School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, April 18, 2011

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the Board Room in Lamberton on Monday, April 18, 2011.  Members present were Bierl, Clarke, Erickson, Johnson, Kelsey, Rogotzke, and Stavnes.  Superintendent Brennan, Principal Olson, Lead Teacher Riley, Jan Benedict, Bryce Pack, Leon Stalls, Kip and Vicki Rasmussen, Mark Meier, Kendall Piotter, Troy Determan, Denise Clarke, and Joe Dietl were also in attendance.

 

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

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Johnson and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the March 21, 2011 meeting and the treasurer’s report.

 

Leon Stalls, former teacher and coach, came before the Board to voice his opinion about moving girls’ sports such as volleyball and basketball to the Lamberton building.  He believes the sports teams are happy playing in Jeffers and why would we want to move the sports to Lamberton when things are going so well.  Mark Meier also addressed the Board saying that he agrees with Mr. Stalls.  The Board thanked Mr. Stalls and Mr. Meier for sharing their thoughts.

 

Bryce Pack, athletic director, presented his thoughts on moving volleyball and girls’ basketball to the Lamberton building.  Moving volleyball to Lamberton would involve a cost of approximately $6,000 which includes putting in a dual net system, marking the courts on the gym floor, and fixing the gym curtain.  Our Junior High would have to practice daily in Jeffers.  Moving girls’ basketball to Lamberton would involve early/late starts for practice so both the girls and boys get in their practice time.  The square baskets would need to be moved from the Jeffers gym to the Lamberton gym.  Mr. Pack feels that these sports could be moved to Lamberton if the Board chooses to do so.  Softball was also discussed.  The Board thanked Mr. Pack for his insight into this issue.

 

Board Member Kelsey reported that he attended a Redwood County Collaberative meeting this month.

 

Lead Teacher Riley reported the following:  On April 7-8 our 4th and 5th graders went for their overnight stay at the Science Museum.  They left Jeffers at 12:30 on Thursday, visited the capitol building, and then headed to the museum.  They were given a room at the museum in which they slept in their sleeping bags.  They returned to Jeffers around 2:30 on Friday.  I was picking up my students from P.E. when they were returning and they were very excited about telling me what a great time they had.  They also had to mention that they were told by the Science Museum people that they were the best behaved group of students who attended this event.  Our 5th graders took the MCAII’s Science test in the computer room on April 12th.  The 3rd-5th graders will be taking the MCA Reading test on April 19-20.  These are pencil and paper tests.  Beginning April 26th, K-5th graders will begin the NWEA testing in reading and math.  This will last through May 5th.  Then beginning May 16th, the 3rd-5th graders will be doing the MCAII’s math tests.  On April 14th we participated in the statewide tornado drill at the Jeffers site.  On April 15th our 1st and 2nd graders went to New Ulm for an integration field trip.  We went to a play

 

 

                                                                April 18, 2011 – Page 2

 

entitled, “Mr. Toad’s Mad Adventures” at the Martin Luther College.  We had planned on meeting at a park after the play to have lunch and play games with the other 1st and 2nd graders in our collaborative.  However, because of the unseasonable weather, we ate our lunch in a room at the college and then headed home.  Today Guy Dammann and Linda Meier spoke to our entire student body about bus safety.  There have been some incidents that need to be addressed.  This is something we are planning on stressing to our students every fall and spring to keep reminding them about the rules of safety whether they’re just getting on the bus, riding the bus, or leaving the bus.  I also spoke to them about behaviors that will not be tolerated while riding the bus.  I reminded them to respect their bus drivers and each other.  We really appreciate our bus drivers.  They have a difficult job and this winter had to have been extremely challenging as well.  We will be having our spring concert on May 2nd at 7:00.  Jennifer Eberhard, who is subbing for Jolene Dammann while she is recovering from back surgery, has been working hard getting our students ready.  We appreciate how Mrs. Eberhard has stepped up and made it possible for our student to still have their spring concert.  On May 4-6 our 5th graders will be heading to Lake Carlos for their integration trip.  This has always proven to be a fantastic experience for our students.  Our Kindergarten round up this year will be May 9th at 6:30. On May 10th our 3rd graders will be having a field trip to the Cottonwood Historical Museum and also the Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center in Windom.  We’re waiting for the weather to warm up so we can do our last 2 fire drills at the Jeffers site.  We also have 1 more lockdown and the whole school evacuation to complete.

 

Principal Olson reported the following:  The Senior Class Trip went very well.  We had our drill along with the statewide Tornado Drill.  We had practiced this last fall already.  Next years’ schedule is pretty much in place.  We had way too many signed up for Spanish so I have met with the students and  made recommendations and we are down to 23 students in Spanish I.  Schedules will come out to students yet this week for final adjustments.  The FFA will be competing in their state contests on May 2 -3.  Testing is ongoing yet this week for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.  We have some very apprehensive students and teachers as we missed a great deal of time from the classroom before these tests.  Prom went very well, and we should take time to thank the After Prom committee for their efforts to provide a healthy and fun environment.  Student Council Food Drive - this year we took all the food and cash to the Food Shelf in Westbrook.  My understanding is that many people from our district frequent this shop.  We look forward to a busy May with the Honor Banquet, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.  We also have some spring concerts in May.  As usual a couple of seniors are still a concern for graduation.  It depends on grades that are forthcoming this semester.  I have been meeting with Principals from the area.  We have met 2 times in Windom.  Such things as curriculum sharing and what we are all doing that could help each other have been discussed.  At the last meeting we also discussed in length the Minnesota Common Course Catalog that has to be filed with the MDE.  Ours is complete 9-12.

 

Upon motion of Stavnes, seconded by Clarke and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $77,024.52.  Receipts were $538,967.63.

 

Discussion was held regarding:  Moving all Board meetings to the Lamberton site, John Rogotzke succeeded in raising money for the lights in the Jeffers gym, and Monsanto’s Grow Rural Education program.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Bierl and unanimously carried, to go into Closed Session at 8:40 p.m. to review personnel and student related issues.

                                                                April 18, 2011 – Page 3

 

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, to come out of Closed Session at 9:17 p.m.

 

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

 

 

________________________________                           _______________________________

Alan J. Clarke, Clerk                                                         Denise Clarke, Recorder