Red Wing School Board briefs

2013 levy certified

Red Wing School Board voted 7-0 Monday to certify the 2013 levy at $8,363,557.05. That’s about $1.4 million, or 14 percent, less than the 2012 levy, which is about $9.77 million.

The drop is due to the district having paid the debt service on the high school and Burnside Elementary School, Finance Director Brad Johnson said.

MOUs signed for clinic delay

The board approved 6-0 a motion that will allow employees to be reimbursed for any clinic visits, appointments or prescriptions that would have been covered under the school-sponsored clinic.

The clinic was set to open Jan. 2 and would allow employees with district insurance and their dependents to receive some services and prescriptions free of charge at the school-sponsored clinic. But because of delays with finding a location and hiring a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, the clinic won’t open for about two more months, Finance Director Brad Johnson estimated Monday.

Monday’s motion authorized a memorandum of agreement with bargaining groups and will allow for employees to submit a claim to Health Partners for any clinic visits between Jan. 1 and the date the clinic opens. Any reimbursements will go into employees’ HRA accounts.

2013 facilities referendum discussed

About two months after two facilities bond questions failed during the Nov. 6 election, the board began thinking about possibilities for a November 2013 referendum vote. The board discussed the steps that would need to take place before next fall.

A possible timeline presented to the board Monday shows a facility task force being formed in January, a community survey being completed in May and a comprehensive communication plan in place by early August.

“I think this timeline for 2013 will have a distinct advantage over what we had before,” Chairman Mitch Boldt said.

The new timeline calls for parent and staff input early in the process, something many community members and school staff members felt that the most recent referendum attempt lacked.

“We want to engage the public more,” Supt. Karsten Anderson said.

“We want to make sure we have all those stakeholders,” Board member Heidi Jones added. “Now we have a timeline to do that.”

Board member Paul Kramp suggested that the referendum should be a standing agenda item for each school board meeting. “Then the public is aware of it too,” he said.

Employee recognition program OK’d

The board voted 6-0 to approve a program that will recognize 25-year employees and retirees for their service to the district.

Before Supt. Karsten Anderson was hired, the district gave these employees small gifts, such as wallets and bells. Anderson stopped the practice due to concerns about potential legal concerns.

Monday’s vote allows the district to set up the program that will allow for the purchase of recognition gifts using funds from staff vending machines, donations and staff-sponsored fundraising.

Anderson said he consulted with the Minnesota School Boards Association to set up the new program. “I feel good because we’re recognizing people who have given their lives to the school district,” Anderson said. “But I’m confident that at least we’re doing it legally.”

Boldt, Porter recognized

Outgoing School Board members Mitch Boldt and Dennis Porter were recognized for their service Monday. Both men chose not to run for re-election. With their terms expiring at the end of the month, Monday was their last board meeting.

Supt. Karsten Anderson thanked both for their service to the board. Boldt served two terms. Porter served one term.

Personnel changes

The board approved the following personnel changes.

New hires: Geoff Cleveland, seventh-grade social studies teacher at Twin Bluff Middle School, effective Dec. 10; Trina Petterson, long-term third-grade substitute at Burnside, effective Jan. 25; Paul Hartmann, social studies teacher at Tower View, effective Jan. 21.

Medical leave: Bonnie Mettling, sixth-grade teacher at TBMS, effective Jan. 21 through June 7.

Resignation: Pam Perkins, special education paraprofessional at Sunnyside, effective Dec. 21; Courtni Ries, English as a second language teacher for Hiawatha Valley Adult Basic Education, effective Dec. 13.

Transfer: Betsy Ulvenes, special education teacher at TBMS, effective for 2013-14 school year.

Meeting watch

Monday’s meeting lasted about one hour and 45 minutes. All board members were present. Board member Steve Anderson left about 25 minutes before the end of the meeting and missed votes on the school-sponsored clinic and the employee recognition program.

— Compiled by Sarah Gorvin, staff writer

Tags: school board, red wing, education