LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS – September 27, 2021

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Monday, September 27, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s office. The following members were present: Diamond, Langerud, Lupien, Nordin, Peterson and Scalese Also present were Superintendent Brad Homstad, Principal Nicole Thompson, Assistant Principal Drew Kjono, Teacher Rep. Kristi Steen, Kittson County Enterprise reporter Anna Jauhola, and Mendy Coffield.
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, the agenda was approved.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Scalese, the consent agenda was approved as presented. Items included:
• The minutes of the August 18, 2021, regular meeting minutes were approved.
• Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $80,224.18.
• Payroll EFTs in the amount of $55,721.02.
• Credit Card EFTs in the amount of $3,570.31.
• Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $606,937.16. Check numbers 41375-41413, and 941375-941390.
• A certificate of deposit was opened at Border Bank for $500,000; this amount is included in the bills above.
• The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, certifies the maximum taxes payable for 2022.
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 Staff Development waiver for the 2021/22 school year.
On a motion by Lupien, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the 60-month MAP Lease Agreement for the two color copiers with Marco, as presented by Supt. Homstad.
The Board was notified of the Emergency Procurement timeline for the Food Service Department.
James Scalese recited the Oath of Office. Scalese will replace Brad Homstad and will complete Homstad’s term, which expires in 2022.
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 Step Placement of MA+15, 7 for Rebecca Johnson. Johnson has successfully completed her college courses and is now a licensed Tier II Mathematics Teacher.
Discussion was held on Rebecca Johnson’s Long-Term Sub Compensation Request. No action was taken at this time.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves Mallory Bernstrom’s 12-week FMLA request; anticipated dates November 29th through February 25th.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Tier I and Tier II classifications for the 2021/22 school year as presented by Principal Thompson.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Anneliese Johnson, as KCC GBB JV Coach, effective immediately.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Leave of Absence Rescindment from Michael Steen for the KCC GBB JV Coach effective for the 2021/22 basketball season. Abstaining: Nordin.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Trent Jerome as KCC BBB Varsity Coach effective for the 2021/22 sports season. Abstaining: Diamond.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Blaine Kraska, as KCC BBB JV Coach, effective immediately.
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 the Employee Handbook.
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 First Reading of Policies: #402 Disability Nondiscrimination Policy, #419 Tobacco-Free Environment; Possession and Use of Tobacco, Tobacco-Related Devices, and Electronic Delivery Devices, Vaping Awareness and Prevention Instructions, #522 Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy, Grievance Procedure and Process, #523 Policies Incorporated by Reference, #532 Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students with IEPs from School Grounds, #534 Unpaid Meal Charges/Reimbursable Meal Policy & Addendum – Reimbursable Meal Policy, #618 Assessment of Student Achievement.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves discontinuing Policy #808 COVID-19 Face Covering Policy, as it is no longer a MSBA Policy.
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 Letter of Agreement Addressing Compensation of Coaches and Advisors for the 2021/22 school year.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356 appoints the following to the Lancaster School Safety Committee: Nicole Thompson, Principal; Mendy Coffield, Business Manager; Patrick Sobolik, Head Custodian; Michael Peterson, Industrial Technology; Laura Reese, Science; Alana Scalese, Food Service Director, and Matt Nordin, Board Member. Abstaining Coffield: Lupien; Abstaining himself and Thompson: Nordin; Abstaining Scalese: Scalese; Abstaining Peterson: Peterson.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, has reviewed and approved the following health and safety programs. Northwest Service Cooperative is hired to oversee, implement, and train employees in all of the school district health and safety programs.
Employee Right-to-Know
Identifies chemical, noise, heat, and/or ionizing or non-ionizing radiation hazards staff is exposed to in the work place and informs them through annual training. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) explain each hazard and Physical Agent Fact Sheets are available if exposed to excessive noise or heat. The master copy of MSDS is located in the school district office. The contact person for further questions is Mendy Coffield.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Identifies areas where PPE is required. Initial training is required of use, care and storage. Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
Laboratory Safety
List Standard Operating Procedures for chemical handling, storage, transportation, usage, and spill response. The DCFL General Science Safety Consideration Checklists is reviewed and initial/annual training provided to the Chemical Hygiene Officer. Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
AWAIR/ A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction Plan
Outlines procedures to reduce and eliminate accidents and injuries. Includes the school policy statement, responsibilities, hazard prevention, hazard identification, accident investigation, communication, and enforcement procedures. Initial training required. Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
Emergency Action Plan
Listing Fire, Chemical spill, and Utility emergency. Weather related (tornado, blizzard, ice storm, flood), and Acts of violence. Including reporting, response, and escape procedures, accountability of all persons, and initial/annual training. Contact persons are Shannon Hunstad and Mendy Coffield
Hearing Conservation
Includes sound level monitoring of areas/equipment generating high noise levels, training of affected employees, recommended use of hearing protection. Contact person Mendy Coffield.
