School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the Board Room in Lamberton on Tuesday, September 17, 2013. Members present were: Bierl, Clarke, Erickson, Kelsey, Rasmussen, Rogotzke, and Stavnes. Superintendent Brennan, Principal Goetstouwers, Lead Teacher Altermatt, Leonard Runck, Bryce Pack, 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 Kelsey, seconded by Bierl and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the August 19, 2013 meeting, and the treasurer’s report.

Board Member Kelsey reported that there will be a committee meeting tomorrow morning in Dr. Brennan’s office to discuss the restoration project for the auditorium.

Lead Teacher Altermatt presented the following report: The elementary has settled into the new school year. The schedules have been finalized and handed in with a tweak here and there. We welcome Rachel Karnitz as our new Counselor. This year we are going to concentrate on RESPECT in the elementary. Rachel has been working on units within the classrooms dealing with this topic. In October Rachel will concentrate on Bullying as it is Anti-bullying Month. Pictures were on the 12^th with Life Touch. We earned $395.66 for the elementary from Target card savings – (1% donated to schools). We had our first evacuation and all went well. Our first fire drill was on Friday the 13^th. Out in 55 seconds. The 4^th grade has their field trip to the Experiment Station on the 18^th for Fall Field Days. Lisa Fest will not be sharing nutrition units with our students this year. We did not make the 50% free and reduced lunch in our school. We are going to participate in the “Book It” program this year again through Pizza Hut and Godfathers Pizza. The elementary starts the NWEA Testing on the 23^rd through the 27^th of September. Miss Ryker also has completed the DIBELS testing with K-2. The Student Council purchased some playground equipment with their Labels for Education. Keep saving them and sending them to school. Paula, Jan, Nadene, Meridith, Sharon, Mary and Derek took part in SWROC’s ITQ this summer. ITQ stands for Improving Teacher Quality. This is a ten day course spread out though June and July. The project title this year was “Plant Nutrition: A Study of Elements Necessary for Growth.” Teachers received technical knowledge and support materials ($125) to teach their own lessons using their own hydroponic lab. The only expense will be purchasing distilled water. Hopefully the school can help cover the costs or the science dept. Guest speakers included Mark Seeley, climatologist/meteorologist. He presented each with a MN Historical Weather DVD. He also spoke about climate change and its affect on plant life. Christopher Boys, Asst. Professor of Pediatrics/Pediatric Neuropsychologist spoke about managing the Science Classroom/Lab with special needs students. Dawn Cameron and Jim Wood shared MDE Science Standards Training and assessing. John Olson presented Science lessons and gave examples on how to access. Pam Jensen gave a tour at the Petroglyphs, and we learned about Plant and Prairie life. Jodi and Sharon met with Paula P, Mary S, and Pam Jensen at the Petroglyphs on August 5^th. Charon Tierney, MDE Lang. Arts specialist was our guest. Time was spent reviewing Hands Upon the Rock by Paula Paplow, Petroglyphs Pamphlets/literature, and oral Dakota Elder stories that have been written down. We met Joe Williams a Dakota Elder from Sisseton, SD and Tom Sanders previews site manager of the

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Petroglyphs. Lesson plans were discussed and prepared using at least two types of material to meet four state Language Arts Standards at the 4^th grade level. Pam has a checklist covered with programs provided by the Petroglyphs.

Principal Goetstouwers reported that the District was again recognized in US News and World Report: One of America’s Best Schools – Silver. Also, in MinnCan: Top 10 school in Minnesota - #4 for junior high and #8 for high school. Mrs. Shaner’s single section of 5^th graders has 26 students. We had a great Open House turnout. We had 1 fire drill and 1 tornado drill already. There will be a lockdown drill (or 2) by the end of the month. Our 3 new staff members, Meg Deignan-English, Jenna Hafner-Spanish, and Rachel Karnitz-Counseling, have been doing a fantastic job. Homecoming is this week and we congratulate Derek Christians-King and Taylor Willhite-Queen. The parade will be at 1 p.m. on Friday. The Cattlemen will serve the students lunch on Friday. Josten’s was here last week so sophomores can order their class rings. NRP was here today for caps and gowns measurements and came last week to kick off Magazine sales for the Juniors. We received a check from Target for $959.67. We receive 1% of all purchases made on the Target Visa card. It has always been used for Cap and Gown costs. School pictures were taken yesterday. The 10^th graders will go to the Career Expo next week. We will be having a lyceum on bullying for grades 5-12 next week. It will be presented by Jon Pritikin – World Guinness Book of Records holder.

Leonard Runck reported on the Surface RT’s and how they are working in the schools.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $173,399.44. Receipts were $663,212.44.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to hire the following:

Stephanie Johnson as ECSE Paraprofessional in Jeffers

Paige Pistulka as C-squad volleyball coach

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, to accept the projected budget as presented.

Upon motion of Clarke and seconded by Bierl, to certify the proposed levy at the MAXIMUM amount. The following voted in favor thereof: Rogotzke, Kelsey, Clarke, Stavnes, Erickson, Rasmussen, and Bierl. The following voted no: None. Motion carried.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to permit an international student, who is living with her step-father and sister, to attend classes at Red Rock Central High School to prepare her for enrollment in a local college. She will take 3 classes and have a local volunteer tutor. It is understood that no additional state funding will follow this young person.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to change Leonard Runck’s title to IT Director and to give him full family health insurance at the expense of the District. The Superintendent will come to the Board with the health insurance amount on a yearly basis.

Bryce Pack was asked to speak to the Board about the expense in getting the Lamberton gym ready for volleyball. Mr. Pack said that if we go with the 2 net system the cost would be $7,000 including installation and that it would take approximately 2 days to get it installed.

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Upon motion of Stavnes, seconded by Clarke and unanimously carried, to play volleyball in the Lamberton gym beginning the 2014-2015 school year and to install a 2 net system in the Lamberton building for a cost of $7,000.

Upon motion of Stavnes, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to split the Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball season between Lamberton and Jeffers for the 2013-2014 school year. Roll call vote was taken: Voting yes: Rogotzke, Kelsey, Clarke, Stavnes, and Bierl. Voting no: Erickson and Rasmussen. 5-2 motion carried.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Rasmussen and unanimously carried, to accept the resignation of Valerie Halter as Jeffers Elementary Secretary and to thank her for her years of service to the District.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Erickson and unanimously carried, to pay total miles to Board Members that have to drive over 15 miles to a board meeting.

Open discussion included: Having a home volleyball game during Homecoming week, a Spanish trip, and interviewing for a new elementary secretary.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to go into Closed Session at 9:21 p.m. to discuss teacher negotiations.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to come out of Closed Session at 9:28 p.m.

Upon motion of Rasmussen, seconded by Stavnes and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 9:28 p.m.

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Alan J. Clarke, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder