INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #912
MILACA, MINNESOTA 56353
Monday September 17, 2007 6:30 pm
BOARD OF EDUCATION ROOM

REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:30 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- Chairperson, Pat Nelson


II. ROLL CALL - CLERK Those present: Those absent:
Voting Rotation: Pat Nelson, Bob Bunger, Aimee Struffert, Connie Patnode, Jody Chambers, Todd Quaintance, Linda Ramson


III. STUDENT PRESENTATIONS TO THE BOARD
1. Students from the FFA will be present to discuss their landscaping design, which took Grand Champion at the State Fair.


IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA


V. PUBLIC FORUM – 6:40 PM
Open forum is a specific time set aside during school board meetings for members of the public to communicate to the board, even if they are not on the agenda. To participate in the open forum, please sign in on the clipboard before the meeting is called to order.
Guidelines for the open forum:
• When your name is called, please stand. Remember to state your name, address and the organization you represent. Please limit your comments to five minutes, with a maximum of 15 minutes per topic. These limitations needed to run a timely and orderly board meeting.
• Most information about students is also private under Minnesota law. The board cannot allow public discussion of information that could identify individual students.
• Personnel matters should not be discussed because most of those issues are private under Minnesota law. If you have a concern with a district staff member, try to resolve the issue with the individual. If you cannot resolve the issue, follow the district’s chain of command.
• The board is eager to listen to your remarks; however, board members do not debate issues that arise during the open forum. The forum is an opportunity for the citizens to speak and the board to listen. Items brought before the Board through the Public Forum may be referred either to the administration or to a board committee for further study. If issues presented at Public Forum need further Board action, the item will be placed on a future agenda with notification given to the interested party. The Board will not act on any items presented to them that are not on the agenda until the following Board meeting.
• We teach our students to be engaged, respectful citizens. We urge participants in the forum to model civil, respectful speech on topics appropriate for the forum.


VI. GOOD THINGS HAPPENING
1. Congratulation to Bethany Braman, Nolan Grandy, Mellisa Patterson, Jessica SanCartier, Rinehart Colvin, Krystal Hoheisel, Andrew Razink and Darrel Thompson for receiving the Grand Champion for their FFA Landscape Design and Construction Competition submission.
2. Congratulations to Noah Gahm, our most recent Eagle Scout, on his achievements.


VII. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda is used for those items on the agenda that usually do not require discussion or explanation as to the reason for board action. At the request of any individual school board member, an item shall be removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda for discussion.

A. Approval of Minutes (See Enclosure #1 on the website)
Minutes of Regular Meeting held on August 20, 2007 and the Closed and Special Board Meetings held on September 7, 2007

B. Approval of Bills (See Enclosure #2 on the website)
    - Summary
    - Register
    - Detail

C. Approval of Wire Transfers Listed Below:
LIQUID ASSET TRANSFERS TO CHECKING:
8/9 - $340,000.00
8/15  - $85,000.00
8/23  - $420,000.00
8/30  - $100,000.00
8/30  - $170,000.00

LIQUID ASSET TRANSFERS TO HSA ACCOUNTS:
8/10 $5,874.61
8/24 $6,178.75

D. Personnel Items
Employment Approval/Hours Adjusted/Position Creation:
1. Hire Denise Helman, ECSE Paraprofessional, 12 hours/week, $10.39/hour, effective August 28, 2007
2. Increase in hours for Mindy Zych, ECSE Paraprofessional, from 21.125 hours/week to 33.75 hours/week, $10.51/hour, effective August 28, 2007
3. Hire JoAnn Ortman, HS Special Ed Teacher, BA, Step 2, 1.0 FTE, $32,128, effective August 28, 2007
4. Hire Judy Olson, Kids Town Aide, 4.3 hours/week, $9.69/hour, effective August 28, 2007
5. Hire Darrick Gorecki, Kids Town Aide, 6.45 hours/week, $9.69/hour, effective August 28, 2007
6. Hire Sara Scherer, Elementary Paraprofessional, 33.75 hours/week, $10.39/hour, effective August 28, 2007
7. Hire Barbara Orstad, ALC Biology Teacher, $24.00/hour, effective August 28, 2007
8. Hire Karen Voss, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach (full position), $1611, effective September 5, 2007
9. Change in assignment for Melissa Aasheim, from Food Server to First Cook, $14.50/hour, 40 hours/week, effective September 17, 2007
10. Hire Shirley Perry, 2nd Grade Long Term Sub, BA, Step 1, 1.0 FTE, $7,610, effective approximately October – December 21, 2007.
11. Hire, as needed, Michelle Gerads, Kids Town Youth Worker, $6.40/hour, 8 hour/week, effective September 24, 2007

