LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Supt. 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. Julie Nordin, 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.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson the agenda was approved as presented.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Nordin, the consent agenda was approved as presented. Items included:
*The minutes of the May 17, 2023, regular meeting was approved.
*Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $197,934.56.
*Payroll EFTs in the amount of $276,083.67.
*Credit Card EFTs in the amount of $5,602.72.
*Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $82,029.11.
Check numbers 42461-42511.
*The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, adopts the tentative budget for the 2023/24 school year as stated below: Expenditures Revenues
General $ 3,622,718 $ 3,687,382
Food Service $ 202,572 $ 202,572
Community Education $ 92,114 $ 92,114
Student Activity Fund $ 58,876 $ 59,401
Total Budget: $ 3,976,280 $ 4,041,469
Surplus: +$65,189 + $135,146 (new funding) = $200,860
Supt. Thompson reviewed the Finance Budget bill information.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Swenson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves that effective July 1, 2023, the fund balance and the specific purposes for which they are committed are as follows:
Fund Specific Purpose Amount
General Severance Pay $ 40,000
General Technology $ 35,000
On a motion by Diamond, second by Peterson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, calls for milk bids 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, approves the updated estimate, adding 1 additional inch of asphalt to the bus zone, from Agassiz Asphalt, LLC. for $72,900.00
The following resolution was moved by: Lupien and seconded by: Swenson:
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)
Box Tops $29.80 To be transferred to the PTCO for student activities
Scott Sjostrand $80.00 Front step project
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 Swenson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the addition of Juneteenth as a paid Holiday for the following 12-month employees: Melinda Coffield, Chris LeDoux, Grant Masloski, and Alana Scalese.
Discussion was held on the Band Teacher Agreement that Kittson Central had prepared. Supt. Thompson noted her concerns on the lack of time for Mr. Danielson to actually be in Lancaster and also the fact that Lancaster will not actually receive .25 of his time.
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 Kittson Central and Lancaster Band Teacher Agreement as presented. This contract is for .25 FTE of salary and benefits, plus mileage.
On a motion by Swenson, second by Scalese and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves of Sierra Olson, as Music Aide for grades K-6, for three periods per day. Olson will be assisted by Anneliese Johnson.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves Anneliese Johnson for teaching one period of High School Chorus two days per week, and overseeing the Elementary Music program.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Chris LeDoux, as Jr. Robotics/Lego League Advisor, effective June 8, 2023.
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 List of Approved Users for the Minnesota Department of Education as presented. Effective July 1, 2023, Drew Kjono will be removed and replaced with Mark Bernstrom.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Peterson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, authorizes the Designation of the Identified Official with Authority for Education Identity and Access Management for Lancaster School to: Nicole Thompson. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Professional Educator Licensing Standards Board (PELSB), and Office of Higher Education (OHE) require annual designation of an Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for each local educational agency that uses the Education Identity and Access Management (EDIAM) system. The IOwA is responsible for authorizing, reviewing, and recertifying user access for their local educational agency in accordance with the State of Minnesota Enterprise Identity and Access Management Standard, which states that all user access rights to Minnesota state systems must be reviewed and recertified at least annually. The IOwA will authorize user access to State of Minnesota Education secure systems in accordance with the user’s assigned job duties, and will revoke that user’s access when it is no longer needed to perform their job duties. Melinda Coffield will be designated as the Proxy.
At this time, there are no teachers up for Tenure.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Peterson and carried: Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves adding a 457b deduction option for interested employees. There will not be a company match for the 457b.
The Curriculum Review committee has decided to stay with EveryDay Math. They are using the most current version. They also opted to add Number Corner.
The high school Social Studies curriculum is still on hold as the standards at the state have not been finalized yet.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Swenson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, reviews the 2022/23 Field Trip Log as presented.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Scalese and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, reviews the fundraising reports for the school district as required by the State of Minnesota. The K-3 Technology account is no longer used and has a zero balance; this account has been renamed to Literacy Events.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Swenson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, reviews the Student Activity Account Fund balances as of May 31, 2023, as presented.
Assistant Principal Kjono report:
a. Spring sports went well this year with track and golf both having athletes advance. Baseball had a rebuilding year, but did very well. All programs had quality kids and coaches.
b. The Book Fair went well with over $2,000 being raised for the library. Jagger Olson stepped in for Mr. Jerome (gone with golf) and participated in the Challenge.
c. The Field Trips for K-6 to Northern Air were well received. Students and Staff all seemed to enjoy the outing. Grades 4-6 submitted a Thank You to the School for this awesome opportunity.
d. Clean Up Day for K-12 turned out to be a nice day. It is great to see K-12 come together at the end of the day.
e. Graduation was well done.
f. Summer Rec. is in full swing. Having the free meals served around baseball practice times has been a plus. Kjono commended Mike Peterson and Izyk Strege for their work with the youth.
g. Coaches are still needed for Head Hockey and JH Boys’ Basketball.
h. The KCC Fall 2023/24 schedule should be available next month. There is a referee shortage, so some football games will need to be moved to the afternoon as well as to Thursday.
i. The Student System (Synergy) has been updated with the fall schedule. The MCCC reporting for the 2022/23 school year is also complete. The MCCC reviews how courses offered line up with state requirements. It also reviews student’s grades and teacher licensure.
j. AP Kjono thanked the Board and staff for the last two years.
Superintendent Thompson Report:
a. Legislative Update: Juneteenth is now a Holiday. Indigenous Peoples’ Day replaces Columbus Day. Unemployment can now be claimed by Between Terms non-instructional staff (bus drivers, paraprofessionals and kitchen staff). Referendum Renewal Authority was also granted to School Boards one time.
b. Supt. Thompson distributed a Legislative Action Item Timeline for Board Members to review. Action will be taken each month as we work through the list and receive details from the State.
c. Preschool was discussed. Summer Preschool has been going well during the month of June. It will return again in August. Discussion was held on enhancing the MWF 4 & 5 year old preschool group to all day MWF, instead of half days.
On a motion by Lupien, second by Swenson and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves enhancing the Preschool 4 & 5 year old program to be all day Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning this fall. There will be no cost to families for this.
d. LEFSA Update: Thompson, Coffield and the Donor met with the Accountant and the Attorney to get a final opinion and clarification to a number of items regarding how the organization can be classified. The Secretary of State paperwork has been filed. Once that is approved, we will proceed with filing for an EIN number.
e. The Front Steps project is moving along nicely. To date $2,205.30 has been spent.
f. The Employee Handbook does not currently have any Code of Conduct language. At the recent meals review, it was recommended this be added.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves updating to the 2023/24 Employee Handbook to include complying with District Policies.
g. Objective Based Report Cards will be added in Grade 2 in 2023/24. K-3 will eventually all have the same report card which will be more detailed; parents and teachers will know exactly where the student’s abilities are.
h. Board Members turned in their semi-annual pay vouchers.
i. A Final Farewell to Mr. Kjono as this is his last meeting. Thank you for your work here!
j. The July Board Meeting will be held on July 25th at 7:00pm
k. The August Board Meeting date will be August 23rd.
The District Audit is set for July 6th & 7th.
The Negotiations meeting date is TBD; tentative planning is for the week of July 24th.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(July 12, 2023)
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