REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION – ISD #361 04/16/12

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION – ISD #361

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINNESOTA

Monday, April 16 2012 – 5:00 p.m.

Falls High School Cafeteria

1.  CALL TO ORDER:  Meeting was called to order by Chairperson S. Nordquist at 5:00 p.m.

2.  ROLL CALL: Members present were Mark Lassila, Will Kostiuk, Michelle Hebner, Stuart Nordquist, Darrell Wagner and Dena Wenberg.  Also present was Jeff Peura, Superintendent and Aleena Wilson, Student Member.

Media Present:  The Journal

3.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Agenda was amended with additions to personnel as noted on the addendum, removal of the donation from Kerry Park Men’s League, separation of “math” from Item 9.1.4, removal of Item 9.1.5,and removal of Item 10.1 and 10.2. Moved by W. Kostiuk, seconded by D. Wagner to approve the agenda as amended.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

5.  PRESENTATION FROM REPRESENTATIVE OF TSP ARCHITECTUAL FIRM:

Troy Miller and Mark Kusnierek from TSP Architectual, Inc. reported that the pool project was still operating on schedule and under budget at this point.  Project completion is approximated for the end of June.

6.  OPEN FORUM

6.1.  Students of the Month certificates were presented to Alana St. Clair  - April female student of the month and Jason Pumper – April male student of the month

6.2.  Local 331 representatives highlighted  Kim McDonald and Will Awe as Teachers of the Month.

6.3.  Local 4798 recognized Carol Eldien and Janet Underdahl as  Educational Support Professionals of the Month.  

6.4.  The Positive School Environment Initiative Group gave a presentation of one of their anti-bullying skits.

6.5.  Reverend Ted Clarke, First Baptist Church, presented a letter of support signed by various local churches to affirm their support for a thirteen week Release Time Program with no critical instruction occurring in the classroom during the student’s attendance at Release Time.

6.6.  Reverend Cory Rintala, Northwoods Bible Church, presented the Board with results from a poll conducted by The Journal demonstrating public support for the Release Time Program.

6.7.  Elizabeth Strandberg and Jeanne Strand, music teachers, had several of their elementary students who were winners and runners up of a Tuesday Musicale essay contest read their entries.  

6.8.  Shawn Mason, parent, spoke to the district’s policy on layoffs and asked the Board to postpone their layoff action on the agenda in order to make a “more informed” choice.

6.9.  Bob Christianson, parent, spoke to estimated large class sizes and district layoff procedure.  

6.10.  Tammy Sullivan, parent, spoke to class size and layoff procedure.  

6.11.  John Sandberg, Education Minnesota, spoke to class size, fund balance and effects of budget reductions.  

6.12.  Kris Foss, parent, spoke regarding number of periods in the high school to allow student elective choices.  

Chairperson S. Nordquist addressed each of the remaining concerns speaking to fund balance, declining enrollment, layoffs and negotiation efforts on the 7 period, flexible schedule day.  

7.  APPROVAL OF PAST MEETING MINUTES

Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by D. Wanger to  approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 19, 2012.   Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

8.  AUTHORIZATION OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by M. Lassila to approve the bills due and payable amounting to $385,843.90.    Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

9.  CONSENT AGENDA

9.1.   Programs

        9.1.1.  Accept donations in the amount of $3,239.28

3/6/12    Degree of Honor #251; Pool Fund        100.00    

3/12/12     Bronco Track Boosters; Bronco Track        561.28

3/13/12    Cletus/Roberta Anderson; Pool Fund        100.00

3/15/12    Peter Graham Auxiliary; Scheela Field        128.00

3/15/12    Boise; FHS Jobs Skills Dept.             750.00

3/16/12     Bronco Baseball Boosters; Scheela Field        750.00

3/22/12       Kerry Park Hockey Tourn; Students to Athens    500.00

3/29/12    Super One Foods; FHS Language Fair         Groceries

                    valued @ 350.00

                        $3,239.28

                        $2,739.28

9.1.2.  Approve a contract with Interquest Detection Canines for 9 half-day visits for the 2012-13 school year in the amount of $315 per visit.

