Lancaser School Board Proceedings April 15 & 22, 2020
LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 8:00p.m. in the math room and via Zoom. The following members were physically present: Diamond, Homstad, Langerud, and Lupien. Those joining via Zoom: Nordin, Peterson. Also present were Supt. Shannon Hunstad, Teacher Rep. Kristi Steen, Cory Waling, and Mendy Coffield. Others joining via Zoom: Nicole Thompson, Kittson County Enterprise Anna Jauhola.
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Chairperson Diamond shared MSBA information on how to properly conduct Zoom / Social Distancing Board meetings. All members were asked to verbally take roll call for each resolution; Supt. Hunstad recorded the meeting.
On a motion by Homstad, second by Peterson, the agenda was approved. UC.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Lupien, the consent agenda was approved as presented. UC. Items included:
• The minutes of the March 19, 2020, regular and special meetings were approved with the correction of the Payroll EFT amount from $228,647.36 to $114,968.86.
• Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $72,456.58. Payroll EFTs in the amount of $100,024.32, and monthly bills for the regular and the activity account (now merged into one) in the amount of $59,746.83. Check numbers 40546-40584.
• The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
• The current revenue totals by fund were reviewed.
On a motion by Diamond second by Homstad, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, authorizes the Superintendent to file applications for the ESSA programs for the 2020/21 school year.
On a motion by Peterson second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the 7.5% health insurance premium increase for the 2020/21 school year as presented by Supt. Hunstad.
The following resolution was moved by: Diamond and seconded by: Lupien:
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 123B.02, Subd. 6 provides: “The board may receive, for the benefit of the district, bequests, donations, or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the same to the purpose designated. In that behalf, the board may act as trustee of any trust created for the benefit of the district, or for the benefit of the district, or for the benefit of pupils thereof, including trusts created to provide pupils of the district with advanced education after completion of high school, in the advancement of education.”; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 465.03 provides: “Any city, county, school district or town may accept a grant or devise of real or personal property to maintain such property for the benefit of its citizens in accordance with the terms prescribed by the donor. Nothing herein shall authorize such acceptance or use for religious or sectarian purposes. Every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full.”; and
WHEREAS, every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Lancaster Public School, ISD 356, gratefully accepts the following donations as identified below:
Donor Item Designated Purpose (if any)
Anonymous Donation $1,500 1 – Adjustable basketball hoop
Bobbi Olson $100 Use wherever needed (to go meal containers)
Anonymous donation $3,000 2 – Adjustable basketball hoops
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
Aye: Diamond, Homstad, Langerud, Lupien, Nordin, and Peterson.
Nay:
Absent:
Whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly adopted.
On a motion by Nordin second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Alana Scalese as Concessions Advisor effective the end of the 2019/20 school year.
On a motion by Homstad second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Jamie Winterland as Junior Class Advisor effective the end of the 2019/20 school year.
On a motion by Peterson second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Cory Waling as KCC Junior High BBB Coach effective the end of the 2019/20 season.
Discussion was held on the Non-Certified negotiations. Supt. Hunstad noted a Tier II Para position was added for those with 10 years of work experience, 4-year degrees, or currently enrolled in a 4-year college program.
On a motion by Langerud second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Non-Certified Contracts for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 school years as presented by Supt. Hunstad.
On a motion by Diamond second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Essential Employee Contract for Mendy Coffield for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 school years as presented by Supt. Hunstad. Abstaining: Lupien
On a motion by Lupien second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Nicole Thompson as Dean of Students for the 2020/21 school year. Abstaining: Nordin
On a motion by Diamond second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the part-time contract for Anne Dalbey for the 2020/21 school year.
On a motion by Peterson second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the updated 11-month contract for Alana Scalese for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 school years.
On a motion by Lupien second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Sick Leave donations from Lisa Rynning, Shannon Hunstad, Tiffany Sjostrand, Laura Reese, Nicole Thompson, Charlie Bernstrom, and Julie Nordin to Becky Johnson.
