Kingsland school board held a regular meeting on August 16. Members participating included Jackie Horsman, Natasha Howard, Gwen Howard, Maranda Emig, Pamela Freet, Kyle Rader, and Superintendent James Hecimovich. Business Manager Amber Herbrand participated via remote technology. The entire meeting lasted under 18 minutes, as the board efficiently moved through the agenda.
The board formally considered the proposed “Safe Learning Back to School Plan.” Jackie Horsman stated that, “This is a starting base of operations. As you know, with COVID, things can change.” She said that if/when the pandemic fluctuates, Kingsland’s Plan may very likely need to be altered.
Horsman shared that the Plan states that Kingsland recommends (but doesn’t yet require) social distancing of at least three feet of distance, and recommends (but doesn’t yet require) masks be worn by everyone in all school buildings. She read parts of the plan aloud, including “Families can still require their children to wear masks/face shields during the school day, if desired.”
Horsman continued reading from the Plan, saying, “Superintendent is hereby authorized, after consultation with the school board chair and notification to the school board, to select and implement different health and safety measures for the school district or any specific school buildings without school board action, if the superintendent reasonably believes that prompt implementation of different health and safety measures is necessary, and that constraints of time and public health considerations render it impractical to hold a school board meeting to approve the implementation.” She went on to explain that any such decisions would be reviewed at the next available school board meeting.
The board considered bids received on providing Kingsland’s fuel and milk for the upcoming year. There was only one bid received for fuel, from Baudoin Oil Company (of Grand Meadow), and the board voted to accept that bid. Two bids were received on milk, from Kemp’s and Prairie Farms.
Board members noted that both milk bids included wording about “escalator pricing,” which board members did not recall ever seeing before. Scott Klavetter said the escalator pricing appears to be “allowing for fluctuations in milk prices throughout the course of the school year,” as opposed to just a set rate.
Jackie Horsman pointed out that, in comparing the two milk bids, “So (Prairie Farms) base price is less, and then their escalator pricing is about the same percentage change as the Kemp’s one.” After discussion, the board voted to accept the Prairie Farms (Woodbury Minn.) milk bid.
The board approved several hirings, including Denise Erichsen (longterm Title One sub), Dan Lowe (JV football coach), Laurie Hendrickson (junior high volleyball coach), and the tentative hiring of Jennifer Moore (junior high volleyball coach). It was explained that Moore’s hiring is tentative only because she had not yet accepted the job offer.
Principal Klavetter shared that Kingsland wished to hire an additional intervention specialist. He said the position was posted internally, and that Mr. Eckheart voiced an interest, so Eckheart’s current role as sixth grade teacher was then posted. But, Klavetter explained, “This late in the game, we were not able to find any candidates that fit that, so we’re going to table that for now.” He said if/when a replacement for Eckheart can be found, he would be offered the intervention specialist position. Klavetter said perhaps mid-year graduates will come forward interested in the sixth grade teacher position. When asked about the proposed duties of the intervention specialist position, Klavetter said it would entail a variety of interventions, including academic, behavioral and social. He said the IS would also be asked to head up a mentoring program between the elementary and high school.
The board approved the second reading of Kingsland’s Activity Handbook. Because of the upcoming Labor Day holiday, the Kingsland board’s next meeting will be a work session on Wednesday, September 8 at 6 p.m. Kingsland continues to offer the option for anyone to “attend” via Zoom technology.
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