Minutes of Regular Meeting The Board of Trustees Greenbush Middle River ISD 2683 (0713)

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Greenbush Middle River ISD 2683 was held Monday, May 16, 2016, beginning at 7:30 PM in the Middle River.
1.
Call to Order at 7:48 P.M.
2.
Roll Call
2. 1.
Roll Call: Carrie Jo Howard, Shane Kilen, Joseph Melby, Jeff Nelson, Paul Robinson, Kurt Stenberg, Laurie Stromsodt
2. 2.
Administration: Tom Jerome, Sharon Schultz
Other attendees: Verna Flaten, Jacey Wojchowski, Bridget Stenberg, Terry Howard, Theron Kuznia, Lauren Kvien, Asher Burslie, Lauren Stenberg, Trevor Berg, Maria Holmvig, Cathy Schenkey, Kara Wagner, Bev Klegstad, Jodie Zosbaugh, Ehlers, Ryan Bergeron, Barb Geer, Lisa Berg
3.
Approval of Agenda
3. 1.
A motion was made by Laurie Stromsodt, seconded by Kurt Stenberg and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the agenda of the May 16th, 2016 Regular Board Meeting as presented/amended.
4.
Minutes
4. 1.
A motion was made by Carrie Jo Howard, seconded by Kurt Stenberg and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the preceding regular meeting of April 18th, 2016.
4. 2.
A motion was made by Carrie Jo Howard, seconded by Paul Robinson and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the preceding special meeting of April 27th, 2016.
5.
Business Services
5. 1.
A motion was made by Jeff Nelson, seconded by Paul Robinson and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the payment of bills check #32186 through check #32316 for a total of $122,538.95 and Purchasing Card electronic payments dated April 3rd, 2016 and Electronic Funds Transfers as submitted.
5. 2.
Treasurer’s Report
6.
Reports
6. 1.
6th Grade gave a presentation on their recent trip to the Minneapolis area
2. Jodie Zosbaugh from Ehlers gave presentation on the bond offering
Listening Session: Maria Holmvig expressed concern regarding Policy as outlined in the handbook with regards to students traveling with non-family members on vacation. Also felt that “Deer Hunting Policy” should be “over-hauled”.
Trevor Berg presented his concerns regarding the safety and maintenance of our transportation fleet.
7.
Communications
7. 1.
Superintendent
7. 1. a.
Greenbush Middle River School District Enrollment • As of May 9th, 2016: Greenbush Middle River School District enrollment is: 408 • Greenbush School: Grades K-5/9-12 = 244 • Middle River School: Grades K-3/5-8 = 164 • Enrollment in May of 2015 academic year was 419 • *See attached
7. 1. b.
Buildings and Grounds
? Bid has been obtained for gym floor repairs at the Greenbush School site.
? *See attached
7. 1. c.
Greenbush Middle River School District Budget to Actual expenditure report • As requested by board member, document will be provided on monthly basis. • Budget consists of 5 fund balances: o 01 General Fund o 02 Food Service o 04 Community Services o 07 Debt Redemption o 08 Scholarships o 09 Student Activities • *see attached
7. 1. d.
Refinancing of School Bond
? Refinancing the School District existing bonds
? Resolution will allow district to proceed with the issuance of new bonds that will carry lower interest rate than our existing bond
? Proceeds from the new bonds will pay off the previous, higher rate bonds
? Action will not provide additional district funds, but will reduce
the taxes to be levied to pay existing debt service bonds
? Estimated total savings is approximately $50,000 after the bond issuance costs
? Savings will reduce tax levy each year between 2017 and 2025
7. 1. e.
Greenbush Middle River School District Staffing
? Mrs. Knutson has submitted letter of resignation.
? Mrs. Knutson has served the Greenbush Middle River School District for the past 8 years.
? Decision was primarily based on family.
? Position has been posted and the Greenbush Middle River School district is currently seeking applicants.
? *see attached
7. 1. f.
Radio Broadcasting
? I received a phone call (voice message) regarding a concern the GMR district is no longer advertising on KTRF Radio from a board member on Tuesday, April 19th
? Greenbush Middle River School District has not nor has it ever communicated to KTRF Radio the district was discontinuing or would no longer support or advertise on KTRF radio.
? Nor did the district receive any invoice or refuse to compensate KTRF radio for advertising.
? I personally contacted KTRF Radio to ensure station we would like to continue to work with Radio to showcase our students and school district
? Board members requested clarification on what we are advertising for. Board member Howard questioned whether this is an expense that we should be continuing with a looming budget deficit in our future.
7. 1. g.
Minnesota School Board Association Board Training
? Discuss/review training provided by MSBA
? Review letter received by MSBA
7. 1. h.
Minnesota State High School League Membership
? Minnesota Statute, Section 128c.01 requires individual school boards annually to authorize membership in the Minnesota State High School League.
? Formal approval by the school board must be made prior to
August 1, 2016.
? No school is eligible to compete in post-season tournaments unless the resolution for membership is on file in the Minnesota High School League Office.
? Membership affirms:
1. School Board delegates control, supervision and regulation of league sponsored athletic and fine arts activities to the Minnesota State High School League.
2. School board adopts the MSHSL Constitution, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations.
3. The Administration and responsibility for supervising your registered activities is assigned to your official school representative(s).
? *see attached
7. 1. i.
FIRST Robotics World Championship
? St. Louis, Missouri
? April 27th – 30th
? Participated in the “Newton” division (division contained 75 teams, 9 past world champions)
? Ranked #1 in the world in category of “offensive power rating”
? Highest point scoring team in the World Championships
? Peaked at #4 within the division…eventually finished #10 within division
? Selected to competed in division finals….eventually eliminated in the semi-finals
? *FIRST Robotics Team will compete in State Championships on May 21st in Minneapolis.
