LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD
PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, February 16, 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. Anneliese Johnson, Jamie Winterland, 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. The agenda was presented with two changes.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, the agenda was approved as presented.
On a motion by Langerud, second by Nordin, the consent agenda was approved as presented. Items included:
• The minutes of the January 19, 2022, regular meeting was approved.
• Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $131,026.09.
• Payroll EFTs in the amount of $114,871.59.
• Credit Card EFTs in the amount of $12,580.54.
• Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $70,631.65.
Check numbers 41622-41668.
• The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
On a motion by Lupien, second by Scalese 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: Box Tops for Education
Item: $22.40
Designated Purpose (if any): To be given to PTCO for student activities
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.
Superintendent Homstad informed the Board that one application has received to date for the Superintendent/Principal position that is open until March 4th. The interview were tentatively set for Monday, March 7th at 3:00pm. Forty-five minutes will be allowed. If more applications are received, the start time will be adjusted to 2:00pm. Supt. Homstad shared possible interview questions with the Board. The plan will be to officially hire for this position at the March 16th regular board meeting.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Becky Rice, Cheer Coach, effective immediately.
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 Becky Johnson, Math Teacher, effective at the close of the 2021/22 school year.
Discussion was held on the lack of Special Education Teacher applicants. Principal Thompson has reached out to area colleges and has found there seems to be limited applicants available for us. Jamie Winterland has expressed interest in being rehired and would teach from Arizona similar to how the TeleSpeech program works. Winterland explained her vision for the 2022/23 school year and what her classroom would look like.
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 rehire of Jamie Winterland as Special Education Teacher.
Supt. Homstad presented an email from current School Nurse, Jeanna Kujava, stating that Shelby Retief will be taking over in the fall. Retief has been training in the past few weeks.
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 Blair Younggren, KCC Boys’ Coach, effective immediately.
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 Alex Strege, KCC Boys’ Coach, effective immediately.
Principal Thompson presented her monthly report:
a. COVID Testing update: twelve have been tested since the last meeting with no positives.
b. The Student Survey is being conducted this week. A few parents requested a copy of the survey; no parents opted out.
c. The 2022/23 High School Schedule was presented to the Board. A few changes will take place due to the Math Teacher vacancy. Miss Johnson will take on the Career Counselor position; Mrs. Nelson will now teach Graphic Design. A number of classes will change to their second year rotation and some 4th and 5th hour classes were changed.
d. OCHS is all set up for 2022/23. Miss Johnson will be taking over this process in the future.
e. The 2022/23 School Year Calendar was presented for approval.
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 2022/23 school year calendar as presented.
f. The MCA Testing Schedule is in process; the testing will take place between March 7th and May 6th.
g. The ACT test for Juniors is set for March 29th.
Assistant Principal Kjono presented his monthly report:
a. Scoreboard donations continue to roll in. We are very thankful for the generosity of our area.
b. AP Kjono presented two scoreboard quotes for the Board to consider.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves Option #1 estimate from Dakotronics in the amount of $28,342 for the purchase of the east gym scoreboards and shot clocks.
c. AP Kjono commended all employees for their work this school year, but especially noted that the Kitchen staff have been amazing in the product they put out each day amidst the food shortage/food vendor dilemma they have faced this year.
d. Winter Sports regular seasons are coming to a close. Hockey playoffs begin next week. The basketball games have mostly been rescheduled. Elementary basketball has tournaments the next two weekends. One Act Play performs on Friday night.
e. The Spring Sports schedules are being worked on. Golf and baseball are mostly done.
Superintendent Homstad presented his report:
a. February 21-26 is School Board Appreciation Week! Thank you to our Board Members for their dedication to our students, school and community!
b. The 2021/22 School Year calendar has been adjusted and school will be held on February 21st. We will wait until the close of our winter weather before we formally adjust the calendar. The only other options are Easter Monday and graduation day for storm make up days.
c. There are currently three families and one staff member out with COVID/close contact situations. Supt. Homstad reviewed the CDC guidance and inquired of the Board if they wished to amend the Return to School Plan
On a motion by Langerud, second by Peterson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, amends the Return to School Plan to follow the CDC guidelines.
d. The Lakes County Coop will again offer a Food Contract for our meals program. They are now charging a small fee.
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 Cooperative Purchasing Connection Participation Agreement for the 2022/23 school year.
e. We were awarded the Food Service Grant for the new salad bar!
f. The Strategic Plan was reviewed. Most of the renovation items have been completed or are scheduled to be done this summer. Supt. Homstad will work on the replacement of the school car.
g. Transportation concerns were discussed as the routes are all maxed out for time and we continue to struggle with having enough licensed drivers. Thoughts of going to bus stops in area towns outside the district were discussed. Supt. Homstad expressed his displeasure with the state increasing their license requirements as well. We are fortunate that the NWSC will offer the 8-hour training to our new drivers, but this is just one more hoop to jump through.
h. We had a new family start on Tuesday; we will need to add a van route for the remainder of this year. With the bridge still out, there is just no way to add this to anyone’s route at this time.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 15th at 8:00 p.m. (DST) in the computer lab.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson
Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(March 2, 2022)
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