School Board Meeting Minutes

August 18, 2020

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, August 18, 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, Tollefsrud, and Weidemann

Also present in person:  Michelle Weidemann, Lisa Halverson, Colton Heintz-Kuderer (entered the meeting at 6:33pm); 

Others present via visible-audible technology:  Aimee Lake, Rich Wicks, Greg Turner, Tina Michels, Kim Underbakke, Lori Schutte, Pam Rasmussen, Joel Sloan, Paul Tollefsrud

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

2. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

3. Agenda Changes/Additions: Motion by Miller, second by Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, to approve the Agenda Changes/Additions.  Roll call vote was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

4. Approval of Minutes: 

   1. July 28, 2020 minutes: Motion by Miller, second by Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the July 28, 2020 minutes.  Roll call vote was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

   2. August 3, 2020 minutes: Motion by Wilder, second by Livingood and carried unanimously, to approve the August 3, 2020 minutes.  Roll call vote was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

   3. August 13, 2020 minutes: Motion by Livingood, second by Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the August 13, 2020 minutes.  Roll call vote was taken and motion was passed 7-0.  

5. Chairperson’s Announcements: No public comments at this time.  

VI. Consent Agenda: Motion by Marquardt,  second by Weidemann and carried unanimously, to approve the following.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

1. Resignation from Ashley Wangen as Health Assistant

2. Resignation from David Anderson as Van Driver for Preschool students and athletics shuttle to Canton

3. ISD 238 Budget

   1. 2020-2021 Budget

   2. Activity Accounts

D. Invoices

E. Electronic Fund Transfers

                                                                                                                          .  

VII. Reports:

1. Student Representative:  

• No report given. 

2. PreK-12 Principal:  

• Michelle thanked all the volunteers who came on Sunday for the district clean up day.  She reported that lots of painting was done, in addition to weeding, furniture was moved, and the dugout fence was moved.  Michelle expressed how much this was all truly appreciated.  

• There was an interview for the long term second grade teaching substitute position today.  The position was offered, and Michelle is waiting to hear back on whether they accept or not.  

3. Superintendent: 

• Gary addressed the board about the band playing in the Steam Engine Day parade.  The Board agreed to allow, and leave it up to the students.  

• The metal on the main entrance was installed in brown.  We were never given an option to choose the color.  Gary contacted the Architect and General Contractor requesting this be changed to blue.  He received a quote for replacing this, but the cost was very high.  The Architect seemed to be supportive of the district and is working on trying to lower the cost.  

VIII. Enrollment:  Not applicable. 

IX. Items for Action and/or Discussion:

A. Additional Para hours: Motion by Wilder, second by Livingood and carried unanimously to approve 3.5 additional Paraprofessional hours for Title 1, and up to 6.5 additional hours for High School Paraprofessional.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

B. Fundraising List for 2020-21: Motion by Miller, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously to approve the fundraising list for 2020-21.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

C. Evaluation of Superintendent: Cristal has not received evaluations back from all the board members yet.  Motion by Livingood, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to table this discussion to next month’s meeting.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

D. Substitute rates of pay increase: Motion by Weidemann, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to approve pay increase for substitute rates.  Teacher rate will be $120/day.  Paraprofessional rate will be $11/hour.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

E. Resolution for Referendums: Motion by Weidemann, second by Miller and carried unanimously to approve the referendum resolution.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

F. Open Campus for seniors during 2020-21 school year: All seniors, along with their parents, will be required to sign a form stating they understand the rules.  Motion by Livingood, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to approve open campus for Seniors during the 2020-21 school year.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

G. Laptop damage: No fee will be required to rent a laptop from the school this year.  However, the student will be responsible for any damage to the school’s laptop.  Motion by Miller, second by Livingood and carried unanimously to require students to be responsible for repairs or replacement cost of school laptops, not to exceed $300.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

H. Planning for school this Fall: Gary read a letter from a group of teachers including Union Officers, Negotiators, Staff Planning Committee members, and other teachers asking the board to consider approving to start the school year in the original “Scenario 2-Plan A Hybrid Model”. He apologized for not having time to send it out electronically.

• Motion by Wilder, second by Weidemann and by a majority vote clarified and approved the original “Scenario 2-Plan A Hybrid Model” (Monday-Thursday in person learning, Friday distance learning) in the “Return to School Plan”.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 4-3.   Board members Adkins, Tollefsrud, Weidemann, and Wilder approved; board members Livingood, Maruquardt, and Miller opposed.  

• Motion by Wilder, second by Weidemann and by a majority vote approved the “Return to School Plan”.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 5-2.   Board members Adkins, Livingood, Tollefsrud, Weidemann, and Wilder approved; board members Maruquardt, and Miller opposed.

• Motion by Marquardt, second by Livingood and by a majority vote approved to start school in the Fall in “Scenario 1”.  K-12 Students will attend school in person Monday-Friday.  Masks will be required.  Social distancing is encouraged, but not required.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 4-3.   Board members Livingood, Maruquardt, Miller, and Tollefsrud approved; board members Adkins, Weidemann, and Wilder opposed.

• K-6 placement testing is scheduled for September 8, as originally planned.

• If Covid-19 numbers spike, we will automatically move to the next more restrictive model.  In this case, the PLC meetings will then move from Wednesdays to Fridays.  

 X.  Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

1. September 15, 2020; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm 

2. October 20, 2020; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm

3. November 17, 2020; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm

4. December 15, 2020; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm 

XI. Adjournment:  Motion by Weidemann, second by Livingood and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:37 pm.  Roll call was taken and motion was passed 7-0.

Traci Livingood, Clerk___________________________________