The Lanesboro School Board saw an even fuller house at their second school board meeting in five days, on April 11. The regular board meeting included in the agenda a discussion and possible approval of policy 404 Employment Background Checks. This time more citizens signed up to address the board during the public input section of the meeting.
Olivia Holtegaard introduced a new group, Lanesboro Parent Coalition, with the purpose to “facilitate, strengthen and support positive school climate and collaboration.” Members of the group who were present raised their hands to identify themselves. They asked for a couple board members to partner with them in their efforts and distributed flyers explaining the new group and providing contact information.
Tamara DeGarmo asked that the board provide more robust meeting notes by hiring a clerk to take notes and post them on the school website. At this time, Superintendent Matt Schultz himself posts minutes of the meeting online. She requested that reports from Schultz, the athletice director (AD) and principals be included online as well. DeGarmo went on to suggest that meetings be streamed online as some other local schools do.
Kayla Hovland, who had emailed all the board members, went into the public record details regarding a school employee who had pled guilty to fifth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor, in 2022. The employee had been on probation for the offense until December 2023. Hovland asked if a pre-employment background check had revealed this type of information, would the district have hired the applicant – if not, shouldn’t something be done at this point? Hovland said she had been contacted regarding the matter by other school employees.
Kathy Chiglo thanked the board for having the meeting and went on to comment that they all want what is best for the school.
Chad Rich who had signed up to address the board, declined his time to address the board.
The board does not comment or engage in discussion with the speakers during the public input period.
Policies
Second readings of Policies 214 Out-of-state Travel by School Board Members, 302 Superintendent, 401 Equal Employment Opportunity and 402 Disability Nondiscrimination Policy were approved. There was no discussion of the policies and no changes.
Sarah Peterson clarified a point of last Friday’s special meeting on the discussion of policy 404 Employee Background Checks. Verified Credentials, the company used by the school for background checks, uses the employee’s social security number to determine where the applicant has lived for the past seven years. It then checks records in those counties.
School Lawyer Zach Cronen of the firm Squires, Waldspurger and Mace shared that any charges under state statute show up in records across the state.
After some discussion, Sarah Peterson moved to table the policy. Peterson felt the board had not had enough time since Friday to figure out what was appropriate for them to do. She felt they also needed to seek legal advice on the policy.
Lawyer Zach Cronen asked for direction from the board. His firm will make sure the board complies with laws and that any revised policy does what the district wants. The policy was tabled indefinitely.
First readings of the following policies were completed: 403 Discipline, Suspension, and Dismissal of School District Employees, 406 Public and Private Personnel Data and 412 Expense Reimbursement. The second reading of those policies will be done at the May meeting.
Superintendent’s Report
As usual , Schultz referred to the school strategic plan as he updated the board on school happenings. Schultz detailed some of the classes being taught by business teacher Lori Crum including webdesign, desktop publishing, elementary computers and other business classes.
Schultz presented enrollment numbers which have increased steadily since his arrival. He projected an enrollment of 446 for 2025 and 443 for 2026. He noted there is still another possible classroom available; there are no plans at this time to remodel the space.
The school is fully staffed; a SPED teacher will need to be hired for next school year. Five FTE positions have been added in recent years.
A new bus will be delivered this summer. While the school has enough bus drivers, a van driver will be needed next year.
AD Report
Activities Director Bret Klaehn reported that the soccer co-op will continue next year with SCLA. This was the second year of cheerleading at Lanesboro; dance with Fillmore Central was a no go due to low numbers and the absence of a coach. All spring coaching positions were filled. A trainer has been in the building twice a week to work with injured athletes.
Grading is being done on the football field with seeding scheduled for next week. Donated new goal posts will be added to the field.
HUDL live streaming will be available in Lanesboro’s main gym and the football field. A new system is being added to pay game officials directly.
The next school board meeting will be May 8 at 7 p.m. in the forum room. The public is welcome to attend; a public input period is available at the beginning of the meeting.
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