Special Meeting
A special board meeting was held at 6 p.m., before the regular meeting of the Chatfield School Board on September 11. All board members were present with the exception of Tom Keefe. Other interested patrons were also present. The purpose of the special meeting was for Superintendent Harris to present information on two issues. One issue was the budget forecast for the next five years and the other was information on facility additions and smaller projects. Harris showed the projected enrollment declining from 889 pupils to 814 from 2025 to 2030. The school district is not in deficit spending but will need to look at ways to keep costs down to maintain a healthy fund balance. Already this year they have cut $256,000 from the budget, but with salary increases, costs for mandated teacher salaries for preschool teachers and inflation, the district needs to make some hard decisions. Harris presented two scenarios to address the pending deficits. One scenario was larger class sizes, staff cuts, eliminating some programs and looking at a four-day school week. The other scenario would be less impactful and a more moderate approach. Class sizes in kindergarten through third grade would be lower, cut backs would be lower and the district would continue as it is now with a controlled fund balance but would not have as large a fund balance at the end of the five years. The other issue that was discussed was whether or not the board should go forward with adding another gym to the high school facility. The cost of this facility could be brought forward to the district patrons for a vote in a February election. This was offered to voters several years ago and was voted down but had other components in with it. The gym addition would cost $11 million. An example of what this would cost for homeowners, is that the taxes on a $225,000 house would increase $106 a year or approximately nine dollars a month. Harris brought ideas for other smaller projects like resurfacing the track, relocating the tennis courts, roofing, storage and RTU (roof top unit) controls. Funding for them could be utilized through lease levies or capital bonds. The board now has to decide at the December meeting how they would like to proceed with the issues presented. If they go forward with an additional gym project, the public would be informed of what this would mean for district patrons and they would be able to vote on it in February.
Regular Meeting
At the September 11 school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Katie Priebe, Josh Thompson, and Mark Johnsrud were in attendance. Tom Keefe was not present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal, Shane McBroom, and high school principal, Eric Nelson.
Student Senate representatives Aiden Johnsrud and Caden Poppenhagen came before the board and outlined all the activities that will happen during Homecoming Week, which starts on September 23.
Principal McBroom said the conference days before school started went well and staff used the Wednesday before school started to gather baseline data on their students so they were ready for the first day of school on Thursday. Teachers are going through three different scenarios of the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) drill to help students prepare for an emergency. MCA test results are in and the students’ scores were above the state average. Teachers will look at the data to find trends and seek out strategies to improve.
Principal Nelson explained the change of language to the attendance policy to the board for approval. He has been meeting with each grade level to go over emergency language and reunification procedures. The new language has five categories: Hold (no threat, stay in area), Secure (get inside/lock outside doors), Lockdown (locks, lights, out of sight), Evacuate and Shelter. The reunification protocol is being introduced so that students are aware that there would be a process used to reunite students and parents in the event of an evacuation of the building. Having prior knowledge helps the students make sense of this critical step in the hours after an evacuation.
Since September is School Board Appreciation Month, Superintendent Harris thanked the board for their patience and understanding as school board members. Each of them received a goody basket from Harris. He also stated that the December board meeting will be moved to December 4 as the deadline for the election timeline is December 6.
The following consent items were approved:
•Minutes of the August 7 meeting minutes and special meeting minutes;
•Approve 2024-2025 seniority list;
•New hires: Breanna MacLeod, health office aide; Gail Schmidt, Valleyland teacher; Carmen Berge, kindergarten teacher; Eric Sanders, technology coordinator; Olivia Solem, ECSE para and Daysha Borst, elementary school nurse;
•Resignations: Jessica Hanson, DELTA advisor;
•Winter assistant coach contracts: Girls basketball: Ryan Kivimagi, JV; Kaitlin Ellringer, ninth grade; Josh Whalen, eighth grade and Jon Sutherland, seventh grade. Boys basketball: Damien Nickelsen, JV; Scott Schmaltz and Jeff Debuhr, ninth grade and Josh Berhow, seventh grade. Wrestling assistants: Chad Curry, Sean Trewin, Jason Goetzinger and Savannah Vold. Dance assistants: Kaylie Bernau and Kyra Throckmorton.
Under discussion items Harris explained to the board that two vendors will be present at the October board meeting to present their options of the Solar Program Proposal. The board can then make a decision at the November meeting on how they want to proceed.
Under action items the board:
•Certified the projected levy payable SY 2024-25 of 2.49%. The actual certification/approval of the levy will be in December.
•Approved the 2024-2025 employee handbook;
•Approved the MOU (memorandum of understanding) with the CEA for class size;
•Approved the READ Act MOU with the CEA which gives $750 stipends from state funds for teachers who complete the training;
•Approved Submittal of MDE Facility Review and Comment;
•Approved 2024-2025 superintendent contract, which is equivalent to 3% on salary. This is in line with the teachers’ agreement, principals and support staff salaries.
•Approved the Attendance Policy 503 edit as presented by Principal Nelson;
The meeting was adjourned.
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