Respiratory Protection
Includes survey of areas and work practices requiring use of a respirator, respirator selection, cleaning and storage, medical evaluation, fit testing and training. Contact person is Patrick Sobolik.
Confined Space
Including an assessment and evaluation of confined spaces due to atmospheric condition, entry/exit access, or engulfment condition. Determining permit system, pre-entry, entry, and rescue procedures and annual training. Contact person is Patrick Sobolik.
Lockout/Tagout
Including an assessment, procedures of lockout/tagout, annual inspection of procedures, and initial training. Contact person is Patrick Sobolik.
Lead in Drinking Water
Included building survey of portable water sources, sampling results, and recommendation. Contact persons are Patrick Sobolik and Mendy Coffield.
Radon
Includes testing results for Radon and effect of results. Contact persons are Patrick Sobolik and Mendy Coffield.
Asbestos
Including annual notification, work order system, emergency response, respiratory protection, surveillance, operation and maintenance, 2-hour awareness training and abatement. Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
Hazardous Waste
Identifies hazardous waste streams, proper handling, storage, and disposal. Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Includes facility survey for job category exposure risk to blood or body fluids, personal protective equipment, annual training, and housekeeping procedures. Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
Community Right-to-Know
Includes a survey of hazardous materials in reportable quantities and notification (Tier II report) to State Emergency Response Commission and local emergency planning committee (often local Fire Dept.) Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)
Includes an assessment, goals, training, communication, recordkeeping, and complaint response. Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
Machine Guarding
Includes annual training, power outage protection, proper guards, and safe work practice placards. Contact person is Michael Peterson.
Playground
Annual audit of district playground facilities to stay current with consumer product safety commission guidelines. Contact person is Patrick Sobolik.
First Aid/CPR
Provide training on contract service, review program annually. Determine arrival time both outside and in house. Contact person is Mendy Coffield.
Hoist/Lift
Inventory all hoist and jacks. Conduct monthly inspections and provide training and annual review. Contact person is Patrick Sobolik.
Electrical Safety
Will provide training, safe work practices and an annual review. Contact person is Patrick Sobolik.
Principal Thompson presented her Administrative Report:
a. Thompson presented the ARP Homeless Children & Youth Consortium that our school is a part of. We will receive a small amount of money that we can use to help some of our families.
b. The PSEO Contract with NCTC was approved for the year.
c. There are a few Staff Members who will be on medical leaves this year. Due to the way the contract is written and the amount of PTO they have built up, no formal request to the Board will be made. The employees will complete the regular Leave Request Form that is used for any absence.
Assistant Principal Kjono presented his Administrative Report:
a. We are registered for the ACT test and will know more in the coming months on the actual date of it.
b. It is Title IX’s 50th anniversary in June of 2022 and the MSHSL would like schools to promote this. Kjono provided the announcement that will be made prior to all girls’ games this fall and winter.
c. We have not been Live Streaming this fall. It has been hard to find enough workers to fill the regular spots each night. Kittson Central went with NFHS last year. Currently NFHS is offering free equipment to all schools. The subscriber would then pay a subscription fee.
d. The MSHSL has announced the addition of a shot clock for high schools beginning with the 2023/24 season. We will need to replace our scoreboards as they are too old to have any sort of add on system.
e. Football Parents’ Night was last week and went very well.
f. Volleyball held a fundraiser last week to support a Red Lake Falls family who has a child with cancer. Over $2,000 was raised for them.
g. There are openings for the Head Hockey Coach and JV Boys’ Basketball Coach positions.
h. The VB and FB teams have shown a lot of class this fall. Kjono noted how impressed he has been with all the players and coaches. He gave a special nod to Ozzie Meyer-Rice for his amazing sportsmanship at both the Northern Freeze and Grygla/Goodridge games. Both teams had fans/parents who reached out to Kjono commending Ozzie for his actions.
Superintendent Homstad presented his Administrative Report:
a. The Start of School has gone well. The bus loading zone was a great addition to our school.
b. Enrollment is at 99 for elementary and 83 for high school, giving a total of 182.
c. The ESSER III budget was reviewed and will be submitted this week to the state.
d. We continue to work through best practices for Covid. Cleaning and sanitizing have been amped up and we will begin spraying twice per week this week. Staff was reminded today to clean high touch surfaces.
e. Supt. Homstad provided a handout on our current county Covid cases. A discussion was held on masking. Given our current cases, it was determined at this time we would not mandate masking. Staff and students are welcome to wear masks, if they choose to. Supt. Homstad did note that if our numbers increase, we may be forced to do something.
f. Coffield will send a reminder to families to keep children home if they are sick and to keep entire families home when a family member is being Covid tested.
g. The MSBA Convention is set for January 13 & 14, 2022. Board members were asked their interest level so rooms can be secured once housing is opened up.
h.  The October meeting is set for the 20th at 8:00pm. Reminder: A zoom must be requested three days prior in order to participate in the meeting.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 20th at 8:00 p.m.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 6:09 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(October 20, 2021)
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