9.1.3.  Ratify the 2011-13 Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 4798.

Moved by D. Wagner, seconded by M. Hebner to  accept the program consent agenda items as amended.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

9.1.4.  Accept/deny entering into an agreement with Rainy River Community College for concurrent enrollment classes in welding, CADD, and math.

Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by D. Wagner to accept the motion a welding and CADD agreement with Rainy River Community College.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

9.1.4A    Accept/deny entering into an agreement with Rainy River Community College for concurrent enrollment class in math.

Moved by D. Wagner, seconded by M. Hebner to accept item 9.1.4A.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.  

9.1.5.    Direct administration to seek concurrent enrollment options for classes in welding and CADD  Removed

9.2.    Personnel Consent

9.2.1.  Approve the hire of John Sirotiak as a regular route, non-union bus driver effective April 4, 2012.   

9.2.2.  Approve the increase of Local 510 custodian Jody Best from .50 to 1.0 FTE effective April 5, 2012.

9.2.3.  Acknowledge a letter from Trevor Plasky withdrawing from candidacy for Assistant Boys’ Swimming Coach effective immediately.

9.2.4.  Accept a letter of resignation due to retirement from Marianne Trask, Accounts Payable/Receivable effective July 31, 2012.

9.2.5.  Accept a letter of resignation due to retirement of Kathy Mattison as an Educational Support Professional effective May 31, 2012.  

9.2.6.  Approve the placement of Vicky Wickstrom, Local 510 secretary, on .75FTE unrequested leave effective June 10, 2012 with recall rights effective June 10, 2012 through June 10, 2014.  

9.2.7.  Acknowledge Maggie West and Derek Riley as van drivers for junior high golf.

9.2.8.  Acknowledge Brittany Bolstad and Emilie Veith as volunteer coaches with junior high softball.

9.2.9.  Accept the resignation due to retirement from Jerry Hilfer effective June 29, 2012.   

9.2.10.  Acknowledge Jeff Porter as a volunteer golf coach.  

Moved by D. Wenberg, seconded by M. Lassila to approve consent agenda items 9.2.1 – 9.2.10.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Appreciation was expressed by Chairperson Nordquist for each of the retiring employees and their many years of service to the district.

Personnel, continued

9.2.11.  Approve/deny a letter of request from Jessica Henrickson for leave of absence due to health reasons for the period of April 19, through April 26, 2012  May 17, 2012.  (Amended by employee to May 17th due to a health emergency)

Moved by M. Lassila, seconded by D. Wagner to approve item 9.2.11.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.  

9.2.12.  Approve/deny  a letter of request for two days of unpaid leave on April 20th and May 25th for Hope Kemper, Educational Support Professional.

Moved by D. Wagner, seconded by M. Hebner to approve item 9.2.12.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

9.2.13.  Accept the resignation of Emilie Veith as an elementary teacher effective June 1, 2012.  

Moved by D. Wagner, seconded by M. Hebner to approve item 9.2.13.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

9.2.14.  Approve 8.25 hours of other leave for recertification classes for Heather Nevalainen on May 2 and May 3 in accord with Article 9, Section 2, Subd. 1 of the Master Agreement between ISD 361 and Local 4798.  

Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by D. Wenberg to approve item 9.2.14.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

10.  BUDGETS  - Removed

10.1.  Receive the Final FY2011-12 Expenditure and Revenue budgets for adoption in May.

10.2.  Receive the revised FY2012-13 Tentative Expenditure and Revenue budgets for adoption in May.

11.  ADOPT  RESOLUTIONS FOR NON-RENEWAL OF PROBATIONARY TEACHERS FOR 2012-13.

11.1.  Stephanie Davis: Motion:  __  Second:  __  Roll Call: Aye __  Nay __

11.2.  Kim Kuffenkam:  Motion:  __  Second:  __  Roll Call: Aye __  Nay __

11.3.  Terri Mason:       Motion:  __  Second:  __  Roll Call: Aye __  Nay __

11.4.  Jonelle Mellstrom:Motion: __  Second:  __  Roll Call: Aye __  Nay __

11.5.  Beth Shermoen:  Motion:  __  Second:  __  Roll Call: Aye __  Nay __

11.6.  Darrell Schmidt:  Motion:  __  Second:  __  Roll Call: Aye ___ Nay __

Moved by M. Lassila, seconded by D. Wenberg to table items 11.1-11.6 until the next Board meeting with direction to administration to provide test scores and procedure utilized for layoff recommendation.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

