School Board Regular Meeting Minutes

December 19, 2023

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 at 6:01 pm in Science Room #50.

Members present in person: Dustin Tollefsrud, Diane Wilder, Jason Marquardt, Mark Weidemann, Chris Miller, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Student Representative Rachelle Tollefsrud

Also present in person: Principal Weidemann, District Secretary Lisa Halverson, Charlene Selbee, Katie Farnen, Lori Schutte,  Karen Larson, Sarah Mengis, Travis Vatland, Adam Wilder

Present via visible-audible technology: Traci Livingood

Members absent:  Cristal Adkins, Student Representative Anna Wheat

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

Motion by Jason Marquardt, second by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the revised agenda, adding “Voting for MREA Candidates” under Items for Action and/or Discussion.

Aimee Lake presented the Truth in Taxation Hearing proposing a school tax levy of $1,085,076.60.  Discussion to follow later in the meeting.

Motion by Diane Wilder, second by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, to approve the November 21, 2023 minutes.

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

A.  2023-24 Budget

B.  Claims Report

C.  Donations:

• $30 from Sharon Borcherding for the Senior Class Trip
• $1,600 from United methodist Church of Mabel for the 23-24 Scholastic Reading Program
• $650 from Mabel Legion for Pep Band bus to State Volleyball
• $1,720 from Mabel Lions for Fan Bus to State Volleyball
• $50 from Larry Gifford for the Shop Class (as a thank you for assembling bar stools)
• $1,200 from Diane Wilder/Collin Aerospace for VB and FB programs 

D.  Resignation as Junior High Baseball Coach from Tyler Augedahl

Reports: 

1. Student -

• FFA Fruit fundraiser went well and was delivered last week
• Yearbook Committee is currently having a Candy Cane Gram fundraiser
• Elementary Winter concert was last week
• High School Winter Concert was last night
• Students and Staff dismiss for Winter break Friday at 12:30, resume January 2, 2024.
• Quarter 2 Midterm was last Wednesday.

2. Committees:

• World’s Best Workforce - Report has been submitted to the State and uploaded on the school website
• Curriculum Review - No Report
• Facilities and Capital Outlay - Meeting in January
• Policy Committee - No report.
• COVID-19 Committee - No report.
• Hiawatha Valley Education District - Contract was approved.  April 1, 2024 will be the closing date on the Winona Mall.
• Southeast Service Cooperative - No Report  

3. PreK-12 Principal - 

• Congratulations to the AAA award winners Anna Wheat and Hayden Erickson!
• Congratulations to the ExCEL award winners Sahara Morken and Tyler Larson!
• Thank you to Mrs. Morken, Mr. Farnen and students for all their hard work at the winter concerts!
• M-C is piloting events on HUDL this month for free.  Will start charging January 1.  A meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss pricing and other subscription information.
• Currently working on Phase 1 of the READ Act.  All staff must be trained by 2027.
• Mabel Ambulance Committee is seeking volunteers.  Michelle reached out to students and staff and asked them to get back to her by Friday if interested.        

4. Superintendent - 

• AAA award winners will go onto Sub Section 1/Region 1A competition.
• Region 1A is looking into live streaming events at Mayo Civic Center, possibly as soon at Basketball tournaments this Winter.  
• The Decorah school board meeting did not go as hoped.  Gary plans to work with an attorney, to gain clarification on the current agreement.  

Enrollment was reviewed.  

Items for Action and/or Discussion

A.   Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously with a roll call vote, to approve the final levy certification of $1,085,076.60.  

B.   Adam Wilder, Sarah Mengis, Karen Larson, and Travis Vatland discussed the need for ambulance volunteers in our community and asked the School Board to consider allowing interested 10th-12th grade students and any staff to join the Mabel Ambulance Committee.  They understand this could take them away from their day job/school at times.  A couple options for anyone interested would include an upcoming EMT training in Spring grove, or an online EMT and EMR training.  The board agreed they are willing to allow this and support our local ambulance service.  The School Board agreed no PTO would be required if any staff member on the ambulance department were to get called out of work.  Travis will come to school tomorrow to share more information with those interested.

C.   Motion by Jason Marquardt, seconded by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the 2nd reading of the following policies:

• 102 Equal Educational Opportunity
• 214 Out-of-State Travel by School Board Members
• 401 Equal Employment Opportunity
• 402 Disability Nondiscrimination 
• 406 Public and Private Personnel Data
• 410 Family and Medical Leave
• 412 Expense Reimbursement
• 413 Harassment and Violence
• 417 Chemical Use/Abuse
• 418 Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School
• 419 Tobacco-Free Environment
• 427 Workload Limits for Certain Special Education Teachers

1st reading on all other policies - no action necessary.    

Discussion was held on putting a NARCAN policy in place.  Gary is looking into this.  

D.   Motion by Jason Marquardt, seconded by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously, to vote for Nels   Onstad as MREA Administrator and Craig Brenden as MREA Teacher.  

Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

1. January 16, 2024; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
2. January 17, 2024; Joint School Board/City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm
3. February 20, 2024; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Adjournment:  Motion by Jason Marquardt, second by Dustin Tollefsrud, and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:16 pm. 

Jason Marquardt, Clerk___________________________________