Red Wing School Minutes Nov. 2011

Independent School District #256

Red Wing Public Schools

The Red Wing School Board held its first monthly meeting on Monday, November 7, 2011 in the Red Wing City Council Chambers. The Board members, Superintendent Karsten Anderson, Board Clerk/Director of Finance Brad Johnson, staff and public were present.

Motion by Anderson, second by Christensen to approve the agenda as submitted, 7-0.

3. Communications

3.1Recognitions: Chair Jones mentioned that our Towerview students were recognized in the newspaper for the art program and Burnside also. Board Member Kramp recognized the football team for a successful season.

3.2Public Comment: None

3.3Towerview Update: Mr. Brian Cashman presented the update, along with other Towerview staff. He introduced Ms. Jessica Halling, student at Towerview, who read a paper she wrote for Mr. Lorentzen’s language arts class regarding the Towerview experience. Mr. Jamie Lorentzen also spoke positively of his year at Towerview and enjoying the change. A parent, Mrs. Laporte, also complimented the program on its support and successful results with her son. Mr. Cashman distributed handouts of statistics on Towerview in the packet. He then introduced the entire staff of Towerview who were in attendance, and thanked the Board for its support. Board Member Boldt commented positively on Mr. Lorentzen’s energetic presentation and suggested interjecting that energy into regular classrooms and staff. Chair Jones asked for thoughts about where the ALC is going. Mr. Cashman said they’re a bit isolated and need a stronger relationship with other ALC components (afterschool), that is, more connectivity. Board Member Porter commented that Towerview has had a strong record of great staffing, and the District did right putting Mr. Cashman in that spot. Board Member Baldwin added that she was at Towerview shortly to do a study abroad program; it was the only way she could graduate on time and get the credits and work at own pace. Towerview really prepared her for college and taught her how to study and be self-motivated.

3.4Other Reports: Board Member Christensen reported that Give to the Max Day was approaching and the Red Wing Public School Foundation is participating. He explained numerous projects the group is involved with, and additional funding possible on Give to the Max day. Chair Jones distributed handouts on the Minnesota Compass, funded by Wilder research. They gather data to allow for better decisions. Also, the MSBA has its delegate assembly on December 2-3 which determines the legislative platform. Chair Jones is a representative. The group will meet by region on November 19. Superintendent Anderson updated the Board on several matters.

4.1Board meeting minutes for October 17, 2011

4.2Claims & Accounts for October 1-15, 2011

Claims & Accounts:

Fund 01 – General Funds$877,941.25

Fund 02 – Food Service48,481.19

Fund 03 – Transportation153,560.27

Fund 04 – Community Services 18,954.30

Fund 05 – Capital Expenditures6,897.34

Fund 06 – Building Construction 0.00

Fund 07 – Debt Service 0.00

Fund 08 – Auxiliary 14,160.42

Fund 09 – Trust Agency 0.00

Fund 21 – Student Activities1,125.46

Fund 45 – OPEB Trust Fund0.00

Fund 47 – OPEB Debt Service0.00

Fund 50 – Student Activities284.98

Total$1,121,405.21

Payroll – October 14, 2011$749,247.15

4.3New Hire: Melody Calhoun, Special Ed. Assistant at RWHS, effective October 19, 2011 (due to IEP); Cheri Turcotte, Ed. Assistant at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective October 18, 2011 (due to a transfer); Randy Muske, Long-Term Sub Math Teacher at RWHS, effective November 14, 2011 thru February 6, 2012 (due to a parental leave); Josh Conley, Long-Term Sub Math Teacher at RWHS, effective October 27th thru December 23rd (due to medical leave); Broderick Dressen, Special Ed. Assistant at Burnside Elementary School, effective October 14, 2011 (due to IEP); Jackie Jech, Special Ed. Assistant at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective October 7, 2011 (due to IEP); Rhonda Meyer, Secretary at Burnside Elementary School, effective November 14, 2011 (due to a resignation); Russell Johnson, Temporary Sub at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective November 2, 2011 (due to a leave).

4.4Resignation: Nancy Ahlbrecht, Ed. Assistant at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective November 4, 2011.

Chair Jones mentioned a typo on the minutes. Motion by Porter, second by Kramp to approve the Consent Agenda, motion carried, 7-0.

There was no Unfinished Business.

5.1Teachers on Call: Finance Director Brad Johnson presented information on the District investigation of improving substitute assignment efficiencies through Teachers On Call. The intent of the presentation is to keep the Board informed, but administration will proceed with the contract.

5.2Overnight Field Trip: The Board reviewed a request for an Overnight Field Trip from the Student Council at the High School for a leadership council. Motion by Anderson, second by Christensen to approve, motion carried 7-0.

5.3Inclusive Education Plan: Superintendent Anderson explained that the law requires an inclusive education plan. He reviewed the main components. It is not meant to be a policy, and the Board Chair needs to sign off on it. Board Member Baldwin commented that it is being approved tonight but change is anticipated. Superintendent Anderson commented that change would not be significant. Motion by Anderson to approve the plan with the change of the word “policy” to “plan”, Porter second, motion carried 7-0.

