School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the Board Room in Lamberton on Tuesday, April 22, 2014.  Members present were:  Bierl, Clarke, Erickson, Kelsey, Rasmussen, Rogotzke, and Stavnes.  Superintendent Olson, Principal Goetstouwers, Lead Teacher Altermatt, Bryce Pack, Doreen Kronback, Joe Dietl, and Denise Clarke were also in attendance.

 

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

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Mr. Bryce Pack updated the Board on the progress of the water system at the athletic field. 

 

Board Member Kelsey updated the Board regarding the Auditorium project.

 

Lead Teacher Altermatt gave the following report:  We are glad to have Mrs. Flaig back full time after an extended sick leave.  All is set for the 3rd and 4th graders to take the MCA’s, which start April 23rd.  Muffins and rolls have been donated for a snack.  We thank those people that have made this donation.  The elementary had a tornado drill, which went well.  The Kindergarten Roundup will be April 28th, starting at 6:30 in the Jeffers gym.  Student Council held a color contest for grades Pre-through 4, in honor of Earth Day which is April 22nd.  The winners received a pencil and a treat.  There was a boy and girl winner in each class.  We had a lyceum on April 1st from the History Players.  It was Maude Hart Lovelace.  Maud Hart Lovelace was an author from Mankato, MN.  The performer portrayed Maud’s life as she was growing up and how she became a writer.  She performed two times, one for the lower elementary and one for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders.  It was held in the library and the students and teachers enjoyed the presenter and asked many questions.  We will be having another lyceum on April 28th entitled “Aesops Fables”.  It will start at 8:30 Monday morning.  The 3rd and 4th graders will participate in an integration day at the Jeffers Petroglyphs.  The 4th grade will have another integration day in Wabasso at the bowling alley.  On the 25th of April the 1st and 2nd grade will participate in an integration day at the YMCA in Marshall.  Our 1st and 2nd graders will also attend the New Ulm Theater on May 1st.  They will see “Rumpelstilskin”.  We have 2 teachers that need to leave early for sports events.  Kathy Thompson will fill in for those teachers when needed.  The White Ribbon ceremony was held and Mrs. Maras’s class was the only class that had all her students achieve their goals for the white ribbon.  They will have a popcorn party on Friday in the library.  The elementary is sending home order forms for skill books to be used this summer.  If parents wish they can order a skill book for their child at a cost of $9.95.  Miss Ryker, the title teacher, will be setting up parent meetings in May.  Red Rock Central 4th graders wrote essays in March entitled, “How Can I Show My Pride in Being an American?”  The first place winners were Sara Johnson and Ella Nickel.  The second place winners were Maddie Evans and Hailey Teveldal.  Mason Strom and Corbin Ohotto were the third place winners.  The two first place winners will be entered into the state level of competition using the same essay.  We wish them luck.

 

Principal Goetstouwers offered the following report:  The first week of MCA’s are complete.  I am still looking at options for our Spanish program.  I have found that not taking a foreign language in high school does not affect admission into most colleges and that college scholarships are not affected either unless it’s a departmental scholarship from the language department.  Eighteen FCCLA members advanced to Nationals with Red Rock Central standards

                                                                Page 2 – April 22, 2014

 

of a score above 90, with 14 planning to attend.  Five others were top in category, but scores were below RRC standards.  Five FFA teams are advancing to State – general livestock, poultry, soils, fish and wildlife, and dairy products.  Twenty-one of our seniors enjoyed the class trip to Florida.  We were able to bring all 9th graders this year to the Redwood County Courthouse for Boys and Girls County Day.  We have recently updated the Fitness Center with a rowing machine and weights.  We are currently interviewing for the English position.

 

Superintendent Olson presented the following report:  Doreen Kronback will be taking over the Board Recorder duties beginning in May from Denise Clarke who has been doing the Recording job for the past several years.  A card from John Brennan’s family was given to the Board.  After looking into the recent loans the district has taken out, it appears that approximately $138,000 hasn’t been spent yet.  We are looking at fixing up the front of the current bus garage and I can get bids on that.  Some of the items needed in the cafeteria remodel will be stainless steel surfaces, heaters and refrigeration.  If the legislature would approve this levy, there could be $361,000 available for handicap access.  The Board would like Mr. Olson to check into that.  Our copier in the Lamberton Building has a monthly expense of $788.78 per month for the amount of copies we run.  With the new lease, with added scan and fax feature, it will be $731.85 per month if we run about the same amount of copies.  The copier replaced in this building can be moved to Jeffers for another useable copier as they have only one reliable copier in that building.  There will be more information on the new “Bullying” legislation.  Farmers Golf and Health Club has raised our fee for the Golf team to $1,000.  We will be hiring a new bus driver, Linda Meier, for the spring and will continue into next year for the Jeffers route.  The cooks have been hired for the Jeffers building – Amber Thomas as head cook and Gale Swenson as assistant cook.  I have been doing numerous reports such as food service compliance, Integration revenue reports and Integration plan for next year, among them.  I have made contact with a salvage person about the items in the Jeffers bus garage.  He is willing to go 50/50 on any salvage dollars gained.  I have spoken with Herb Scheffler about demo on the building.  There may be some electrical work and clean up.  Denise, Barb, and I will be attending a private budgeting work day with the SW/WC Service Coop to look at revenues and expenditures for next year.  Hopefully, through this process, we can gain a better understanding of where we are at and where we are going. 

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $197,077.11.  Receipts were $570,306.05.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to pay the following to John Brennan as a final payment:  $1,725 as his share of Q Comp and $4,756.90 for 12 unused vacation days for a total of $6,481.90.

 

Upon motion of Kelsey and seconded by Bierl, to approve an increase of $.43/hour each year for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years for Denise Clarke as Payroll Clerk and Superintendent’s Secretary and for Barb Johnson as Finance Clerk and High School Secretary.  Upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted yes:  Kelsey, Erickson, Rasmussen, Stavnes, Bierl, and Rogotzke.  The following voted no:  None.  Clarke abstained from voting.  Motion carried.

 

Upon motion of Rasmussen, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, approve the policies recommended by the MSBA.

 

 

                                                                Page 3 – April 22, 2014

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to approve a 2-year contract with Philippe Goetstouwers as Principal for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years which calls for a salary of $72,100 the first year and $73,500 the following year and to increase the District 403b match to $1,500 per year.

 

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to approve the new Teacher Evaluation Program as presented and to submit it to the State.

 

Upon motion of Stavnes, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, to accept the resignation of Deb Furth as FCCLA advisor and to thank her for her service.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Bierl and unanimously carried, to hire Brian Benedict as Junior High Baseball Coach for the 2014 season.

 

It was discussed that Mr. Olson can make purchases, but should keep the Board informed.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to go into closed session at 9:17 p.m. to review the Non-Certified Contract and possible retirement program.

 

Upon motion of Rasmussen, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to come out of closed session at 9:48 p.m.

 

The Board set Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. for their next regular meeting due to the Senior Honor Banquet being held on May 19th.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 9:51 p.m.

 

 

 

___________________________________                   _______________________________

Alan J. Clarke, Clerk                                                                         Denise Clarke, Recorder