Minutes 4-23-2007

The Minnewaska Community School Board met on April 23rd, 2007 at 7:00 pm at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home Commons.

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 Vanessa Larson, and Darin Peterson.  Board member absent was ValRae Boe.  Dyanne Parsons, Steve Dess, and approximately 60 community members were also present.

A motion was made by Robin and second by Steve to move the visitor comment section of the meeting to the first item on the agenda.  The motion carried.  A motion was made by Vanessa and second by Robin to approve the amended agenda.  The motion carried. 

The meeting was opened for public comment.  Several community members had questions and comments either being answered by board members or by Steve Dess.  This portion of the meeting lasted forty minutes.

A motion was made by Kurt S. and second by Robin to accept the meeting minutes as given.  The motion carried.

The treasurer’s report was given.  The balance at months end was 47,110.63.  A motion was made by Kurt S. and second by Ernie to accept the treasurer’s report as given.  The motion carried.

Dyanne gave her report on the things she has been working on and meetings that she has attended.

Old Business:

-         The 501C3 has been received but the name listed on the document is Minnewaska Community School.  A motion was made by Kurt S. and second by Robin to have Steve handle the name change.  The motion carried.  This would incur legal expenses.

-         Fron is possibly selling some of the small chairs.  They are still looking at a selling price.  Cubbies have been purchased and have already been put together in the kindergarten classroom.

-         The lease aid application is competed and personally dropped off by Dyanne.

-         The MN Special Education Project contract needs be signed.  Approval was given at a previous meeting.  They will allow the payment to be held off until per pupil funding is received.

-         Renaissance Learning has given a new bid which is 9,132.00.  A motion was made by Robin and second by Vanessa to approve this bid.  The motion carried. 

New Business:

-         There was discussion of hiring teachers and their what their benefits package would be.  A motion was made by Steve and second by Kurt S. to hire Mary Johnsrud at 27,000 dollars with 100% single health care coverage paid with an option to pay for family.  Motion carried.  A motion was made by Robin and second by Kurt A. to hire Jason VanEngen at 27,000 dollars with 100% single health care coverage paid with an option to pay for family.  The motion carried.  A motion was made by Kurt S. and second by Ernie to pay Mary Kay Fredrickson 35,000 dollars with 100% single health care coverage paid with an option to pay for family.  The motion carried.  A committee was formed to look into other benefit options including but not limited to long term disability, life insurance, personal days, and sick days.  Kurt S., Kurt A., and Steve will have bids and quotes within one week.

-         The release of public information policy was discussed.  Board chair recommended that the financial statements and meeting minutes would be available but all other information would be at the office for someone to look at.  If copies were desired, there would be a 25-cent per copy cost with a one week turn around guarantee.  The chair asked Ernie to write this policy so that it could be adopted at the next board meeting.  The board meeting procedures were also discussed.  The board will be following the open meeting laws and therefore no other policy was needed.

-         The second reading of policies 102, 214, 401, and 402 were completed.  A motion was made by Kurt S. and second by Mike to approve as read.  The motion carried.  The first reading was done of policies 403, 406, 407, and 410.  There was a suggested revision to policy 410 in reference to a “year”.  The board would like the “year” to follow the fiscal year.  Ernie will make this change and these policies will be ready for the second reading and approval at the next meeting.

The next meeting date will be May 21^st at the school at 7:00 pm, this date chosen because the regular meeting date would be Memorial Day.

A motion was made by Kurt S. and second by Steve to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried and the meeting concluded at 8:17