LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS, Tuesday, November 23, 2021

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD
PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster School Board met in special session on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the computer lab. The following members were present: Diamond, Languerud, Lupien, Nordin, Peterson and Scalese. Also present were Superintendent Brad Homstad, Principal Nicole Thompson, and Assistant Principal Drew Kjono.
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call.
Supt. Homstad reviewed the Strategic Plan and received input from the School Board on the plan.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 7:00 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 Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s office. The following members were present: Diamond, Languerud, Lupien, Nordin, Peterson and Scalese. Also present were Superintendent Brad Homstad, Principal Nicole Thompson, Assistant Principal Drew Kjono, Teacher Rep. Becky Johnson, Kittson County Enterprise reporter Anna Jauhola.
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Becky Rice presented details on the current Cheer Team program. She would like to see it a fully co-oped sport which would also attend cheer competitions.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Langerud, the agenda was approved as presented.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin, the consent agenda was approved as presented. Items included:
*The minutes of the October 20, 2021, regular meeting minutes were approved.
*Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $110,507.69.
*Payroll EFTs in the amount of $109,739.82.
*Credit Card EFTs in the amount of $16,924.69.
*Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $52,620.96.
Check numbers 41481-41529.
*The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Patrick Sobolik, effective November 26, 2021.
Discussion was held on HIPAA. Langerud noted that it is inappropriate for staff to ask students their vaccination status. All employees were already reminded of this by Administration.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Langerud, 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 2021/22 school year.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Jack Deere as KCC Head Hockey Coach, effective for the 2021/22 season.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Tom Vig as KCC JV Boys’ Basketball Coach, effective for the 2021/22 season.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Brian Anderson, as Custodian effective December 1, 2021.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Jamie Winterland effective June 30, 2021.
Langerud has had a handful of parents expressing concerns about the EveryDay Math program and parents not being able to help their children. Becky Johnson spoke in support of the program and how she has seen how much EveryDay Math has helped her high school students. Thompson and Kjono noted the trending of the positive MCA math results the past few years.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approve the following student: Thomas Lenhart. Lenhart has successfully completed his coursework, and met all the graduation requirements for a high school diploma.
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: #102 Equal Educational Opportunity, #406 Public and Private Personnel Data, #413 Harassment and Violence, #425 Staff Development and Mentoring, #501 School Weapons Policy as presented by Supt. Homstad.
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#503 Student Attendance, #507 Corporal Punishment, #515 Protection and Privacy of Public Records, #524 Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy, as presented by Supt. Homstad.
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 Custodian Designations, Officer and Advisor List for the Student Activity Funds for the 2021/22 school year.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Peterson, 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, 2021.
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 2021/22 Field Trip Log as presented.
Supt. Homstad reviewed the estimates on the door and window replacement plans. ESSER approval is still needed before we can proceed.
Supt. Homstad presented the 2019/20 Food Service grant that was denied. These funds are now possibly available. At that time, we had proposed to purchase a dish machine; the district already replaced this due to its poor condition. The district has now applied for the oven instead, but are waiting on approval.
Principal Thompson presented the Principal Report:
a. The district received a COVID-19 Testing Grant. Plans are to start offering testing of staff and students in the next two weeks. Parental consent needs to be collected prior to the testing.
b. The Flu/Covid Booster Immunization Clinic for Staff will be tomorrow from 2:30-4:30pm. Anyone connected to the school can participate. The COVID booster is free; the flu shot is $17.
c. The MCA scores from last spring were reviewed. 81% Math, 77% Reading, 73% Science. The math scores continue to trend upward; grades 4-6 were at 86%. We are now comparable with the state average.
d. Career Day for grades 6-12 is set for November 24th. There are twelve presenters.
Assistant Principal Kjono presented the Assistant Principal Report:
a. The teams continued to display great sportsmanship throughout the very successful playoff season.
b. The cameras have been installed for the NFHS streaming. More information to come with the Lancaster / KC events.
c. The scoreboard project is still in the works. We are waiting on quotes from a few other companies.
d. Elem. Bball started yesterday; pictures are next week. Thank you to all our volunteers!
e. Grade 10 will attend the Team Up Summit in TRF next week.
Supt. Homstad presented the Superintendent Report:
a. CashWa signed on for a once a week delivery; we are able to use our old order portal. Things are going well.
b. The Community Ed Report for the 2020/21 school year was reviewed; numbers were down due to COVID.
c. The Region 1 Board election (3 positions) ballots were distributed.
d. The NWSC Board of Directors election (4 vacancies) ballot was distributed.
e. COVID Update: There are five positive cases right now.
a. Public Health is recommending we lengthen our quarantine from 7 to 10 days for close contacts in the classroom.
b. Supt. Homstad asked for further discussion on the 5% mark on COVID cases.
f. The MSBA convention and rooms are all set. Travel plans will be finalized at the December meeting.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 15th at 7:00 p.m. (DST) in the computer lab.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson
Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(December 8, 2021)
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