At the May 5, 2021, board meeting, board members present were: Josh Thompson, Matt McMahon (virtually), Jill Harstad, Tom Keefe, and Lanny Isensee as well as Principals Shane McBroom, Randy Paulson, Superintendent Ed Harris, Trista O’Connor, business manager and Lorri Lowrey, administrative assistant. Board member Katie Priebe was absent.
Principal Paulson reported on end of the year programs that will occur with restricted attendance. The 7th and 8th Grade Achievement Program is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19 at 8:45 a.m. in the high school gym with attendance restricted to two per family and four for split households. The Academic Banquet with a program scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12 in the high school gym will have the same restrictions as the 7/8 program. There will not be a meal but cupcakes will be served. Graduation will take place on Sunday, June 6 at 1:30 p.m. in the high school gym. The general public will not be allowed to attend but the ceremony will be live streamed on CCTV. Each graduate’s family will receive four tickets to attend.
Shane McBroom, elementary principal, noted that the fifth graders were able to spend two days at Eagle Bluff and even though they were not able to stay overnight, they still enjoyed the outdoor activities. The sixth grade will attend next week as they were not able to attend last year. MCA testing is completed and because of the challenges of COVID, the scores are expected to be a little bit lower. The staff will look at the scores to make necessary changes to help students move forward.
Superintendent Harris indicated that the Federal COVID 19 Support Funds are being utilized for some expenses and for facilitating programs for learning losses during the pandemic. He discussed the School Perception Survey that will be sent out in July to all district patrons for feedback on the proposed renewal of a new operating levy.
Under the consent agenda the April 14, 2021, meeting minutes were approved. The following job postings were approved: two intermediate elementary teachers, varsity boys basketball coach and junior varsity boys basketball coach. The board also approved the resignation of Dawn Lubahn, high school para; Jeff DeBuhr, varsity boy’s basketball coach and Ryan Eppen, junior varsity boys basketball coach. The following winter 2021-22 varsity coaches were approved: Brenda Nelson-Strande, dance; Brian Baum, girls basketball and Matt Mauseth, wrestling. Also approved was extended school year elementary special education hire Kelly Reinecke and elementary summer school teacher hires; Brenda Semmen, Elissa Johnsrud, and Samatha Thorson. Summer school hires at the high school are Mitch Lee, high school teacher and Regan Little, high school para. New hires approved were Sara Duxbury, senior class advisor; Jessica Hanson, senior high Knowledge Bowl coach and Nora Gathje, Minnesota Honor Society advisor.
Under action items the board approved the local literacy plan as presented by Shane Mc Broom. They also approved the resolution for appointing an Identified Official with Authority (IoWA) for the external user access recertification system that allows Superintendent Harris and Administrative Assistant, Lorri Lowery to access state programs. The low bid from Southeast Mechanical was approved for a contract for HVAC maintenance. Lastly, the 2021 revised budget was approved. Because of solid enrollment and funding for COVID expenses, finances are looking better for the coming year.
The next meeting will be held in the high school Forum room on June 9, 2021.
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