Superintendent Heath Olstad gave an update on the elementary roof project to the Fillmore Central school board members at their regular June 28 meeting. The project is going well so far. Olstad and board member Jim Love were able to go up on the roof last week to see what was being done up there. It was discovered that the weeps, which are ropes placed through the masonry to carry water out, were originally placed incorrectly which has caused many water issues in the building through the years. That will be fixed during the project. The board approved a one-year roof inspection contract with Schwickerts for both buildings. “I think it’s money well spent,” Olstad commented.
Olstad reported that the Summer Rec program is going very well with high numbers of participation. Over $10,000 has been awarded through mini grants to teachers to use in creative ways. Summer school is currently wrapping up it’s third and final week until August at which time it will resume for another three weeks. “Strength and Agility is busting at the seams,” Olstad said, adding that it’s great to see so much participation. The cleaning and maintenance projects at both sites are moving along. The custodians have expressed their appreciation for the new square scrubbers as they’re much safer to use on the floors.
Resignations were accepted from payroll/accounting clerk Dani Wilcox, custodian Adam Brand, teachers Maddie Gasca and Carrie Mathison, and preschool assistant Jessica Bredburg. Ty Sexton was hired as a coach for the summer rec program, Ashley Himli for the One Block at a Time daycare, Keeley Todd as payroll/accounting clerk, Phil LaFleur as the elementary phy-ed teacher, Aaron Breitenfeld as the high school science teacher, Joni Mehus as the high school English teacher, and Alex Horihan as an elementary teacher. Tenure was approved for teachers Daron Omar and Andrew Todd. Five summer days were approved for Kayla Biel for summer FFA activities and supervision. Coaching assignment changes for Alex Masters and Grace Miller were accepted with Masters going to 9th grade and Miller to JV.
Darla Ebner presented the preliminary operating budget for the 2022-23 school year and it was approved by the board. The board also approved a motion reassigning the check signers and authority for wire transfers and CD purchases. Dani Wilcox was removed from those positions due to her resignation. Darla Ebner and Keeley Todd were set as check signers, and Keeley Todd was given authority to make wire transfers and purchases of Certificates of Deposit.
The board reviewed the first readings of the K-6, 7-12, Faculty, Paraprofessional, and Coaches handbooks along with the restrictive procedures policy for 2022-23. Superintendent Olstad noted that the year will need to updated in all of the handbooks. He proposed an addition to the clothing policy in the high school handbook which would restrict messaging on clothing and items.
A peanut/tree nut policy designating some areas in both buildings as peanut free was approved.
The student activity fees, admission fees, and sport season pass costs for 2022-23 were set for the same as last year.
Heath Olstad was designated as the local education agency representative and homeless liaison. A Memorandum of Understanding with Fillmore Central Education Minnesota for payroll twice a month was approved. The board also approved a contract with the district’s food service provider, Taher.
The district’s membership in the Southeast Service Cooperative was renewed as well as its memberships in the Minnesota School Board Association and Minnesota Rural Education Association. Contracts for deaf/hard of hearing, vision, and physical therapy services with SMEC or Southern Minnesota Education Consortium were approved with very similar pricing to last year’s contracts.
The substitute teacher, substitute secretary, substitute paraprofessional, and substitute custodial pay along with the number of days as a sub before being placed on the salary schedule were set with no changes from last year.
A resolution establishing the general election of November 8, 2022 to elect four school board members for four-year terms.
The adult meal prices for the summer food program were approved at $3 for breakfast and $5 for lunch.
One of the classrooms in the daycare has had a bad odor in the carpet for the last few years despite being professionally cleaned. Olstad proposed that the carpet be ripped up and replaced with tile and area rugs. The staff in that room are in favor of the idea as is daycare director Angi Kaase.
The next Fillmore Central school board meeting will be held on July 26th at 6:30 pm at the high school building.
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