INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 94
CLOQUET, MINNESOTA
NOVEMBER 28, 2016
REGULAR MEETING
With the absence of Board Chair D. Buytaert, board member D. Battaglia made a motion to appoint D. Danielson as Acting Board Chair for the meeting. T. Lammi seconded the motion and it was approved by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call. Board member T. Lammi made a motion to appoint D. Battaglia as Acting Board Clerk for the meeting. J. Crowley seconded the motion and it was approved by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
The working session of the School Board of Independent School District No. 94 was called to order by Acting Board Chair Dan Danielson in the City of Cloquet, on November 28, 2016 at 5:33 p.m.
Roll Call - the following members were present on roll call:
Duane Buytaert, Chair (Absent)
Dan Danielson
Dave Battaglia
Jim Crowley
Ted Lammi
Gary Huard (Absent)
Board Member Ted Lammi asked about the potential for the district to under-levy as a way to provide additional tax breaks to the citizens due to the error in the tax estimations provided by Springsted for the recent new middle school referendum. If the district were to under-levy it would come from Deferred Maintenance funds. The school board has discussed the potential for this previously. Tax statements that will be coming out in December will show a 4.6% reduction in school taxes due to the refinancing of bonds and help we received from our financial advisor. Discussion followed. The board directed Business Manager Candace Nelis to come back to the next meeting with information on under-levying options.
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Discussion also took place regarding the College-in-the-Schools article that appeared in the Duluth News Tribune today and the ramifications it would have on Cloquet and other school districts.
There being nothing further to discuss during the working session, Acting Board Chair Dan Danielson adjourned the session at 6:00 p.m.
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The regular board meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 94 was called to order by Acting Board Chair Dan Danielson, in the City of Cloquet, on November 28, 2016 at 6:05 p.m.
Roll Call - the following members were present on roll call:
Duane Buytaert, Chair (Absent)
Dan Danielson, Clerk
Dave Battaglia
Jim Crowley
Gary Huard (Absent)
Ted Lammi
Also present:
Ken Scarbrough, Superintendent
Candace Nelis, Business Manager
Leanne Schmidt, ED MN - Cloquet
Teresa Angell, AIE Director
Ruth Reeves, Community Education Director
Anja Maijala, Student School Board Representative (Absent)
Jay Boder, Student School Board Representative (Absent)
Principals Present:
Warren Peterson, Cloquet Senior High School
Steve Battaglia, Cloquet Senior High School
Robbi Mondati, Washington Elementary School
David Wangen, Churchill Elementary School
Tom Brenner, Cloquet Middle School
Connie Hyde, Cloquet Area Alternative Education Programs (CAAEP)
Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF BOARD AGENDA
RESOLVED by T. Lammi to approve the November 28, 2016, meeting agenda as presented. J. Crowley seconded the motion and the resolution was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call. Superintendent Scarbrough indicated he would like to discuss several items on the Consent Agenda, indicating the board members could pull them if they wished, but there are no other changes to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES
RESOLVED by T. Lammi to approve the November 14, 2016 school board meeting minutes. J. Crowley seconded the motion and the resolution was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
OPEN FORUM/PRESENTATIONS
Recognition of Native American Heritage Month - AIE Director Teresa Angell reported on the activities taking place in the schools to honor this month. Board Member D. Battaglia made a motion to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, November is recognized as Native American Month, and November 25th is Native American Heritage Day, the Cloquet School Board recognizes and celebrates Native American culture and heritage. The Board also recognizes and appreciates that Native American traditions and initiatives have made our community stronger and a good place to raise families and receive an excellent education.
