LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS March 27, 2024

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD
PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 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, Teacher Rep. Tiffany Sjostrand, Cory Waling, and Mendy Coffield. Absent: Dean of Students/Activities Director Mark Bernstrom,
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, the agenda was approved as presented.
On a motion by Nordin, second by Swenson, the consent agenda was approved as presented.
*The minutes of the February 21, 2024, regular meeting were approved.
*Trial Balance Month-End Balance: $1,229,586.50.
*Payroll EFTs in the amount of $132,653.28.
*Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $208,825.37. Check numbers 42935-42976.
*Credit Card EFTs in the amount of $4,217.22.
*Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $133,598.99.
*The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s reports were reviewed; overall YTD 61%.
On a motion by Peterson second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Teacher Master Agreement as presented.
On a motion by Diamond second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves retro-pay for Tracy Klegstad and Caylie Nicholson, per Article VI, Section 11, effective for the start of the 2023/2 school year.
Supt. Thompson provided the three Medica plan increases (5.9% increase) as well as the new options that the Insurance Pool is offering. At this time, Supt. Thompson recommended to wait until the next contract opens to negotiate any of these options as they all have fees associated with them.
On a motion by Peterson second by Swenson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the Statewide Pool Renewal from the Northwest Service Coop/Minnesota Healthcare Consortium for the three Medica plans as presented for the 2024/25 school year.
On a motion by Lupien second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves Tenure/Continuing Contracts for Anneliese Johnson, Macy Cosley and Laura McNeill.
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 Emily Webster, effective March 20, 2024.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Swenson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Anneliese Johnson as Teacher, at the close of the 2023/24 school year.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Sadie Wallenberg, effective March 21, 2024, as Co-Cook.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Tracy Klegstad as an Elementary Teacher for the 2024/25 school year.
On a motion by Swenson, second by Lupien, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Taylor Borg-Sele as an Elementary Teacher for the 2024/25 school year.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Trent Jerome, as a Reserve Teacher, effective for the 2024/25 school year.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Tammy Nielsen as the Long-Term Special Education Substitute Teacher from August 26 – November 22, 2024.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves transferring Andi Patenaude from Junior Varsity to Varsity Coach for the KCC Girls’ Track Team effective March 18, 2024.
On a motion by Nordin second by Swenson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Mark Bernstrom as KCC Girls’ Basketball JH Coach.
On a motion by Nordin second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Jacob Maier as a KCC Junior High Baseball Coach, effective March 25, 2024.
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 Summer Technology Coordinator contract for Anneliese Johnson effective June 1 through July 30, 2024.
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 Anneliese Johnson as Technology Coordinator, effective July 30, 2024.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Swenson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Izyk Strege as Summer Recreation Assistant effective immediately.
Discussion was held on the Music Teacher position for 2024/25, which has been advertised a number of times in the past few months. With no applicants, Supt. Thompson and Dean Bernstrom attended an informational session with HIREFOX LLC, in regards to their Foreign Teacher program. Supt. Thompson and some of the School Board members had visited with this group at the MSBA Convention in January. Housing, interviews, grants, fees, length of stay, were discussed. There are two choices for the Staff Agreement: H1B Petition Fee of $4,060.00 (Premium processing 2-3 months) or H1B Petition Fee of $2,160.00 (Normal processing 5-7 months). Supt. Thompson will share the powerpoint presentation from the informational session with the board.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves entering into the Staffing Agreement with HIREFOX LLC, for a Music Teacher for Lancaster School effective for the 2024/25 school year, choosing the Premium processing H1B Petition Fee of $4,060, in hopes of having someone in place before school starts this fall.
Supt. Thompson provided a tentative contract / job duties for an Office Support position for the District Office. The final contract will depend on the candidate’s abilities, experience, and education. With the Technology Coordinator leaving, this could be another possibility to add to this position.
On a motion by Diamond, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, authorizes the opening of a new Office Support position in the District Office. Abstaining: Lupien and Swenson.
Supt. Thompson explained the updated Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for Juniors and Seniors. This new contract and path will provide Juniors and Seniors the opportunity to use a laptop, rather than a chromebook, to potentially prepare them for the future. There is an opt-out at the bottom of the AUP if parents are not comfortable with this option as the laptops are more expensive than the chromebooks to replace.
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 Acceptable Use Policy for Juniors and Seniors for the 2024/25 school year.
On a motion by Swenson, second by Nordin, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Memorandum of Agreement for Online College in the High School (OCHS) through Distance Minnesota consortium colleges: Alexandria Technical and Community College, Northland Community and Technical College and the Northwest Technical College.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Memorandum of Agreement for College in the High School (CIHS) with the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) for Spring 2024.
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 receipt of the Pre-Sale Report from Ehlers for $195,000 General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds.
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 School District Credit Enhancement application as presented.
Supt. Thompson reviewed the summer list of larger projects as well as the current projects being work on. Summer: boiler project, solar project, plumbing needs, flooring for shower room, brick work, painting and regular cleaning. Current projects: FCS room classroom renovation, third floor landing wall repair and door addition, adding a copy and clothing room across from District Office.
Dean of Students/Activities Director Bernstrom was not in attendance as he was attending the Athletic Director conference. Supt. Thompson presented his report:
a) Quarter 3 is complete. We now enter the final quarter. Grades are due this Thursday.
b) The Senior High Knowledge Bowl season is over; Junior High will finish up next week.
c) The Book Fair was very successful; the Challenges were all met.
d) Literacy Night was during Book Fair Week and it was well attended.
e) The Spring Concert / Evening of the Arts is set for April 25th.
f) The Class Trip will depart on April 26th. The will be flying this year. Waling noted that they will be taking in some new adventures as the flying will give them more time to do activities.
g) Spring Sports practices have begun; schedules are being finalized.
Supt. Thompson presented her report:
a) Tool boxes have been added to the Lancaster School by the Aaden Vance Project. Neurodivergent children will now have access to these boxes during activities and events.
b) The Class of 2024 has requested graduation time to be changed from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. The Class had also inquired about the scholarships and if these could be given out at a different time or not announced at graduation. The School Board directed Supt. Thompson to consult with the Scholarship Donors to see what their wishes are.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the graduation ceremony time change from 5:00pm to 6:00pm for May 24, 2024.
c) There is still no update on VPK for the Preschool program.
d) PTCO Mini Classes will be held this week. The list of presenters and topics were shared.
e) Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) has been completed for the year.
f) MCAs are well underway; ACTs were taken yesterday. The Minnesota Department of Education arrived onsite last week for a surprise audit of the MCA process. It went well with just a few recommendations for change.
g) High School Registration will be postponed a bit due to Johnson’s resignation. The schedule will need to be reworked. Reese has agreed to take 7th & 8th grade and come back full time for 2024/25. McNeill is working through what other options for CIHS she can offer through UMC.
h) The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17th. Swenson will be gone. Supt. Thompson noted that Swenson could join via zoom. Supt. Thompson will look into the guidelines for this as they recently changed.
The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson
Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(April 24, 2024)
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