LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS January 18, 2023

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
January 18, 2023

The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the computer lab. The following members were present: James Diamond, Lacey Lupien, Matt Nordin, Justin Peterson, Jim Scalese, and Brittany Swenson. Also present were Superintendent Nicole Thompson, Assistant Principal Drew Kjono, Kittson County Enterprise Anna Jauhola and Mendy Coffield.
Superintendent Thompson called the meeting to order and took roll call.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
The agenda was presented with three additions and one correction. On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin, the agenda was approved as presented.
The Acceptance of Oath was recited by Lupien, Scalese and Swenson. They were welcomed to the Board of Education.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, elects James Diamond as Chairperson for the 2023 calendar year. UC.
Chairperson Diamond continued the meeting. On a motion by Scalese, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, elects Matt Nordin as Vice-Chairperson for the 2023 calendar year. UC.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, elects Lacey Lupien as Clerk for the 2023 calendar year. UC.
A new signature card is not required as the officers remained the same as 2022.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese, 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 Nicole Thompson 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, Denise Strege
Main/Activity account Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Clerk, Mendy Coffield
Certificate of Deposit Mendy Coffield, Nicole Thompson
Savings account Mendy Coffield, Nicole Thompson
Credit Card Mendy Coffield, Nicole Thompson, Drew Kjono,
Alana Scalese, Cory Waling
-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 Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, sets the following for 2023: UC.
Chairperson $100 per meeting Clerk $85 per meeting Director’s $80 per meeting Mileage rate IRS mileage rate (.655)
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 Peterson, 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, Lupien, and Scalese
Curriculum Nordin and Scalese *NWRIC: Nordin
Policy Nordin and Lupien
*Wellness Policy: Lupien
Activities Nordin and Scalese
*MSHSL: Scalese Facilities Peterson and Swenson
*Safety Committee: Swenson
On a motion by Nordin, second by Lupien, the consent agenda was approved as presented. Items included:
*The minutes of the December 21, 2022, regular meeting were approved.
*Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $132,853.63.
*Payroll EFTs in the amount of $116,693.72.
*Credit Card EFTs in the amount of $5,420.12.
*Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $78,718.96.
Check numbers 42198-42250.
*The Budget Comparison and. Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin and carried: Chairperson Diamond closed the meeting at 7:27pm per the Open Meeting Law to discuss a Student Education meeting that is scheduled for Thursday.
The meeting was re-opened at 7:47pm.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese and carried:
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
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)
Humboldt United Methodist Women $100
Dennis & Perm Diamond and Joelle & Brian Olson $900 Elementary basketballs
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
Aye: James Diamond, Lacey Lupien, Matt Nordin, Justin Peterson, Jim Scalese, and Brittany Swenson.
Nay: None Absent: None
Whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly adopted.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Laura McNeill as Teacher effective for the 2023/24 school year. This resolution is contingent on Mrs. McNeill acquiring her Minnesota teaching license and passing the background check.
The School Board Election roster was reviewed. Diamond, Nordin and Peterson’s terms are up in 2024.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Nordin and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Technology Coordinator job description 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, approves hiring a Bus Attendant for a special education student.
The Curriculum Purchasing Rotation was reviewed. Music, Phy. Ed and Industrial Technology are on the 2022/23 cycle. Phy. Ed is complete, Music will wait for the new teacher, and Industrial Technology does not need anything at this time. Math is the next cycle and is being reviewed at this time; elementary will be purchased for next year. High School math will wait until the new teacher can evaluate and make a selection.
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.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the final reading of Policy #534 School Meals.
Facilities Update: The northwest elementary entry doorway needs some cement work done as the ground shifts in the winter and sometimes makes the doors hard to open. Both the northwest and the northeast doors let rain and snow in. The back stairway to the third floor needs to be repaired. The possibility of adding a door and making the FCS room into two rooms was also discussed.
Assistant Principal Kjono’s report:
a.  MLK Teacher Staff Development Day was Monday, January 16th. Many sessions were offered online and no travel time was needed.
b. The second semester begins January 23rd. This mostly affects high school.
c. Congratulations to the Robotics Team as they advance to State!
d. The Elementary Basketball Tournaments have been set.
e.  There is an individual interested in the Track Coach position. The coaches plan to meet and define roles.
f. Congratulations to our AAA Award Recipients: Dylan Johnson and Ted Webster!
g.  Congratulations and best of luck to Spelling Bee Advancer Kellen Johnson! Great job to Caden Steyn as well on finishing in the Runner-Up position.
h.  One Act Play practice is underway; their competition is Saturday, January 28th in Warren.
i.  Currently Volleyball has no changes for next year; football has a redistricting year so schedules will not be available until June.
Superintendent Thompson’s report:
a.  The 2023/24 school year calendar was presented. The LEA approved the calendar as well.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese and carried:Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the 2023/24 Lancaster School year calendar as presented.
b.  The 2023/24 high school master schedule is in process at this time. There is the potential to offer some new classes. More information will be available in February.
c.  Preschool discussion was held on changing the 4-year old program to be all day Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The costs were reviewed. There is a VPK grant that will be applied for as well. More information will be known in February.
d.  The Return to School Plan was reviewed (no changes from the start of the year).
On a motion by Swenson, second by Nordin and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, reviewed the Lancaster Return to School Plan as presented.
e.  Approval was granted to Lancaster School for the COVID-19 Testing Grant for $20,000. Additional bipolar ionizers, filters and tubes (air filtration) will be ordered using these funds.
f.  We continue to work through the possibility of an Endowment Fund with our Donor. It appears the fund would need to have its own 501(c)3 status.
g.  No one was interested in being on the Northwest Regional Development Commission Board.
Due to a conflict, the next regular meeting will be held on Monday, February 27th at 7:00pm.
Due to HITA (health insurance) bids coming in, the March meeting will to be moved to Wednesday, March 22nd.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(February 15, 2023)
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