The Kingsland School Board met on March 21. All members were present (Cindy Seabright, Maranda Emig, Kyle Rader, Gwen Howard, Natasha Howard, and Jackie Horsman). Superintendent Jim Hecimovich was not present.
With the upcoming retirement of Hecimovich from the superintendent position at the end of this school year, the board is working on the process of finding a replacement. Several special meetings of the board have been held or are scheduled in the coming weeks. Horsman explained that the board will hold special meetings on March 28 at 6 p.m. and on April 1 at 5:30 p.m. She also added that due to interviews on April 4 for the Superintendent position, the board needed to push back the date of the “workshop” meeting that was originally set for April 4. It was rescheduled to April 11, and is expected to include consideration of a superintendent contract. The board will also hold a regular board meeting on April 18. The public is welcome at all Kingsland board meetings other than special closed meetings. Kingsland continues to offer the option for anyone to listen in to public meetings via Zoom technology. All meetings are currently scheduled in the KES Conference Room.
Horsman also said the board has considered the possibility of expanding the board from the current size (six members) to seven members, to help decrease the likelihood of tie votes on any issues. She stated, “We did talk about the pros and cons of looking at a seven seat board, letting the community decide whether or not to add another seat. And I heard back from some of you, to continue that discussion, so it will stay on the April workshop agenda” (as part of the board’s April 11 meeting).
The board heard a report from teacher Scott Mulholland, updating the board on Student Council happenings. He stated, “We’re going to be working on planning a Junior High activity,” which he said might include a dance, games, and/or a movie. He said a recent survey was used to determine what types of activities the junior high students would prefer. Mulholland also said, “We’re working on the Academic Awards banquet, which I believe is on June second.”
The board officially approved several expected staffing changes. Planned hirings include Mark Eickhoff (JV softball coach), Charles Hughes (full-time custodian), and Brandy Lusk (full-time administrative assistant to the principal). Resignations include Deanna Capelle (retirement as elementary teacher) and Sarah Mlinar (health side).
An expected audit and report on the SMEC (Southeast Minnesota Education Consortium) was tabled due to the absences of Hecimovich and Dan Armagost. The report is expected to be presented to the board in April.