Rushford-Peterson’s new superintendent, Ben Bernard asked the board to add four early out days to the school calendar at the July 18 meeting of the R-P School Board. Bernard had met with a committee consisting of teachers Becky Lind, Shari Michel, and Brenda Bergan and principals Angela Shepard and Jake Timm to discuss the request of the PLC groups for more time to meet districtwide.
Bernard wanted to get the dates on the calendar for planning purposes for both staff and families. Early outs will be on October 19, November 22, March 9, and April 6. An additional PLC date will be on February 3 which is already a non-student teacher workshop day. The early outs will take place from 12 to 3:15 p.m.
A letter will be sent to parents detailing the exact work and goals of the PLCs during these early outs. The school will be working on options for families for child care, possible school offerings for enrichment or support, and planning for paraprofessional assignments during the early outs.
Meal prices were set for the 2022–2023 school year. Breakfast prices will not be raised: K-5 will be $1.55; 6-12 will be $1.60; adult will be $2.55. Lunch prices will go up by 10 cents with K-5 at $2.45; 6-12 at $2.55; adult at $4.05. Extra milk will go up by five cents to 50 cents.
Bernard shared that the school was nervous about food prices rising, but were also hesitant to raise the prices very much since lunches had been free for the past two years. He assured the board that staff was planning on improving the quality of the meals. Bernard will bring more information to the board at their August meeting.
Bread, milk, and gas bids were reviewed; the board accepted the bread bid from Pan-O-Gold, the milk bid from Kemps, and the gas bid from Pam’s Corner Convenience. Bernard told the board that the school was planning to write a grant for a bulk milk dispenser. Use of a bulk dispenser would cut down on wasted milk and packaging expenses. If a dispenser was used, cartons would still be used for milk breaks at the school.
Bernard informed the board that three holes had been found on the roof above the gym when the flashing was pulled back. Winona Heat and Ventilating will be adding a rubber membrane on the roof to prevent further leaks.
The required long-term facilities maintenance plan was quickly approved. Since the building is only five years old, at this time there are few maintenance issues to be addressed.
Annual memberships and contracts with MSHL and HVED were approved with no discussion. A contract with Loffler Companies, Inc. for copiers and managed print services was also approved with no discussion.
In personnel items, contracts were approved for educational support personnel; John Loney, Activities/Facilities/Community Education Program director; Laura VanGundy, Kids’ Club and Project Kids director; van drivers’ wages. The resignation of Jordan Aug was accepted.
Donations totaling $50,780 were accepted. Local businesses and organizations sponsored community education summer rec. R-P Booster Club donated $18,000 for a dugout for softball field #2 as well as other donations.
The board meeting was then closed to discuss school security as had been planned at the previous month’s meeting. Chairman Chris Grindland had asked for discussion on considering conceal carry for school staff. Bernard had shared that he would be meeting with the county sheriff, local police, and other school superintendents to discuss school security and promised to report on what R-P was currently doing as well as to bring safety plans from other schools at which he had been.
The next R-P School Board meeting will be August 15 at 6 p.m. in the forum room. The public is welcome to attend.
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