The Kingsland School Board met on September 16. Board members present included Board Chair Jackie Horsman, Maranda Emig, Natasha Howard, Tiffany Mundfrom, Leah Stier, and Kyle Rader. Also attending were Principal Scott Klavetter, Jason Thompson and Business Manager Amber Uhlenhake. Superintendent James Hecimovich was absent. No members of the general public had signed up to address the board.
As previously discussed at the board’s “work session,” there is an option for Kingsland to sign a five-year contract with BSN Sports to provide all Kingsland athletic uniforms. This would result in financial benefits for Kingsland, including a $6,000 yearly credit. The board voted to approve the contract, selecting Under Armour as the specific brand.
The board approved a number of hirings, resignations and lane changes. Hirings included Linda Holland (Preschool Assistant), Jeff Tart (Bus Driver), Steve Tammel (moving from sub bus driver to full-time), Christine Rathbun (PT evening custodian), Samantha Siskow (ninth grade VB coach), and Garrison Hubka and Kaden Dohlman (student crossing guards). Resignations included Rachael Burt (Knights of the Round Table), Lexi Hardecopf (resigned from Kingsland, but will still work there as a SMEC employee), Eric Bicknese (JH boys basketball), and Matt Reiland (JH girls basketball). Lane changes included Tonia Gardner to MA, Alex Michenfelder to BA+15, Erin Milz to MA, Amanda Lorentz to MA, and Angela Forland to MA. The board also approved leave of absence requests regarding Amanda Lorentz and Cindy Erding.
Maddie Snitker and Becca Hansen reported to the board regarding the FFA club. They summarized the FFA events over the summer, including county fairs and a garden plot. They also told of upcoming FFA events. No representatives were on hand from the Student Council or Key Club.
Public thanks was given to Knutson Construction, for their $8,215 donation to the Kingsland Courtyard project. The donated funds included a $5,000 in-kind donation from the company, and $3,215, which was raised from the sale of scrap metal removed during the summer renovations. Horsman voiced a “heartfelt thanks.”
The board voted to certify the proposed property tax levy at the maximum amount, as suggested by Business Manager Amber Uhlenhake. She explained that it is standard practice to initially approve the maximum, since the initially set amount can never be raised, only lowered. The board set the annual Truth in Taxation meeting for Monday, December 16, at 6:15 p.m. At that time, the final levy amount will be decided.
Principal Klavetter informed the board that, with the summer renovations essentially completed, “The first week of school went off very smooth,… it looked like a normal first week of school.” He added that enrollment numbers are never “official” until October 1, but he said currently, Kingsland is “holding steady” at the elementary level, and K-12 overall looks be “pretty steady or slightly up.”
Horsman brought up the proposed two-year Teacher Contract. She said that she, Tiffany Mundfrom and Superintendent Hecimovich had worked on the contract and met with teachers’ representatives. She summarized that there were “no big major changes” in the proposed contract. The board approved it as presented.
Horsman summarized information in the Kingsland School Parents (KSP) report. Horsman stated, “They have new Knight gear in, they have adult shirts for $20, and kids’ shirts for $10, and they’ll be available in the elementary office… and yearbooks should be coming pretty soon.” She also mentioned the KSP Fall Carnival, which will be held November 8, from 6-8 p.m. in the Kingsland cafe. It is free and open to the public.
The next board meeting will be a work session on Monday, October 7, at 6 p.m. in the elementary conference room. The next regular board meeting will be Monday, October 21 at 7 p.m. On that evening, the board will hold a community informational meeting (regarding the upcoming referendum vote) from 6-7 p.m., immediately before the board meeting. As always, the public is welcome at all open meetings.
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