New MLHS 7-12 Principal Michelle Larson introduced at meeting
MOUNTAIN LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL (MLPS) School Board. Front, from left, Board Treasurer Pam Hoek, Board Chair Doug Standerwick, Board Vice-Chair Tim Swoboda and Board Clerk Julie Brugman. Back, from left, Board Directors Chad Pedersen, Tom Fast and Matt Gohr.
The Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) School Board, at its Monday, July 18 regular meeting, finished wrapping up loose ends for the start of the 2016-2017 school year under the direction of MLPS Vice-Chair Tim Swoboda, in the absence of Chair Doug Standerwick.
Included in those decisions were:
+ Approval of the 2016-2017 handbooks for high school and elementary students, as well as staff. Minor changes were placed in each handbook, as they are updated annually in order to comply with revisions to state law, case law, employee contracts and school district policy so that the needs of students, parents and faculty are met in a productive and positive manner. In the High School Student Handbook, the most significant changes included those made to the PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options) program, scheduling and prices. Updated dates were the main changes to the Elementary Student Handbook. Clarifying the Chain of Command was the change that stood out most in the MLPS Staff Handbook.
+ Approval of the resignation of Andrea Brinkman, MLPS Vocal Director, as the Musical Director for the 2016 Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) Fall Play.
+ Approval of the hiring of Sarah Cartwright, Mountain Lake Public Elementary School (MLES) K-5 Music teacher, as the Musical Director for the 2016 MLHS Fall Play.
+ Approval of the hiring of Andrea Brinkman as assistant Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach.
+ Approval for continuing the shared nursing agreement of School Nurse Lana Sander between MLPS and Butterfield-Odin Public School.
+ Approval of the following designations –
- District’s official depositories to be United Prairie Bank, Triumph State Bank and Bank of the West.
- Observer/Advocate as the district’s official newspaper.
- MLPS School Board Treasurer Pam Hoek with signatory powers for monthly checks and for short-term investments for the school district.
- Designation of MLPS Superintendent Bill Strom, or his designee, to perform the routine functions of the MLPS School Board Clerk and Treasurer.
- Designation of Superintendent Strom, or his designee, to execute leases, purchases and contracts for the district.
- Bonding of MLPS Business Manager Kim Naas at $10,000, and further, that there is blanket coverage for up to $10,000 for all other staff.
+ Approval of the updated list of all school board meetings for 2016-2017 –
- Thursday, July 28, Building Committee Meeting, 5 p.m., Room #1.
- Thursday, July 28, Special School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, August 15, Regular School Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, September 19, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, October 17, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, November 21, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, December 19, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Tuesday, January 17, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Tuesday, February 21, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, March 20, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, April 17, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, May 15, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, June 26, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, July 17, Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Room #1.
+ Approval of MLPS School Board Member compensation for 2016-2017. School Board member compensation has been stagnant for over the past 10 years (there was no increase for the 2015-2016). According to Superintendent Strom, “An increase in Board Member compensation is necessary so that current and future school Board members can reasonably perform their duties especially when the performance of those duties requires that they take time off from their regular jobs. It is my recommendation that School Board compensation be increased in a manner consistent with similar positions in the district.”
The new rates are as follows (with current rates in parenthesis) –
- Chair, Vice-Chair, Clerk and Treasurer: ($1,920) $2,100.
- Directors: ($1,820 $2,000.
- Committee Meetings: ( $27/meeting) $35/meeting.
- All-Day Meetings: ($93/day) $110/day.
- Half-Day Meetings: ($47/day) $55/day.
- Convention Expenses: ($30/meals) $35/meals.
- Convention Expenses: (Reasonable lodging) Reasonable lodging.
- Mileage: (Current IRS) Current IRS (Internal Revenue Service) rates.
+ Approval of a substitute teacher rate of pay increase to $130 per day ($65 for one-half day). The Board will take up the issue of a pay increase for paraprofessional substitutes at is August meeting.
+ Approval of an adult noon lunch price increase of 10 cents to $3.60, the minimum required by the state.
+ Approval of a one-year contract for both MLPS Superintendent Bill Strom and MLES Principal Karl Wassman, with no language changes. Each received a $1,500 salary increase.
