The Mabel-Canton School Board graciously accepted a $20,000 cash donation from an anonymous donor and expressed their thanks for generous donation, at the school’s regular meeting on November 21.
Chairman Cristal Adkins called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board members present included Cristal Adkins, Chris Miller, Mark Weidemann, Dustin Tollefsrud, Jason Marquardt, Diane Wilder and Traci McKenzie-Livingood.
The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda without any changes or additions and the October 17 minutes as written.
The board unanimously approved the consent agenda which included the 2023-2024 budget, claims report, donations in the amount of $200 from the American Legion Auxiliary for the pep band bus to the state volleyball tournament, $100 from First Southeast Bank for the school’s milk break program, and Back to School breakfast from Taher Food Service for the staff during in-service week. Also approved is the list of winter coaches: boys basketball – Russell Larson (varsity), Jeff Rein (junior varsity) and Paul Tollefsrud/Sarah Tollefsrud (junior high); boys basketball volunteers – Adam Wilder and Jordan Larson; girls basketball – Jon Wangsness (junior high); girls basketball volunteers: Courtney Graves and Tessia Wangsness; and cheerleading: Heather Kleiboer (varsity).
Student Representative Rachelle Tollefsrud congratulated the girls volleyball team for placing fourth in the state. She reported that the National Honor Society is working with the community on Christmas gifts for the kids. On Saturday, November 18, the senior class delivered salt for their senior class fundraiser. Boys and girls basketball practice has started.
Decorah Public Schools agreed to a meeting with two M-C board members and Superintendent Kuphal on Tuesday, December 5, at 5 p.m. M-C board members attending are Adkins and Miller.
M-C’s enrollment increased by two in October, a fourth grader and an 11th grader.
The total number of M-C students in kindergarten through 12 is 276.
The board approved a three-year streaming agreement with Hudl which will allow for live streaming football, volleyball, basketball and other school events. A camera will be installed on the football field and both gyms. Administration will decide whether to provide it to the public for free or at a cost, advertisements, sponsorships, and fundraising based on the feedback provided by the board.
The two-year cooperative sports agreement between Mabel-Canton and Spring Grove for junior varsity and varsity girls basketball was unanimously approved. The cost per player is based on total program cost divided by the number of girls participating. As with other cooperative sports agreements the total cost to the school is not known until the end of the season. Superintendent Kuphal emphasized that the four M-C girls will be playing for the Spring Grove team and wearing the Spring Grove uniform. M-C season passes will be accepted by Spring Grove. Season pass holders need to contact Administrative Assistant Heather Kleiboer for a special pass that will be accepted by Spring Grove.
Superintendent Kuphal recommended that the board pass a resolution supporting the Form A application to the Minnesota State High School League Foundation (MSHSL). The MSHSL Form A grant offsets student activity fees. The board unanimously passed the resolution by roll call.
Principal Michelle Weiderman reviewed the goals of the World’s Best Workforce action plan. Out of five goals, the first two goals were not met and the last three were met including the number of seniors graduating. In 2023, 100% of seniors graduated. Weiderman will share the summary on the school’s website. No formal action was required.
The meeting date and time for the joint city councils and school board meeting is tentatively rescheduled for January 17, 2024, at 6 p.m. The city councils need to confirm the date and time.
Included on the agenda was the first reading of the following policies: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity, 214 Out-of-State Travel by School Board Members, 401 Equal Employment Opportunity, 402 Disability Nondiscrimination, 406 Public and Private Personnel Data, 410 Family and Medical Leave, 412 Expense Reimbursement, 413 Harassment and Violence, 417 Chemical Use/Abuse, 418 Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School, 419 Tobacco-Free Environment, and 427 Workload Limits for Certain Special Education Teachers. In December, there will be a first reading of all current Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) model policies and in January the second reading. This will give the school an updated slate of policies and then the board can tweak them if necessary.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 19. The following two meetings are scheduled for January 16 and February 20, 2024. Meetings start promptly at 6 p.m. and will be held in Mrs. Peter’s science room, number 50. The public is welcome to attend.
Suzanne Taylor says
I’ll match the gift If Porter Briggs, Diane Wilder’s husband, pays me the large amount he owes me from going bankrupt and not redeclaring my loan to him of my life savings to cover his “short-term cash flow.” problem in a business he had. We were good friends and I was helping him to become a speaker for consciousness in business! Everyone else he owed sued him and when he went bankrupt I was the last person still cheering him on, expecting him to succeed and pay me, His explanation was that I just might sue him, too, and he didn’t want to wake up in the middle of the night scared about that. He stopped communicating with me after that.