The regular meeting of the Rushford-Peterson School District #239 was called to order by Chairperson Chris Grindland at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022 in the Rushford-Peterson Schools Forum Room.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Members Present: Chris Grindland, Matt Helgemoe, Joyce Iverson, Jeff Michel, Ken Sawle, Carl Schollmeier and Amy Woxland
Members absent: none
Administration Present: Superintendent Jon Thompson, Angela Shepard and Jake Timm
District Personnel: Laura Hahn
Motion by Iverson, seconded by Michel to adopt the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
There was discussion regarding the current door opening time of 8:00 a.m. Administration recommended that we keep the 8:00 a.m. opening time.
Motion by Iverson, seconded by Sawle to keep the door opening time at 8:00 a.m. Motion carries with a roll call vote of 5:2 (In favor: Grindland, Helgemoe, Iverson, Sawle, Woxland | Opposed: Michel, Schollmeier)
There was discussion regarding the foodservice program. No action was taken.
Public Comments: Linsey Meyer addressed the board regarding school lunches. Chelsey Olson addressed the board regarding the doors not opening until 8:00 as well as the school’s foodservice program.
Motion by Helgemoe, seconded by Michel to approve the following consent agenda items: February 28, 2022 Regular Monthly Meeting Minutes; February hand payables, wires & payroll liabilities in the amount of $330,990.15, February payroll in the amount of $281,766.63, March board bills in the amount of $129,308.85, & Fund Summary Reports; PERSONNEL: HIRES: Spring Coaches: Matt Culhane – Shot (Track), Dick Montgomery – Vault (Track), Dan Mlsna – JV Baseball, Kid’s Club: Allie Kingsley. Motion carried unanimously.
There was a brief discussion regarding a School Climate Survey.
Motion by Sawle, seconded by Iverson to pause moving forward with a School Climate Survey until the district has a new Superintendent. Motion carried unanimously.
The superintendent interview questions were briefly reviewed. No action was taken.
Motion by Iverson, seconded by Woxland to approve the second reading and adopt the following policies: #422 – Policies Incorporated by Reference and #423 – Employee-Student Relations. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Iverson, seconded by Michel to interview all six candidates that applied for the Superintendent position. Motion carried unanimously.
The following candidates submitted the required application materials for the Superintendent position: Benjamin Bernard, Principal, St. Charles JR/SR High School, St. Charles, MN, Bradley Berzinski, Principal, Molalla High School, Molalla, OR, Dan Blankenship, Special Education Teacher, Southwest West Central Service Cooperative and STARRS Academy, Windom, MN, Craig Ihrke, Superintendent, Caledonia Area Schools, Caledonia, MN, Chad Pederson, K-12 Principal, Buffalo Lake Hector Public Schools, Hector, MN, Bill Walters, Superintendent, Alta-Aurelia Community School District, Alta, IA.
Other Superintendent search discussion items: The special meetings to conduct the first and second round of interviews were already scheduled. The following times were set for March 28th and 29th for the first round of interviews; 5:00, 6:15 and 7:30 each night. The interview protocol was reviewed. Amy Woxland will make reference check calls on March 30th. Sample reference check questions were also reviewed. No action was taken.
Motion by Woxland, seconded by Michel to authorize Superintendent Thompson to advertise for milk, bread and gasoline quotes for the 2022-2023 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Michel, seconded by Iverson to approve the two-year contract extension with Bernard Bus Service. (2022-2024) Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Michel, seconded by Schollmeier to move the April regular school board meeting from Monday, April 18th to Wednesday, April 20th. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Thompson presented the Superintendent’s report.
The Elementary Principal, MS/HS Principal, Activities reports and highlights from Community Education were all reviewed.
INFORMATION:
Regular Monthly Meetings beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Forum Room –April 20, May 16
Motion by Michel, seconded by Helgemoe, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:32 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Chris Grindland, Chairperson
Matt Helgemoe, Clerk
Publish 2