This represents a summary of the Regular meeting of the Board of Education of Big Lake Public Schools #727. A complete set of minutes will be on file at the District Office and on our website at www.biglake.k12.mn.us upon Board approval.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order on Thursday, March 5, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., in the Big Lake High School Board Room, by Chair Hayes.
II. ROLL CALL
All Board members were present. Also present: Superintendent Jonathan Miller, RoxAnne Weidner, Angie Manuel, Jeff Holmberg, Jim Varian, Brad Schnitzler, Gary Meyer, Deb Hauge, Gwen Brenteson, Darin Hansen, Mark Canton, Bob Dockendorf, Julie LeCaptain, Glenn Evans, Jason Hartmann, Kay Miles
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Hayes and the Board led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. OPEN FORUM
No participants at Open Forum.
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion passed to approve the following consent agenda items:
A.PREVIOUS MINUTES of February 12, 2009, Special Meeting
B. CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS for the month of February in the amount of $606,631.30, checks
62526 through 62798.
C.PERSONNEL ACTIONS: HIRES: Sara Doboszenski, long-term Substitute Teacher, effective, January 20, 2009; Laura Miller, long-term Substitute Teacher, effective February 17, 2009.
VI. FEDERAL ADVOCACY RESOLUTION
A motion passed to approve the Federal Advocacy Resolution that would reauthorize No Child Left Behind Act.
VII. CLASS SIZE NUMBERS
Jeff Holmberg, Director of Teaching, Learning and School Improvement, followed up from his
January 29, 2009, presentation to the Board on class sizes. As requested by the Board, Mr. Holmberg presented class size numbers on Post-Secondary Education Options (PSEO), College in the Classroom (CIC) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Some discussion took place around fees for CIC and differences between AP and CIC classes.
VIII. BUDGET PROCESS PARAMETERS
Nan Records, Director of the Sherburne-Wright Special Education Cooperative, began with a power point presentation regarding the one time federal stimulus money. Ms. Records explained the three different strands of the dollars, State, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Special Education. Her recommendation would be not to hire staff with this one time money, but to make technology purchases or staff development training.
Next, Angie Manuel, Finance Manager and HR Benefits Coordinator, Gwen Brenteson, went
over the employment contracts. Questions from the Board regarding steps, lanes and performance pay were clarified.
Mr. Nygaard and Mr. Phillippe, shared the budget input list and the categories the input was placed. A handout from district administration was also given to Board members with responses on the input that was referred to administration by the Board. Next, Mr. Nygaard presented the following Board parameters:
The Board directs the Administration to take the following actions in the development of the 2009/2010 Budget:
1. Follow the budget process as approved by the Board.
2. Utilize Zero-based budgeting based on the 2008/09 Budget. Provide detail on areas that are in the 2009/2010 Budget that are above the zero-based level.
3. Assume no net change in enrollment.
4. Assume state funding remains at current levels.
5. Maintain class sizes at or below the top of the Board approved guidelines.
6. Maintain current school calendar. (5-day weeks and no year-round school.)
7. Fund balance shall remain positive.
8. Salary adjustments for all staff shall be consistent while adhering to existing labor contracts. Provide a summary of labor adjustments proposed in the budget.
9. School supplies policy should be consistent between elementary schools.
As part of the budget presented, discuss additional revenue opportunities analyzed and pending further review, such as sponsorships, providing college-level classes and Q-Comp.
Superintendent Miller asked for clarification to #5. The Board approved assumption is to take class sizes to the high end of the range, which differs from the parameter/directive. Mr. Phillippe indicated that it is not the Board's wish to increase class sizes, but that measures should be taken to equitably distribute FTE's to balance ratios across the district. He also referenced previous Board discussion regarding the over-allocation of FTE's at the K-5 level (Liberty) due to enrollment numbers which are lower than anticipated when staffing decisions were made last spring. Clarification was made to #7, that dollars would be spent out of the undesignated, unreserved $253,000 fund balance, but that the balance should remain positive on June 30, 2010.
Discussion took place around #8 salary adjustments and contract consistencies and pay equity guidelines. Mr. Nygaard indicated that we need to be fair and need to honor unsettled contracts.
It was decided to remove #8 and refer to #2. Principals, Ms. LeCaptain and Ms. Miles gave clarification to #9 on school supplies for teachers, and showed that there is consistency between the schools. #9 was removed.
A motion passed to approve the following Board parameters:
1. Follow the budget process as approved by the Board.
2. Utilize Zero-based budgeting based on the 2008/09 Budget. Provide detail on areas that are in the 2009/2010 Budget that are above the zero-based level.
3. Assume no net change in enrollment.
4. Assume state funding remains at current levels.
5. Maintain class sizes at or below the top of the Board approved guidelines.
6. Maintain current school calendar. (5-day weeks and no year-round school.)
7. Fund balance shall remain positive on June 30th, 2010, in undesignated/unreserved general fund dollars.
As part of the budget presented, discuss additional revenue opportunities analyzed and pending further review, such as sponsorships, providing college-level classes and Q-Comp.
IX. TREASURER'S REPORT
Treasurer, Kevin Phillippe, went over the Treasurer's Report for the month of January, along with budget adjustments. A motion passed to approve the budgets adjustments.
X. REPORTS
Mr. Phillippe gave a report from the Schools for Equity in Education (SEE) meeting. Check out the SEE website for the latest legislative information.
Mr. Phillippe gave an up date on the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Committee.
NorthStar is scheduled to begin in November.
Mr. Chudy gave an update on the Wright Technical Center (WTC). The new addition has now been approved. Addition will begin next fall.
Mr. Hayes gave an update on the Big Lake-Becker Ice Association. The Association is presenting a bill to the legislature for an arena and may be coming back to the Board regarding abatement.
XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Superintendent Miller announced that Big Lake Schools has been awarded the 2009 Finance Award from the Minnesota Department of Education for the third year in a row. Congratulations to Finance Manager, Angie Manuel and her department.
Superintendent Miller also announced February 23-27, 2009, as School Board recognition week.
Mr. Miller recognized the School Board at this time on their dedication and hard work as Board members of the Big Lake Schools Board of Education.
X. ADJOURNMENT
A motion passed to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
