School Board Minutes

June 16, 2020

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the Media Center.

Members present in person: Adkins, Livingood, Miller, Wilder, Superintendent Kuphal;  Other board members present via visual and audible technology: Marquardt, Weidemann, and  Tollefsrud (entered the meeting at 6:15 pm).  

Absent:  none

Also present in person:  Michelle Weidemann, Lynette Donald, Lisa Halverson; Others present via visible-audible technology:  Aimee Lake, Susie Munroe, Lana Hollar, Rich Wicks, and Payton Danielson (entered the meeting at 6:18 pm).

1.  The meeting was called to order by Chair Adkins- 6:02 pm.

2. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

3. Agenda Changes/Additions:

Motion by Wilder, second by Livingood and carried unanimously, to approve the Agenda Changes/Additions.  Roll call vote was taken and motion was passed 6-0.

4. Approval of Minutes:

Motion by Wilder, second by Livingood and carried unanimously, to approve the 

May 19, 2020 minutes.  Roll call vote was taken and motion was passed 6-0.

5. Chairperson’s Announcements

1.  Good Things Happening:

   1. Susie Munroe reported that the Q-Comp Program looks different due to Covid-19 and was given guidance from the Safety Department to use the data we had up until the school closing.  The site goal was not met due to no testing at the end of the school year.  Teachers plan to meet and discuss goals.  Munroe added 25/27 teachers completed their evaluations.  The other two teachers will complete their evaluations in the Fall.  Teachers who have completed their evaluations will receive a $100 stipend.  If goals are met, they will receive an extra $50 stipend.  

2. Miller congratulated the Administrative staff on a well attended graduation parade.  

VI. Consent Agenda:

Motion by Marquardt,  second by Weidemann and carried unanimously, to approve the following.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 6-0.

1. ISD 238 Budget

   1. 2019-20 Budget

   2. Activity Accounts

2. Invoices

3. Electronic Fund Transfers

4. Resignation from Lisa Halverson as Preschool Paraprofessional

5. Maternity Leave request from Pam Rasmussen from beginning of 2020-21 school year through Friday, November 6, 2020

6. Contract for Laura Horihan as the new High School English teacher

7. Resignation from Kaitlin Bratland as Special Education teacher 

                                                                                                                          .  

VII. Reports:

1. PreK-12 Principal: 

   1. The District is considering having students bring personal devices to work on at school if they wish.  In order to do this, they will need to complete an “Opt Out Form” and will be responsible for any damage to their personal device.  

   2. We expect to hear an update on Covid-19 plans for the upcoming school year the week of July 27th.  Michelle noted she expects one of three options: start normal, continue distance learning, or go hybrid in the Fall.  

2. Superintendent: 

   1. Discussion was held on the annual volunteer clean up day.  The board agreed they would like to do this again in August.  We will revisit this topic again to set a date.  

   2. Mr. Kuphal will be taking on five mentees starting in October.  This will last over the course of two years.  He wanted the board to be aware that he will need to attend meetings for this and will not conflict with his scheduled work days.  

VIII. Enrollment:  Discussion was held.  

IX. Items for Action and/or Discussion:

      A. Discussion was held regarding the Senior Student Activity Account. The account currently has roughly $30,000 left in it after the refund of class dues.  The class met and agreed to spend up to $1,000 to purchase a bench in memory of classmate Dylan Delaney.  Payton Danielson reported that out of the 18 seniors, 8 of them plan to attend college in the Fall, 6 plan to join the workforce, and 4 are undecided.  The majority of the seniors voted to move the remaining $29,000 into the school scholarship fund, labeled Class of 2020.  This equals out to be approximately $1,600 per student.  All students will need to submit a letter of intent for approval to receive scholarship money.  This scholarship money can be used toward schooling or tools/equipment needed for the workforce.  If the four undecided students do not submit a letter of intent, they will forgo their share and the leftover money will be used for academic scholarships for others.  Payton will contact Michelle or Cristal to set up a date to finalize details on this.  Aimee will distribute the funds to the appropriate account.  Motion by Marquardt, second by Miller and carried unanimously to approve the transfer of these funds to the Scholarship account.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

B.   Motion by Weideman, second by Livingood and carried unanimously to approve Laura Hosting to work in the library one day a week for the Summer.    Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

      C.  Motion by Weidemann, second by Livingood and carried unanimously to approve Lisa Halverson as the High School Secretary.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

      D.  Motion by Weidemann, second by Livingood and carried unanimously to approve the FY21 Preliminary Budget.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

      E.  Motion by Weidemann, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to approve the Resolution for Membership in MSHSL in 20-21.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

      F.  Motion by Livingood, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to approve Gary Kuphal as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) and as the user for the Education Identity and Access Management Security System.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

     G.  Motion by Weidemann, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to approve to move next month’s board meeting to July 28th.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

     H.  Discussion was held on the first reading of the Extra-Curricular Handbook for 20-21. The board discussed wording on how many hours a student can miss school in a day to be able to attend after school extracurricular activities.  More discussion to follow.  

      I.  Discussion was held on wording in the first reading of the PreK-12 Handbook for 20-21.  Administration and the school board will meet again to discuss further.    

     J.   Motion by Marquardt, second by Livingood and carried unanimously to approve the 2020-21 recommendations from the Facilities and Capital Outlay Committee to approve expenditure as operating capital up to $64,000 and LTFM to $103,000.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.  The Facilities and Capital Outlay Committee will meet again next Wednesday to discuss further.  

    K.  Motion by Miller, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously to approve the membership in MREA.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

    L.  Our Laser Product Company Technologies contract ends this year.  Gary, Michelle, and Heather met with them and Tri-State Business to decide if we should stay with Laser Products or switch to Tri-State.  Gary recommended we sign a 5 year contract with Tri-state Business.  Motion by Tollefsrud, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously to switch companies to Tri-State Business.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

    M.  Todd Netzke sold the software portion of his business to Forecast Five Software and is proposing we contract with them.  They are offering the same software, plus some additional items for $5,305/year.  This is an increase for us.  Gary’s proposal to Todd was to have Mabel-Canton School and Todd split the cost difference.  Motion by Weidemann, second by Livingood and carried unanimously to go with Forecast Five one year contract with Gary’s proposed credit.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

X.  Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

1. July 28, 2020; School board Meeting, 6:00pm

XI. Adjournment:

Motion by Marquardt, second by Miller and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:29 pm.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

Traci Livingood, Clerk___________________________________