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 26, 2009, at 6:30 p.m., in the Big Lake High School Board Room.
II. ROLL CALL
All Board members were present. Also present: Superintendent Jonathan Miller, RoxAnne Weidner, Angie Manuel, Candace Anderson, Jeff Holmberg, Jim Varian, Brad Schnitzler, Julia Stevens, Melissa Wanner, John McDonald, Stacey Lund, Stacy Braegelmann, Ann Nelson, Karen Nelsen, Eryn Sorensen, Jackie Barker, Deb Hauge, Barb Bristow, Kerry Jude, Gary Meyer, Jason Hartmann, Mary Walsh, Tammy Anthoney, Bob Dockendorf, Brad Butalla, Mark Canton, Julie LeCaptain, Kris Happe, Brenda Gust, Glenn Evans, Jim Varian, Kent Vickerman
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
Chair Hayes, pulled E. RESOLUTION: TAX ABATEMENT FOR ICE ARENA from the consent agenda. A motion passed to approve the following:
A. PREVIOUS MINUTES of the March 19, 2009, Special meeting.
B. CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS in the amount of $832,225.47, checks 62799 through 63047.
C. PERSONNEL ACTIONS: RESIGNATIONS: Caren Kalenda, Spanish/French Classroom Teacher, effective June 5, 2009 (retirement) and Sharon Grippe, Kitchen Helper, effective March 24, 2009 (termination).
Chair Hayes clarified changes made to the previous resolution that was approved at the September 9, 2009, Special meeting. A motion passed to approve the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
BIG LAKE SCHOOL DISTRICT #727
TAX ABATEMENT FOR THE GREAT RIVERS ENERGY (GRE) PROPERTY
FOR AN ICE ARENA
Approve tax abatement for the Great Rivers Energy (GRE) property to go towards a hockey arena with the following stipulations:
1. This approval is dependent on the formal approval of tax abatement in 2009 for this project from the City of Big Lake, the Town of Big Lake and approval of bonding from the State of Minnesota in 2009. If one entity denies approval, then this motion is null and void.
2. The amount to be abated by the School District each year of the abatement term shall not exceed $25,226 per year. In the first year, this amount will be reduced by the amount of expenses incurred by the School District to set up abatement (legal, financial, etc.)
3. The School District will have no other financial liability to or to or ownership in the arena. The school district will also not be a party to a joint powers agreement regarding the arena in any way.
4. The School District is not responsible for any future operating costs other than those that are charged to the District, as would be any other organization, in its use of the facility (i.e. ice time).
5. The School District will not draw up any legal documents regarding abatement until such a time as all other entities have agreed to the abatement. The District will not incur any other expenses regarding the abatement process until all approvals are gained.
6. Continues only if arena remains solvent.
VI. NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (NHS)
National Honor Society Students, Eryn Sorenson and Jackie Barker, updated the Board on National Honor Society activities. They also indicated that qualifying GPA has been raised from 3.3 to 3.5 and approximately 70 students are in NHS. National Honor Society is hosting a dance-a-thon on March 27, 2009.
VII. PRELIMINARY 2009-10 BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS
Chair Hayes began by making some clarifications to the recommendations that were presented at the March 19, 2009, Special meeting. Clarifications were made to the .2 Spanish FTE at the Middle School and the 2 FTE's to reduce class sizes at the primary level. Mr. Nygaard stated that there is not a lot of spending here, just filing in the gaps, but feels that there are two recommendations that are difficult; one being the 12 day add back to the Assistant Principal contract and the add back of one month to the Enrichment and Gifted Coordinator position. He also stated that administration did do their job, but these two recommendations, though understands the need, should not be added back at this time. Mr. Stockstead agreed with Mr. Nygaard. Mr. Stockstead also addressed the .2 FTE Spanish at the Middle School, indicating he felt the .5 Music at the Middle School should be added back versus the .2 Spanish at this time. Mr. Phillippe stated that it would be risky not to add back the days to the Assistant Principals, especially with special education requirements not being met. Superintendent Miller indicated that the original recommendation, through input, was to add back a full-time Assistant Principal. Administration couldn't not justify that, so the recommendation was to add back the 12 days instead. The recommendations are mostly restoring, not adding. Chair Hayes shared his concern over .2 Spanish at the Middle School and .2 Industrial Technology at the High School recommendations such that we are adding to electives versus required courses. He also suggested adding back 6 days versus 12 days for the Assistant Principals. Ms. Maciej at this time thanked teachers for their input, stating they did not ask for much and how it is about the kids. Mr. Chudy said overall the recommendations are exactly what we asked for, but perception is we are adding to administration by