year as Westbrook/Walnut Grove
will only have 9 participants next year. They have no Junior High program. RRC has
19 participants in grades 10-12 this year and only 11 participants in grades 7 and 8.
Upon motion of Gransee, seconded by Imker and unanimously carried, to approve the
pairing of baseball with Westbrook/Walnut Grove, depending on Westbrook/Walnut Grove's
decision, beginning with the 2000-01 school year.
Dr. Paul Porter will resign his position on the Board of Education at the May meeting
as he is moving out of the District. Someone from his precinct will have to be appointed
to fill the vacancy until the end of the calendar year. The replacement or any other candidate will then have to file for election in November to fill the remaining
two years of Dr. Porter's unexpired four year term.
Upcoming meetings: CRTC - April 25; Principals' Mediation - May 15;
Non-certified staff Mediation - May 23.
Superintendent evaluations will soon take place.
Upon motion of Therkilsen, seconded by Clarke and unanimously carried, to adjourn
the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Alan J. Clarke, Clerk Lucille Hagert, Recorder