EEOC dismisses charge filed against school district
Members of the Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) School Board held a workshop prior to their regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 17.
The workshop dealt with the test score report, presented by Susan Rosenow and Jane Schuck of South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC), as well as Policy 616, the School District System Accountability.
The test score report also included school district demographics as they relate to results. Since the 2012-2013 school year, when the percentage of minority students was 36%, the percentage jumped to over 50% – to 53% – for the 2015-2016 school year. Also climbing was the percentage of special education students, registered at 25.6% last school year. The number of ELL (English Language Learner) students dropped from 16% in 2012-2013 to 11% last year.
Students receiving free/reduced meals has remained fairly steady over the four past school years, with the 2015-2016 school year percentage at 67.8%.
In 2012-2013, 120 students open-enrolled into the B-OPS District, with 57 leaving the district for their education. Last school year, 109 students were open-enrolled, with 62 leaving to study in another district.
At the district-wide level, 36.4% of B-OPS students were proficient in the Reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), with 22.6% proficient in the Math MCA and 16.4% in Science.
Part of the work on Policy 616, School District System Accountability, as introduced by half-time Interim B-OPS Superintendent Allen Stoeckman, is to develop a curriculum cycle to replace (if needed) instructional materials. For example – in 2018, reading/language arts; in 2020, mathematics; etc. By doing so, budgets may be established to purchase up-to-date materials which assist in the implementation of the Minnesota Academic Standards, and when to do so. According to Stoeckman, budgets should be built on this.
Update on EEOC charge against school district
B-OPS Board Chair Joel Penner shared an update on the charge filed against the school district with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). On September 22, the EEOC dismissed the charge, stating, “Based upon its investigation, the EEOC is unable to conclude that the information obtained establishes violations of the statutes.”
The EEOC went on to note that, “A lawsuit can be brought against the district if filed within 90 days of the EEOC’s dismissal on September 22 of the EEOC charge.”
New school sign for B-OPS
Soon there will be new signage denoting B-OPS outside the school, and posted near the flagpole. A 3′ x 8′ double-sided sign in red-and-black, designed by B-OPS School Counselor Tammi Samuelson, has been purchased from an Alexandria-based sign company for $325. The design recognizes the school’s three areas of character education – Responsibility, Respect, Pride- along with Saints Pride.
In other business
+ Increased Butterfield-Odin Public High School (B-OHS) Science Teacher Clifford Anderson from .5 time to .55. This raises his salary $3,827, from $28,272 to $31,099. Anderson has told the district that he will not be returning next school year, so steps are now being taken to post for the position.
+ Continued membership in the Minnesota State High School League.
+ Accepted a donation of $300 from the Watonwan County Historical Society for the high school social studies department.
+ Heard first readings of new policies. These policies deal with –
- Development, Adoption and Implementation of Policies. This policy emphasizes the importance of the policy-making role of the school board and provides the means for it to be an ongoing effort.
- Expense Reimbursement (Mandatory). The purpose is to identify school district business expenses that involve initial payment by an employee and qualify for reimbursement from the school district, and how the employee seeks that reimbursement.
- Workload Limits for Certain Special Education Teachers (Mandatory). Its purpose establishes general parameters for determining the workload limits of special education staff who provide services to children with disabilities receiving direct special education services 60% or less of the instructional day.
+ Approved policies revised in July. These policies each had only minor revisions, specifically, noting that they are mandatory policies, and including the date they were reviewed. The approved revisions were on the following policies –
- Family and Medical Leave.
- Harassment and Violence.
- Harassment and Violence Report Form.
- Mandating Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse.
- Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults.
+ Approved the following policies for review, all of which are mandatory –
- Equal Educational Opportunity.
- Out-Of-State Travel by School Board Members.
- Equal Employment Opportunity.
- Disability Non-Discrimination
- Public and Private Personnel Data.
- Chemical Use and Abuse.
- Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School.
- Acknowledgement of Drug/Free Workplace/Drug-Free School.’
- Tobacco-Free Environment.
+ Discussed and approved the Fund Balances Policy. Discussion centered on updating the policy, which was last reviewed in 2011. The number one topic was on the minimum fund balance to be maintained. The current policy, which was retained by vote at this meeting, keeps the minimum unassigned general fund balance of two months of operating expenses, or about $500,00. The school district currently has $900,000 in unassigned general funds.
+ Approved the Minnesota Department of Education Assurance of Compliance, with Superintendent Stoeckman designated the Human Right Coordinator and B-OPS K-12 Principal Barry Schmidt as Title IX Coordinator and 504 Coordinator. The Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in education programs and activities on grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, disability or age.
+ Set the meeting date and time for the World’s Best Work Force, a public meeting, for Monday, November 21, beginning at 5:30 p.m., prior to the regular November B-OPS School Board meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m.
+ Tabled the agenda item to set translator pay so more research may be completed.
+ Heard the superintendent’s report –
- Presented the seed of an idea for a Foster Grandparent Program. Superintendent Stoeckman has held a phone conversation with Gail Sumerfelt of Lutheran Social Services (LSS) to discuss the possible addition of the R.S.V.P. program to B-OPS. The program features individuals, age 55+ from the community, who are screened and trained to serve as “grandparents” in classroom. The role of “grandparent” is to provide one-on-one attention to at-risk and struggling students to help build self-esteem and success. The volunteers spend 15 hours per week at the school. They are paid by LSS, not the school district, however the cost for the program is $300 a year (plus noon lunch).
- Learned that Stoeckman and Principal Schmidt had met with Watonwan County Sheriff Gary Menssen and the Butterfield Fire Department Chief to look at building and grounds security, especially to limit and monitor access into the school.
- Stressed that, due to enrollment stability of the pre-school, something will need to be done by next year in order to accommodate the students. As well, with an interest in creating CTE (career and technical education) opportunities on campus, work and planning will need to be done on optimal use of building space. Stoeckman suggested inviting school facility planners to meet with the Buildings & Grounds Committee to talk about the school’s instructional flow. In addition, these planners would give recommendations on reducing energy consumption with improved lighting, ventilation, heating.
- Shared that Steve Christenson has developed a demo new website for the school district.
+ Heard the principal’s report –
- Learned that Friday, October 28 will be Community Service Clean-Up Day by students from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Learned that students will begin taking MCA practice tests in November.
- Learned the staff had completed CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) training, and that a CPI Team is in place in the district.
+ Heard committee reports –
- Academic/Athletic Pairing. B-OPS (Kristy Haseman, Renae Meyer and Andy Pierson) and St. James Public School representatives met October 5 at B-OPS. Students from B-OHS are taking art, ag shop and Spanish classes at St. James Public High School, as well as participating in FFA. Next trimester, the option of taking an online CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) class will be in the curriculum, and, in the third trimester, an on-the-job practicum. This fall, a number of B-OHS students participated in extra-curricular athletics. These included two girls on the girls cross country team, three boys on the boys cross country team, six boys in football, five girls in girls tennis and six in volleyball. It was also noted that the Saints are short one junior high boys basketball coach. It was stressed that B-OPS facilities will be used for practices and “C”-squad basketball games. Additionally, B-OPS teachers have been asked to help supervise at football games. As well, supervision is necessary if participating student athletes are dropped off at B-OPS following an activity to the west of the district. The winter sports practice schedule will released on November.
- Meet and Confer (Joel Penner and Andy Pierson).
- Continuing Education (Tammy Wolle).
- Riverbend Education District (Diane Peterson).
+ It was Board Chair Penner who spoke during Open Forum. He addressed rumors that the school board was looking at turning B-OPS into a private school with, “We (school board) have never talked, discussed or acted on” such a proposal.
