Approve final resolution for non-renewal of Superintendent Lisa Shellum’s contract
Members of the Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) School Board made it official, according to an article by Nicholas Cicale in last week’s St. James Plaindealer, acting on an earlier resolution from the group’s October meeting, approving a resolution for the non-renewal of Superintendent Lisa Shellum’s contract – and curriculum duties – at their Monday, December 21 regular monthly meeting.
In addition, the article states, the board voted to authorize B-OPS School Board Chair Joel Penner to conduct a superintendent search, and possibly hire a consultant or consultant service to conduct a search for a new superintendent – and possibly hire a consultant or consultant service to help with charting the course for the 2016-2017 school year.
Both of those votes were on a 4-3 count, with Penner, Tammy Wolle, Andy Pierson and Leon Wenner casting in favor and Diane Peterson, Kristy Romsdahl and Renae Meyer voting against.
Superintendent Lisa Shellum’s current contract runs through June, with the administrator scheduled to complete this school year.
The history of this board action reaches make to the October regular monthly meeting when the majority on the board moved to act on the superintendent’s contract. Following a closed meeting with Shellum in November, it was decided, again by a vote of the majority, that Shellum did not present enough evidence to overturn the board’s earlier decision.
Prior to the vote, the newspaper reports, Superintendent Shellum presented a lengthy final appeal, highlighting her efforts in support of the school district – professionally, financially and academically. She also admitted that she is pursuing criminal charges against Board Chair Penner.
In other business
Also from the Plaindealer article:
+ Removed from the agenda a letter of resignation from Jim Neid, a substitute teacher in the school district since early 2000s – including a stint as a long-term bus on a two different occasions – as the board does not act on substitute resignations because they are not officially school employees. In the letter, Neid addressed the turmoil in the school in relation to matters of the superintendent as directly relating to his decision. Also in the letter, he voiced his support for Superintendent Shellum.
+ Approved a $7,500 stipend for B-OPS Principal Barry Schmidt. This had been earlier presented to the board by Interim Superintendent Allan Hoffman. The extra pay relates to the extra duties Schmidt undertook while Shellum was on FMLA (Federal Medical Leave Act) earlier this school year.
+ Heard a report from the Monday, December 7 Meet-And-Confer at which the committee reviewed school staff comments returned to them for discussion. Positive comments were about how the relationships between staff members, students and administration create a positive attitude and clear common goals. Concerns were on a lack off consistent elementary student recess time, the need to update certain technology and instrument needs for the band. Also noted as a staff concern was the perception community members had about staff turnover over the past several years. The next Meet-And-Confer will be Monday, March 7.
+ Reviewed his year’s audit, and approved the 2014-2015 audit as presented by Kyle Meyers of Abdo, Eick & Meyers. The report notes that the school district’s total net position has increased by $221,982, compared to last year’s increase of $70,259. This increase is due to a change in state aid formula and realization of property tax referendum. At the close of the fiscal year, the district’s governmental funds had an increase of $269,290, with the unassigned fund balance of the general fund at $529,921. The total fund balance increase was $269,125, and is now at $752,875.
+ The next school meeting will be on Thursday, January 21 (a day change due to the third Monday of the month falling on a holiday).
