Lancaster School Board Proceedings: November 10, 2020 and November 18, 2020
LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster School Board met in special session on Tuesday November 10, 2020, at 3:30p.m. in the library and via Zoom. The following members were present: Diamond, Nordin, and Peterson. Joining via Zoom, Lacey Lupien. Also present were Supt. Shannon Hunstad, Dean Nicole Thompson, Mendy Coffield. Absent: Homstad and Langerud.
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves recessing the canvassing of the election results until the regular school board meeting on November 18, 2020.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 7:00 pm (DST).
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 3:31 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
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LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the math room and via Zoom. The following members were present: Diamond, Langerud, Lupien, Nordin and Peterson. Also present were Supt. Shannon Hunstad, and Activities Director Jim Scalese. Joining via Zoom: Dean Nicole Thompson, Teacher Rep. Chad Kujava, Kittson County Enterprise Anna Jauhola, and Mendy Coffield. Absent: Homstad
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Langerud, the agenda was approved.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Lupien, the consent agenda was approved as presented.
Items included:
• The minutes of the October 21, 2020, regular meeting were approved.
• Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $101,666.11. Payroll EFTs in the amount of $100,235.19, and monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $55,175.58. Check numbers 40890-40942.
• The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
• The current revenue totals by fund were reviewed.
EXTRACT OF MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 356 (LANCASTER)
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 356 (Lancaster), State of Minnesota, was duly held in said school district on November 18, 2020, at 7:00 o’clock, for the purpose, in part, of canvassing a general election.
The following members were present: Diamond, Langerud, Lupien, Nordin and Peterson.
Joining via Zoom: None.
and the following were absent: Homstad.
Member Lupien moved the adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLUTION CANVASSING RETURNS OF VOTES OF SCHOOL
DISTRICT ELECTION
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 356, State of Minnesota, as follows:
1. It is hereby found, determined and declared that the general election of the voters of this school district held on November 3, 2020, was in all respects duly and legally called and held.
2. As specified in the attached Abstract and Return of Votes Cast, at said election a total of 491 voters of the school district voted on the question of authorizing a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 9.459% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The money raised by the capital project levy authorization will be used to cover costs related to the purchase, replacement, support and maintenance of technology and curricular materials, building maintenance, and the purchase and replacement of transportation vehicles and related equipment. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $150,000 for taxes payable in 2021, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for ten years. The amount of the capital project levy proposed in this question may be offset by the reduction of the referendum revenue authorization that is scheduled to expire. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $1,500,000.
(SCHOOL DISTRICT BALLOT QUESTION 1), of which 303 voted in favor, 188 voted against the same, and there were 0 completely blank or defective ballots. Said proposition, having received the approval of at least a majority of such votes, is hereby declared to have carried.
3. The clerk is hereby directed to certify the results of the election to the county auditors of each county in which the school district is located in whole or in part. The clerk is also directed to report the results of the capital project levy revenue authorization election to the Commissioner of Education within fifteen (15) days of the date hereof.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Langerud and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Diamond, Langerud, Lupien, Nordin and Peterson, and the following voted against the same: None whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF KITTSON
I, the undersigned, being duly qualified and acting Clerk of Independent School District No. 356 (Lancaster), State of Minnesota, hereby certify that the attached and foregoing is a full, true and correct transcript of the minutes of a meeting of the school board of said school district duly called and held on the date therein indicated, so far as such minutes relate to canvassing the results of a general election of said school district, and that the resolution included therein is a full, true and correct copy of the original thereof.
WITNESS MY HAND officially as such clerk this 18th day of November, 2020.
Lacey Lupien, Clerk
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 356
LANCASTER
ABSTRACT AND RETURN OF VOTES CAST GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON
NOVEMBER 3, 2020
Registration Statistics
Number of persons registered at opening of polls 1. 775
Number of new registrants on election day 2. 34
Ballots delivered to the precinct
Ballots delivered as certified by the clerk 3. 749
Ballot count adjustments from incident log 4. 0
(+/-) Number of unofficial ballots made 5. 0
Number of absentee ballots delivered 6. 0
Total number of ballots delivered to precinct (3+4+5+6=A) A. 684
Ballots not in the ballot box
Number of spoiled ballots 7. 0
Number of originals for which duplicates made 8. 0
Number of rejected absentees 9. 0
Number of unused ballots 10. 0
Total number of ballots not in the ballot box (7+8+9+ 10=B) B. 0
Ballots cast in the ballot box
Number of signatures on roster (preregistered + EDR) 11. 0
Number of accepted regular, military and overseas absentee ballots 12. 749
Number of accepted federal only absentee ballots 13. 0
Number of accepted presidential only absentee ballots 14. 0
Total number of ballots in the ballot box
(=persons voting)(11+12+13+14=C) C. 749
Ballots returned to Auditor/Clerk
Ballots returned from the precinct (B + C = D) D. 749
Difference for auditor/clerk notation on delivery record (A – D = E) E. 0
SUMMARY OF ELECTION TOTALS
SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1
PROPOSITION ON A CAPTIAL PROJECT LEVY AUTHORIZATION
FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
YES 303
NO 188
Completely Blank Ballots 0
Completely Defective Ballots 0
TOTAL FOR THIS QUESTION 491
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
)SS COUNTY OF KITTSON )
I, the undersigned, being duly qualified and acting Clerk of Independent School District No. 356 (Lancaster), State of Minnesota, do hereby certify that I have carefully compared the attached copy of the Abstract and Return of Votes Cast in the November 3, 2020, general election, with the original thereof on file and of record in my office and the same is a full, true and complete copy thereof.
