Red Wing School Board Minutes 7-16-12

Independent School District #256

Red Wing Public Schools

The Red Wing School Board held its first monthly meeting on Monday, July 16, 2012 at the Red Wing City Council chambers. The Board members, Superintendent Karsten Anderson, Board Clerk/Director of Finance Brad Johnson, staff and public were present. Board Member Baldwin was absent. Board Chair Boldt called the meeting together at 5:30PM.

Motion by Anderson, second by Christensen to approve the agenda, motion carried 6-0.

3. Communications:

3.1Recognitions: None

3.2Public Comment: Ms. Janie Farrar, elementary PAC chair, spoke to the Board about concerns on the potential building referendum. She asked about the timeline and raised concerns over public and staff involvement. Mr. Jed Olson also spoke and raised concerns over the idea of adding space and questioned if it is truly a problem. Board Member Christensen stated that the options for space did come from District staff, not the outside. Board Member Anderson stated that space is truly a problem affecting both class size and special needs, and that with our building debt dropping off, the time is favorable to proceed.

3.3Youth Outreach: Stacy Hartman and Lori Nicolai, representing Youth Outreach, described the program’s activities and goals. They presented statistics on the benefits of coaching against a control group. Their mission is mentoring at risk adolescents. Board Members thanked Youth Outreach for their efforts.

3.4Reports/Committee Notes: Several items were mentioned, including the introduction of Corey Knighton, new assistant principal at Red Wing High.

Background Information

4.1Board meeting minutes for June 20, 2012

4.2Claims & Accounts for June 1-30, 2012

Fund 01 – General Funds $1,562,350.39

Fund 02 – Food Service 36,718.62

Fund 03 – Transportation 282,691.66

Fund 04 – Community Service 61,008.24

Fund 05 – Capital Expenditures 247,699.43

Fund 08 – Auxiliary 39,432.38

Fund 09 – Trust Agency 18,449.02

Fund 21 – Student Activities 7,185.10

Fund 45 – OPEB Trust Fund 0.00

Fund 47 – OPEB Debt Service 0.00

Fund 50 – Student Activities 3,328.30

Total $2,258,863.14

Payroll – June 15, 2012 $1,382,856.87

Payroll – June 29, 201 $ 554,546.92

4.3New Hire: Joseph Jezierski, Director of Teaching and Learning, effective August 1, 2012 (due to a retirement); Alison Faders, 1st Grade Teacher at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective August, 2012 (due to a leave of absence); Lindsay Woychek, 4th Grade Teacher at Burnside Elementary School, effective August 2012 (due to a leave of absence); Sarah Gorski, 1st Grade Teacher at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective August 2012 (new position); Ann Peterson, .6 Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective August 8, 2012 (new position); Justin Plein, School Age Care Coordinator for Sunnyside & Burnside Elementary Schools, effective July 1, 2012 (due to a transfer); Mike Lupella, Special Ed. Teacher at Burnside Elementary School, effective August, 2012 (due to a transfer); Rebecca Susag, Speech-Language Pathologist at RWHS, effective August 2012 (due to a resignation); Elizabeth Kralich, Long-Term Sub at RWHS, effective August 2012 (long-term sub for Jen Herdina).

4.4Termination: Greg Whitcomb, Link! Lead Teacher, effective June 6, 2012.

4.5Medical Leave: Cary Truman, Custodian at RWHS, effective July 9th thru August 17, 2012.

Kramp moved the Consent Agenda be approved, second by Christensen, motion carried 6-0.

There was no Unfinished Business.

5.1Resolution in Support of SRA Collective Impact Initiative: Superintendent Anderson stated that we had a presentation about student readiness achievement and this resolution proposes district support of it and cooperation. Motion by Jones to approve the resolution, second by Anderson, resolution passed 6-0: voting aye: Anderson, Christensen, Jones, Porter, Kramp, Boldt, voting nay: none, absent: Baldwin..

5.2Referendum Discussion: Finance Director Brad Johnson explained the rationale for running in 2012: the building debt falls off and will need to be brought back up by nearly $1.0 million if run in 2013. Also, negotiations for 2013-14 will be difficult with the $4.0 million operating referendum at risk into November. Mr. Keon Blasingame of DLR read off the public survey from the public input meetings. The Board can wait until August 6 with a decision on the building/capital piece and August 20 with the operating part. DLR will do a phone survey by then also. Board Member Anderson spoke about the need to act now with the space crisis and the current bonding situation. Chair Boldt also spoke about the space issue being known for many years, and we have been open on it and the financial issues. Feedback on the DLR survey will be important. Board Member Anderson pointed out the accomplishments from the 2008 referendum, particularly to class size reduction. Chair Boldt stated that there is no extra room to further reduce class sizes. Do not like the “flip-flop” options, prefer to concentrate on options 3 (move K-4 to Burnside) and 4 (neighborhood elementary). Board Member Porter spoke of the risk that portables may be needed to reduce the space problem. Board Member Jones spoke to issues of building equity that would be helped by building. Board Member Christensen also commented on the need to go forward. The survey will help the decision.

5.3Second Reading of Policies: The Board discussed policy review and approval cycles.

5.4Review of Policies: Superintendent Anderson compared our policies to MSBA and found some minor differences in wording and/or legal references.

5.5Police Liaison Contract: Superintendent Anderson presented the 2012-13 police liaison contract with the city which contained a 2% increase. Board Members Porter and Jones expressed appreciation for Chief Sletten’s work on this program. Motion by Porter, second by Kramp to approve the contract, motion carried 6-0.

5.6MSRS Language: Dr. Kathy Radmer had requested that her contracted severance payment, based on accrued sick leave, be paid into a MSRS (Minnesota State Retirement System) account. This saves taxes for both employer and employee. Proposed language for various contracts is included in the packet. Motion by Anderson to allow the superintendent and finance director to negotiate this provision into contracts, second by Christensen, motion carried 6-0.

5.7Closed Session for Yearly Superintendent Evaluation: Motion by Christensen, second by Porter to close the meeting, motion carried 6-0, and Chair Boldt closed the meeting at 7:39PM. Motion by Kramp, second by Christensen to close the closed meeting, motion carried 6-0. Motion by Kramp, second by Porter to reopen the regular meeting, motion carried 6-0. Chair Boldt reopened the meeting at 8:57PM. Motion by Jones, second by Christensen to adjourn, motion carried 6-0. Chair Boldt adjourned the meeting at 8:58PM.

Chair Boldt announced upcoming meetings on August 6, August 20, and September 4.

Brad Johnson

Board Clerk

(Aug. 15)

Tags: public notices, meetings