Michelle Larson introduced as MLHS 7-12 Principal
Michelle Larson was introduced to the MLPS School Board and audience as the new MLHS 7-12 Principal. Larson “officially” begins her duties with the school district on August 1.
Larson comes to MLHs after serving as Marion (South Dakota) Principal from 2013-2016 (two years as 6-12 Principal and one year as preschool-12 principal).
She received her Bachelor or Arts in Mathematics from Augustana College (now Augustana University) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in May 1988. Larson earned her Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University-Mankato in May 2011 and her Specialist in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University-Mankato in July 2012. She also holds a Minnesota Teachers License in 7-12 Mathematics and Coaching, along with K-12 Principal Licensure in both Minnesota and South Dakota.
More on Principal Larson in a future post on Cross-Counties Connect.
In other business
+ Approved the open enrollment of a Kindergarten student from Butterfield into MLPS.
+ Approved the immediate resignation of Linda Loewen as a MLHS Special Education paraprofessional. The Board expressed its thanks and gratitude to Loewen for her services as a paraprofessional.
+ Approved the contract with Sheehan Strategic Solutions Services for training to be held at MLPS on Thursday, September 1 during Staff Workshop Week. Chad Sheehan, a police officer in Sioux City, Iowa will provide education and training to staff in the event that students, parents and personnel are faced with violent threat to their safety. Training will include a three-hour large group informational session for staff, as well as two separate (elementary and high school) one-hour active scenario training. The S. A. V. E. Yourself active shooting training and travel expenses will cost between $3,500 and $5,000, money that will be taken from Staff Development Funds. Sheehan will also complete a general assessment and threat assessment. In addition to services, staff, client programs, Sheehan also presents for students at the appropriate grade level. Local law enforcement personnel will be invited to the sessions.
+ Approved the Staff Development Committee Report presented by Kristin Pfeiffer, MLHS Special Education teacher, Crystal Fast, MLES Special Education teacher and Nicole James, MLES Kindergarten teacher. The trio shared the proposal for Workshop Week, slated for Monday, August 29 to Friday, September 2. In addition to the training from Sheehan Strategic Solutions Services and other staff meetings, Guy Doud will be speaking to staff on Tuesday, August 30. Doud is a former language arts teacher from Brainerd. His commitment to students earned him America’s “Teacher of the Year” award in 1986. Since then, he has addressed thousands of audiences, including school districts across the United States, motivating them to pursue excellence. Through heart-warming anecdotes, Guy shares some of his childhood insecurities and tells how he found the secret to success in education and in life.
+ Heard the Town & Country Day Care space needs report. Under consideration is the sharing of Discovery Preschool space as needed. Additional space is needed during the noon hour to accommodate an overload of students. This overload results from a transition overlap of children who are leaving the Day Care after the morning program and those arriving at the Day Care for the afternoon program.
+ Heard reports on the following:
- Review of District Policy 208. This policy outlines the methods by which policies are developed for the district.
- School District Policy updates for 2016-2017 school year. Current policies are updated to approximately 2011. Policies will be updated beginning with the most recent 2016 versions listed by the Minnesota School Boards Administration. All have been reviewed and Superintendent Strom has planned to submit all of the 2016 policy updates to the School Board at its Monday, August 15 regular meeting for the first review. Adoption of the 2016 policy updates could occur at the Monday, September 19 regular School Board meeting..
- School Board Policy 200 Series. School Board members have expressed the desire to review the 200 Series of school policies that directly affect the operation of School Board meeting and members.
- 2015-2016 Early Childhood Screening Report sent to the Minnesota Department of Education (EDE).
- Pool Reports from U. S. Aquatics, Signature Aquatics, Indoor Air Quality for the Pool Pump Room and health and Safety Mock OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recommendations.
+ Accepted the following donations –
- Southwest Initiative Foundation (Mountain Lake Area Foundation), $2,000, MLHS science lab equipment.
- Southwest Initiative Foundation (Mountain Lake Area Foundation), $546, MLPS Pool Project.
- Southwest Initiative Foundation (Mountain Lake Area Foundation), $91.78, Mountain Lake Early Childhood Family Education.