WITNESS MY HAND officially as Clerk of said School District this 18th day of
November, 2020.
Lacey Lupien, School District Clerk
RESOLUTION CANVASSING RETURNS OF VOTES
OF SCHOOL DISTRICT 356 GENERAL ELECTION
On a motion by Lupien second by Langerud and carried: BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Lancaster School District 356, State of Minnesota, as follows:
1. It is hereby found, determined and declared that the general election of the voters of this school district held on November 3, 2020, in conjunction was in all respects duly and legally called and held.
2. As specified in the attached Abstract and Return of Votes Cast on the election of three school board members for a four-year term on the board caused by expiration of terms on the first Monday in January next following the general election as follows:
Four-year term:
Matt Nordin 419
James Diamond 412
Justin Peterson 409
3. Candidate’s Matt Nordin, James Diamond, and Justin Peterson having received the highest number of votes are elected to four-year terms beginning on the first Monday in January 2020.
4. The school district clerk is hereby authorized to certify the results of the election to the county auditor.
WITNESS MY HAND officially as Clerk of said School District this 18th day of November, 2020.
Lacey Lupien, School District Clerk
The Oath of Office was taken by Diamond, Nordin and Peterson. Each member completed the Campaign Financial Form as well.
On a motion by Diamond second by Nordin and carried: 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 pupose (If any)
Border State Bank $200.00 Use as we wish
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
Aye: Diamond, Langerud, Lupien, Nordin and Peterson.
Nay: None.
Absent: Homstad.
Whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly adopted.
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 12- week FMLA request and the ten day FFCRA (Families First Coronavirus Response Act) leave request of Vada Gatheridge effective December 14, 2020.
On a motion by Lupien, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Shannon Langerud as Part-time Assistant Cook effective November 16, 2020.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Taylor Koland, as Paraprofessional effective November 16, 2020.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Assistant Custodian contract adjustment for Chris LeDoux effective November 1, 2020.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Emily Webster, as Part-time Assistant Cook effective November 23, 2020.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Megan Knapp as Paraprofessional effective November 24, 2020.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, acknowledges that all Bus and Type III Drivers have completed their annual training requirements for the 2020/21 school year.
Peterson left the meeting due to an emergency.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Lupien, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the final reading of Policies: #419 Tobacco-Free Environment, #516 Student Medication, #601 School District Curriculum and Instruction Goals, #607 Organization of Grade Levels as presented by Supt. Hunstad.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of In dependent School District 356, approves the additional compensation of $431 to Macy Westerberg as KCC Junior High Volleyball Coach for coaching two teams for a portion of the season (9th grade coach salary on the salary schedule) $3,657 total.
Discussion was held on the fact there are still no coaches for Boys’ Basketball. Governor Walz’s announcement earlier this evening putting a 4-week hold on school activities does provide some time to keep searching. Supt.Hunstad and AD Scalese did meet with grades 9-12 late this afternoon to inform them that an announcement was coming from the Governor regarding sports that would more than likely impact their season, but that the details were not yet known.
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 Custodian Designations, Officer and Advisor List for the Student Activity Funds for the 2020/21 school year.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Lupien, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Student Activity Fundraising requests and financial information for the 2020/21 school year, submitted to date.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Student Activity Fund balances as of October 31, 2020.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Lupien, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the 2020/21 Field Trip Log as presented, with the understanding that due to COVID-19, some of the trips may need to be cancelled or modified.
Supt. Hunstad presented the Administrative Report:
1. The Technology position interviews will be held this Friday. There are two candidates. The interviews will be at PODCO’s meeting room.
2. The Community Ed Report for 2019/20 was reviewed.
3. Members were encouraged to notify Region 1 if they are interested in being a part of their board.
4. November 6th, 13th, 20th have all been utilized by teachers to assist with COVID relief. The making of packets and reaching out to distance learning students has required some extra time by our Staff.
5. The Governor’s Executive Order released a few weeks back required School District’s to provide an extra 30 minutes per day of prep time for teachers. With our one section school, this is not possible, but by changing Fridays to early out days, that does give them the much needed time to do these things. While this is not ideal, it is how most small area schools are handling it.
6. Beginning in December, we will have a Friday half day rotation of periods schedule to ensure that periods 6-8 are not always the classes that are being missed.
7. The Board Negotiators will need to setup a schedule for meetings for Teacher and Administrator Negotiations. Both contracts expire at the end of this school year.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at 7:00 pm (DST). This will include the truth and taxation meeting.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(December 2, 2020)
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