MINNEOTA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Tuesday, September 20, 2022
<p>The September school board meeting began with positive comments by Superintendent Scott Monson, in which he stated that the Director of Special Education from the service co-op mentioned they were happy working with the MPS SPED staff. Board members said that they have heard positive comments regarding the administrative team. They also are pleased with the communication between the school and families. Sympathy was extended to the Jim Rolbiecki family. Rolbiecki, a longtime teacher and coach passed away recently after a battle with cancer. Thanks were given to the band for playing the school song, the volleyball team for supporting Abby, and to the custodial staff for their hard work in preparing the gym for the service. Athletic/Activities director Patty Myrvik gave her report. The Avera Athletic Training contract will be changing from no cost to $20 per hour with a minimum of 20 hours per week. This is something that is necessary but was not budgeted for 2023. There was a Camden Conference Leadership Meeting which involved some of MPS’s student leaders: Kenadi Arndt, Zack Fier, Nevaeh Hennen, Ryan Meagher, Max Rost, and Ireland Stassen. Ella Johnson was involved in a MSHSL program entitled, “Together We Make a Difference.” A new program is being developed where student athletes are writing thank you notes to all officials. Superintendent Monson stated that the enrollment is holding steady at 514 in K-12 with 563 in PreK-12. There has not been too much movement in the student activity accounts this early in the year. The financial report is being presented slightly differently. There was a comparative history shown. Though the district is only two months into the 2023 fiscal year, the expenses are currently higher than revenue. This is typical for this time of the year. The MREA Conference is being held Nov. 15-17. The staff was surveyed regarding the back-to-school workshop and overall, it was enjoyed and felt to be helpful. High School Principal Heather Anderson has been busy in these first weeks of school. Barb Knutson has a letter ready to be mailed to families regarding the MCAs. Josten’s was in the building selling class rings. People are getting used to the drop-off lane, so students don’t get out of cars in the middle of the street. A Spirit Committee is working on representing Minneota High School in a positive light by boosting school spirit. The student members are Autumn Dovre, Peyton Gillund, Kate Hennen, Megan Krog, Isaac Pohlen, Ireland Stassen, Joe Verschelde, and Joe Voit with Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Myrvik also on the committee. There are two foreign exchange students staying with Adam and Jodi DeCock. They are from Germany and Spain. Elementary Principal (and curriculum director) Jen Mahan-Deitte discussed the various departments that will work on curriculum this year. They are Language Arts, Physical Education, and Science. The new reading horizons program will be used in Language Arts. It takes an immense amount of time preparing this new curriculum. Observations and walk-throughs are beginning. The Viking Valor program continues, and the kindergarteners are being “sorted” to a clan. Each clan will have a project this year and will meet monthly to work on it. Ninja Camp was held on Sept. 22. Mrs. Mahan-Deitte also talked about the 2022 MCAs. COVID was hard on these tests. Reading and math dipped somewhat and then seemed to plateau. Science was hit hard – possibly due to the COVID structure of school. The goal is to get back on track for 2023. There is a Stop School Violence Grant that encourages programs that promote a safe school setting. There are several apps that will help with this. They are the "Help Me" app and the "Stop It" app. These apps will make reporting easier and will have resources available for families. This is in the beginning stages. More information will be coming soon. There is a Return to Learn Plan for 2022-2023. This is an attempt to get back to ‘normal’ after the COVID interruption. Positive protocols from COVID will continue, such as sanitizing. Several policies were presented. Snow removal bids are due by Oct. 18. Property, liability, auto and workmen’s comp bids are due Nov. 15. There are 40 iPad minis that are no longer needed. They will be sold to iPhone Antidote since they are not in good enough condition to re-sell. There is also a Planned Service Agreement with Simplex for sprinkler and air duct inspection, along with fire prevention materials. These reports will be shared with the Fire Marshal. The cost is $3,800. The next monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m.</p>