12.  ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

12.1.  Tim Everson, Falls High School Principal

12.1.1.  Enrollment is currently 555.  

12.1.2.  Lockdown drill to be held in May and observed by Law Enforcement. Drill will be communicated with staff and students to alleviate potential concern.

12.1.3.  MCA testing begins on Tuesday.  Testing schedule is posted on the website and a reminder has been sent to parents.

12.1.4.  Course description book is ready to give to students so registration can begin.   Some courses have been adjusted from a year-long course to a semester course to allow for more student participation.   A threshold needs to be established at which number a course would not be offered.

12.2.  Andy Fougner, RTI Coordinator, spoke on behalf of J. Hilfer, Falls Elementary Principal

12.2.1.  Enrollment is down three from last month and five from last year ending at 658.

12.2.2.  RTI Update:

-  new student placement worksheets demonstrating their academic picture are being developed for use in placing students in classrooms

-  a checklist for language arts and math materials is being compiled to keep track of items during the building restructure.

-  April 10th a representative from Renaissance Learning met with teachers regarding Star math and reading.  

-  April 13th representatives from ten different school districts visited Falls Elementary as part 4-6 reading cohort that is sponsored by the Northeast Service Cooperative.  They observed how our teachers have incorporated the use of Daily 5 into their language arts block and how our Tier II and Tier III programs are run.

-  The Parent Involvement Committee has been meeting and is sponsoring an Anti-Bullying Program on Tuesday, April 24th and Tuesday, May 8th in the FHS chorus room.  The anti-bullying program will be put on by school staff that attended a bullying workshop in Grand Rapids earlier in this spring.

-  The Reading Well by Third Grade Committee has been meeting.  Several members have also attended two workshops held at the Northeast Service Cooperative in Mt. Iron.  The plan should be ready for approval by mid-May.  

-  Upcoming Events:

April 19-Statewide Tornado Drill

May 2-Special Education Meeting with Brian Yuretich from the Northland Special Education Cooperative/Student Placement Meetings

May 7-11-Pre-K through Grade 6, Student Placement Meetings

12.3.  Jeff Peura, Superintendent

12.3.1.  School redesign project; he has met with the principals and the plan is moving along for the grade reconfiguration.  Mr. Hilfer’s retirement will add a new dimension to the planning process.

12.3.2.  Summer workers; applications for student summer employment will be collected.

12.3.3.  A meeting with the local clergy will be scheduled at which time an agreement will be reached to meet their needs.

13.  DIRECTOR/COMMITTEE REPORTS

13.1.  Student Council;  The efforts on anti-bullying seem to be making a difference with the student body.   A spring sports week will be held at the end of April.  Prom for juniors and seniors is scheduled for May 5th.  Seniors are working on college and scholarship applications.

13.2.  Recreation Committee;  Their last meeting was devoted to review of the Joint Powers Agreement.  

13.3.  Teacher Recertification;  The last meeting will be held 4/30 to allow teachers to have their recertification classes approved.  

14.  ENTER INTO A CLOSED SESSION

Moved by M. Hebner, seconded by D. Wagner to enter a closed session at 6:26 p.m.to discuss negotiations with Local 331, Administration and pending litigation.   Motion carried by a unanimous vote.

15.  REOPEN AND SUBSEQUENT ADJOURNMENT

Moved by D. Wagner, seconded by S. Nordquist to  reopen the meeting and subsequently adjourn the meeting at 6:47 p.m.  Motion carried by a unanimous vote.  

                        ________________________________

Attest:  Dena Wenberg, Clerk

The Journal

June 2, 2012