School Board Meeting Minutes

December 21, 2021

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 6:01 pm in the Media Center.

Members present in person: Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Adkins, Miller, Marquardt, Wilder, Tollefsrud, Weidemann, 

Also present in person:  Principal Michelle Weidemann, Student Representative Emily Carolan, Aimee Lake, Laura Horihan, Rich Wicks, District Secretary Lisa Halverson

Members absent: Livingood, Student Representative Matthew McClimon

Others present via visible-audible technology:  none

The meeting was called to order by Chair Adkins at 6:01 pm.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Agenda Changes/Additions: Motion to approve the agenda with addendum by Marquardt, second by Wilder and carried unanimously. 

Truth in Taxation Hearing:  Discussion was held.  No one from the public has questions.    

Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Miller, second by Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, to approve the November 16, 2021 meeting minutes.

Public Comments: none.  

Consent Agenda: Motion by Tollefsrud, second by Miller and carried unanimously, to approve the consent agenda.  Thank you for the donations!                                                                        

Student Representative Report: -  Annual Scholar Club ceremony was held December 8th.  

• FFA had a successful fruit sale.  Thank you to Chris and Melissa Miller & Patrick and Carlena Gallagher for donating the food for the FFA Christmas party
• FFA Rodeo trip is scheduled for January 29th.
• FFA is currently doing a 12 days of Christmas game for all students.  Pictures of animals are hidden throughout the school each days for students to find for prizes.  
• National Honor Society arranged a food drive and collected a lot of items along with $330 to donate to the local food shelf.
• Senior raffle tickets are being sold now.  If you have not been approached by a senior, let the school know so we can get someone sent your way.  
• National Honor Society has arranged a Holiday Sweater/Hat Day for this Thursday to raise money for Rhett Caroll, F-C student recently diagnosed with cancer.

World’s Best Workforce Committee:  Annual report form last year was submitted and posted on our website.  Now working on new goals.

COVID-19 Update:  Next meeting will be January 11th - will discuss our current quarantine process and whether or not the committee feels it should change.

Hiawatha Valley Education District:  Next meeting is tomorrow.

Southeast Service Cooperative:   Jason Marquardt was re-elected for another 4-year term. 

• The member benefit package will be coming in the next month.

PreK-12 Principal Report:  Thank you to all parents and community members that attended the band/choir programs- - and a special thank you to Sam Farnen and Stephanie Morken for leading these programs! 

• Congratulations to the ExCEL winners chosen from the Jr. class: Dawson Kleiboer and Sophia Morken.
• Congratulations to the Triple A winners chosen from the Sr. class: Cynthia Snyder and Jameson Tollefsrud.  
• Our current Library Assistant will be switching to a Para position.  The Library position will be posted soon. 

Superintendent Report: An email was sent out to all parents informing them of the National TikTok trend that emerged regarding alleged threats of school shootings on December 17, 2021.  Local law enforcement were aware of this national threat and closely monitored the situation.  Attendance was not affected much by this at Mabel-Canton.  No threats directly involved Mabel-Canton.

• Discussion was held on “wellness days”.  The board is open to the idea of pursuing a couple days off for students between Winter break and Spring break.  Staff will still be expected to come in on these days.  Will explore and bring back to the board in January.

Final Levy Certification:  Motion to approve the final levy for 2022 of $1,023,627.66 by Weidemann, second by Marquardt and carried unanimously.

MREA Board of Directors’ Vote: Motion to vote for Matt Schultz from Lanesboro and Craig Brenden from Waseca as MREA Representatives by Miller, second by Wilder and carried unanimously.

Teacher Seniority List:  Motion to approve the teacher seniority list by Wilder, second by Weidemann and carried unanimously.

Bid Rejection for Combined Mechanical Package:  Received one mechanical bid which came in about $900,000 over anticipated bid.  The Facilities Committee recommends rejecting the bid and breaking up between mechanical and plumbing in hopes to get more bids due on January 6th.  Motion to reject the mechanical bid by Wilder, second by Marquardt and carried unanimously.

Six Month Review of Return to School Plan for 2021-22 Update: discussion held.  No action was taken, since there were no recommended changes.  

Set Special Board Meeting for January 10th, 2022 at 6:00pm:  Motion to schedule special organizational meeting and  to review bids on January 10th at 6:00pm by Marquardt, second by Wilder and carried unanimously.

Resolution Establishing Combined Polling Places:  Motion to establish the Mabel Community Center as the Combined Polling Place by Weidemann, second by Tollefsrud and carried unanimously.

Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

1. January 10, 2022; Special Organizational Board Meeting, 6:00pm 
2. January 18, 2022; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm
3. February 15, 2022; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm
4. March 15, 2022; School Board meeting, 6:00pm

Adjournment:  Motion by Marquardt, second by Wilder and carried unanimously to adjourn at 6:48 pm. 

Jason Marquardt, Clerk___________________________________