asking for the 12 days to the Assistant Principals. People don't know the heavy load they carry; only they do. People aren't seeing it as helping students to add back those days. Mr. Chudy again, stated it is a good recommendation, but is it perfect? No, but it never will be unless we had unlimited money. Regarding the .2 Spanish and the .2 Industrial Technology, Mr. Stockstead would prefer to see the .5 Music added back to the Middle School instead. Superintendent Miller indicated that adding that .5 Music back is a lot more dollars. . Mr. Stockstead asked what the cost is to add back the .5 Music at the Middle School. With salaries and benefits it is $45,000. Mr. Nygaard requested to table the Spanish, send back to the Principals and come back with Music versus Spanish recommendation. Mr. Phillippe clarified with Mr. Stockstead that he would like to see the .5 Music add back and spend the additional $45,000? Mr. Stockstead indicated yes. Superintendent Miller stated the Board could choose to take out the one month to Enrichment and Gifted Coordinator, 12 days to the Assistant Principals, the .2 Spanish at the Middle School and the .2 to Industrial Technology at the High School, to add back the $45,000 to Music. Mr. Stockstead stated that would be his top priority. At this time, HR Director, Candace Anderson, clarified that one month to Enrichment and Gifted Coordinator, 12 days to the Assistant Principals, the .2 Spanish and the .2 Industrial Technology adds up to $36,920 and the .5 Music is $45,000. Mr. Phillippe asked if that is workable, stating we don't want to spend the $45,000 for a .5 Music and it doesn't work. Mr. Nygaard asked if we could use federal stimulus dollars to fund the additional 12 days to Assistant Principals, seeing those days will be used for special education. Finance Manager, Angie Manuel, said she would have to look into that. Mr. Nygaard asked to approve all recommendations, except the 12 days to the Assistant Principals, Enrichment and Gifted Coordinator, .2 Spanish at the Middle School and .2 Industrial Technology, and come back with a music option? Superintendent Miller suggested the Board table the items in question, awaiting further clarification on available stimulus dollars and State funding levels, and approve the rest? A motion to passed to approve the following recommendations:
• Cafeteria Monitors at Liberty, Independence and Middle School
• Additional time for two existing District Technology Support staff positions
• Retain two primary teaching positions to maintain class sizes, K-2
• Restore Pep Band for fall and winter at High School
Mr. Phillippe stated he is concerned about Assistant Principals if we don't add back the 12 days, so can we add back 6 days? A motion passed amending the previous motion to include 6 days to Assistant Principals, along with the above recommendations.
• Cafeteria Monitors at Liberty, Independence and Middle School
• District technology support staff additional time for two existing positions
• Retain two primary teaching positions to maintain class size K-2
• Restore Pep Band for fall and winter at High School
• Restore 6 days to the Assistant Principal contracts
Superintendent Miller asked for clarification that the tabled recommendations are due to funding, not merit? Mr. Phillippe indicated that was correct, but would like to see the Music scenario pursued further.
VIII. K-5 SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM
John McDonald and Stacey Lund, K-5 Summer School Directors, reviewed the 2008 K-5 Summer School Program and presented a total budget of $44,377.10, for the 2009 program, which will take place June 22-July 23, 2009, held at Independence Elementary again this year. The program is targeted to generate $47,520.00 in revenue. A motion passed to approve the 2009 K-5 Summer School Program.
IX. RECOMMENDATION FOR BIG LAKE SCHOOLS FINANCIAL AUDITOR
Audit proposals from Larson-Allen, Kern, DeWenter,Viere (KDV) and MMKR were reviewed by the Board, with a recommendation to awarding KDV. A motion passed to approve KDV as Big Lake Schools financial auditor.
X.PROPOSED POLICY E-080.1 - SCHOOL COLORS AND MASCOT
Chair Hayes, read the first reading of Policy E-080.1 - School Colors and Mascot, and asked the Board to send any comments to the District Office. Second reading of the policy will be at the April 23, 2009, Regular meeting.
XI. TREASURER'S REPORT
Treasurer, Kevin Phillippe, went over the Treasurer's Report for the month of February, along with budget adjustments. A motion passed to approve the budgets adjustments.
XII. ANNOUNCEMENT
Mr. Phillippe proposed writing a Letter to the Editor, to be published in the West Sherburne Tribune, with a rationale of the spending and a possible levy referendum in the fall. A motion passed, for Phillippe and Nygaard to draft the letter on behalf of the Board of Education.
At this time, Chair Hayes read a letter of resignation from Mr. Stockstead. Resignation effective July 1, 2009.
Chair Hayes requested canceling the April 7, 2009, Special meeting and proposed a Work Session for April 16, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. A motion passed to cancel the April 7 Special Meeting and schedule a April 16 Work Session.
