At the August 20 school board meeting, the Mabel-Canton School Board continued its discussion on a potential school bond referendum aimed at securing funding for facility upgrades.
Chairman Cristal Adkins called the meeting of the Mabel-Canton School board to order at 6 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda with one addition, as well as the minutes from the regularly scheduled school board meeting on July 16.
Board members present included Cristal Adkins, Chris Miller, Dustin Tollefsrud, Diane Wilder, Jason Marquardt, Traci Livingood and Mark Weidemann.
Representatives from Kraus-Anderson and Ehlers provided the board with tax information and two timelines related to a potential bond referendum. They also presented initial cost estimates for the proposed referendum, which is projected at $10.7 million. This funding would support various projects, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiatives, lobby expansion, update locker rooms, remodel the second-level hallway and rooms 205/206, a second-level flex/student area, gymnasium HVAC systems, controls, tuckpointing, roofing, and the press box. For a $11,500,000 bond which includes $335,417 for capitalized interest, the estimated impact on a residential homestead in 2026 would be approximately $184, or $15 per month.
The next steps involve holding a second community meeting and conducting a survey to gauge public support for the referendum and determine the desired level of funding. The survey is estimated to be in the hands of the voters between September 14 to October 7. The board will review the survey results at their October 14 board meeting and decide on further actions. The board faces a tight timeline to make a decision before the November 19 MDE deadline, with the school aiming for an election date of April 8, 2025.
There were no announcements, or guests wishing to speak.
The board approved the consent agenda with one addition, which included the 2023-34 budget, and claims report, with many thanks for the donations ($1,000 from Hason Glasrud Memorial to go toward Crows Nest, $500 from Mike Wilder-American Legion to use any way the school sees fit, and $1,000 from Joanne Hosting for boys baseball equipment (helmets, catchers gear, and new bats)). Additionally, the board hired Blaine Storlie as varsity assistant football coach, Maddie Henry as varsity assistant volleyball coach, and Trisha Ryan as varsity assistant softball coach, and accepted the resignation of Sadie Morken as preschool classroom paraprofessional.
Student Representative Rachelle Tollefsrud shared that she didn’t have any updates. When asked if she was ready to go back to school, and she responded with a firm “no.”
Principal Michelle Weidemann reported on upcoming activities like next week’s in-service days for staff, AI and active shooter training, and back-to-school night, as the school prepares to kick off the 2024-2025 school year. She concluded her report by thanking the area church councils for providing all the school supplies except for personal items like headphones for grades K-8 and 9-12.
Superintendent Gary Kuphal updated the board on the school board elections, noting that Chairman Adkins has decided to “step away from the school board.” There will be three names on the ballot, with the possibility of write-ins. Kuphal expressed his thanks to Adkins for her service. In addition, Kuphal reported that the school has submitted the solar array application to Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), and that he is working with another state agency to write a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project. He noted that the RFP is required.
It was the first reading of the Internet, Technology, and Cell Phone Acceptable Use and Safety Policy. The second reading will take place at the September school board meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
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