The Kingsland School Board met December 19. Members present were Doug Plaehn, Deb Larson, Troy Asher, Gwen Howard and Ann Oeltjen, along with Superintendent John McDonald. Kristin Beck was absent.
The annual Truth in Taxation public meeting was held at 6:01 p.m., with a presentation by Business Manager Amber Uhlenhake. She discussed the various funds within the Kingsland budget and gave an overall budget overview, stating that of Kingsland’s revenues, 82.9% is state aid, 2.2% is federal aid, 11.4% is local taxes, and 3.6% is other sources. She also pointed out that 73.5% of Kingsland’s expenditures goes for salary and benefits.
Uhlenhake broke down the proposed tax levy, showing that of the $1,751,804.78 total, $635,610.78 would go toward Maintenance, $72,451.52 to Community Services, $955,533.49 to Debt Service, and $88,208.99 to OPEB (Other Post Employent Benefits). Gwen Howard asked, “Is that the amount that was shown on our tax statement that came out?” Uhlenhake confirmed that it was. The board unanimously approved the levy as submitted.
The regular school board meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. Howard made a motion to remove the proposed hirings from the consent agenda, so they could first be consider at the January meeting of the personnel subcommittee, and then brought to the board in January. The motion did not receive a second. She then made a motion to only include the spring head coach hirings in the consent agenda, and to wait until January on the other hirings. That motion passed, with Doug Plaehn dissenting. The consent agenda was then approved.
Kingsland staff member Becky Bicknese and Cathy Enerson from Spring Valley EDA presented information to the board about a proposed new “Mini Knights Childcare” center to be operated by the school district, if a $150,000 DEED grant is awarded. Enerson explained that, “The point of this is to retain families” in the school district, and the center would be “cost-neutral” and would operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for families needing daycare. If approved, the program would be operated for a minimum of three years, and would be slated to open September 1, 2017. Enerson pointed out that it would be the first daycare center in Spring Valley, and its care cost would be below the state average. Superintendent McDonald pointed out that the board is currently being asked whether or not Kingsland should go forward pursuing the grant, because, “Without the grant, we would not move forward” with the childcare center plans. The board voted unanimously to pursue the grant application, which is due January 6.
The board heard public thanks given by Superintendent McDonald. He acknowledged Dotti Nass Memorial for a $350 donation to the Title 1 program, State Farm/Ross Heusinkveld for a $500 donation, Land O’Lakes “Dollars for Doers” Pauline Lentz, Nevin Stender, Gareld Stockdale, and Dale Wondrasch for a combined 1,175 hours of volunteering, Home Federal/Rita Bezdicek for a $500 grant, Kiwanis for matching the Home Federal grant, Spring Valley Ambulance volunteers for sitting with SACC kids over lunch, Essig Agency for meat and cheese trays, Miller-Rubin and Opseth families for meat and cheese trays, all who have donated winter gear for students, and to the custodians for keeping lots and sidewalks cleared of snow.
Principal James Hecimovich gave an update of Kingsland’s progress with World’s Best Workforce initiative. He said Kingsland continues to meet the graduation rate goal, but is still working toward the other four goals. He summarized, “I think we have some realistic but lofty goals.” Senior students were expected to address the board about the proposed senior trip to Wisconsin Dells, but no students were on hand during the meeting. Hecimovich said he would ask seniors to address the board at the January meeting.
The board accepted a bid from Jerry Marr for the purchase of a pickup truck. A teacher seniority list was approved, as presented. The board also discussed a proposed Augsburg Student Teaching Contract. McDonald explained it’s a way for the Augsburg students to learn about Kingsland, and can also lead to quality applicants to fill Kingsland teaching jobs as they come open. Plaehn asked, “Does this prohibit us from getting students teachers from other places?” McDonald said it does not. The board unanimously OK’d the contract.
Board Chair Doug Plaehn thanked outgoing board members Troy Asher and Gwen Howard for their service to Kingsland. The initial reorganizational meeting with new board members will be January 3 at 5:45 p.m. The next regular meeting of the board will be Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m.
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