The Kingsland School Board’s work session on Wednesday, January 4 also served as the board’s organizational meeting. Three new board members were sworn into their offices: Steve Tammel, Carmen Anderson and Gary Broadwater.
Board member Cindy Seabright administered the oath of office by saying, “as a board, we must be accountable to the community, we must assure a continues assessment of student achievement in all conditions affecting the education of our children. As board members we serve as education’s key advocate on behalf of students to advance to the vision of our schools.”
Election of officers
The board voted for the position of board chair a total of three times during the meeting. Current chair Kyle Rader was nominated first, with Cindy Seabright nominated second. The board voted twice at the beginning of the meeting and once at the end and arrived at a tie vote with three in favor of Rader and three in favor of Seabright. Kyle Rader will serve as acting chair until a new chairperson is selected.
Steve Tammel and Cindy Seabright were nominated as board vice-chair. The vote was postponed as Seabright is being considered for the chair position.
Carmen Anderson was selected for the position of clerk and Pam Freet was selected for the position of treasurer.
School board committee assignments
The school board committee assignments are as follows:
• Negotiations: chair and vice chair
• Facilities: Steve Tammel
• Meet and Confer: Carmen Anderson
• MSHSL Representative: Pam Freet
• Community Education: Gary Broadwater
• Southern Minnesota Education Consortium (SMEC): Kyle Rader
Donations
The board noted thanks to individuals and organizations for substantial donations to the district. This included Dan Quaile, owner of Minnesota Muscle, who donated approximately $7,500 in weightlifting equipment to the Kingsland weight room; VFW Post 4114 who donated $2,000 to the Trap Team, $3,000 to the school lunch program, and $3,000 to the Band & Choir Programs and Sharon Jahn, who donated $200 to the Band Boosters.
Per diems and rescheduling of school board meetings
Right now, school board members receive $21.77 for attending each school board meeting.
“Anytime the teachers get a raise, we get a raise, and we don’t get a raise without the teachers getting a raise,” Rader explained. “So, it doesn’t look like we’re doubling our compensation but refusing to negotiate with them at any time.”
The board moved to continue with the formula that results in the current per diem pay.
The board also voted to move school board meetings, if the school is closed on the day of the planned meeting due to weather, to the next Wednesday.
Enrollment projections
Administrator Scott Klavetter gave an update on enrolment projections. He explained that it is a school’s Average Daily Membership (the average amount of students in school each day) that determines their state funding.
“We are tracking a little bit downward” Klavetter said. “It’s been one student here, two students there.”
Board member Carmen Anderson proposed an exit survey for each child whose family decides to leave the district. The rest of the board was open to the idea of such conversations.
Sprinkler repairs
Klavetter reported that the annual review to the fire and sprinkler system was conducted and there was one part that was “not up to par.” The cost of the repair should run around $4,800.
The board’s regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
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