By David Stoeger
The Kingsland School Board had a full agenda before them at their meeting on Monday, November 21.
Appointed member
On the agenda was to appoint a board member for the next year due to a vacancy left by Jackie Horsman, who resigned on September 30. The goal was for the board to appoint someone to the position so that he or she could attend the Minnesota School Board Association’s annual conference in mid-January.
Superintendent Klavetter informed the board three letters of interest had been received. However, one was a full-time employee of the district, one currently lives outside the district but plans to move into the district by the New Year and another owns land in the district but does not have primary residence in the district.
Klavetter said there are no rules ‘specifically’ forbidding full-time employees from being on the board. The other scenarios are also grey but may not allow the person to start at the beginning of January as had been hoped.
“I just don’t think it’s right to be working (for the district) and making those decisions. I just don’t think that’s ethical,” said board member Maranda Emig of a full-time employee being appointed.
Board member Cindy Seabright mentioned holding off on the decision until the New Year. “Is there any reason why the new board couldn’t select the appointment? It’s just fresh individuals, you have a fresh board.”
Emig responded, “I hate kicking things down to other people… there are so many boards that kick things to other people.”
The board complimented the resume of one of the applicants. Klavetter noted that the individual is free to run for the board in the next election.
Natasha Howard motioned to extend Pam Freet’s appointment to the board for another year. The motion passed 3-1, with Cindy Seabright dissenting.
Roof replacement
The board unanimously approved a bid to install a new roof designed by the Garland Company for the gym. The gym roof was damaged in storms last winter. Two contingencies were also considered: a possible deck replacement, and a parameter woodblock project. The lowest bid came from Jackson and Associates for the project and the two possible contingencies. The bid was unanimously approved. Work on the project is expected to begin on June 1 and conclude around June 20.
Smith Schafer Audit
Jason Boynton, CPA of Smith Shafer,s presented the year audit for the district. He reported the district saw about a 1% decline in students in the past year and about a 10% decline in the past eight years. Of the district’s revenue, 60% comes from state aid, 22% comes from property taxes, and federal aids and other sources make up the remainder. The total cost per student was $12,204 in 2022, up from $11,029 in 2021 but still lower than the state average of $13,327.
For the 2022 fiscal year, general fund revenues exceeded expenses by just under $270,000. The board accepted the report.
Other items
The board heard the compulsory attendance report, a report which states the number of students in the district that are either homeschooled or attending private schools. Currently, there are 61 students being homeschooled and 34 attending non-public schools in the district.
Klavetter shared with the board that a van “they have been trying to find for a year and a half is in our possession.” The van was picked up last week and is pending license and registration.
The board also approved a senior trip to Wisconsin Dells planned for this coming spring.
The Kingsland School Board’s next meeting will be their monthly workshop on December 5 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
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