Caledonia School Board Holds Organizational Meeting

Caledonia Area Public School Board members met Monday, January 8 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162 for an organizational meeting. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Daniel Small, Spencer Yohe and Peterson. In addition, both Superintendent Craig Ihrke and Business Manager/Finance Director Barb Meyer attended.
Board member Yohe moved, seconded by King, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
In unanimous approval, board members will carry out the following positions: Peterson as chairperson. King as vice-chairperson. Yohe as both clerk and legislative liaison, Marschall as treasurer. Yohe commented about his positions, saying, “I certainly enjoy it.”
The Caledonia Area Public School Board meets the third Monday of each month. The Monday, January 15 meeting date was moved to Tuesday, January 16 since the 15th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Monday, February 19 meeting date was moved to Tuesday, February 20 since the 19th is Presidents’ Day. The Monday, September 16 meeting date was moved to Monday, September 23.
Board member Gunn moved, seconded by Adamson, to name the Fillmore County Journal as the school district’s official newspaper. Motion carried.
Adamson, Gunn, and King will continue to serve on the Activities Committee.
Peterson recommended board members Small, King, and himself to serve on the Administrative Negotiations Committee, in that King would replace Marshall. Marschall stated she preferred to remain on the committee. Peterson explained the reason behind his recommendation in that Marschall had not participated in the Development of Goals, she had been the only board member who did not participate. Peterson and Marschall discussed Peterson’s recommendation. Going forward, Small, King and Peterson will serve on the committee.
Gunn and Marschall will continue to serve on the Community Ed Advisory Committee with the addition of board member Yohe. Marschall commented to Peterson, “Is there a problem with me being on it?” to which Peterson responded, “No.”
Gunn agreed to continue his position with the Crisis Committee. Board member Small was added to this committee.
Adamson and Gunn will continue to serve on the Facilities Committee. Board member Small took part in this committee but stated, “You’ll have to take me off,” choosing to step down due to the meeting dates conflicting with his work schedule. Peterson asked the board, “Is there a third person willing to do that? I’ll volunteer if nobody else wants to.” Peterson replaced Small on the committee.
Yohe will continue to serve as a Hiawatha Valley Education District (HVED) Representative. Yohe recommended a second person be included on the committee; the second person would serve more as a backup if Yohe were unable to attend. Yohe informed the board that the meetings are held once each month on a Wednesday night in Winona, Minn. Participants typically attend in person, however, participants have also attended virtually. Unfortunately, Wednesday night meetings would conflict with a lot of the board members’ schedules. Superintendent Ihrke will send out a link so board members can attend virtually.
Peterson and Yohe will continue to serve with the Houston County Collaborative Committee.
Small and Yohe will continue their positions with the Meet & Confer Committee.
King and Yohe will continue to participate with the Minnesota State High School League.
Gunn stepped down from the Qcomp Committee; his replacement will be board member King. Qcomp meetings focus on teachers with discussion about evaluating and coaching teachers.
Adamson, King, and Peterson will continue their roles with the Strategic Planning Committee. King commented, “I’d like to stay!”
Adamson, Marschall, and Yohe will continue to serve on the Support Staff Negotiations Committee.
The Technology/Curriculum/PSEO/On-line Learning Committee will be divided into two separate committees with Technology being its own thing. Board members King and Small agreed to be part of the Technology Committee while board members Peterson and Gunn remain part of the Curriculum Committee.
The board unanimously approved the school audit report presented at the December 18 regular board meeting from Clifton, Larson Allen, LLP.
Sarah Burfield was hired as a full-time CAPS (Caledonia Area Public School) Care Aide beginning Monday, January 8.
Brett Knutson, President and CEO of Driftless Recovery Services, will facilitate mental health, addiction, and drug related discussions at Caledonia Middle/High School. These discussions will take place with three 9th grade health sections, Q&A with teachers on a Wednesday after school, and discussion with parents to provide the option to opt out.
A closed session was held for the superintendent’s evaluation.
The board’s organizational meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. The next meeting of the school board will take place 6 p.m., Tuesday, January 16 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. The public is invited to attend.