At the July 12 Chatfield School Board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe, Josh Thompson and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Rinnea Kreter, administrative assistant and Trista O’Connor, business manager.
Josh Thompson reported that the board had met earlier to discuss long range plans for school facilities. The board proposed to have a study group of board members and community members that would look at facilities that may be needed in the future that would include additional gym space, improvement to athletic fields, tennis courts and other activity spaces. Keefe gave more information about the HVED proposed acquisition and remodeling of the old Winona Mall for a consolidation of all HVED programs.
Eric Nelson, high school principal, stated that the handbook will be up for approval at the August meeting. It will feature a number of changes that will bring it into alignment with the new statutory requirements. This year’s seventh graders will receive new laptops for the coming school year that were purchased with expiring COVID dollars. This will be the last year that this program will provide laptops for students. For the school year 2024-2025, all students will have to BYOD (bring your own device). He reported that summer school wrapped up the last week in June and out of 20 students, all but two were able to earn a credit that will help them towards graduation.
Elementary Principal Shane McBroom said Camp Invention was another huge success and thanked Mrs. Dunlay and staff for providing this opportunity for students. Work has been ongoing to update the irrigation system updated and programmed to help with some high traffic areas. Extended School Year (ESY) has started and will finish in two weeks.
The following items were approved under the consent agenda:
• Minutes of the June 14, 2023, meeting;
• New hires: Parker Bush and Ryan Rindels, Valleyland aides;
• Resignation: Zach Roline – technology;
• Employee 2023-2024 activity passes.
Action items that were presented by Superintendent Harris and approved were:
• Long-Term Facilities Management Plan-annual requirement to update and submit a 10 year plan that allows the district to receive state revenue;
• Superintendent Evaluation & Goals – Superintendent Harris stated that it has been an honor to serve the district. Earlier the board had met for his evaluation and reported that he had met his yearly goals. They were very satisfied with his leadership and complimented him on his communication skills. They also approved his next year’s goals which are:
1. Facility study
2. Assuming the wellness coordinator position
3. Researching alternatives to administrative evaluations
4. Working to coordinate a group of policies within the district (curriculum development, school system accountiblity, assessment of student achievement, literacy and the Read Act)
• Resolution Accepting Donations- yearly requirement;
• HVED Agreement to Purchase Education Services for SY 2023-2024;
• 2022-2023 Support Staff Employment Language which would increase hourly rate by 3%, $500 longevity pay at 10 years, give two paid holidays for nine month employees, paid snow days if no e-learning days and return to following the teacher contract for health insurance;
• FY2024 Community Education Director/District Assessment Coordinator Employment Agreement with LuAnn Klevan that would improve her wage to a level comparable to area programs;
• Two percent raise for FY2024 Data Systems Assistant Employment Agreement for Barb Sass and FY2024 Activity Director Employment Agreement for Dan Schindler;
• Adding asphalt around the preschool drive at the elementary and adding parking space by the track driveway. This will use funds that were not used in last year’s parking lot improvement project.
The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be on August 9, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the high school Forum room.
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