School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, May 17, 2010

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the Board Room in Lamberton on Monday, May 10, 2010.  Members present were:  Clarke, Johnson, Kelsey, Rogotzke, and Westerman.  Bierl and Stavnes were tardy due to the 6-8 grade Fine Arts program.  Superintendent Brennan, Principal Olson, Lead Teacher Riley, Lynn Keck, Denise Clarke, and Joe Dietl were also in attendance.

 

Chairman Kelsey called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Upon motion of Rogotzke and seconded by Johnson, to approve the agenda, the minutes of the April 19, 2010 meeting, and the treasurer’s report.  Voting yes:  5.  Voting no:  None.  Absent:  2.  Motion carried.

 

Lead Teacher Riley offered the following report:  On May 3rd we had our annual spring concert under the direction of Mrs. Jolene Dammann.  The theme this year was centered around the students and their love for music class.  It began with the 5th grade band playing several selections and also many of those band members playing solos or in small groups.  The concert ended with all of the elementary students singing the final song.  After the concert the parents were given the opportunity to see the art work of their children displayed in the hallways.  As usual, we had a good crowd.  We thank Mrs. Dammann for all of the work she puts into our concerts throughout the year and also many thanks goes to Mr. Hubert for the hours he put in displaying our students’ art work for the spring concert.  On May 4th our 3rd graders went to the Cottonwood County Historical Society Museum, the courthouse, and the Law Enforcement Center in Windom.  On May 10th we had the kindergarten round up at the Jeffers site.  It is anticipated that 29-30 students will be in kindergarten next fall.  The children and their parents were taken on a tour of the school and then the children were involved in some fun activities.  We had good attendance at this round up.  On May 11th the 4th graders attended the Water Education Day at the Shalom Hill Farm near Jeffers.  On May 12th the 5th graders were given the MCA Science test in our computer lab.  This marked the end of our standardized testing for this school year.  On May 14th the kindergartners were involved in a field day as part of our integration program.  They traveled to Walnut Grove.  This ends integration activities for this school year.  On May 19th Ms. Ryker will be holding a Title I Parent Meeting at 3:00.  She will be discussing the Parent Compact and also the Parent Involvement Program with those who attend.  She also sent home a survey for the parents to fill out and return.  We have just the annual evacuation left to do for this year which will probably take place sometime this week.  On May 25th we will be having a lyceum on American Tall Tales.  The usbank in Lamberton has requested that our students either write letters or draw pictures for our troops to be sent by the bank at the end of this month.  Our students are more than happy to do this for our troops.  We are very excited that we will be having author Catherine Friend visit our school library on June 2nd.  Mrs. Pederson has been reading books to our students by this author so they are familiar with her books before she comes to visit us.  This visit is being sponsored by the Lamberton Public Library and the Plum Creek Library System.  The public is invited to attend.  The 2009-10 school year went by quickly.  I want to

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thank the teachers, support staff, and the students for facing many challenges and turning them into successes.  We thank Dr. Brennan for his leadership throughout the year.  I wish to personally thank him for the encouragement he gives me as Lead Teacher.  On behalf of the entire staff at the Jeffers site, we wish to thank Mel Hannemann, Heather Huset, and Konnie Rogotzke for their dedication in helping our students be the best they can be.  They each brought their own unique talents to our Title I program.  We also wish to thank Rosie Schultz who helped keep our school clean.  We appreciate these individuals and they will be greatly missed.

 

Board Member Westerman reported that she attended a Tri-County Day Treatment meeting on April 20, 2010.  They are now inhabiting the whole building in Windom.  All programs remain full.

 

Upon motion of Clarke and seconded by Westerman, to pay claims in the amount of $126,743.05.  Receipts were $399,857.99.  Voting yes:  5.  Voting no:  None.  Absent:  2.  Motion carried.

 

The Negotiation Committee continues to work on the contract with support staff.

 

Upon motion of Clarke and seconded by Johnson, to hire the auditing firm of Kinner & Company to perform the school district audit  for the 2010-2011 school year at a cost of $11,700.  Voting yes:  5.  Voting no:  None.  Absent:  2.  Motion carried.

 

Board Members Bierl and Stavnes arrived at the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

 

The Board discussed a future referendum and asked Superintendent Brennan to bring materials from the past referendum to the June Board meeting.

 

Principal Olson gave the following report:  Once again I have concerns for a couple of seniors.  This year probably is going to be the biggest challenge for these students that I have seen.  Baccalaureate and the Honor Banquet are this Sunday and Monday and of course Commencement will be on the 30th.  I appreciate all the extra work the clergy does for Baccalaureate.  The staff goes the extra mile as well to make these things happen.  Tonight was the Junior High Fine Arts Evening.  Our arts people do a great job of preparing students and promoting their programs.  Our new art instructor, Mr. Hubert, has continued a successful art program.  We did have students who showed art projects at the Regional Art Show held in Westbrook.  We did not have any entrants this year advancing to state.  Mr. Hubert along with his dad, Larry Hubert, did an amazing aluminum pour with the older students.  The design to completion of this project was outstanding.  I have sent letters out inviting community members to become part of the System Accountability Committee.  I have had many positive responses to this request.  It will be good to get some new members for this group.  The awards assembly is scheduled for the last day of school for grades 7-11.  We look forward to wrapping up another good year at RRC.  We faced many weather challenges this year.  We are concerned yet optimistic that our test results will not be down this year because of those challenges.  The staff has been very professional about “catching up” our students to be ready for testing, which with the science test finished is now complete.  From my observations I thought our students took the tests seriously and worked very hard at

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them.  A personal thank you to this school board that I have the opportunity to work with.  Through your professional approach to your role on the school board, you have made administrating in this district a very manageable task.  My next report will include a synopsis of my trip to Europe!

 

Upon motion of Westerman, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to approve a potential 43 members of the Senior Class for graduation.

 

Upon motion of Rogotzke, seconded by Westerman and unanimously carried, to go into closed session at 8:43 p.m. to discuss the Superintendent’s Contract and to invite Superintendent Brennan to join them.  Dr. Brennan left closed session at 9:00 p.m.

 

Upon motion of Rogotzke, seconded by Johnson and unanimously carried, to come out of closed session at 9:50 p.m.

 

Upon motion of Rogotzke, seconded by Johnson and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 9:50 p.m.

 

 

 

________________________________                    ____________________________

Alan J. Clarke, Clerk                                      Denise Clarke, Recorder