The Monday, August 15 R-P School Board Meeting was notably limited in size with directors Julie Koop, Dean Mierau, and Taylor Peterson absent. The one-and-a-half hour meeting presented several items of typical summer housekeeping, including reading and approval of policies, handbooks, school year fundraising events, the annual Truth in Taxation meeting date, and the district’s ongoing Strategic Plan, as well as renewal of Minnesota State High School League membership. The meeting also included approval of the Nursing Clinicial Memorandum of Agreement with Winona State University.
Items pulled for further discussion began with tabling of five policies due to some inconsistency with Human Services guidelines. These include #413 – Harassment and Violence, #414 – Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse, #506 – Student Discipline, #514 – Bullying Prohibition Policy, and #522 – Student Sex Nondiscrimination. It wasn’t clear how the policies were inconsistent. Board Director Joyce Iverson brought the items to the attention of Superintendent Chuck Ehler. The district will further review those policies before presenting them to the board at the September meeting for final approval.
The board also approved upgrades to the Rushford-Peterson Middle School gym, located in Peterson. According to Ehler, moisture is seeping in through the gym walls and the issue needs to be addressed. The district will vacate the building in 2017, following the completion of the new school facility in Rushford. However, with one year of potential ownership left, the district needs to keep the building in good condition as they seek interest in buyers who may be interested in the property. The cost of the upgrades is estimated at $4,650, which had been budgeted into the long-term facilities maintenance budget for the 2016-2017 school year. The cost includes a $2,350 bid from Darold Berger Masonry Inc. to grind out and replace the wall mortar, as well as powerwashing and spray painting of the north wall.
Gearing up for the next school year, the board approved a recommendation from staff for the purchase of two vans. The first is a 2011 Dodge Caravan for $10,737.50 from Dahl’s Auto Works and the second is a 2009 Dodge Caravan for $12,212.50 from Sugar Loaf Ford. Both sales include trade-in compensation. Superintendent Ehler stated the district is required to keep its fleet of vans below a 12-year vehicle age.
Ehler didn’t have numbers on hand, but estimated the district has a fleet of eight to 12 vans that are used for transporting special education and open enrollment students, as well as extra-curricular and sporting event travel. Board Director Jon Pettit questioned whether or not the district needed so many vehicles and whether or not a more efficient vehicle, such as a car, could be used. Ehler indicated the vans can carry up to six students, in addition to the driver, and offer the district more flexibility.
The custodial contract has been approved for one year, in effort to get the teachers’ contracts and custodial contract renewing on alternate years. The district will be negotiating a two-year contract in the next cycle. Ehler indicated that the agreed upon increases in the contract are within the budget.
Wages for van drivers have also been approved. The hourly increase for drivers Lori Haugen, Karen Eich, Bobby Forsythe, Jacque McCullough, Rod Morcomb, and Sam Stensgard will see increases over both the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years. “We’re fortunate to find people to fill in these roles. It can be very destructive to a person’s day,” he said, citing the schedules in which they are required to work. The six drivers make up just short of 25 years of service to the district.
The district put forth an option for a $10 reimbursement for cell phones of van drivers and administrative assistants. Director Pettit questioned the need for a reimbursement citing the danger of cell phones and driving. “It’s an extremely dangerous thing to have around. I think we should have a cell phone ban in all vehicles. It creates a problem ofuse.”
Superintendent Ehler indicated that the district has a policy requiring drivers to pull over with four-way flashers to take any call and no personal use. “It’s advantageous to have contact with our drivers,” said Ehler. “It’s the only means of communication we have. We don’t have radios in all the vans.”
Pettit still did not favor reimbursement. “Everybody has one. They’re not going out and getting one for this purpose. They’re that common. They’re not incurring anything, so it’s not warranted.” The board approved the reimbursement in a 3:1 vote with Pettit opposed.
The construction at the new school continues on schedule. Tim Robertson, of ICS Consulting, was on hand and noted that the roofing and metal studs for walls are being put in place. “It’s starting to take shape. Classrooms are starting to look like classrooms. Everything is moving as expected.” Also brought forth was the need for a decision on an item over the $50,000 cap that requires board approval.
Stonework on the front of the property has been drawn out in architectural elevation and is estimated at $85,695. The district was asked to authorized the number as a “not to exceed” amount. Plans are to ask the contractor for a Time and Material Authorization, essentially auditing every house of work with the stonework. The last time this method was implemented, the district saw a roughly 30% savings. Robertson indicated a hope for at least 15% savings, or $12,854.25.
“You’re getting more bang for your buck,” added Robertson. “It’s a wow feature. It will look fantastic.” The item comes out of the project contingency and doesn’t affect line items.
Four people have filed affidavits of candidacy for positions on the R-P School Board. They include incumbents Julie Koop and John Linder. Curtis Fox and Bonnie Prinsen have filed for seats that will be vacated by Val Howe and Taylor Peterson. As of the meeting, a fifth person had taken out an application, but had not formally filed. Community Education will host a Meet the Candidates night on Monday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m., in the high school theatre.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting is Monday, September 19, at 5:30 p.m., in the high school biology room. The public is encouraged to attend.
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