The Kingsland School Board held three meetings during the week of January 17-21. A regular meeting was held on January 19, sandwiched between special meetings on January 18 and 21.
The only agenda item on January 21 was for the board to decide upon a plan for how to structure Kingsland’s administrative staff positions, in light of the upcoming retirement of Superintendent (and grades 7-12 principal) Jim Hecmovich. The board had met on January 18 and come up with six scenarios for board members to consider.
The six scenarios were:
1. Full-time high school principal, full-time elementary principal, and full-time superintendent
2. Full-time high school principal, full-time elementary principal, and part-time superintendent
3. Split elementary principal and superintendent, full-time high school principal
4. Split high school principal and superintendent, full-time elementary principal
5. Full-time K-12 principal, full-time dean of students, full-time superintendent
6. Split elementary principal and superintendent, full-time high school principal, full-time dean of students
The board “walked through” each scenario, with individual board members sharing their opinions of each. Board members shared that they’ve gotten feedback that having only two administrative staff is a hardship, but they recognized that the scenarios that include three full-time positions incur additional costs.
After preliminary discussion, the board eliminated scenarios 1, 3, 4 and 5. In considering scenario 6, Kyle Rader stated, “I’m for it. I think it allows for adequate support across the spectrum, and the three administrators.”
Gwen Howard stated she could support scenario 6 but, “I just want to make sure the dean of students job description is well thought out.” She also said that if Kingsland adopts scenario 6, she feels the elementary principal should handle grades PK through four, and the high school principal handle grades 5-12, so that there would be adequate time for superintendent duties.
Natasha Howard shared her opinion of scenario 6, saying, “This one is my favorite… All three of these positions, I think, would set these individuals up for success.” She added that scenario 6 would best position Kingsland to “grow our own superintendent” in future years.
Cindy Seabright said, “I’m still struggling with the dean of students. What is the complete role?” Superintendent Hecimovich said one of the main duties would be handling any disciplinary issues with students. When asked what types of disciplinary issues Kingsland usually handles, Hecimovich summarized, “We have been blessed for many, many years in the sense that our disciplinary issues are not assaultive disciplinary issues… Most of it is more nuisance behavior, some disrespect, some cussing, some bullying, some harassment.”
Jackie Horsman stated that she heard a comment in the community that helped convince her on scenario 6. She said she was told, “What could happen with this position is it could change over time. That dean of students could go after their principal license. Our enrollment could grow, and then all of the sudden, you can make that superintendent full-time.”
The board chose to select scenario 6 as the path forward after Hecimovich retires. The board then discussed how to go about searching for qualified applicants. The Minnesota School Board Association offers a three-tiered service to help schools with this, with pricing based on the amount of services selected. The board opted for the “middle choice,” at a cost of $4,500.
During the regular meeting on January 19, the board reviewed the business manager update submitted by Amber Herbrand. It stated, in part, that year-to-date revenues are $2.24 million, which is up $143,000 over this point in the previous year. Expenditures are $2.6 million, which is roughly $100,000 above one year ago.
Superintendent Hecimovich shared a spreadsheet showing Kingsland’s monthly enrollment data and projections for each grade level. He pointed out that since there are 48 seniors but only 37 seventh graders, the “high school” numbers will see a dip next year. He reminded the board that grades 7-12 receive the highest per-pupil funding. Overall enrollment is currently 521.
The board’s next meeting will be a work session on Monday, February 7 at 6 p.m. Due to President’s Day, the board’s second meeting in February will be February 23. The public is welcome. Kingsland continues to offer the option for anyone to listen in via Zoom technology.
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