School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, October 20, 2008

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the Board Room in Lamberton on Monday, October 20, 2008. Members present were: Clarke, Derickson, Kelsey, Rogotzke, Myers, and Westerman. Moldan was absent. Superintendent Brennan, Principal Olson, Lead Teacher Riley, Clare Polzin, Jan Benedict, Chad Stavnes, and Denise Clarke were also in attendance.

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

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Westerman and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the September 15, 2008 meeting, and the treasurer’s report.

Clare Polzin and Jan Benedict gave a Powerpoint presentation regarding the MCAII testing data and results, and their implications to the District.

Lead Teacher Riley reported that October 3^rd the 1^st and 2^nd grades hosted the first Integration Day for this year. Our next Integration Day will be November 21^st with the 3^rd and 4^th grades hosting in Jeffers. Grades K-5 completed the NWEA testing on October 10^th. October 6-10 was Fire Prevention Week with the preschool – 1^st graders touring the Jeffers Fire Hall with Joe Miller. Tom Vold sent over coloring books and pencils which were purchased by the Lamberton Fire Department with donations from the Lamberton, Sanborn, Storden, and Jeffers Fire Departments. Grandparent’s Day will be October 24^th. The children will present a short program and then their grandparents are invited to visit the classrooms. On October 31^st we will be having a masquerade ball in the gym for our students. The 1^st quarter also ends that day, and conferences will be held November 6^th from 4:00-10:00.

Principal Olson reported that he has visited most of the classrooms of staff that will have informal observations this year. The first round of formal observations of untenured staff has been completed. NWEA testing is complete in the high school. Seniors and some Juniors went to College Fair Day at SMSU and the Sophomores attended Career Day at SMSU. Homecoming week activities went very well and the dance was very well attended. The “Free Deer” lyceum was given to the students and was quite interesting. The Camfel Production “Trust Me” lyceum will be held Thursday. Surveys were sent out to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors and their parents regarding continuation of the class trip and prom. Results show that most parents and students would like to see both continue.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Rogotzke and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $127,854.00. Receipts were $1,682,161.80.

Upon motion of Rogotzke, seconded by Westerman and unanimously carried, to set the meeting to canvass votes from the November 4, 2008 election on November 10^th at 7:30 p.m. with the regular monthly meeting.

Superintendent Brennan presented a prescription drug co-pay policy for the Board to look over. The first draft reads as follows:

The Board of Education of Red Rock Central will provide reimbursement between the financial difference from what an outside family health insurance plan pays and the plan provided by the district on prescription drugs. Those staff members that qualify for the District’s health insurance opportunity but remain on his/her spouse’s family health plan will be reimbursed by the district the difference between the employee’s prescription drug co-pay and that of the District’s plan.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Kelsey and unanimously carried, to accept the prescription drug co-pay policy as a first reading.

Superintendent Brennan had a meeting with the RRC Education Association’s President and selected members to discuss and review the financial situation the District will find itself in during this school year. The projected price increases of fuel, both from transportation and heating the buildings, plus the drop in student population all relates to a reduction in state aid. As a result of the meeting, the teaching staff voted and agreed to a “Staff Development Set Aside Waiver” of 1% for the 2008-09 school year. With this specific reduction and additional cuts, plus other reductions, all contribute to a collective benefit to the School District.

Upon motion of Kelsey, seconded by Myers an unanimously carried, to approve the Set Aside Waiver of 1%, or $26,306.31, to go toward the General Fund for the 2008-09 school year, and also to thank the RRCEA their assistance and cooperation in reducing the District’s cost for this school year.

The District started reviewing Medicare Supplemental Insurance options at no cost to the District for retired staff in January of this year. Superintendent Brennan believes that the Board should adopt a policy in relationship to this issue. He also stated that he believes retired employees, teachers, or 12-month people must start paying this account perhaps 2 or 3 months prior to the coverage starting. Attached is a first draft regarding Group Medicare Supplement Insurance.

Upon motion of Myers, seconded by Westerman and unanimously carried, to accept the first draft of the Group Medicare Supplement Insurance policy as a first reading.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Rogotzke and unanimously carried, to hire Rebecca Wiebe as a paraprofessional in the Jeffers Elementary building.

Discussion was held on the following: Infrastructure in the Lamberton building as the pipes in the old section of the school are beginning to leak, ING of Slayton will be overseeing 403 issues and advising employees at no cost to the District, Dave Nester will be helping out with GASB, and the land sale.

Upon motion of Clarke, seconded by Rogotzke and unanimously carried, to adjourn at 8:48 p.m.

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Alan J. Clarke, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder