Direct administration to make recommendations for program reductions, positions for 2017-2018 school year
Out of a trio of law firms, the Butterfield-Odin Public High School (B-OPS) School Board selected the law firm of Kennedy & Graven of Minneapolis to provide legal services to the school district during its Monday, January 23 regular monthly meeting.
School board members attending the recent Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Conference “previewed” firms who had presentation booths at the confab and narrowed their choices to three. Other law firms considered were Pemberton Law and Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney.
The selection of new legal representation was necessary when Kevin Rupp of Rupp, Anderson, Squires & Waldspurger, P. A., withdrew his services as school district attorney.
First look at the budget gives administration leeway in programs, positions
In a step that half-time Interim Superintendent Allen Stoeckman dubbed a “first look at the budget; the start of drafting a picture,” the board directed the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions, and the reasons for those moves, for the 2017-2018 school year.
Such steps are undertaken each year as questions in funding from the legislature, enrollment, declining revenues and increasing costs give administrations and school boards issues to address for the upcoming year.
In other business
+ Learned from Stoeckman that five individuals have applied for the half-time superintendent position. Stoeckman has tendered his resignation, effective March 1.
+ Planned to hold a multi-faced workshop on Monday, February 6. The tentative agenda might include discussion with:
- Gary Lee of the MSBA and Harold Remme of the South Central Service Cooperative on the steps in selecting a superintendent. The board has hired the MSBA to assist with the superintendent search for a fee of $4,000.
- Kennedy & Graven, the district’s new legal services provider.
- Unesco, of St. Paul, a program management firm that assists school districts with the revitalization, renovation and new construction of educational facilities. Unesco has completed a walk-through of the B-OPS facilities.
- Buildings and Grounds Committee on the options available for the framework display of the B-OPS “Saints Pride!” sign (pictured above) on the school grounds.
+ Granted child care leave from February 27 to April 19 for Kayla Schmiesing, fourth-grade teacher.
+ Heard an enrollment report for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 from Stoeckman. January’s enrollment dropped to 215, down from December’s count of 217. The first figures in October had district enrollment at 220. Changes from December to January included the loss of two students in ninth grade.
+ Heard a report from Sherri Gustafson of Early Childhood Special Education on the first year of the voluntary pre-kindergarten class. The class for four-year-olds was made possible through 2016 legislature funding. Funds have allowed for the expansion of class time to five days a week. Classroom teacher for the 19 students is Megan Lindquist. Reapplication, with possible expansion of the program, is now in the process.
+ Approved the 2016-2017 certified staff seniority list.
+ Approved the second reading of Mandatory Policy 520 – Student Surveys. The school district utilizes surveys to obtain student opinions and information about students. The purpose of this policy is to establish the parameters of information that may be sought in these student surveys.
+ Heard a report from the school board members who attended the MSBA Conference.
+ Heard a report from B-OPS K-12 Principal Barry Schmidt.
+ Noted that this week (January 23-27) is Paraprofessional Recognition Week.
+ Learned that Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on February 1. With funds from the Achievement Integration Plan, board members will serve pizza to students in grades kindergarten-to-eight, their parents or guardians and staff members. The program will expand next year to include grades K-12. This event will provide board members with the opportunity to connect with parents and students.
+ Learned that the MSBA Officers Workshop will be held in St. Cloud on Saturday, February 11. Attending will be Chair Kristy Haseman, Vice-Chair Pam Xayaphonesongkham, Clerk Renae Meyer and Treasurer Shannon Sykes.
+ Heard from Chair Haseman of an opportunity for the Negotiations Committee (Haseman, Meyer and Sykes) to attend a Saturday, March 11 MSBA workshop focusing on negotiations.
+ Learned that B-OPS staff are currently in a Wellness Program. Staff has been divided into teams in a challenge competition.
+ Decided to place on the February regular meeting agenda discussion and possible action on extra compensation of one extra day of pay for Stoeckman’s extra work beyond his 2½ days in the district.
+ Next regular board meeting will be in the B-OPS Media Center on Monday, February 27, beginning at 7 p.m.
Special closed meeting addresses litigation
The school board held a special closed meeting on Wednesday, January 18, as permitted by attorney-client privilege, to discuss the lawsuit involving Lisa Shellum vs. ISD 836.
