School Board Regular Meeting Minutes

March 21, 2023

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, March 21st, 2023 at 6:00 pm in Science Room #50.

Members present in person: Adkins, Weidemann, Tollefsrud, Wilder, Miller, Livingood, Marquardt, Superintendent Kuphal and Student Representatives Matthew McClimon and Anna Wheat

Also present in person: Principal Weidemann, District Secretary Lisa Halverson, Charlene Selbee with Fillmore County Journal, Sam Farnen, Amy Hoscheit, Kelly McClimon, and Rose Love (arrived 6:13pm)   

The meeting was called to order by Chair Adkins at 6:01 pm.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Motion by Marquardt, second by Livingood and carried unanimously, to approve the revised agenda.

Motion by Miller, second by Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the February 21, 2023 minutes.

Consent Agenda:  Motion by Weidemann, second by Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, to approve the following, with many thanks for all the donations:

A.  2021-22 Budget

B.  Claims Report

C.  Donations:

• School Supplies, hats, and gloves donated by Garness Trinity Lutheran Church
• $100 Mabel Community Center rental fee for Spring Semi-Formal dance waived by City of Mabel
• $171.20 value of snacks and drinks for Spring Semi-Formal dance donated by M-C Booster Club
• Photo Cards, pictures, canvases, and paintings donated by Bill and Susan Goodman

D.  Hire Coranda Vickerman as Junior High Softball Coach 

Reports 

1. Student Representative:

• Baseball and Softball seasons have begun.
• Annual Welch Village Ski trip was a couple weeks ago.
• Turkey Dinner was this past Sunday - Sold 1,100+ tickets - lots of positive feedback
• Large Group Contest was last week.  Band received an Excellent rating.  Choir received 2 Excellent ratings, and 1 Superior rating.
• Chanhassen field trip is this Thursday.  
• Sr. Class trip is coming up - March 30th-April 9th

2. Committees:

• World’s Best Workforce -No Report
• Curriculum Review - will look into Social Studies and/or Science curriculums next year.  Will bring more information to next month’s board meeting.
• Facilities and Capital Outlay - No report.  
• Policy Committee - No Report
• COVID-19 Committee - No report.  
• Hiawatha Valley Education District -  Still pursuing a building in Winona to consolidate all.
• Southeast Service Cooperative - Jason was recently elected Treasurer. 

3. PreK-12 Principal - 

• Art students recently learned how to sew, thanks to local volunteers.
• Thank you to all who helped with Turkey Dinner.
• Well wishes to seniors as they travel on their upcoming trip.  
• MCA testing starts March 30th and goes through April.
• ACT testing will be held April 4th at the Mabel Community Center.
• Recently had Snowball dance, Dr. Suess week, and FFA week.
• Michelle talked about next year's enrollment.    

4. Superintendent - 

• Negotiations with teachers started last month- hoping to wrap up before the end of the school year.   
• The Decorah/Mabel-Canton agreement ends after next school year.  Gary is gathering information on IA/MN school agreements.  He has come across multiple forms which seem to have little consistency.  He will continue to research before addressing the Decorah Superintendent regarding our current agreement.
• Gary wanted the board to be aware of many bills at State Legislative level currently being considered.  If these should all pass, it could potentially cost the school an additional $600,000.  The bills being considered include the following:
  • 5% increase 
  • Free school lunches (this was just passed and will go into effect next year).  M-C will still receive compensatory aid for one more year.
  • Unemployment over Summer months for school employees.
  • Minimum $25/hour wage for all employees
  • Limited class sizes
  • Health Insurance: minimum 83% paid by the district, plus additional benefits
  • Increased teacher prep time

Items for Action and/or Discussion

5. Motion by Marquardt, second by Livingood, and carried unanimously to approve the senior class request for days off.  Kelly and Matthew McClimon addressed the board requesting that the seniors last day of school be May 26th. 

A.  Motion by Wilder with regret, second by Livingood, and carried unanimously to approve Daryl Melbostad’s resignation as Building Maintenance Supervisor.  Custodians are difficult to find.  Gary suggested raising custodial wages to attract more interest, maybe salary pay.   

B.  Motion by Miller, second by Tollefsrud, and carried unanimously to approve the Resolution Discontinuing and Reducing Educational Programs and Positions.  

C.  Motion by Wilder, second by Tollefsrud, and carried unanimously to the Resolution proposing to place Tamitha Peter on Unrequested Leave of Absence for a .2 FTE Reduction.Not enough student interest to run Mrs. Nelson’s elective next year.  Mrs. Nelson has seniority, therefore will teach grades 8-12 Science.  Mrs. Peter will teach grades 5-7 Science.   

D.  Motion by Marquardt, second by Wilder, and carried unanimously to approve the Facilities Committee  recommendations of $13,900 Capital and $20,400 LTFM, plus additional $17,200 for bleacher cost.  

6. Motion by Livingood, second by Wilder, and carried unanimously to approve these petitions for enrollment to Mabel-Canton School District.  We received 5 requests for Decorah resident students to enroll at M-C.   
7. Motion by Miller, second by Wilder, and carried unanimously to approve the board resolution on Senate File 2615 and House File 2917.  

Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

1. April 18, 2023; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
2. May 16, 2023; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
3. June 20, 2023; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Adjournment:  Motion by Marquardt, second by Wilder, and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:15 pm. 

Jason Marquardt, Clerk___________________________________