At the July 27 Fillmore Central School Board meeting, the board accepted the resignation of business manager, Kathy Whalen, with thanks extended for her 30 years of service. “It’s been a rewarding career,” Whalen said. “It’s hard to say goodbye.”
Special Education director Micki Breitsprecher thanked the board for renewing her contract for another two years. The Special Education Advisory Council or SEAC family picnic will be held on August 3. The preschool program is in its third year of implementing the pyramid model with staff training and educational materials being used to promote and increase the students’ social and emotional development. The model hasn’t been implemented in the daycare yet, but will be soon. Breitsprecher noted that the percentage of Fillmore Central students who have IEPs in place has increased from 10.7% in 2016 to 13.9% in 2020. That number is still below the state average of 16% though, which she attributes to the early interventions and services the school district offers.
Superintendent Heath Olstad informed the board that the plan for the upcoming school year is to have school full-time in-person with any applicable state mandates being followed. “We’re excited for the potential for normalcy,” he said. A newsletter will be sent out to families soon with more details.
Olstad expressed appreciation for all the staff that has committed time to the ESY, credit recovery, and summer school programs this summer as well as the students and their families for participating.
Alex Masters was hired as the assistant volleyball coach, Sheila Lecy as the temporary daycare coordinator, Gregory Walton as the SAC coordinator and daycare assistant, Darla Ebner as the district business manager, and Brenda Ristau as the high school administrative assistant. Resignations from daycare employee Dianna Sunnes, office staff Kate Brincks, and support staff Samantha Weigert were accepted. A contract with eLuma for an online school psychologist was approved.
The board reviewed the first reading of the board policies. There were no changes and no new policies recommended by the Minnesota School Board Association. The 2021-2022 handbooks for K-6, 7-12, Faculty, Paras, and Coaches were approved with no changes, as well as the student activity fees. The long-term facilities maintenance plan was reviewed and approved so it can be submitted to the state before the July 31 deadline.
The adult breakfast cost was set at $2.60 and adult lunches at $4.50. The proposed food service budget from Taher was approved.
The board reviewed and approved the computer usage fees for the 2021-2022 school year. The annual fees will be $25 for K-8 and $45 for grades 9-12. Families who qualify for free/reduced lunches will have the computer fees waived. Business Manager Kathy Whalen noted that, with the state providing free lunches again this year, fewer people are turning in the applications for free/reduced lunches. Families are encouraged to fill them out to see if they can get the computer fees waived. “There might be some people that don’t think they qualify and they do,” she explained.
The quarterly donations were accepted with gratitude.
The next Fillmore Central school board meeting will be held August 24 at 6:30 pm. in the new Preston meeting room.