5.4Walking Zone: Superintendent Anderson noted that we have had a walking zone policy in the past but frequent exceptions were granted. He has had 30-40 appeals about the walking zone. In the spring, he hopes to approve an administrative handbook that includes walking zone language and process for exceptions. We have a 1-mile radius for elementary, 1½ miles for middle school and 2 miles for high school. 5th and 8th grade are treated as if they were at a “younger” school. Versatran calculates distance to the closest school boundary. An IEP could create an exception, as could certain medical needs verified by a doctor (Section 14). There are only three hazardous routes: railroad tracks, and highways 58 and 61 for grades K-4. Board members asked questions on some cases. Board Member Boldt discussed the question of excess capacity on some routes. Karsten had granted one medical exception and one due to a Level III sex offender in the neighborhood.

5.5Levy Update: Finance Director Johnson updated the Board and public on the status of the 2012 levy. The levy finally certified after several delays at the Department was $9,976,002.64, an increase of 12%. The Board passed the Maximum levy in September as corrections were in process. The levy is a 2.5% increase over 2010 (over two years) due to last year’s 8.6% decrease. Enrollment is up significantly, the most since 1992-93 which is driving the bulk of the increase. Work will continue on possible reductions before the final certification.

Chair Jones announced upcoming meetings: November 21, December 5, and December 19. Motion by Anderson, second by Boldt to adjourn, motion carried 7-0. Chair Jones adjourned the meeting at 7:11PM.

Brad Johnson

Board Clerk

12/17

Independent School District #256

Red Wing Public Schools

The Red Wing School Board held its second monthly meeting on Monday, November 21, 2011 in the High School Little Theatre. The Board members, Superintendent Karsten Anderson, Board Clerk/Director of Finance Brad Johnson, staff and public were present.

Motion by Porter, second by Christensen to approve agenda, motion carried 7-0.

3. Communications

3.1Recognitions: none

3.2Public Comment: None

3.3Strategic Plan Update: Dr. Kathy Radmer, Jillynne Raymond, and Brian Cashman appeared to present information on the plan. Surveys on June 10 showed a large variation on staff perceptions of plan progress; these were much tighter in November. Ms. Raymond reviewed the electronic curriculum map, and Mr. Cashman discussed intervention and summarized that action steps continue to be implemented. Board members asked various questions about progress. The group reported that there is staff buy-in but it needs time to put into practice. Dr. Radmer predicted another update in February.

3.4Other Reports: Chair Jones reported that the delegate assembly for MSBA will occur on December 3. Legislation proposals will be reviewed, including a new proposal on special ed tuition billing. Superintendent Anderson also reported on a distribution policy and negotiation meetings.

4.1Board meeting minutes for November 7, 2011

4.2Claims & Accounts for October 16-31, 2011

Claims & Accounts:

October 16-31, 2011

Fund 01 – General Funds$425,074.23

Fund 02 – Food Service18,818.82

Fund 03 – Transportation1,734.66

Fund 04 – Community Services22,176.46

Fund 05 – Capital Expenditures16,340.39

Fund 06 – Building Construction 0.00

Fund 07 – Debt Service 0.00

Fund 08 – Auxiliary 14,281.62

Fund 09 – Trust Agency 6,201.69

Fund 21 – Student Activities2,270.63

Fund 45 – OPEB Trust Fund0.00

Fund 47 – OPEB Debt Service0.00

Fund 50 – Student Activities10,498.11

Total$517,396.61

Payroll – October 31, 2011$732,204.78

4.2New Hire: Jacquelyn Hunt, Regular Ed. Assistant at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective November 14, 2011 (due to a resignation); Julie Wyatt, Secretary at RWHS, effective November 14, 2011 (due to a transfer); Mary Kelly, Long-Term Sub Social Worker at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective November 7, 2011 (due to a parental leave); Ann Peterson, Long-Term Sub EBD Teacher at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective November 7, 2011 (due to a medical leave).

4.3Medical Leave: Melinda Berkeland, EBD Teacher at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective November 7, 2011.

4.4Resignation: Craig Wronski, Custodian at RWHS, effective November 18, 2011.

4.5Termination: Edward Rebelskey, Custodian at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective September 2, 2011.

Superintendent Anderson explained corrections made to the original packet. Motion by Kramp, second by Anderson to approve the Consent Agenda, motion carried 7-0.

There was no Unfinished Business.

5.1District & School improvement plans: Dr. Kathy Radmer presented the district and school improvement plans to the Board. This is the first year for the MCAIII tests, which can’t be compared to prior MCAII. The District and Burnside were cited differently, and Sunnyside was the same as Burnside. Dr. Radmer explained various impacts on Title funding and some impacts if the waiver is granted. Motion by Anderson, second by Porter to approve the plans, motion carried 7-0.

5.2Overnight Field Trip: Requests were presented for an overnight field trip for the High School Key Club to Stewartville and for Boys’ basketball to Alexandria. Motion by Kramp, second by Christensen to approve both trips, motion carried 7-0.

5.3District Priorities: Superintendent Anderson presented several task/priorities to the Board for consideration. Chair Jones handed out information from the Illinois State school board association outlining the superintendent evaluation process. She discussed establishing a goal setting process. Superintendent evaluations would be done at the completion of a school year—a June workshop possibly. The Minnesota School Board Association also has a tool for this process.

Chair Jones announced that the next meeting will be December 5 with the Truth-in-Taxation meeting at 6PM. Board Member Kramp requested that the strategic plan update be scheduled for February. On December 7 a lunch meeting with legislators will be held, and a regular meeting on December 19. The organizational meeting will be January 3. Motion by Anderson, second by Christensen to adjourn, motion carried 7-0. Chair Jones adjourned the meeting at 7:18 PM.

Brad Johnson

Board Clerk

12/17

Tags: public notices, meetings