At the December 9, 2020, board meeting, board members present were: Lanny Isensee, Matt McMahon, Rick Lowrey, Katie Priebe, and Josh Thompson, as well as principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson. Board member Amy Jeffers was not present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Lorri Lowrey, administrative assistant; and Trista O’Connor, business manager.
Jason Boynton of Smith Schafer and Associates was present on Zoom to report the results of the annual audit. He certified it as a “clean” audit, meaning that there was nothing out of order. Revenues exceeded expenditures and the increase of seven additional students added to the success of the audit.
Superintendent Harris then went over the Truth and Taxation materials and proposed a levy of 3.37% increase for the next year. Next he went over The World’s Best Workforce report with the help of the principals. This report is a monitored set of goals for schools that is data driven. Unfortunately many of the goals were not met this year for COVID related issues; mainly because none of the assessments usually given in the spring were completed.
Shane McBroom, elementary principal, reported that the Masonic sponsored “Books for Bikes” program where students earn a chance to win a bike by reading steps from the Action 100 program is continuing. Winners will be announced before the winter break. The week of Thanksgiving vacation students enjoyed fun activities in their room and snacks for doing an outstanding job on being Respectful, Responsible and Safe. Coming before the winter break, students will have a sing-a-long video that Mrs. Macleod is putting together for their enjoyment.
Randy Paulson, high school principal, shared that students will be having a virtual Holiday Hoopla celebration from December 15-22 that will include dress-up days, a school wide Kahoot, a lip sync video and a daily “Name that Christmas Tune” contest. He also stated that the high school entryway will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday for students and parents to drop off and pick up items for classes. Planning is ongoing for any changes that may be made once hybrid learning is reinstated.
Superintendent Harris thanked board members Amy Jeffers and Rick Lowrey for their service to the school district and gave them a certificate and parting gift as this was their last meeting. He has met with local legislators and expressed to them his concerns for the future, relative to consistent school funding in the face of the pandemics drain on state resources. While the district budget is balanced due to reductions made in the last two years and positive outcomes for this year, state aid increases this year will be questionable. That is why the renewal of the current operating levy in November is 2021 is critical.
Under the consent agenda the board approved the resignation of Tracy Hom, elementary para, and to post for this position. They approved the hire of Debbie Priebe for this position. The resignation of Kate Johnson, elementary teacher, was accepted and the board approved the posting for this position. Zach Slowiak was hired as junior varsity baseball coach and a job posting for junior high baseball coach was approved.
Under action items, the board approved the resolution to certify the final levy for fiscal year 2021 at $3,091,526.70. They also approved the resolution directing the Administration to Make Recommendation for Reductions in Program and Positions and Reasons Therefore.
The Oath of Office was then given to Katie Priebe, Jill Harstad and Tom Keefe for their next term as school board members.
The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be January 13, 2021, at 7 p.m. in the high school Forum room.
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