MINNEOTA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING (June 20, 2023)

The June school board meeting began with a special presentation to Max Rost, who was named the Bechler Leadership Athlete of the Year. This is a nation-wide program and it is a high honor for Rost to have been selected as a nominee for this award. Max and his mother, Andrea, attended the meeting on June 20, 2023, where he received his certificate from Activities Director Patty Myrvik.
The second presentation of the evening was from SiteLogIQ, which focuses on helping their customers address facility needs while improving health and safety of the building environment, as well as making them energy efficient and sustainable. The facility assessment was reviewed and explained to the board. The master facility plan began in the fall of 2022. It was determined that the parking lot and parts of the roof are in poor shape.
Some of the HVAC equipment is beyond its expected life and will soon need to be upgraded. The indoor air quality and ventilation were also studied. Some of the chiller equipment runs on R-22 refrigerant which is bad for the environment. There is continued work on getting the ventilation more efficient. Staff were surveyed regarding the building temperature and humidity. Some of the exterior doors are not sealing properly which affects air quality.
From this information the board will need to make a priority list and decide when and what should be repaired. The most severe situations will be taken care of first. The costs provided by SiteLogIQ were estimated costs for 2025 which is when parts of this plan will be completed.
The AD report by Myrvik included a list of participants of MHS students involved in all activities. Studies show that students involved in extracurricular activities are well-rounded and successful. In 2021-22 there were 193 students involved in extracurriculars and in 2022-23 there were 195 students involved. There continues to be a wide variety of activities from sports to drama to FCCLA and FFA, as well as music.
Jennifer Mahan-Deitte gave her last report as elementary principal. She has things wrapped up and ready for the new elementary principal, Trent Johnson. She thanked the school board for the past 15 years. Best wishes to Mrs. Mahan-Deitte as she moves on in her career.
High School Principal Heather Anderson has been wrapping up the 2022-23 school year. She is realizing the importance of staying focused while taking care of one’s self so no one needs to work 70 hours per week. She has been working on the 2023-24 handbooks and procedures.
Superintendent Scott Monson has also been taking stock of this past year as he begins looking towards the next school year. There is an incredible amount of legislative material to sort through.
Staffing looks good for right now with the need for a long-term sub and possibly one other position to fill before August. Short-term priorities need to be set and long-range plans need to be made. This is part of the reason for the SiteLogIQ assessment; to provide guidance for these goals.
Enrollment ended the school year with six more students than at the beginning of the year. The projected enrollment grows for the next three years.
The consent agenda passed with Kent Williams changing lanes from BA+15 to MA, Kendra Jerzak was hired as a language arts instructor, Jared Josephson was hired as a kindergarten instructor, Shannon Sorensen was hired as the elementary administrative assistant, and McKenna Yost and Kaley Buysse were hired as junior high volleyball coaches. Trent Johnson was designated the LEA representative and a student teacher field placement from Grand Canyon University was approved.
The budget for 2023-2024 was approved after discussion and explanation of the changes. Some of these changes include the 4 percent general education formula allowance increase from the legislature. There is a 44 percent increase in SPED funding. The COVID funding is done. There is a $300,000 deficit in the general fund. The food service fund shows an increase of $63,000. There is a deficit in the community ed fund. There is a $32,000 increase in debt service. The projected revenue is up 4.5 percent and projected expenses are up 3.3 percent. One of the expenses is a Daktronics board in the competition gym. The revenue budget is $9.3 million and the expense budget is $9.5 million.
Other new business consisted of issuance sale of the district’s general obligation bonds. The superintendent has been authorized to determine the best time to sell bonds as he works with financial advisors.
Tenure was granted to Mrs. Anderson. Mr. Monson stated that Anderson shows professionalism, earns respect from staff and students, is passionate and student focused. She is firm and caring with a calming influence. She continues to be visible in the community and at school events. The staff appreciates her leadership.
Tenure was also granted to Alexis Buysse. who joined the elementary staff in 2020 in the midst of the COVID crisis. Autum Campbell also received tenure.
In other business. the CWC schedule and compensation and benefits for the support staff were approved. Obsolete technology equipment was approved for disposal. A contract for therapy services with Big Stone was approved. Thirteen policies were presented for a first reading. Lawn services with Total Lawn Care was accepted. The audit will again be done by Hoffman and Brobst. Membership with the MN Rural Education Association and the MN State High School League was approved. Bids for petroleum, bread and baked goods and dairy products will be let at this time.
The start time for the July and August meetings will be changed to 7 a.m. The July meeting will be Tuesday, July 18.