At the June 5, 2019, board meeting all board members were present except for Lanny Isensee. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Administrative Assistant Lorri Lowery, Business Manager Karyl Lyon and principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson.
A group of sixth graders with their teacher Jodi Daniels gave a presentation on what they did for their Genius Hour project this year. Genius Hour is an inquiry-based, student-directed learning program. It gives students an opportunity to look at the big wide world around them and explore their own unique interests in a loosely structured, but supported, way. Some of the projects were a charity hoops event, collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, a global warming club, an eating healthier campaign, collecting box tops and a Fun Run/Walk for diabetes. Some of these students plan to continue their projects into seventh grade.
Under board member reports, Scott Backer said he had attended the first negotiations meeting with nothing to report at this time. Amy Jeffers had attended an HVED board meeting. Mike Tuohy introduced Amanda Langley, who is an intern this summer with agriculture teacher Stacey Fritz. Amanda attends school at the University of Minnesota.
Shane McBroom, elementary principal, talked about the fourth graders who partnered with the Chatfield American Legion to set out flags for Memorial Day. He said this was a very rewarding experience and helped them understand the meaning of Memorial Day. The students held their third walk-a-thon to raise money to support the creation of an outdoor learning space at the elementary. Pledges this year brought in around $10,000. Randy Paulson, high school principal, congratulated the high school teachers on receiving the Star of Innovation Silver Award. The Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals recognizes member schools for the development and support of an exemplary and innovative education program which has demonstrated clear principal leadership, creativity and imagination while bringing about positive school change. They received this award for creating the new Flex Time program that allows students to experience a variety of experiences during a 30 minute period each day. Superintendent Harris recognized Karyl Lyon for her 20 years of service to the school district since this was her last school board meeting before she retires on June 29. He reported that the legislature gave a 2% increase for this school year and the next which is helpful but does not keep up with inflation. He also explained the reason for adding a third coach for junior high football and why a .25 elementary art position was added.
Under consent items the board approved the following: May 1, 2019, meeting minutes, authorized the board treasurer to approve the end of year bills, designated Trista O’Connor as the delegate to wire transfers, excess funds and bond payments, and designated Chatfield News as the official newspaper. Also approved was the designation of the official district depositories for FY 2020. Those depositories were Root River State Bank, Minnesota Liquid Asset Funds, F&M Community Bank, Alice Groen Fund and the authorization of the superintendent and business manager as district representatives. The law firm of Ratwick, Rozak, Maloney, and Bartel was chosen as the official legal counsel for the SY 2019-20 and the board meeting was set for the first Wednesday each month at 7 p.m. in the high school Forum Room with the following exception; January 1, 2020 (holiday – school not in session) will meet January 8, 2020 instead. The following football coaches were approved for grade seven and junior varsity: Tom Bance, Josh Berhow, Kyle Tollefson, Kirk Affeldt, and Blake Carrier. Volleyball coaches for grade seven and junior varsity approved were Kathy Bernard, Kelsey Gwidt, and April McBroom. The food service contract was approved for one year. The following resignations were approved: Lois Dokken, preschool classroom assistant; Lindsey Olson, high school guidance counselor; and Bryan Neis, junior high football coach. The following jobs were approved for posting: high school guidance counselor, 0.25 FTE art teacher and elementary school counselor. New hires approved were: Adam Hurley, high school paraprofessional; Chad Olson, ALP (Alternative Learning Program) (0.83 FTE)-social studies (0.17 FTE) teacher; Demery Little, junior varsity dance coach; Adam Hurley, summer physical conditioning supervisor/coach; Michele Thompson, 0.63 accounting payroll assistant; and Sara Duxbury, high school guidance counselor. The resignation and posting of Travis Bartels position was also approved.
Under action items the board approved the Resolution Establishing Dates for Filing Affidavits of Candidacy for Special Election and updated the Resolution Relating to the Designation of Identified Official with Authority for the MDE External User Access Recertification System. Lori Lowery was added as an external user and the board approved the renewal of its membership in the MSHSL. Fiscal year budgets were approved with a reduction of $427,000, which will balance the budget for SY 2019-2020.
The meeting was adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for July 9 because of the July 4 holiday.
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