Board Minutes

December 18th, 2018

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, December 18th, 2018 at 6:00 pm in the Media Center.

Members present: Adkins, Loppnow, Wilder, Hershberger, Miller, Marquardt, Weidemann and Supt. Kuphal

Also present: Michelle Weidemann, Aimee Lake, Barb Kerns, Rich Wicks, Lonnie Morken, Adam Wilder, Pam Rasmussen, Jennifer Burroughs, Greg Turner

The Board meeting was called to order by Chair Adkins at 6:13 pm

Motion by Miller, second by Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the Agenda/Additions for the Board Meeting.

Motion by Wilder, second by Hershberger and carried unanimously, to approve the November 20th, 2018 minutes.

Good Things Happening: 

• Holiday concerts by both elementary and high school were a great success

• Gary Kuphal thanked Chris Loppnow for her years of service on the school board

Public Participation and Recognition:

Consent Agenda – Motion by Miller, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously to approve the following:

• Anonymous Donation of a music instrument for the music department

• M-C Booster Club Supply Donation to be used for Elementary Recess for $107.32 (6 saucer sleds, 6 double sleds, 12 snow block builders)

• Approved the 2018-2019 Budget

• Approved the Activity Accounts

• Approved the Monthly Invoices

• Approved the Electronic Fund Transfer

• Approve the hiring of Tamitha Peter for the part-time Kindergarten Paraprofessional position

• Approve the hiring of Tiffanie Goad for part-time HS SPED and part-time Preschool one on one Para

Reports/Comments:

Student Representative: none

PreK-12 Principal: Michelle talked about the following:

• Excel winner – Payton Danielson

• Holiday concerts

• NAEP testing coming up on Jan. 24th for 8th grade

• National Honor Society – Decorating at Green Lea Manor

• Elementary K-3 music students going to Green Lea Manor this week to sing

Superintendent:

• All board members now have a school email to keep their personal email separate from board business

• Gary asked board members to start thinking about committee assignments for next month. Would like to start thinking about negotiations for all staff members to happen after the January meeting.

• MREA vote – motion by Markquardt, second by Loppnow and carried unanimously to approve Jim Jensen from Triton for the MREA Board.

• Strategic Plan – meeting is planned for the spring

• Crisis Management and Facilities Committee – progress is being made on both

• Bathroom floor and toilets will be replaced during winter break on the 2 bathrooms in the hallway by the science rooms

• Ruth Ann Sacquitne is planning on returning next year from her leave of absence

• Lynette Donald having surgery this morning

• Teachers on Call – Gary, Michelle Weidemann, Heather Kleiboer will be meeting in January with Caledonia and Spring Grove school districts to learn more. Teachers on Call takes care of finding all subbing needs for the school district.

• School Safety Grant – nothing has happened yet but hopefully should be getting info soon

• Legislative Forum will be Saturday, Feb. 8th from 8:00-11:30

Items for Action and/or Discussion:

1. 1st Reading of Series 500 Policies – need to review policy 503 and fill in some blanks – NO ACTION

2. Motion by Loppnow, second by Hershberger and carried unanimously to approve the Wellness Policy

3. Motion by Miller, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously to approve the Final Levy Certification

4. Motion by Markquardt, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously to table the Decorah/Mabel-Canton Tuition Reciprocity Agreement until next month for more questions to be answered. Gary to follow up on getting these questions answered.

5. Lonnie Morken & Adam Wilder requesting permission to have a fundraiser by selling cheesecakes to help with covering the costs of basketball uniforms for both the boys and girls. 

• • Motion by Loppnow, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously to approve the fundraising request.

  • Lonnie also presented a new rotation for uniform replacement

  • Discussion and explanation for the costs of the basketball uniforms with the plans to get done for this basketball season.

6. Mabel-Canton High School Grading Scale and Equivalents – Michelle explained the need to change the grading scale. Motion by Markquardt, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to approve the request as presented.

Motion by Loppnow, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 pm.

Chris Loppnow, Clerk ______________________________