Leave Requests/Resignations/Retirements/Seasonal Layoff/Termination:
1. Approve maternity leave for Sarah Marte, High School Teacher, effective approximately December 8, 2007 through February 4, 2008
2. Accept the resignation of Angela Koppendrayer, Elementary Paraprofessional, effective September 4, 2007
3. Accept the resignation of Rachel Weidner, Elementary LPN/Paraprofessional, effective September 4, 2007
4. Accept the resignation of Joanna Latterell, 7th Grade Volleyball Coach (shared position with Karen Voss), effective September 5, 2007
5. Approve maternity leave for Shelly Spiczka, RRN EBD Teacher, December 24, 2007 through February 8, 2008.

Lane Changes
1. Doug Olson, from BA+30 to MA
2. Joel Warner, from MA+10 to MA+20
3. Melissa Tellinghuisen, from BA+10 to BA+20
4. Damian Fish, from BA+10 to BA+20
5. Michelle Fournier, from BA to BA+20
6. Craig Talberg, from MA+10 to MA+20
7. Lana Moon, from BA+20 to MA
8. Michael Rademacher from MA to MA+10
9. Kris Marxhausen, from MA+10 to MA+20
10. Katrina Vander Kooi, from BA to BA+10
11. Julie Rhoda, from BA+10 to BA+20


E. Third Reading and Approval of the Following Policy (See Enclosure #3 on website)
Policy 702 – Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance
A small change was made to the wording to more closely address the concerns expressed and yet retain a fund balance goal.

F. Approve Budget Timeline for the 2008-2009 Budget Year (Enclosure #4)

G. Approve Contract with EnviroBate for Mold Abatement in the Elementary Gym Floor
We received three quotes, and EnviroBate was the low quote at $12,500. After appraising the board of this abatement issue and the fall term set to begin, the Chairperson signed this contract so work could begin immediately.

H. Approval of the Contract for Special Ed Services (Mille Lacs County Family Services and Welfare and Rum River Coop)
This is one of our annual contracts involving Rum River North. The Superintendent recommends that this contract be approved.

I. Approve the Contract with Shirley Haskins for General Cleaning of the ALC and ECFE Facilities (Enclosure #5)
We recommend that we continue the contract for cleaning of the ALC at the same rate we have had. The contract allows us to vacate the contract at any time for any reason.

J. Approve the Mavo Systems Change Order for Cleaning of Air Handler, $1,680
This proposal is for a thorough cleaning of one air handler and all associated supply and return ductwork.

K. FFA Request to Attend National Convention in Indianapolis, October 23-27, 2007
The FFA typically attends their national convention every year at about this time. Transportation will be provided by the Region 4 FFA charter bus and the cost of the transportation, as well as the cost of the teacher sub will be paid by the FFA activity fund. Only one advisor is slated to attend and 4 students. Other expenses will be borne by the students.

Discussion
The Superintendent recommends that the consent items be approved as notated above.
A motion is in order to approve consent agenda.

VIII. PRINCIPALS/DIRECTORS/COORDINATORS REPORT
A. High School Principal
1. High School Public Relations
2. Enrollment in college level courses and looking down the road towards possible expansion.
3. AYP

B. Elementary Principal
1. Update on numbers/space in elementary school (Enclosure #6)

C. Community Education Director
 1. No report

D. Activities Director 
 1. No report

E. Food Service Director 
 1. No report

IX. ITEMS ON WHICH BOARD DISCUSSION AND ACTION IS REQUESTED

A. Approval of Treasurer’s Report (Enclosure #7)

Discussion
A motion is in order to approve the Treasurer’s Report.

B. Certify the Proposed Pay 07 Levy (Enclosure #8)
Truth in Taxation Public Hearing,  November 29, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Truth in Taxation Public Continuation Hearing (if needed),  December 17, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Certify the Levy,  December 17, 2007 at 6:30 pm (at board meeting)

Discussion
The Superintendent recommends that we certify the Proposed Levy at the maximum amount.
A motion is in order to certify the Proposed Levy at the maximum amount.

