At the January 8, 2025, school board meeting, board members, David Sowinski, Katie Priebe, Josh Thompson, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad and Mark Johnsrud were present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, high school principal, Eric Nelson, elementary principal, Shane McBroom and student senate representatives Katelyn Rindels and Allia Whalen.
An organizational meeting began with Supertendent Harris calling for nominations for chair. Katie Priebe was elected as chair and the rest of the officers from the previous year were voted into the same office: vice chair, Tom Keefe; clerk, Josh Thompson; and treasurer, Jill Harstad. Board committee assignment will remain the same and the meeting dates will also stay the same on the second Wednesday of the month.
Reports
Student senate representatives reported that the Christmas Cookie sale went well. The senate is now gearing up for Snow Week and dance late in January.
Principal Eric Nelson informed the board of a new format for middle school students. Each week, on Monday during their Access time, students will fill out a short Google form that asks them a variety of questions about their weekend, academic concerns, and their well-being. This critical information will allow the middle-level team to identify individual challenges so that students are less likely to fall through the cracks. This weekly check-in was introduced by the new middle school social studies teacher, Michael Christie, who had seen the power of a simple check-in at his previous school. On Thursday, January 9, Senator Jeremy Miller will visit the high school. He was invited as part of the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals Invite a Legislator to School Day effort. He will be visiting several college credit classes and meeting with both students and district leaders. During his time at the school, the rapid expansion effect of PSEO (Post-Secondary Education Options) will be explained by staff. He will be made aware of the implications for students and the rural districts revenue streams. It is important for Senator Miller and senate leadership to be aware of these issues and direct the Minnesota Department of Education to enact common-sense requirements and expectations for PSEO participation.
Shane McBroom stated that the students have started Winter Benchmarks through FastBridge this week. Staff is looking forward to seeing how well their students have progressed from the Fall Benchmarks in math and reading.
Ed Harris reported that early voting for the gym referendum has already begun. District patrons can vote early any day at the school district office when school is in session from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Other early voting days are Saturday, January 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday, January 31, 5-7:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, February 10, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. He urges patrons to attend one of the informational meetings that will be held Monday, January 13 at noon at the Chatfield Center for the Arts in the Legion Room, and Tuesday, January 14 and Monday, January 27 at 6 p.m. in the high school Forum Room.
Consent Items
Under the consent items the following were approved:
•Minutes of the December 4, 2024, meeting
•Fall coaches: head football, Jeff Johnson; head cross country, Niki Debuhr; head volleyball, Kristi Rindels
•New hires: Cheri Irish, junior class concession advisor
•Resignations: Jeff Lindeland, high school custodian
Discussion
Superintendent Harris referenced the letter received from the commissioner of education and the protocol the district must follow with the upcoming referendum. The letter will be published in the official newspaper.
Action Items
Under action items the board approved a $5,000 payment to the City of Chatfield to maintain the ability to stream events through CCTV. Harris explained that the district normally pays another $15,000 to support CCTV but will not this year. This will be in lieu of the city’s donation to the press box project. The board also approved the Resolution Appointing Election Judges and Absentee Ballot Board.
The meeting adjourned.
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