Board Minutes for February 2007

The Minnewaska Community School Board met on February 26^th, 2007 at 7:00 pm at the Starbuck Area Chamber of Commerce.

President Lara Amundson called the meeting to order at 7:00.  Board members present were Lara Amundson, Nancy Rapp, Kurt Amundson, Mike Scott, Steve Dinsmore, Kurt Swensrud, Ernie Watson, Robin Trott and Darin Pederson.  Board members absent were ValRae Boe and Vanessa Larson.  Dyanne Parsons, Brian Wilson, Laura Wilson, Holly Minners, Ann Major, Char Drewes, Jane Swalbach, and Shannon Andreason were also present.

A motion was made by Ernie and second by Mike to accept the agenda.  Motion carried

The minutes of the January regular meeting were read.  A motion was made by Kurt Swensrud and second by Robin to accept the minutes as read.  Motion carried.

The treasurer’s report was given.  The current balance is 60,135.89.00.  A motion was made by Ernie and second by Mike to accept the report as given.  Motion carried.

Dyanne Parsons gave her start up coordinators report:

-         Review of where she has spoken and to what groups.

-         Advertising has been placed for teachers and will run through March 9^th.  30 applications have been received.  We will advertise at a later date for PE, music, special ed., and support staff at a later date.

-         The lease aid application has been started.

-         The facilities committee will need to talk to the MAHS board again in reference to renting the gym and playground.  We do have a letter from Greg Ohl stating that they would be interested in doing so.

-         Dyanne needs 125 clock hours by 2009.  She would like the time that will be needed to go to these continuing education courses to be on paid time.  She will pay for the course.  It was also discussed whether the school pays for the courses and deducts that amount from her pay.  This will be decided at a later date.

-         A quote was received from Renaissance Learning of 9,780, which is for the complete package.  We will need to make this decision in May when class numbers are more defined and teaching staff is in place.

Laura and Brian Wilson made a presentation about organic farming and incorporating that into the lunch program served at the school.  They own Wilson’s Organic Strawberries and are very excited about the possibilities that could be expanded on through tying the curriculum and organic farming together.  They will be looking into grants that will help the start of this program and have offered to help in any way that they can.

Holly Minners and Ann Major who were representing Rainbow & Rhymes Nursery School came to ask if Glacial Hills Elementary would be interested in incorporating the nursery school into the hospital building also.  They have been informed by Superintendent Greg Ohl that thier current space in the old elementary building maybe compromised next year.  It was discussed that we would like to have them with us but a separate lease would need to be negotiated with Bill Schlueter.  In the future if a different space is looked into, we would consider their space requirements also.  They will be notified by the school district in March of their decision for the 2007 school year.

Old Business:

-         The Starbuck Community Fund has approved for GHE to become a sub pocket of their fund, which is through West Central Initiative.  We will need to decide what categories we would like to create for contributions to go into.  Checks will need to be made out to WCI with a memo stating what fund the check needs to be placed in.

-         The lease was discussed at length with no decision being made.  We will need to set a special meeting date and time to get this task completed.

-         Nancy, Steve, Dyanne, and Lara will be attending a pre operational meeting on Wednesday February 28^th in the Twin Cities.  Phase III board training is available in St. Cloud on March 17^th.  The website mnmsba.org can be looked at for other possible dates.  Everyone was encouraged to attend at least two training sessions.

-         Board liability, work comp, and business insurance has been obtained through Wally Rydal of Lowry Insurance Agency with a total cost being 2,827 dollars.  We will need to submit to him an employee discipline policy and a student and staff handbook.  A motion was made by Mike and second by Kurt S. to go with Lowry Insurance and to pay the dollar amount when the bill is received.  The motion carried.

New Business:

-         The public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday March 6^th at the MLH Commons at 7:00pm.  All board members need to be present.  We will order 6 dozen cookies from Lyn’s along with the Study Club helping by bringing bars and providing lemonaid.  Beau Twaddle, special education coordinator, and Mike Link or Steve Dess will be attending to talk about their respective resources along with answering any questions.  A motion was made by Robin and second by Steve to pay the consulting fee for Mike or Steve to attend.  The motion carried.  Dyanne, Kurt Amundson, and Lara will also speak.  Dyanne will be showing her power point presentation.

-         A motion was made by Ernie and second by Steve to allow Dyanne to spend up to 200 dollars without board approval.  The motion carried.

-         Dyanne has been working on a brochure for the school.

-         A teacher hiring committee was formed.  Dyanne, Lara, Mike, and Nancy will be on this committee.

-         A Heritage Days fundraiser was discussed.  We will be doing some type of food during the Miss Minnewaska coronation on July 8^th.

-         The policy committee of Robin, Steve, and Ernie need to start meeting and have the policies in place.

We will hold a special meeting on March 12^th at 7:00 at MLH.  The next regular meeting date will be March 26th at 7:00pm at MLH.  Dyanne will check into these dates for the MLH commons

A motion was made by Steve and seconded by Kurt S. to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 9:30pm.