Skip to content

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. 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, Teacher Rep. Macy Cosley, Kittson County Enterprise 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.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin, the agenda was approved as presented.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese, the consent agenda was approved as presented.
Items included:
• The minutes of the January 18, 2023, regular meeting were approved.
• Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $130,607.50.
• Payroll EFTs in the amount of $112,411.74.
• Credit Card EFTs in the amount of $5,404.01.
• Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $60,708.18. Check numbers 42251-42297.
• The Budget Comparison and. Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
The Health Insurance Bid Opening has been set for March 22nd.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Lupien and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, agrees to the Master Agreement for Bread and Bread Products through the CPC, Cooperative Purchasing Connection, for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 school years.
On a motion by Diamond 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 Item Designated Purpose (if any)
Wikstrom Telephone $3,583 To be used at our discretion
Border Bank $150 Calculator for high school math
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 Scalese, second by Swenson and carried:Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Trent Jerome as Elementary Teacher for the 2023/24 school year.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin and carried:Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Catie Jerome as Junior Varsity Girls’ Track Coach beginning with the spring of 2023 season.
Hiring of the Varsity Track Coach was tabled for the next meeting.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Kelli Amb as Bus Attendant effective immediately.
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 lane change from BA to BA+15 for Tiffany Sjostrand, effective March 1, 2023
Administrative Contracts are up at the close of 2022/23.
The Budget Committee will need to start working on Certified Negotiations as this is the end of the 2-year contract.
Discussion was held on the daily substitute paraprofessional rate verses the substitute teacher rate. It is increasingly difficult to get subs for certain positions. Concern was raised for regular paraprofessional salaries. These would need to be reviewed as well.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Swenson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the 10 days of sick leave transfer of PTO from Mendy Coffield to Alaura Sjoegren.
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 coaching and coordinator salaries for Elementary Sports. These salaries have been added to the KCC Cooperative Sports Schedule.
Supt. Thompson is working on gathering estimates for resurfacing the parking lot and bus zone. Peterson requested an estimate on concrete as well as asphalt.
We are planning to have the front steps repaired this summer.
Deadlines for receiving bids for the two summer projects discussed at last month’s meeting (door #2 and third floor stairway), is February 28th. To date, one bid has been received.
Assistant Principal Kjono presented his report:
• The Robotics Team advanced to state and will be there on March 2nd and 3rd. The event will be livestreamed. Congratulations!
• One Act Play finished fourth. The Senior High Play sign-up has just begun. Jacob Maier coaches both of these.
• Winter Sports are into the tournament season. Hockey was defeated last week. GBB was seeded 4th and play this Thursday and BBB will find out their seating on Saturday. Elementary basketball has one tournament left.
• We are still in need of coaches for Head Hockey and Assistant Football.
• The Spring Sports schedule has been finalized. Trap parent meeting is Monday at KC.
XIV. Superintendent Report
• We are celebrating School Board Appreciation Week! Supt. Thompson thanked the Board for their time and commitment to Lancaster School.
• Two Preschool grants have been applied for. We will know more later this spring on funding.
• We continue to work on the new Endowment (LEFSA) program (bylaws, etc).
• The PTCO recently sponsored Elementary Basketball Night. It was a success! Parents, Teachers, and Community Members are all invited to be members.
• PELSB Update: no one has applied for the art or business positions. Supt. Thompson will proceed with the PELSB paperwork once the sixty days are up.
• MCA Testing begins in March.
• The 2023/24 High School schedule is finalized. New offerings: FCS, Spanish I/II combo, and Advanced Biology. Anneliese Johnson is now certified and is able to teach the Biology as a College in the High School course.
• 2023/24 OCHS (Online College in the High School) enrollment sign-ups are being done at this time.
• We continue to work on the Strategic Plan. A few items include a bus purchase needed in 2024/25 and adding laptops for OCHS and eventually for all juniors and seniors to prepare them better for college.
• The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 7:00pm.
• The April meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 7:00pm.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Lupien and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves changing the regular meeting time to 7:00pm for all twelve months of the year.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(March 8, 2023)
––––––––––––––––––––

Leave a Comment