Minneota School Board had busy month

The Minneota School Board has been busy over the past month, meeting for its regular monthly meeting, a special meeting, and an organizational meeting.
Board members elected officers for the coming year, approved committee assignments, discussed audits and levy increases and much more.
Abby Thostenson will remain the board’s chair, while Tom Skorczewski was named the vice chairman. Ryan Runia remains the clerk and Carmen Panka was named the treasurer.
It was also announced that the board’s pay for the 2023-24 school year will remain the same as last year; $75 per meeting; $75 for a half-day training session and $150 for a full-day of training. The chair’s pay of $600 per year remains the same, as does the clerk’s $350 per year.

Board committees will be as follows:
Negotiations & Personnel - Thostenson, Runia, Jon Buysse
Food Service - Skorczewski, Martin Hennen
Buildings/Grounds, LTFM - Hennen, Runia, Skorczewski
Technology - Panka, Terri Myhre
Transportation - Hennen, Runia, Skorczewski
Finance - Myhre, Thostenson, Jon Buysse
Policies & Procedures - Thostenson, Buysse, Myhre
Marketing & Communications - Myhre, Runia

Superintendent Scott Monson presented the 2023 Payable 2024 Levy “Truth-In-Taxation” in the Dec. 19 meeting. “Our district’s levy increase for all types of properties in the district averages out to a 7.93% increase,” he said. “When compared to 14 other school districts in our area or have some types of similarities to our school, we are 10% less than the average levy increase in those districts. Despite an almost 8% tax increase in our district, it is still relatively low from a comparison perspective.”
Marlene Verdoes from Hoffman & Brobst presented the 2022-2023 financial audit.
“We were audited starting sometime in July and they finished in November,” Monson said. “The financial statements were all in compliance with state law. Basically, we had a clean audit.”
Also discussed with the school board was e-learning and how the school plans to use those five state-allotted days.
“We know it’s not easy for families in regards to kids being at home and having to get daycare,” Monson said. “We try to use the days as best we can with families in mind.”
The board also approved a Shared Counselor Agreement with Lakeview.
“We are fortunate to have Zach Fieber working with our students two days each week now,” said Monson. “Funds for this part-time position will come from the State as appointed during the 2023 Legislative Session.”
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room.