Regular Board Meeting
Independent School District No 561
JANUARY 17, 2023
Community Center
The school board of Independent School District #561 met in a regular session on Tuesday, January 17th, at 7:00 P.M. in the community center. The following members were present: John Lovly, Tim Hruby, Neil Jensen, Joey Rubischko, and Rozlynn Johnsrud. The following members were absent: Leah Bothum. Also present: Superintendent Loberg, Principal Carlson, and Goodridge Education Association members Alyssa Nelson and Stephanie Olson.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Lovly, The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Rubischko, to approve the January 17, 2023, meeting agenda as presented/amended. Motion carried unanimously.
Nominations were called for Chairperson. Jensen nominated Lovly for Chairperson of the board. A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Jensen, to appoint Lovly as Chairperson. The motion was carried unanimously.
Nominations were called for Vice Chair. Hruby nominated Jensen for Vice Chair. A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Johnsrud to appoint Jensen as Vice Chair. Motion was carried unanimously.
Nominations were called for Clerk. Lovly nominated Bothum for Clerk. A motion was made by Johnsrud, seconded by Hruby, to appoint Bothum as Clerk. Motion carried unanimously.
Nominations were called for Treasurer. Jensen nominated Hruby for treasurer. A motion was made by Rubichko, seconded by Johnsrud, to appoint Hurby as Treasurer. Motion carried unanimously.
The following committee appointments were made:
Legislative Liaison: Jensen. Community Center Governing Board: Hruby. Safety Committee: Jensen. Policy Review: Johnsrud. Budget and Finance: Johnsrud and Lovly. Administrative Negotiations: Hruby and Lovly. Certified Staff Negotiations: Hruby and Rubischko. Pairing Committee: Lovly, Alternate: Rubischko. NWRIC: Hruby, Alternate Rubischko. Interview Committee Classified: Jensen and Bothum. Interview Committee Certified: Rubischko and Lovly. Interview Committee Admin: Rubischko and Bothum. Buildings and Grounds: Lovly. MSHSL: Johnsrud.
A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Rubischko, to approve the December 20, 2022 regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Jensen, seconded by Rubischko, to approve payment for checks #44670-44746 and wire payments as listed in report #3.1 A & B as listed in report 3.1.1. Motion carried unanimously.
Financial reports were reviewed. Superintendent Loberg reported the district shows an investment balance of $1,805,250.43 on December 31, 2022. (see reports #3.2-3.6 attached to the official board minutes).
Patron Concerns: None
Student Council Report: Principal Carlson reported on the Snofest Week activities provided by the Student Council. She thanked co-advisor Mrs. Lacey Hruby for all of her work with Snofest.
Goodridge Education Association: None
Classified Staff Report: None
Instructional Reports: Principal Carlson reported that she is working on the Master Schedule for next year. CTE course options were discussed.
Old Business: None
New Business: A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Jensen, to set the standard School Board meeting date for the third Tuesday of each month whenever possible, at 7:00 p.m. in November through April, and 8:00 p.m. in May through October, in the community center. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Rubischko, seconded by Hruby, to designate the Thief River Falls Times as the official newspaper, KKAQ and KTRF as the official radio stations, attorney firm Kennedy & Graven, and Northern State Bank and Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund as the official depositories. Motion Carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Jensen, seconded by Johnsrud, to set the annual school board salaries as follows: Chairperson $1,300, Clerk $1,100, Treasurer $1,100, Vice-Chairperson $1,000, Members $1,000. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Lovly, seconded by Rubischko, to give the school business manager authority to make electronic payments for payroll taxes, deductions and benefits. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Jensen to approve the purchase of a 77 passenger
Blue Bird bus from North Central as presented in report #8.5. Motion carried unanimously.
Alyssa Nelson, preschool teacher, presented to the board regarding expanding the preschool program from 2 days per week to 4 days per week. She expressed that she currently uses a five day/week curriculum which the kids would benefit from getting two extra days of. She noted that students who are either behind or on an IEP will also benefit from extra preschool days. Superintendent Loberg noted that the cost will be the same because the staff and busing will remain the same. He also recommended that the board commit to at least three years for 4-day-a-week preschool, which could mean exploring a second preschool classroom option. Mrs. Nelson also informed the board about the Classroom Engagement Model grant that the preschool program is participating in. The board agreed unanimously to expand the preschool program to 4 days a week for VPK 4.
Personnel: A motion was made by Lovly (with regrets), seconded by Johnsrud, to accept the resignation of Nick Mickelson, 7-12 mathematics teacher (see report #9.1). Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Jensen, seconded by Hurby, to approve the hire of Devin Drangsveit,
7-12 mathematics teacher. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Johnsrud, seconded by Jensen, to approve the hire of Alice Sather, Part-Time Elementary Special Education Teacher and Facilitator for the 22-23 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Donations: A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Lovly to accept the donations as listed in report #10.1. Motion carried unanimously.
Open Form: Hruby welcomed Johnsrud to the board. Rubischko thanked everyone that helps with extra-curricular activities and for taking the extra time out of their personal lives to work with kids. Lovly welcomed Johnsrud to the board and thanked Principal Carlson for taking notes. He also thanked the board for everything they do for the school and the students. Jensen welcomed Johnsrud to the board.
Administrative reports: Principal Carlson reported that spring Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on February 16th from 1:00 P.M.-7:30 P.M. She also reported that the school year is going well and thanked everyone for all they do.
Superintendent Loberg reported that the district’s long-range facilities planning consultants, ICS, will be coming to the February and March board meetings to provide a report on phase 1 of the project. All of the information will be made available to the public. Superintendent Loberg reported that the district’s snow removal/utility tractor will be arriving next week, the previous tractor was traded in due to ongoing mechanical issues. He also noted that the summer
projects list would be available at the February meeting. He also thanked Mrs. Olson for doing a great job with the spelling bee and congratulated all the participants. Superintendent Loberg also thanked Mrs. Halvorson and Mrs. Sargent and the media club for broadcasting the Spelling Bee on the school Garden Valley Channel and the Goodridge Area Development for sponsoring the Spelling Bee. Superintendent Loberg also provided an update on next year’s sports schedules.
The next regular meeting was set for Tuesday, February 21st, 2023. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Attest:
John Lovly, Chairperson
Leah Bothum, Clerk