At the Kingsland School Board meeting on June 18, the board formally set the dates for anyone looking to run for election to the board in November. The dates for filing affidavits of candidacy will be July 31 through August 14. In the November general election, voters will elect three members to four-year terms. All board members were present for the meeting (Doug Plaehn, Leah Stier, Jackie Horsman, Tiffany Mundfrom, Heather Betts, Ann Oeltjen and Superintendent James Hecimovich). No members of the public were on hand to address the board.
The board approved the consent agenda items, including the resignation of Varsity Baseball Coach Jamie Fenske, and hiring Scott Eckelkamp (grades 7-9 math), Mark Fitzpatrick (elementary PE) and Annalisa Pendl (school social worker). Superintendent Hecimovich shared public thanks, stating, “Paula Ruesink (Forestville Historic site) for inviting grades 3-5 students, and to The Friends of Forestville for the grant that paid for the visit, as well as KSP for transportation to and from the event. Thanks also to Pheasants Forever for a $310 donation to the Trap Team.”
Business Manager Amber Herbrand gave a budgetary summary and a legislative update, and the board approved the Expenditure Budget for 2018-19. Herbrand stated that under the state’s “Safe Schools program, “July 16, the Commissioner is going to raise a priority list,…and on August 29 they will do a free-for-all registration,” with schools applying for grant funds through this program. She said after talking with Kingsland administrative staff, cameras seem to be the highest priority item that would give Kingsland the best chance to get funding through this program.
Several annual designations/agreements were made, including designating Superintendent Hecimovich as IOWA (Identified Official with Authority) for the Minnesota Depatment of Education, naming Principal Scott Klavetter as the Local Education Agency representative for Title 1 and Title 2 programs, approving the SMEC Joint Powers Agreement, and renewing membership in the Minnesota State High School League. The board also voted to continue the regular schedule of board meetings “as is” (a work session on the first Monday each month at 6pm, and a regular board meeting on the third Monday at 6:30pm). Exceptions will be made for holidays and other conflicts.
The board discussed the proposed tax abatement plan, and spoke with Mike Hoheisel (of Baird Associates) via speakerphone during the meeting to get clarification about what he called the $85,000 one-time “budget enhancer” that is a part of this plan. The next board meeting will be a “work session” on Monday, July 2, at 6 p.m. in the Elementary Conference Room. The next regular board meeting will be Monday, July 16. The meeting on July 16 will also include a public hearing regarding the proposed property tax abatement. As always, the public is welcome.