The Kingsland School Board met for their regular meeting on June 26 at 6 p.m. Kyle Radar, Gary Broadwater, Carmen Anderson, Cindy Seabright, Steve Tammel, Pam Freet and Superintendent Scott Klavetter were all present during roll call. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the meeting’s agenda was approved unanimously with no additions.
The school board acknowledged several recent donations. HOSA (future health professionals) received $1,000 from Grand Meadow Locker, $250 from Mettler Chiropractic, $200 from Valley Lanes, $100 from Valley Meat Market, $250 from Minnwest Bank, $200 from Ody’s Country Meats and $1,500 from KABC. All of those donations will be used to send students to the national HOSA conference in Texas. Stephanie Darby and Scott Mulholland donated $100 to the eighth grade Whitewater Trip. KSP donated $365.02 to the fifth grade class to buy two treadmills.
Reports
Staff Updates – New hires included Dana Simmons for 5-12 principal, Charles Highes for building and grounds maintenance specialist, Roger Bacon for elementary special ed, and Richard Kemper for grades 7-12 interventionist. Recent resignations included Cole Rollins (fifth grade teacher), Brian Miner (bus driver), and Tanna Farnsworth (special ed paraprofessional). Stacy Hogberg is taking family leave.
Buildings and Grounds – New asphalt will be laid around the football field for a walking path July 10. It will take two to three days to finish. Repairs on the gymnasium roof will also begin July 10 and will take two to three weeks. The gymnasium floor is scheduled to be replaced July 24 and is expected to be finished before sports practice will need the space. Kingsland is currently seeking bids to replace damaged siding on the crow’s nest.
Community Education – Family movie night was moved from July 14 to July 7.
PK-4 Principal/Superintendent report – Superintendent Scott Klavetter reported that MSBA released 26 new or modified policies that the Kingsland School Board would need to review and/or implement.
School Board Reports – Kyle Radar relayed that negotiations have been going well with the teacher’s union; they’ve had three meetings so far and a fourth has been scheduled. SMEC’s summer activities have been going well. Curriculum advisory has a meeting scheduled in August.
Old Business – Questions for the superintendent evaluation have been compiled in a Google doc. The evaluation will be submitted to Superintendent Klavetter in August or early fall.
New Business – The first reading of 2023/2024 handbook was reviewed at the last meeting and approved at this meeting with a 5-1 vote. Vibrant discussion was had regarding whether or not to utilize a collection agency to collect on outstanding SACC and Pre-K accounts. In the past several years the school has either written off unpaid accounts or used donation money to pay for them. Gary Broadwater said that the board shouldn’t keep kicking the can down the road and ought to resolve the issue as soon as they can. Carmen Anderson suggested putting together a community fund to help families struggling to make payments. According to Anderson, several community members had expressed interest in donating to such a fund. The idea of a pre-payment system was brought up, but it was thought that completely restructuring the SACC payment system could come with great expense. It was also added that Kingsland would do their best to keep accounts from going to collections. It would only be a last resort. Struggling families do and will have the opportunity to set up payment plans with the school. Steve Tammel inquired if it’s a common practice for schools to use collection agencies. It was said that several schools in the area do use a collection agency. After all board members had a chance to speak their peace, they voted to enter an agreement with Credit Bureau of Albert Lea. The vote passed with a 5-1 margin.
The board voted unanimously to renew membership with MSHSL. The board also approved tenure for musical arts teacher Johnathan Miller, who’s been with Kingsland for three years now. There will be an upcoming election for a one-year seat on the school board. Applications can be filed August 1-15.
Meeting dates – The next regular board meeting is scheduled for July 17 at 6 p.m. in the elementary conference room. A work session meeting is scheduled for July 3 at 6 p.m. also in the elementary conference room.
Kingsland Resident says
I finally listened to a meeting because the chair prompted it in his synopsis. Eye opener. I certainly hope we get a go-getter, reasonable, and educated person to run for the board seat. This whole meeting was a circus. There is no self-control, decorum, or civility. From the board putting an employee on blast and being disrespectful to wasting time with spelling errors that a secretary should be doing! There is no substance or meaningful progress. My oh my, Kingsland is in trouble! Side note – sign of the times when discussions occurring in community social media groups involve home schooling and open enrollment. What happened?!?