7. 1. j.
Minnesota Department of Education
? MDE requires school districts to designate identified official with authority to authorize user access to MDE secure websites on behalf of the district.
? MDE recommends one person within a district serve as the “Identified Official With Authority to assign responsibilities and access to secure websites.
? MDE “strongly recommends” individual be the School Superintendent
? Designation is a currently an annual requirement of MDE and School Districts.
7. 1. k.
Greenbush Middle River School District 2016-2017 5th Grade Class
? Administrative recommendation is to continue educating 5th grade students during the 2016 – 2017 academic year at the Greenbush school site.
? Rationale :
ºContinuation of educational setting that has been in place for these students the past 5 years. ºTransferring students next year will create shift in Special Education case loads based on information gathered and reported to me from Principals in both buildings. ºIt is deemed to be in the best interest of students to continue educational setting in Greenbush next year.
7. 1. l.
Greenbush Middle River School District #2683
? Bond Resolution and Information
? *see attached
7. 1. m.
Administrative/Supervisor Structure for 2016 – 2017 Academic Year
In addition to Mrs. Schultz serving district as full time Principal, the Greenbush Middle River School District may consider the following options for 2016 – 2017:
1. Hiring a Licensed Administrator which would be the first choice of Board Members
2. Hiring a Dean of Students
*The role of Athletic Director must also be filled.
8.
Principal Report
8. 1.
Principal Sparby
? Student Handbook Approval for 2016 – 2017
? Repairs on Gym Floor
? How many School Board Members plan to attend Graduation?
? Continuation of the Prom
? Continuation of the Baccalaureate Ceremony
8. 2.
Principal Schultz
? Day of Band
? Reading Volunteers
? May “special” events
? Extra-curricular Fair
? FCCLA Rummage Sale
? Gator Day on the 20th in Greenbush
? Brad Dahl has been chosen to officiate at State Softball Tournament
9.
Proposed Resolutions May 16th, 2016
9. 1 A motion was made by Carrie Jo Howard, seconded by Laurie Stromsodt and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Education of District 2683 advertise
For a Licensed Administrator and/or Dean of Students as well as an Athletic
Director
9. 2.
A motion was made by Laurie Stromsodt, seconded by Paul Robinson, and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Education of District 2683 accept the resignation of Amy Knutson as Special Education teacher.
9. 3.
A motion was made by Paul Robinson, seconded by Shane Kilen, and passed by vote of 6 – 1 that, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Education of District 2683 approves educating fifth grade students in Greenbush School site during the 2016-2017 academic year. Stromsodt voting nay.
9. 4.
A motion was made by Joe Melby, seconded by Kurt Stenberg, and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Education of District 2683 approves resolution relating to $555,000.00 general obligation alternative facilities refunding bonds, series 2016A; authorizing the issuance, awarding the sale, prescribing the form and details and providing for the payment thereof.
9. 5.
A motion was made by Carrie Jo Howard, seconded by Paul Robinson, and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Education of District 2683 authorizes membership in the Minnesota State High School League and delegates the control, supervision and regulation of interscholastic athletic and fine arts events to the Minnesota State High School League, and so hereby certifies to the State Commissioner of Education as provided for by Minnesota Statutes.
9. 6.
A motion was made by Shane Kilen, seconded by Carrie Jo Howard, and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Education of District 2683 designates Superintendent Tom Jerome as the “Identified Official With Authority” to access External User Access Recertification System as needed to authorize access by users to Minnesota Department of Education secure websites.
9. 6.
A motion was made by Laurie Stromsodt, seconded by Carrie Jo Howard, and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of District 2683 accept the following donation(s).
? Matthew Kuznia Farms Inc. to Gator Robotics $30.00
? Dale and Mary Kuznia to GMR Gator Robotics $140.00
? Shane and Kara Nelson to Gator Robotics $20.00
? Anonymous donation to Gator Robotics $10.00
? Killeen Farm to Gator Robotics $250.00
? Middle River Sportsmen’s Club to Gator Robotics $1,500.00
? American Crystal Sugar to Gator Robotics $5,000.00
? Middle River Community Club to Gator Robotics (World Championships) $1,500.00
? Post 88 American Legion to Gator Robotics (World Championships) $3,000.00
? Anchor Ingredients Co., LLC to Gator Robotics $250.00
10.
Adjournment Motion: Carrie Jo Howard Second: Paul Robinson
11.
Communications
? Regular School Board Meeting – June 20th, 7:30 p.m. at Greenbush

Minutes of Special Meeting
The Board of Trustees
Greenbush Middle River ISD 2683
A Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Greenbush Middle River ISD 2683 was held Friday, May 13, 2016, beginning at 7:15 AM in the Greenbush.
1.
Call to Order at 7:30 A.M.
2.
Roll Call
2. 1.
Roll Call: Shane Kilen, Joseph Melby, Jeff Nelson, Paul Robinson, Kurt Stenberg, Laurie Stromsodt, Howard absent
2. 2.
Administration: Tom Jerome, Eldon Sparby, Sharon Schultz
3.
Approval of Agenda
3. 1.
A motion was made by Laurie Stromsodt, seconded by Paul Robinson and UC that, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the agenda of the May 13th, 2016 Special Board Meeting as presented/amended.
4.
School Building Administration / Supervision
4. 1.
Discuss Administrative/Supervision options beginning 2016 – 2017 academic year
Options discussed…determined board would make decision how to post position at upcoming regular meeting in May
5.
Adjournment Motion: Joe Melby
6.
Communications
? Regular School Board Meeting – May 16th, 7:30 p.m. at Middle River.
(June 29, 2016)