BOARD NEWS Unofficial Summary of the Regular School Board Meeting of the Proctor Board of Education February 28, 2005
1. Superintendent Rauschenfels presented school board members with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their dedication to our children and the Proctor Public Schools. Congratulated Jay Belcastro and DECA students for the success of the “Northland Apprentice” Project. Congratulated members of the winning team in the “Northland Apprentice” Project: Dave Sawyer, Diana Krajewski, Ryan Krajewski, and Nicole Krajewski. Congratulated students at Bay View on their successful fund drive on behalf of the Gillette Children’s Hospital. Congratulated the middle school band students who were selected to participate in the 37th Annual UMD Junior High Honor Band Festival being held on March 2: Chais Eliason, Dylan Knox, and James Ostrander will be rehearsing with the Maroon Band; and Alicia Coughlin, Angie Stauber, Ashley Russell, Charlie Habermann, Amanda Shoberg, Krystal Provost, and Nathan Suliin will be rehearsing with the White Band. Commended Lily Alverez, grade 3 student from Pike Lake, who invited 19 guests to her birthday party, and instead of bringing her a birthday gift, asked them to bring a donation that could sent to help tsunami victims in Southeast Asia. Her friends came through with $425.15, which Lily brought to the Red Cross. Birdie Talarico, school bus driver, thanked the Board for the new bus storage facility and stated that she hoped Third Street between Ugstad Road and Ninth Avenue would remain a one-way street. Approved retirement of Susan Hill, grade 3 teacher, Pike Lake, effective June 13, 2005. Approved lane change for Dianne Hedburg, grade 6 teacher, JMS, from M.A. Step 9 ($50,761) to M.A.+15 Step 9 ($52,670). Approved retirement of Tom Hedin, grade 4 teacher, Pike Lake, effective April 30, 2005. Approved the second reading and adoption of the following revised district policies: • Policy 614 – School District Testing Plan and Procedure • Policy 619 – Staff Development for Standards • Policy 701 – Establishment and Adoption of School District Budget • Policy 707 – Transportation of Public School Students • Policy 709 – Student Transportation Safety Policy • Policy 802 – Disposition of Obsolete Equipment and Materials • Policy 806 – Crisis Management Adopted resolution accepting a $200.00 gift from Como Lube & Supplies to be used for supplies for the Pro Motorsports class. Approved Overnight Trip Request for the DECA group to travel to State Farm Competition in Long Beach, CA, March 16-20, as well as their request for the District to cover the cost of a three-day sub.
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Superintendent Update: • PowerLunch will be in place at Pike Lake by mid-March. • Bob Silverness volunteered to follow up on a letter received from Michelle Torba, who claims to be the youngest mascot in Proctor’s history (back when she was two years old) and, perhaps, the youngest mascot in the State of Minnesota. • Met with PTA/PTO/PIE leaders from area schools on February 17 to discuss participation of area schools at the February 28 Rally at the Capitol. • Bob Silverness, Virg Boehland, Glen Sorenson, Margaret Fawcett, and Superintendent Rauschenfels attended the February 16 presentation on Minnesota’s deteriorating financial condition made by Jay Kiedrowski and John Gunyou at the DECC. • Noted the invitation to Congressman Jim Oberstar’s 2005 Hometown Values Forum on “Shutting the Door on Meth,” which is being held on Monday, March 7, in Grand Rapids. • Noted the communication received from the Safe and Humane Coalition regarding the Shrine Circus. Projects and Partnerships Update: • Walt Wobig, Chief of Police for the City of Proctor, spoke on the Neighborhood Watch Program at the February 24 Chamber Chat luncheon. • At a recent Midway Town meeting, Jack Johnson, Director of Buildings and Grounds, presented information on the wind generator that we are interested in pursuing. He received a positive response from those present. • Jack Johnson, Jim Schwarzbauer, and Superintendent Rauschenfels presented information on the green space development idea to the Proctor City Council members. A majority of the Council members were interested in pursuing additional information on this project. Public Relations Update: • Received a Grant, Endowment, and Public Relations Update for February 2005. • On Thursday, February 17, Edward Moody of Channel 6 news interviewed Jack Johnson, Director of Buildings and Grounds, regarding energy conservation efforts in the Proctor Public Schools. Board members viewed this tape. • Received a copy of a national news release on PowerSchool issued by Apple in which Dean Dahlvang, Administrative Technology Director, is quoted. After receiving an analysis from another vendor regarding our possible bond issue refinancing, it was the recommendation of Janet Halonen, Director of Finance, that the District hold off for awhile. The second vendor did not believe that the issue would meet the savings threshold required by law. Received the following information from the MN Department of Education: (1.) a question and answer sheet relative to the education budget proposal; (2.) the governor’s recommendation versus current law on FY 2007 estimated general ed, special ed, career tech, integration, and deferred maintenance revenue per new adjusted pupil unit; and (3.) addresses for Governor Tim Pawlenty; Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau; Senators Tom Bakk, David Tomassoni, and Becky Lourey; and Representatives Mary Murphy, Tony Sertich, and Bill Hilty. Received information from the 2003-2004 Profiles. Received a comparison of budget cuts/fund balances of area school districts. Received a MASA 26 calendar composite for the 2005-06 school year.
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Received a comparison of substitute pay rates. This matter will be referred back to the Finance Committee. Received a comparison of the number of students actively participating in the open enrollment or nonresident options at the end of each school year, 1997-98 through 2003-04. Received the Enrollment Report for February 2005. School Board Comments and Observations: • Discussed the status of budget reductions. Kevin Maki, Louise Lind, Diane Rauschenfels, and Paul Sneide will meet with union presidents during the week of February 28. The Board will go through the detailed list at its March 14 meeting. • It was noted that Pike Lake students raised $900 for parking at the Big Jig event. The money will help fund the fifth grade class trip. • Bob Silverness noted that at a recent curling bonspiel, a citizen from Esko had positive things to say about our aeronautics class. Township Communications: • At the ACTS meeting, Peg Sweeney updated the Board on Sumlee Beede’s proposal for reutilization of the Nopeming property. • Grand Lake will be hosting a town meeting on March 8. Jack Johnson and Superintendent Rauschenfels will be present to talk about any shared interest in the Caribou Lake site. Received a reminder of REA3D Silent Auction and Dinner being held on March 4, 2005.
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