C. Approval of the Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Achievement 2006-2007 (Enclosure #9)

Discussion
A motion is in order to approve the Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Achievement.

D. Elementary Gym Floor Update and Next Steps
The elementary gym floor test was completed, the abatement also completed and now we need to move forward toward a solution. Considering the fact that we have had other areas of concern in other areas of the facility, it would seem that we should proceed with a more comprehensive facility assessment. This will look at everything....structure, grounds, roofing, etc., etc. This would also allow us to identify the projects, prioritize them, seek funding sources, etc. I would suggest that we seek input on how to proceed to organize such an assessment from Johnson Controls with the Building and Grounds Committee being the contact group. The entire initiative would be similar to the energy initiative we did recently where we identified a series of projects that helped conserve energy. This new series of projects would help us do the needed maintenance of our building and solve the water problems we have encountered.

Discussion
A motion is in order to authorize a complete facility assessment and to bring back to the Board a cost proposal to complete such an assessment.

E. Approve Superintendent Evaluation
Board members have evaluated the Superintendent and the Evaluation Committee compiled the results. The chairperson of the board sat down with Dr. Zakrajsek and reviewed the evaluation document. Board members have reviewed the evaluation. Dr. Zakrajsek's performance as Superintendent of Milaca Schools was found to meet board expectations.

Discussion
A motion is in order to approve the Superintendent Evaluation.

F. Motion to Conduct a Cost Comparison of Two Facility Solutions (Enclosure #10)
1 – A new school for pre-k through 4th grade students
2 – A new school for students in grades 5-8.

Comparison shall include: land acquisition, site preparation, construction costs, furnishings, renovations costs of present facilities, staffing, busing, maintenance, other relevant information.

Discussion
A motion by Bob Bunger to conduct a cost comparison of two facility solutions. Second of the motion by…


G. Ratify 2007-2009 Milaca Education Association Master Contract (Enclosure #16)

Discussion
A motion is in order to ratify the 2007-2009 Milaca Education Association Master Contract.

X. ITEMS OF INFORMATION AND/OR DISCUSSION ONLY

A. Committee Reports

XI. SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBER ITEMS

A. Superintendent Report
1. "Report on Visioning Groups"
As was discussed at a previous board meeting, we decided to have the visioning groups report to the larger board during our September Board meeting. (Enclosure #11)
2. Update on Potato Patch property appraisal (Enclosure #12)

B. School Board Member Communication Code (Enclosure #13)

C. Calendar (See Enclosure #14 on the website)

D. Student Activities Report (See Enclosure #15 on the website)

XII. ADJOURNMENT

So, How Are The Children?
This is a traditional greeting among the African Masai Tribe acknowledging the high value that the Masai place on their children’s well-being. Even warriors with no children of their own give the traditional answer. “All the children are well.” Meaning, that peace and safety prevail, that the priorities of protecting the young, and the powerless are in place, and that we have not forgotten our reason for being, our proper functions and responsibilities. “All the children are well” means that life is good.
Speech by Rev Patrick T. O’Neill
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MILACA SCHOOL DISTRICT GOALS

1. Goal: Focus on the Whole Individual
Objectives: 1. Model and expect respect
2. Promote ethical behavior, cultural awareness, and personal responsibility
3. Provide broad and comprehensive enrichment opportunities
4. Reach all learners

2. Goal: Defining, Measure and Track Student Achievement
Objectives: 1. Identify measurable student achievement data
2. Set student achievement goals
3. Use student achievement data to drive research-based curriculum and instructional strategies
4. Evaluate and communicate student achievement

3. Goal: Operate Within a Balanced Budget Each Year
Objectives: 1. Form an advisory finance council
2. Develop a school district fund balance policy
3. Assess and adjust budget/programs as needed

4. Goal: Strengthening Community Support
Objectives: 1. Foster community trust and good will
2. Increase community involvement in school
3. Expand communication among school, family, and community

MILACA SCHOOL DISTRICT VISION STATEMENT
The Milaca Public Schools will provide educational opportunities and serve as a resource for all learners in the community. The schools will provide a safe and respectful learning environment. We will focus on educating the whole individual by preparing each learner with the skills needed to succeed as a responsible citizen in our changing and diverse world.