School Board Meeting Minutes

September 15, 2020

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the Media Center.

Members present in person: Adkins, Livingood, Miller, Wilder, Tollefsrud, Weidemann, Student Representative Colton Heintz-Kuderer, and Superintendent Kuphal;  

Other board members present via visual and audible technology: Marquardt

Also present in person:  Principal Michelle Weidemann, District Secretary Lisa Halverson, and Karl Urbaniak; 

Others present via visible-audible technology:  Aimee Lake, Rich Wicks, Greg Turner, Lana Hollar

1. The meeting was called to order by Chair Adkins at 6:00 pm.

2. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

3. Agenda Changes/Additions: Motion by Miller, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously, to approve the Agenda Changes/Additions.  Motion was passed 7-0.

4. Approval of Minutes: 

   1. August 18, 2020 minutes: Motion by Tollefsrud, second by Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the August 18, 2020 minutes.  Motion was passed 7-0.

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

VI. Consent Agenda: Motion by Miller,  second by Weidemann and carried unanimously, to approve the following.  Motion was passed 7-0.

1. Donations from:

   1. United Methodist Church of Mabel in the amount of $125.00 to be used for the 2020-21 Scholastic Reading Program

   2. United Methodist Church of Mabel in the amount of $150.00 to be used for school supplies

   3. Emma Knick from Lomira Elementary in the amount of $400.00 to be used in the music department for 8 Glockerspiels

   4. First SE Bank in the amount of $350.00 for school supplies

B.  Hiring of Tessia Wangsness as Long-Term Sub for Pam Rasmussen’s maternity leave

C.  Hiring of Courtney Graves as Assistant Volleyball Coach for 2020-21

D.  Hiring of Nicky Eiken as a Special Education Para for 2020-21

E.  Hiring of Dave Arnold as Van Driver

F.   ISD 238 Budget

1. 2020-21 Budget

2. Activity Accounts

G. Invoices

H. Electronic Fund Transfers

                                                                                                                          .  

VII. Reports:

1. Student Representative:  

• Colton Heintz-Kuderer reported the winners of the Steam Engine Days  FFA Hog Raffle were Chelsey Sloan, Kelly Carpenter, and Mike Monroe.

• Colton feels students are getting used to wearing masks and social distancing.  

2. PreK-12 Principal:  

• Mrs. Weidemann reported that she feels overall staff and students are doing well at adjusting to wearing masks and social distancing.  She appreciates the positive attitudes she continues to see daily.  

• Some adjustments have been made during lunch time with cleaning and who eats during each shift, but Mrs. Weidemann said this continues to get better every day.

• Seniors are taking advantage of the open campu lunch break, and this seems to be going well.  

• We did not have enough interest in SAC.  Another survey will go out if we switch to a different model.  

• Students have been contacted regarding the open position for School Board Representative.  We hope to have this filled by the October School Board meeting.  

• We have been awarded a $5,000 grant from the City of Mabel.  This money will be used for iPads.  We have requested a Fillmore County grant.  If we are awarded the grant money, it will be used for technology devices.  

3. Superintendent: 

• Mr. Kuphal reported that we received enough cloth masks for every student and employee, plus extras from the State of MN.  In addition, we received 900 disposable masks, and enough face shields for all employees.  

• Mr. Kuphal was informed that the MN State High School League had a movement from parents to move football and volleyball to this Fall.  Discussion was held on a possible meeting on Friday, with school surveys due by Thursday.  Mr. Kuphal will look into this.  

• Starting last Thursday, all students can receive 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch each day until December 31st or until funding runs out.  

• Mr. Kuphal reminded the board of the Joint School Board and City Council meeting next Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:00pm in the Mabel-Canton School Media Center.  

• The board agreed to have Traci Livingood stand in as the school board member on the Incident Command Team, with Dustin Tollefsrud as the back-up.  

• We have an LPN interested in the Health Secretary position.  She plans to come in for an interview tomorrow.  The Negotiations Committee will meet to set a pay scale for this position.  

IX. Items for Action and/or Discussion:

A. Levy Limit & Certification Resolution - Motion by Miller, second by Marquardt and carried unanimously, to approve the levy set at the maximum amount.  Motion was passed 7-0.

B. Set Date for Final Levy Certification - Motion by Weidemann, second by Wilder and carried unanimously, to set the date for the final levy certification for December 15, 2020 (regular board meeting).  Motion was passed 7-0.  Truth in Taxation Hearing was set for December 15th, 2020 at 6:01pm.  

C. Review of Fall Return to Learn Plan - The board agreed to continue with the current plan and revisit again next month.  We will keep the topic on the monthly agenda to discuss.  

D. Resolution on the Adoption of Base Learning Model for the 2020-21 School year and other COVID-19 related matters - Motion by Marquardt, second by Livingood and carried unanimously, to give the Superintendent and related committees the authority to select and implement a different learning model, if needed.  Motion was passed 7-0.

E. COVID-19 Face Covering Policy, First Reading - The board agreed to not adopt this policy, due to having the mandate in place.  

F. Call for Snow Quotes - Our current contract has expired.  Motion by Miller, second by Livingood and carried unanimously, to go out for snow removal quotes for two years.  Motion was passed 7-0.

G. Telemedicine Policy 540, First Reading - If we adopt this policy, we can apply for third party billing if speech therapy is provided through telemedicine.  The second reading will be added to next month’s agenda.

H. Pre-referendum and Construction Manager Services - Motion by Wilder, second by Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, to approve Kraus Anderson for the pre-referendum and construction manager services.  Motion was passed 7-0.

I. Additional Para Hours: Up to 1 hour lunchroom Para - Motion by Wilder, second by Livingood and carried unanimously, to add up to 1 additional Para hour during lunch break.  Motion was passed 7-0.  This money can come out of the COVID Cares Act.  

 X.  Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

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

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

3. December 15, 2020; Truth in Taxation Hearing at 6:01pm followed immediately by the regular School Board meeting 

4. January 19, 2021; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm

5. February 16, 2021; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm

XI. Adjournment:  Motion by Marquardt, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:59 pm.  Motion was passed 7-0.

Traci Livingood, Clerk___________________________________