T. Lammi seconded the motion and the resolution was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
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Reports were provided by the building principals, Community Education Director, and ED MN representative. Community Member James Mallery addressed the school board about possibly capping Open Enrollment and the amount of the tax increase as it relates to the new middle school referendum that was previously approved.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
RESOLVED by T. Lammi to approve the November 28, 2016 Claims, as submitted. J. Crowley seconded the motion and the resolution was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
CONSENT ITEMS
Superintendent Scarbrough stated that he usually prefers to put the recommendation for any additional FTEs on a separate part of the agenda. There is a recommendation in the current Consent Resolution to increase the Cloquet Senior High School Family & Consumer Science (FACS) teacher to .6 FTE and transfer one of the existing teachers, who is teaching .4 FTE FACS, back to English at a 1.0 FTE. This is due to high student enrollment in several classes, which are well over 30. In addition, a recommendation is being made for an overload for second semester in World History.
RESOLVED by J. Crowley to approve the following Consent Items, as presented:
1. Recommendation of Employment:
-Christy Martin; Food Service Cashier/Prep Staff (Internal Transfer) 3.5 Hours/Day; High School; $15.08/Hour; 11/21/16
-Becky Schneberger; Food Service Server/Dishes Staff (Internal Transfer) 3.0 Hours/Day; High School; $15.08/Hour; 11/21/16
-Carmen Dougherty; Food Service Dishes/Server Aide 3.0 Hours/Day; High School; $15.08/Hour; 11/21/16
-Sara Prosen; Increase to .6 FTE FACS; High School; $17,669.30; 1/17/17
-Erin Streblow; Moving .4 FTE FACS to English (Total 1.0 FTE English); High School; N/A; 1/17/17
-Bret Baker; 6th Period Class - 2nd Semester (World History - 9th Grade); High School; $2,218.50; 1/17/17
-Targeted Services; Teachers/Paraprofessionals Program Staffing; Elementary Schools Middle School; (refer to list); Dec. - March 2017
-Allainie Siltanen; 6.5 Hours/Day CS Para (Internal Transfer); CAAEP; $15.86/Hour; 11/28/16
2. Permission to Post Positions:
Homebound Teacher for Cloquet Middle School - Six Hours/Week
5:45 Hours/Day Consistent Support Paraprofessional at Cloquet Area Alternative Education Programs (CAAEP)
D. Battaglia seconded the motion and the resolution was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
OLD BUSINESS
There was nothing to discuss at this time.
SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT
Superintendent Scarbrough provided a brief update on the current construction projects at the new middle school, the senior high school and Churchill Elementary School.
SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT
The Student Enrollment Report as of November 22, 2016 was reviewed. Enrollment remains steady.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLVED by J. Crowley to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Education Minnesota - Cloquet (EMC) as it relates to Association leave taken for the negotiations seminar which will be attended by EMC members in November 2016, and for which Education Minnesota will reimburse the district the substitute teaching costs, as there may be more days needed during the 2016-2017 school year. D. Battaglia seconded the motion and the resolution was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call.
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First Reading of District Policy #509 - Enrollment of Nonresident Students - Superintendent Scarbrough presented a first draft of this policy for Board review. The policy is still in the developing phase and he will be working with the principals on policy issues and language. Existing open enrolled students are allowed to stay in our school district and do not have to worry about limits on open enrollments making them transfer to another school district.
RESOLVED by T. Lammi to approve the 2016-2017 Contract Consultation for the Programming of a Setting IV Program between ISD #94 and Dr. George TL Holt. The timeframe of the contract is October 1 - December 31, 2016, with a total estimated cost of $2,466.00, as presented. J. Crowley seconded the motion and the resolution was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present on roll call. Superintendent Scarbrough explained that several school districts within the Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative (NLSEC) have been looking at the possibility of bringing in an additional Setting IV program due to the increased need for student services. A Joint Powers Agreement is being researched to provide a way to share the cost of such a program. Dr. Holt will be assisting with the creation of this entity. The cost of the consulting contract will be shared among several school districts within the NLSEC.
UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS
December 6, 2016 - POC Meeting @ 4:00 p.m., KA Trailer - CMS Construction Site
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss Acting Board Chair Dan Danielson adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m.
Clerk of the School Board
ATTEST:
Chair of the School Board