Laura Reese is requesting new textbooks for grades 6-8. Supt. Hunstad has had multiple conversations with Reese about this as the textbooks were just purchased a few years ago. The cost will be around $4,200. Reese has offered to use some of her budget as well.
On a motion by Nordin second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the purchase of grades 6-8 science textbooks.
On a motion by Nordin second by Lupien, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves Be it Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the final reading of Policies: #534 Unpaid Meal Charges, #601 School District Curriculum and Instruction Goals, #602 Organization of School Calendar and School Day, #603 Curriculum Development, #613 Graduation Requirements, #615 Testing Accommodation, Modifications, and Exemptions for IEPS, Section 504 Plans, and LEP Students, #616 Student District System Accountability, #620 Credit for Learning,#623 Mandatory Summer School Instruction, #624 Online Learning Options, #703 Annual Audit, #720 Vending Machines.
On a motion by Homstad second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves Be it Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the first reading of Policy: #904 Distribution of Materials on School District Property by Nonschool persons as presented.
On a motion by Langerud second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves Be it Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, removes Policy #617 School District Ensurance of Preparatory and High School Standards per MSBA’s recommendation.
On a motion by Diamond second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves Be it Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the first reading of the 2020/21 Student Handbook.
Facility projects that are in the works include: dry sprinkler system in the attic, gutters, preschool room ceiling acoustical insulation and audio enhancement systems for the high school. We are waiting on estimates for a parking lot north of the west gym, and a bus loading zone by the front office door.
Radon results were all returned favorable for Lancaster School.
A special meeting will be held Wednesday, April 22nd at 4:00pm in the math room / via zoom to discuss the referendums.
Supt. Hunstad presented the Administrative Report:
a) The 2020/21 high school schedule was reviewed. High School students will register Thursday and Friday of this week. Supt. Hunstad and Dean Thompson will be visiting with Juniors and Seniors and reviewing their choices.
b) We continue to wait for guidance from the Governor on graduation.
c) Field Trips for the 6th Grade and the Senior Class have been postponed at this time with hopes of trips this summer.
d) The MCA tests have been canceled for this spring. The ACT test for juniors has been rescheduled to June 2nd. This will be given at school since school will not be in session.
e) Supt. Hunstad listened in on a MSBA Q&A earlier in the day regarding how to conduct a school board meeting in relation to social distancing / Zoom.
f) There have been donations received for three adjustable backboards for our youth. These will be ordered in May or June when free shipping can be acquired.
g) Many parents completed the Parent Survey we emailed out last week. We will discuss further on Friday at the staff meeting.
h) The unemployment refund we have been working on for the last number of months finally has shown up in our system. We have requested the $2,108 to be refunded.
i) There is no Accuplacer test this spring for OCHS students. We will be using a 3.2 GPA for OCHS entrance this fall.
Nordin and Diamond will hand out diplomas at graduation.
There will be a special board meeting on Wednesday, April 22nd at 4:00pm to discuss the referendums.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 8:00 pm (DST).
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
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LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster School Board met in special session on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 5:00p.m. in the math room. The following members were present: Diamond, Homstad, Langerud, Lupien, Nordin, and Peterson. Also present were Supt. Shannon Hunstad, Teacher Rep. Nicole Thompson, and Mendy Coffield.
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Supt. Hunstad gave a presentation on the three referendums currently in place, one of which will mature in 2021 and needs to be renewed.
Discussion was held on Operating Referendums, Capital Project Levies, Tax base by property type, Tax impact, Pros and Cons, Referendum maturity dates, and LOR. Also discussed was equalization, resident vs. non-resident, past election results, and makeup of our current school district population.
The referendums will be tabled until the May meeting when more information can be gathered.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 8:00 pm (DST).
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 5:12 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(April 29, 2020)
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