School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the elementary library in Jeffers on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.  Members present were:  Clarke, Kelsey, Rasmussen, Rogotzke, and Stavnes.  Bierl and Erickson were absent.  A Quorum of 5 was present.  Superintendent Brennan, Principal Goetstouwers, 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.

 

Upon motion of Rasmussen, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the April 15, 2013 meeting, and the treasurer’s report.

 

Lead Teacher Altermatt’s report was distributed to the Board and reads as follows:  The Elementary Spring Concert was May 6th.  It was another success with lots of songs from each grade.  Many of the children dressed in their western clothing as that was the theme.  Sharen Goeman from the EMT staff in Jeffers has requested to visit with each class about what they do.  This will happen May 22nd.  The EMTs will spend 10 to 15 minutes with each class that morning.  The YoYo Man was here in May and the children were able to buy yoyos.  The sale from the yoyos was $756 and we received $76 for our school.  Some of the children are playing yoyos during the noon recess.  They are enjoying them.  Our Handwriting Contest winners were announced on May 15th at an assembly in the gym.  A representative from Zaner Bloser presented the awards to our 3 state winners – Ryker Duroe, Trinity Milne, and Nicole Schroepfer.  Our local winners were Alyssa Cowan, Josie Horning, and Jared Schroepfer along with our 3 state winners.  There was a handwriting winner from each class.  Congratulations to each of these students for their hard work.  We had 2 integration days:  May 9th – Wabasso Integration Day for 4th graders.  They went bowling in Marshall.  There were lights and music and all had a lot of fun.  May 14th was Integration Day at Morton for the 3rd and 4th graders.  The students learned about the Dakota Language, they played Dakota Games, and visited the Birch Coulee Battlefield, and Gneiss Rock (3.6 billion years old).  On May 7th the 3rd graders took a field trip to the Cottonwood County Historical Society.  They toured the Historical Society, Courthouse and the Law Enforcement Center in Windom.  It was very interesting.  May 13th Betty Adrian, master gardener from Mt. Lake, gave the 4th graders 7 sunflower seeds.  They are to plant the seeds and bring the biggest head to the Cottonwood County Fair.  There are prizes of $25, $20, and $15.  May 17th the 4th graders visited the End of the Line Railroad in Currie.  Our 2012-2013 Kindergarten Class is having their graduation program on May 24th at 1:00.  This will also be the Kindergarteners’ last day of school for this year.  On May 15th Kortney Krick, our school nurse, had a health visit with all the 4th grade boys and then with the girls.  The 3rd and 4th grade classes are in the process of growing spinach and a variety of lettuce through a grant from the Minnesota Ag in the Classroom Program.  Our Open House for next fall will be August 29th from 4:30 to 6:30.  Parents and child will be able to meet their child’s teacher, see their classroom, bring their school supplies, prepay any expenses and refreshments will also be served in the cafeteria.  Our teachers are preparing to complete another successful year at Red Rock Central.  We all thank the administration and board members for their concerns and guidance for our school.

 

 

                                                                May 21, 2013 – Page 2

 

Principal Goetstouwers reported the following:  State testing is complete.  Some preliminary results are in for math – Grade 5:  54%; Grade 6:  80%; Grade 7:  68%; Grade 8:  81%.  We are still waiting for all other results and determining pros/cons of paper vs computer tests for next year.  We had several technical problems during testing this year.  We will be using Learning Navigator for grades 5 and 6.  It uses data from MCA test results to determine areas needed for improvement.  It’s an opportunity for students to receive extra practice lessons during the summer to be prepared for the next grade level.  Seven Statistics students and 12 Geography students took the Advanced Placement exams.  We will receive 2/3 reimbursement from the State.  The Fire Marshall requested that we develop/update our Crisis Management Plan.  I will present it to all staff in the Fall.  The National Honor Society induction ceremony was on May 5th.  We hosted a presentation on bullying to our 7th and 8th graders.  New Horizons Crisis Center presented and had a panel of law enforcement from Redwood and Cottonwood County and Redwood County attorney.  The program was introduced by 2 of our students as this was part of their FCCLA project.  Six FFA teams advanced to the State over the year:  Poultry-5th in State; Soils-2nd in State; Fish/Wildlife-9th in State; Dairy Products; Meats-12 in State; Livestock.  The total award count was 4 gold teams, 1 silver team and 1 bronze team with 15 students achieving a gold standard, 5 with silver  and 4 in the bronze division.  Most student schedules are complete.  The FCCLA had a successful Blood Drive.  There was a total of $30,325 in scholarships given at the Senior Honor Banquet, averaging $4,527.70 per student.  Our Spanish teacher for the 2012-2013 will be Jenna Hafner.  Meg (Margaret) Deignan will be our new English teacher.  The 5th and 6th graders had a tour of Highwater Ethanol Plant through Provider Pals Sheila Schmid (MN Pork Producers) and Sam Ziegler (MN Crop Farmer).  The Physics class took a field trip to the Twins game.  The 4th graders will have an Open House this Friday in Lamberton.  11th grade Student Council members will give the tours.  An MDE representative will present at our end of the year workshop on Common Core & Language Arts.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to pay bills in the amount of $92,785.02.  Receipts were $549,691.12.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to hire Margaret Mary (Meg) Deignan, as Secondary English Teacher.

 

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to hire the auditing firm of Kinner & Company LTD to perform the school district audit for the 2012-2013 school year at a cost not to exceed $13,950 for the regular audit.

 

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to accept the quote from Continental Western Group through the Wanda State Agency’s office for the school insurance for the 2013-2014 school year totaling $45,288, with the exception of Worker’s Comp with Terrorism through Ram Mutual at $23,832.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to accept the resignation of Marion Weber as Bookkeeper and Finance Clerk for the District, and to thank her for her 53 years of service to the District.

 

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Clarke and unanimously carried, to approve a $1.50 increase in wages for Barb Johnson beginning July 1, 2013 and another increase of $1.50 January 1, 2014, due to added responsibilities with the District’s Finance in addition to her role as high school secretary.

                                                                May 21, 2013 – Page 3

 

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Rogotzke, to approve an increase of $.35/ hour for Denise Clarke as the District’s Payroll Clerk and the Superintendent’s Secretary.  Upon vote being taken:  4 voted yes, 0 voted no, Clarke abstained from voting.  Motion carried.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to approve the bid of $79,995.00 from Nohava Construction, Inc. to replace part of our roof in the Lamberton building.

 

A discussion was held regarding feedback concerning the committee’s meeting with Bruce Olson as future Superintendent.  The board is in favor of taking a vote at their next meeting.

 

Upon motion of Stavnes, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to approve the potential 37 members of the Senior Class for graduation.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to proceed with the purchase of two 77 passenger busses for $84,653 each and one mini bus (14 passenger) for $48,751 for a total price of $216,057 and to add that purchase to the Lease Purchase items.

 

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to approve the 2013-2014 school calendar as presented.

 

Upon motion of Stavnes, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to hire Jane Hansen as Summer Rec. director for the Storden community.

 

Items discussed:  The Fire Marshall wants us to replace doors and glass at gym entrance; the Preliminary RRC Technology Budget Request plus busses and tractor.

 

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.

 

 

___________________________________                   _______________________________

Alan J. Clarke, Clerk                                                                         Denise Clarke, Recorder