LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the computer lab. The following members were present: James Diamond, Jason Langerud, Lacey Lupien, Matt Nordin, Justin Peterson and Jim Scalese. Also present were Superintendent Brad Homstad, Principal Nicole Thompson, Assistant Principal Drew Kjono, Teacher Rep. Macy Cosley, Cory Waling, Jamie Winterland, Kittson County Enterprise reporter Anna Jauhola, and Mendy Coffield.
Superintendent Homstad called the meeting to order and took roll call.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance. The agenda was presented with no changes.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Langerud, the agenda was approved as presented.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, elected James Diamond as Chairperson for the 2022 calendar year. UC.
Chairperson Diamond continued the meeting. On a motion by Langerud, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, elected Matt Nordin as Vice-Chairperson for the 2022 calendar year. UC.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, elected Lacey Lupien as Clerk for the 2022 calendar year. UC.
A new signature card is not required as the officers remained the same as 2021.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, appoints Mendy Coffield as Treasurer.
Discussion was held on the PERA Defined Benefit Plan. Members were encouraged to review the information and contact Coffield with further questions.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin, and carried:
-Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, authorizes Bradley K. Homstad as Superintendent and Mendy Coffield as Business Manager to conduct financial transactions for Independent School District #356. UC.
-Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves authorized signers on the following accounts: UC.
Petty Cash account Mendy Coffield, Lisa Lamberson
Main/Activity account Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Clerk, Mendy Coffield
Certificate of Deposit Mendy Coffield, Bradley K. Homstad
Savings account Mendy Coffield, Bradley K. Homstad
Credit Card Mendy Coffield, Bradley K. Homstad, Cory Waling,
Nicole Thompson, Alana Scalese
-Be it Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, authorizes Mendy Coffield as Business Manager to conduct Electronic Funds Transfers transactions for Independent School District #356.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Langerud, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, sets the following for 20221: UC.
Chairperson $100 per meeting
Clerk $85 per meeting
Director’s $80 per meeting
Mileage rate IRS mileage rate (.585
Meeting schedule 3rd Wednesday of the month (8 p.m. DST, 7 p.m. ST)
School District Depository United Valley Bank, Prime Security Bank,
Border State Bank
Official Newspaper Kittson County Enterprise
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, appoints the following committees/teams/representatives: UC.
District Leadership Team Peterson
Budget Diamond and Scalese
Personnel Diamond, Peterson, Langerud, Lupien
Curriculum Nordin and Homstad
*NWRIC: Nordin
Policy Nordin and Lupien
*Wellness Policy: Lupien
Activities Nordin and Scalese
*MSHSL: Scalese
Facilities Langerud and Peterson
*Safety Committee: Langerud
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin, the consent agenda was approved as presented. Items included:
*The minutes of the December 15, 2021 regular and special meetings were approved.
*Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $11,637.68.
*Payroll EFTs in the amount of $123,106.14.
*Credit Card EFTs in the amount of $3,152.05
*Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $74,141.22.
Check numbers 41572-41621.
*The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
On a motion by Lupien, second by Langerud and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the Compensation for Health Insurance Change for the 2021/22 School Year Contract as presented.
On a motion by Peterson, 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 Purpose (if any)
Level 5 Services $500 Team Destination room
UMW, Humboldt (Perm Diamond) $100 Supplies for Kids
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
Aye: James Diamond, Jason Langerud, Lacey Lupien, Matt Nordin, Justin Peterson and Jim Scalese.
Nay: None
Absent: None
Whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly adopted.
Supt. Homstad informed the board that there are zero qualified applicants to date for the Special Education Teacher position that is being vacated by Jamie Winterland at the end of the school year. There is a statewide shortage. Principal Thompson reached out to MSUM and will check back again to monitor their graduates. She will also reach out to Bemidji State. Jamie Winterland has proposed possible options of staying on board from her home in Arizona similar to how the Tele-Speech Teacher program is run. Principal Thompson will report back again next month.
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 Nicole Thompson as Junior Class Advisor.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Nordin and carried:Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the Resignation of Mendy Coffield as Junior Class Advisor.
On a motion by Lupien, second by Scalese and carried:Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the transfer of PTO from Laura Reese and Lisa Rynning for sick leave, as presented, to Becky Johnson.
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 transfer of PTO from Andrea Sele (Teacher), to Andrea Sele (Suburban route driver) for sick leave, as presented.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Lupien and carried:Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Alaura Sjoegren as full-time Paraprofessional effective January 25, 2022.
The School Board Member Election schedule was reviewed. Lupien, Scalese and Langerud are all up for re-election in 2022.
Curriculum Update: The Social Studies standards are still under State Review. Social Studies was on the Curriculum Rotation Schedule for 2020/21. Lisa Rynning plans to order her new materials for Northern Lights this spring for next fall; the 5-year contract cost is $1,659.95. Cory Waling plans to wait until the standards are finalized.
Health and Art are the 2021/22 Curriculum Rotation subjects. Sandie Nelson already ordered her updated curriculum and plans to continue with the Deep Space Sparkle’s annual renewal of $336 per year. Chad Kujava has received samples that he is reviewing. The estimate for his updated Student Health curriculum is $1,799.36 for a 6-year contract.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Lupien and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, complies with Policy #714 by performing an annual review of the policy.
Principal Report
1. Nordin and Pastor Andy Graves have been visiting with students weekly to help cover Molly’s time.
2. COVID-19 Testing Grant Update: To date, 32 tests have been processed resulting in three positives.
3. The 2022/23 school year calendar has been presented to staff. Staff requested changing from 172 to 171 student contact days. The Board requested the days stay at 172. Supt. Homstad noted that the School Board has the final authority on setting the calendar. The calendar will be finalized next month.
4. The 2022/23 high school master schedule has been presented to staff. Not many changes besides rotating the course offerings per the 2-year cycle. There were some adjustments made to 4th and 5th hour as well.
Assistant Principal Report
1. The Scoreboard Donations are coming in nicely. To date, $17,500 has been committed in Sponsorships.
2. Winter Sports: Currently we are heavy into home games in Lancaster. The seasons are going well.
3. Elementary BB Update: K-2 plays the next few nights at halftime. The tournament season begins this weekend for the elementary program.
Superintendent Report
1. Supt. Homstad asked Chairperson Diamond to close the meeting to discuss Personnel / Administrative Structure for the 2022/23 school year. Supt. Homstad reviewed the closed meeting procedures. On a motion by Peterson, second by Langerud, the meeting was closed. UC.
2. The Compulsory Instruction Report was reviewed. There are currently 38 home schooled students in our district.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Scalese and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Compulsory Instruction Report as presented by Supt. Homstad.
3. COVID Update: currently there are two families in quarantine. The CDC changed their quarantine period recently. Supt. Homstad met with Nurse Jeanna Kujava regarding this. At this time, Supt. Homstad recommended Lancaster School stay with their 10-day household close contact and 7-day non-household close contact period that is in the Return to School Plan. Supt. Homstad noted this seems to be working for us at this time. He also noted that Evan Bernstrom, who is a member of the District Leadership Team, had inquired about coming back early as a close contact and wearing a mask. It was decided we would not allow this at this time.
4. Supt. Homstad inquired of the Board their desire for staff members who are taking out of state extended (5+ day) vacations to be tested upon return. The Board asked that the in-house testing be recommended to staff.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 15th at 7:00 p.m. (DST) in the computer lab.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(February 2, 2022)
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