Minneota School Board Meeting

It was noted at the February School Board meeting that February is School Board Recognition Month and the seven community members serving on the Minneota School Board were thanked.
Reports were given by the activity director, principals, and superintendent. The consent agenda was then approved. The approved items were increasing the minimum wage rate from $10.33 per hour to $10.59 per hour and hiring Kenna Wee as the full-time art teacher.
Karen Dalager will receive emergency substitution pay of $45 retroactive to Jan. 30, because she will remain the Teacher of Record for reading/language arts for the remainder of the year for both sections of kindergarten. Bridget Claeys will be hired as a long-term substitute for Autum Campbell. Kris Anderson was hired as a paraprofessional. Laura Swoboda was hired as a long-term substitute paraprofessional at $150 per day. Jessica Laleman’s placement on the paraprofessional salary schedule was changed to Step 5 with retro pay back to August 2022. Brittney Engels will be on maternity leave from March 10 until the end of the year.
Spring coaches were also hired as follows. Angela Lauer and Kristy Peterson will co-advise Senior Knowledge Bowl. Keven Larson (head) and Chad Johnston (junior high) will coach baseball, Heidi Louwagie (head) and Emily Citterman (junior varsity) will coach softball, Walker Hennen (head) and Trent Esping (assistant/junior high) will coach golf, Kent Williams (head) and Dale Verschelde (assistant) will coach trap/sporting clays, and Seraphim Suprenant will be the spring play director.
Shane Balbach resigned as a paraprofessional and Vicki Lozinski will be on a medical leave of absence throughout March/April. There were also three students open-enrolling into the district and two fundraisers were approved.
The next item for discussion was revision of the 2022-2023 calendar. With the snow days this winter, there needs to be a change to the current calendar. As of Tuesday, Feb. 21, there were 49.25 hours (6.15 days) of instructional hours missed. The Minneota Teacher contract is for 184 contractual days (174 student contact + four work days + five staff development days). The state’s minimum number of instructional days is 165 (including up to five eLearning days). The Minneota calendar exceeds the minimum instructional hours. Due to those facts, it is recommended that the Feb. 15 date that was missed be made up on Thursday, April 6. The April 6 staff development day will move to May 18, and the May 18 teacher workday will move to May 19.
Future snow days will be made up in this order: Monday, April 10. First, utilize one or two additional eLearning days (though these would not count toward the state’s minimum of instructional hours. Second, have school for a full day on May 17. And third, add student contact days at the end of the year, or add minutes to the daily schedule – start school earlier or end later.
The 2023-2024 school calendar was approved as presented. A survey offered to staff and families had been completed before finalizing the calendar. This may be seen on the school website or by contacting the district office.
A Resolution Relating to the Issuance of General Obligation School Building Bonds, the Revocation of the Existing Capital Project Levy Authorization, and a New Capital Project Levy Authorization, and Calling a Special Election was then passed. There will be a special election on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, for the purpose of voting on the following two questions:
Question 1 - Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 414 (Minneota Public Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,450,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the acquisition, installation, replacement and maintenance of software, computers, mobile devices, improved technology and technology systems, networks, infrastructure, and office and instructional technology?
Question 2 - If School District Ballot Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School District No. 414 (Minneota Public Schools), Minnesota (the “school district”) be authorized to revoke its existing capital project levy authorization of 8.660 percent times the net tax capacity of the School District and replace it with a new capital project levy authorization of 3.345 percent times the net tax capacity of the School District.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 21, in Room 103.