Red Wing Public Schools SEPT 17, 2012, BOARD MINUTES

Independent School District #256

Red Wing Public Schools

The Red Wing School Board held its second monthly meeting on Monday, September 17, 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 Kramp was absent. Chair Boldt called the meeting to order at 5:30PM.

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

3. Communications:

3.1Recognitions: Board Member Jones thanked PAC members for their contributions; they raise about $37,000 annually for many accomplishments.

3.2Public Comment: Mr. Bud Jay spoke to the Board about his disagreement over the walking policy, including disputing the distance and methods for measuring it. Superintendent Anderson explained the method. Mr. Jay stated that the Board policy should also include a method of measurement and perhaps have a margin of error and or a different standard if no sidewalks exist.

3.3Community Connections—YMCA Presentation: Mike Melstad and Janie Farrar presented information on the YMCA programs and connections, primary the summer rec program. The day camp was re-invented by a planning team. Several partners including the city and school were involved. Children were charged $50, 91 enrolled ages 5-13. Field trip fees were charged and some entities helped with that funding.

3.4Gifted & Talented Update: Gifted and talented coordinator Brian Cashman presented information on the program, referring to goals and tasks from his job description and notifying the Board of upcoming speaking events and speakers.

3.5OPEB Update: Finance Director Johnson reported that the 3rd GASB 45 study has been completed and indicated a continued drop in the District’s liability for future retiree health insurance benefits.

3.6Reports/Committee Notes: Superintendent Anderson reported that a tentative agreement was reached with custodians. Finance Director Johnson reported on meetings with Health Partners and Mayo on the employee clinic, and a viewing of city property as a possible site. Superintendent Anderson updated referendum information and reviewed the three questions. Board member Porter asked about the Personnel Committee minutes and questioned the recommendation on Jillynne Raymond’s leave. Board Member Christensen explained that the request came late, the employee had taken a job in another district, and it is not a good practice to bring in a temporary employee for only a year while an employee tries out a job elsewhere. If it happened before, it was wrong. If a job is taken elsewhere, we shouldn’t hold the old job open. Board members continued to discuss differing views on the leave issue, its grounds and employee expectation and what is spelled out in the contracts.

Background Information

4.1 Board meeting minutes for September 4, 2012

4.2 Claims & Accounts for August 16-31, 2012:

Fund 01 – General Funds$450,646.16

Fund 02 – Food Service37,238.57

Fund 03 – Transportation3,275.00

Fund 04 – Community Services 37,811.35

Fund 05 – Capital Expenditures129,209.45

Fund 06 – Building Construction0.00

Fund 07 – Debt Service242,230.00

Fund 08 – Auxiliary2,402.00

Fund 09 – Trust Agency 42,637.92

Fund 21 – Student Activities 1,089.98

Fund 45 – OPEB Trust Fund17,317.60

Fund 47 – OPEB Debt Service0.00

Fund 50 – Student Activities5,288.98

Total$969,147.01

Payroll – August 31, 2012 $679,972.84

4.3 New Hire: Barb Hodges, Title I EA at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective September 4, 2012 (due to a Parental Leave); Patricia Bronk, Reading Specialist at RWHS, effective August 29, 2012 (due to a resignation); Lisa Holst, Colvill Kids Teacher at Colvill Family Center, effective September 4, 2012 (due to a transfer); Rachel Jensen, Assistant Lead Kid’s Junction at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective September 10, 2012

4.4 Transfer: Katie Nystuen, Covill Kids Teacher at Colvill Family Center, effective August 27, 2012 (due to a resignation); Bob Anderson, Night Custodian at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective date to be determined (due to a resignation); Cheryl Berg, Title I EA at Sunnyside Elementary School, effective September 4, 2012 (due to a resignation).

4.5 Medical Leave: Sara Skeen, Special Ed. Paraprofessional at RWHS, effective September 19th thru November 14, 2012; Pat Kiczula, Pool Lifeguard/Instructor at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective October 22nd, 2012 thru February 4, 2013.

4.6 Resignation: Sandra Robatcek, Cook at RWHS, effective August 29, 2012; Jillynne Raymond, Speech/English Teacher at RWHS, effective September 11, 2012.

4.7 Additional Hours: Ben Slagle, .1 FTE DAPE Teacher District Wide; Pam Richardson, ECFE Child Educator Teacher at Colvill Family Center, effective September 10, 2012; Tira Petersen, Special Ed. Paraprofessional for Kid’s Junction at Burnside Elementary School, effective September 6, 2012.

4.8 Termination: Cary Truman, Custodian at RWHS, effective September 6, 2012.

Board Member Anderson moved the Consent Agenda except item 4.6, second by Porter. Board Member Christensen requested that the minutes from September 4 be adjusted to include the recognition of Jesse Nelson in item 3.1. Motion carried 6-0.

Item 4.6, resignation of Jillynne Raymond was discussed. Porter moved to table it and request the Personnel Committee to discuss the extended leave request by Ms. Raymond again, second by Anderson, motion carried 6-0.

There was no Unfinished Business.

5.1 Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Achievement: Director of Teaching and Learning Joe Jezierski presented the Annual Report. He has reformatted it to make it more user friendly. He and board members discussed several reports and trends. Participation in ACT tests was significant in Red Wing compared to many other areas. , required to approve this annually. Joe present rough draft. Board Member Anderson commended Burnside Principal Sheila Beckner for being a Reward School; Karsten commends Districtwide efforts for overall achievement. Jones moved approval of the report, Christensen second, motion carried 6-0.

5.2Preliminary Levy: Director of Finance Johnson explained the proposed property tax levy. It is currently at $8,364,289.78, which is down $1.4 million from last year due to retirement of the building debt. If referendum questions 1 and 2 pass, the levy will still be down 2.5% or $247,000 from last year. Due to timing, it is recommended to approve the maximum levy as certified by the Department of Education. Motion by Porter, second by Christensen to approve the maximum levy, motion carried 6-0.

Chair Boldt announced upcoming meetings. Board Member Jones is headed to the MSBA fall meeting on Thursday. Motion by Anderson, second by Porter to adjourn, motion carried 6-0. Chair Boldt adjourned at 7:42PM.

Brad Johnson

Board Clerk

(Oct 11)

Tags: public notices, general legals