School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, September 19, 2005

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the elementary school library in Jeffers on Monday, September 19, 2005. Members present were: Clarke, Derickson, Mattison, Moldan, and Myers. Meyer was tardy. Superintendent Brennan, Principal Olson, Ronald Kelsey, Denise Clarke, Nick Conyers, Marg Conyers, Courtney Conyers, Deb Miller, Gerald Dammann, Trina Dammann, Brenda Anderson, Ashley Anderson, Joe Dietl, Kristi Sell, Sharon Musegades, Bryce Pack, Nicki Peterson, Rod Sykora, Mark Highby, Lori Highby, Brenna Highby, and Jill Gramstad were also in attendance.

Chairman Derickson called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

An interview was conducted with Mr. Ronald Kelsey regarding his interest in the open Board seat in Precinct 1.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried, to select Ronald Kelsey to fill Mr. Scott Greenfield’s seat on the Board until the next general election.

Under the leadership of Chairman Derickson, newly appointed Board Member Kelsey recited the Oath of Office.

Upon motion of Meyer, seconded by Clarke and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda, the minutes of the August 8, 2005 meeting, and the treasurer’s report.

Several parents and students were on hand to voice their concerns regarding cutting on our sports teams.

Principal Olson reported on the Curriculum Mapping Project. The new building is still under construction. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the Auto students use the Ochs building in Springfield for class. We have the use of the Ochs building for one month. He is very happy with the new staff that was hired this year. Homecoming coronation will be held on October 3^rd. The football game will be played on Friday the 7^th with the dance to follow from 9:00 – 12:30. NWEA testing will begin soon in both buildings. Two fire drills have been conducted. Defibrilators have been installed in both buildings. We have received several computers and computer equipment from the Ag Department.

Lead Teacher Riley’s report was distributed to the Board. The first day of school went smoothly. We received many positive comments about our 8:30-10:00 Open House. It was estimated by Jan Benedict and Stacy Warner, who planned the Open House, that we had 107 parents in attendance. We have had 2 fire drills. All fire drill emergency routes have been updated and displayed in each classroom. Jan Benedict and Stacy Warner set up a workshop for parents presented by Teri Graham entitled, “Kids on Task” which was given on September 13^th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Jeffers school library. Mrs. Graham gave several ideas on how we can help our students establish a routine,

responsibility, and how we as adults need to treat children with the same respect we would give our co-workers or friends. Congress has mandated that all public schools receiving federal aid take a day to teach about the constitution. They provided a web site with resources for our use on teaching a lesson. Constitution Day fell on Saturday, September 17^th, so we were asked to teach the lesson on Friday the 16^th. On September 22^nd Charlie Maguire, an outreach artist with the Smithsonian exhibit, will be coming to Jeffers. This musical program, “Barn Again! Dance Barn Music,” is sponsored by the MN Humanities Commission. Our 4^th graders have been chosen for this program and there is no charge to our school. Mr. Maguire will teach each student how to play the jaw harp and spoons to play the song, “Turkey in the Straw.” They will present their program for the rest of the student body at 1:00 that same afternoon. Our new Title aides, Betty Keck, Anne Rezac, and Kristi Stevenson have proven to be very caring and capable. Julie Erickson has been doing a wonderful job with her section of first graders, our new head custodian, Renee Simonson, continues to keep our school clean and running smoothly, and Sheila Ryker, who now teaches the LIPS program in place of Julie Erickson, is working well with our other LIPS instructors and has been busy helping our students learn the skills they need to be better readers. I want to compliment Dr. Brennan and the Board for their excellent choices of the new staff we needed for this school year.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $115,073.43. Receipts were $668,938.03.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Myers and unanimously carried, to approve the System Accountability Report and to publish it as in the past. Cost of publishing with the Windom Shopper will be looked into.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Meyer and unanimously carried, to approve the maximum and/or $444,556.00 levy certified by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education for 2005 Payable 2006 property tax.

Chairman Derickson asked for volunteers to act as a Class Trip Committee. The committee will consist of Clarke, Kelsey, and Myers. Mr. Olson requested being present at their meetings also. Their main purpose will be to set guidelines in behavior and rules, amount that can be spent on the trip, and look into more chaperones.

Discussion was held regarding a request to purchase additional land from the school district near the football field. No action was taken at this time.

The Board will set up a special meeting date to discuss coaching/advising procedures. Head coaches, activity advisors, athletic director, administration, and the Board will meet.

The Board went into a closed session regarding negotiations at 9:20 p.m.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Moldan and unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

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Alan J. Clarke, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder