School Board Minutes

Red Rock Central District No. 2884

Monday, November 19, 2001

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education, District No. 2884, was held in the elementary school library in Jeffers on Monday, November 19, 2001. Members present were: Derickson, Gransee, Imker, Mattison, Meyer, and Moldan. Myers was absent. Superintendent Brennan, Principal Benz, Principal Johnson, Dave Nester, Arlyce Anderson, Denise Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Brister, Lisa Stevens, and Michelle Gransee were also in attendance.

Chairman Gransee called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

Upon motion of Meyer, seconded by Imker and unanimously carried, to approve the agenda as amended, the minutes of the October 15, 2001 meeting and the treasurer's report.

Dave Nester of Nester and Nester presented the audit report for the 2000-2001 school year.

Upon motion of Derickson, seconded by Mattison and unanimously carried, to accept the audit report as presented.

Tony Brister presented himself as a concerned parent in regards to problems on the school busses. He put forth a proposal that it would be much safer if an adult supervisor would be on the morning and afternoon bus routes. He noted that the bus drivers are doing their job driving the busses safely, but it would be much safer if an adult on the bus could handle situations between the students so the driver could concentrate on the driving. Mr. Brister said he would bring a list of parents who would be willing to supervise all bus routes to Dr. Brennan. The Board thanked Mr. Brister and others for their concern and will take this issue up at the December meeting.

Principal Benz reported the following: The Fall band and choir concert was well performed. Parent-student-teacher conferences were well attended at 90%. The FLA hosted a Whopper Feed in conjunction with the conferences and it was a success. On November 14^th the Illusion Theater presented "What Goes Around" to the seventh grade. The Fall Play, "Life of the Party," was presented on November 16^th and 17^th with good attendance. Twenty-five art students and Mrs. Redman attended the Prairie Winds Fine Arts Festival in Westbrook on November 15^th. Mrs. Redman has begun working with the Decathlon team. Mr. Kedl and two students attended a Mock Trial workshop in New Ulm. Mock Trial will begin in January. We are in the process of finalizing student schedules for the 2^nd semester. Mid terms will be due December 7th. Having CRTC classes in the morning is working out well. The American Red Cross in-school blood drive will be held on December 14^th and is sponsored by the FLA and NHS. The Senior High Holiday Concert will be held on December 17^th. Student Council, FFA, and undesignated funds were used to purchase entry mats for the gym side entrance and the front office entrance. They are red with the Falcon mascot. We are very proud of our football team and coaching staff and their efforts this year. They are also Section Academic champions. We had our 6^th fire drill of the year on November 16^th with a time of 71 seconds.

Discussion was held as to how to shorten the line to see the counselor at conferences and whether it would be a good idea to present the play to the elementary students during the school day. The issue of the cleats used by McLeod West in the State football game needs to be cleared up. It was suggested that Mr. Pack write something up in the local newspapers that it has been checked out and the cleats were cleared. Classes in which Colby Pack are involved in have been moved downstairs because of his injury.

Gransee and Mattison reported on the MREA conference that they attended.

Superintendent Brennan reported that the CAPP Grant committee has met for the second time and distributed to the Board information on what was discussed at the first meeting.

November 19, 2001 - Page 2

Upon motion of Imker, seconded by Moldan and unanimously carried, to pay claims in the amount of $114,879.83. Receipts were $421,241.64.

Superintendent Brennan recommended that the District continue the limited programs with the Springfield School District at the CRTC. The teaching staff understands and has agreed to continue at 5/7th time for next year if the Boards agree to continue with the program.

Upon motion of Moldan, seconded by Derickson and unanimously carried, to continue with the CRTC for the 2002-2003 school year.

Principal Johnson reported the following: Parent-teacher conference attendance was 97%. A Book Fair was held during conferences which raised $1,902.00 for the library. The lyceum, "Oliver," was presented by the Minnesota State University - Mankato Players. Twenty-one letters were sent out and 16 attended the Early Childhood Screening. Another screening is scheduled for February with the same number of letters to be sent out. The Veteran's Day program went well with the Jeffers Legion giving us a pole flag. The Grandparent's Day program, which centered on patriotism, was well attended. The K-9 Unit from Fulda presented a drug awareness program. The Ecology Bus from Heron Lake presented a program to the 3^rd grade and was sponsored by the Jeffers Lions. We raised $125.00 for the Afghan children. During American Education Week we received apples from the Jeffers Auxiliary and a plant from the Sanborn Auxiliary. We are working on a January workshop dealing with reading and computers half day for each. We have had 7 fire drills to date. ITBS results for grades K-6 were discussed. $644.00 was raised for the Salvation Army. 122 kids will need help in Title I.

Superintendent Brennan has been working with Wells Fargo to negotiate a new interest rate on our present loan with them. At present the District pays an interest rate of 5.71% on an original note of $1,300,000.00. The new rate has been set at 4.7% which will save the District a total of $101,000.00 in interest cost over the next 12 years.

Upon motion of Meyer, seconded by Derickson with a roll call vote unanimously passed with Myers absent, to approve the attached resolution regarding this loan with Wells Fargo.

Superintendent Brennan recommended that the Board appoint Bruce Olson as our coordinator in the State integration program in which we are partners with Mountain Lake. This appointment will be for the remaining portion of this school year with compensation set at $2,000.00 for Mr. Olson.

Upon motion of Mattison, seconded by Imker and unanimously carried, to approve the appointment of Bruce Olson as this year's integration coordinator with an additional compensation of $2,000.00.

Discussion was held on the 5^th grade parents' meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for November 27^th. Mr. Kedl and Mrs. Altermatt have been consulted and it has been decided that the Spanish and German trips have been canceled for this year. The Senior Class Trip to California is still on with 33 out of 49 seniors planning on going on the trip.

The meeting was declared adjourned by Chairman Gransee at 10:00 p.m.

__________________________________ _________________________________

Paula R. Derickson, Clerk Denise Clarke, Recorder