SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Monday, January 15, 2022

A new (calendar) year underway at school

The week of Jan. 23-29 has been declared Para-Professional Recognition Week by Governor Walz and all the Minneota Public School paraprofessionals were thanked for their hard work and dedication.
Chairman Abby Thostenson thanked all the staff for ending the first semester and starting the second semester strong.
Activities Director Patty Myrvik was also thanked for the many events she has re-scheduled due to weather and for her work with Community Ed.
Myrvik acknowledged the Canby/Minneota dance team for taking 3rd place at the Montevideo meet. The boys’ basketball team have a 5-5 record. The girls’ basketball team is in first place in the Camden South Conference. The wrestling team took first place at the Big Ole tournament in Alexandria.
Ryan Runia, Terri Myhre, Tom Skorczewski along with Superintendent Scott Monson attended the Minnesota School Board Association in the Cities. It was a valuable time to learn about new projects and policies the state is working on. It’s also a great networking time for board members and administration.
The photography class sponsored by Community Ed is complete. Brian Jeremiason did a great job with the kids. Joseph Cheadle will be teaching a mini-robotics course to 10 elementary students in February, March, and April. They will each get a kit and build a robot. There is also a cooking class for kids coming up soon.
The elementary school has been quite active. The Spelling Bee was held on Jan. 18. Many thanks to the custodial staff for assisting with setting up for these extra events. Elementary Principal Jennifer Mahan-Deitte also acknowledged the paraprofessionals for their service to the district. February is a busy month with the “I Love to Read” program, the 100th day of school, President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc.
High School Principal Heather Anderson has been meeting with the high school teachers regarding course offerings for 2023-2024. She attended an excellent session at the MRVED MELT conference about MN SLEDS which is the Minnesota Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System (SLEDS). It matches student data from pre-kindergarten through completion of postsecondary education and into the workforce. This will assist schools in finding out which courses and programs would be helpful for the students.
Superintendent Monson reported that 108 breakfasts are served daily, and 32,000 lunches have been served since the first day of school. The enrollment figures remain constant with no change all year. The student activity account is healthy with some large deposits this past month. It was the first MRVED MELT conference he attended, and he found it impressive. There were 11 schools involved with over 600 staff members and over 100 sessions offered.
The consent agenda was passed. This included the resignations of Jen Mahan-Deitte and Scott Hanson, maternity leaves for Taylor Niska and Autum Campbell, hiring Lori Dyce as a long-term sub, coaching resignations from Les Engler for Jr. High Baseball and Tiffany Johnson for Jr. High Softball. Several fundraisers were approved for the juniors and seniors.
In new business, there was discussion on calendar revisions due to the snow days. There are several options to be considered to making up days. When this is finalized, families will be notified. At this time, there will be school on Feb. 20 (President’s Day). It was brought up that the students do not feel e-learning days are effective. It was also stated that teachers prefer not to make the days up at the end of the year.
The budget assumptions for 2023-2024 will be based on actual student enrollment numbers. The finance committee has decided to use a 10 percent inflationary increase due to the high cost of fuel, food products, etc.
The school readiness tuition will show a 7½ percent increase for 2023-2024. Four full days will cost $2,151, three full days will cost $1,723, two full days will cost $1,140, and 2 half days will cost $611.
The administration has been directed to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions for 2023-2024. This resolution is made every year in January; the intent is to keep all staff positions at this time.
A monetary gift was received from Photoworks to be used as necessary for the school. In accordance with school policy, a resolution was passed accepting this gift.
There were seven policies presented for a first reading. A draft of the 2023-2024 school calendar was presented. Several pieces of kitchen equipment have been declared obsolete, including the Cleveland electric convection steamer and a salad bar table.
The next school board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in Room 103.

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The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492