Regular Board Meeting
Independent School District 564 – Board of Education
JANUARY 9, 2023
6:00 p.m.
DSC Board Room
A Regular Meeting of Independent School District #564 Board of Education was held on Monday, January 9, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the DSC board room. The following board members were present: Ryan Walseth, Misty Hempel, Mike Spears, Wayne Nomeland, Michelle Westerman, Chris Melbye, and Kayla Lian. Absent: None.
Staff members present were: Dr. Paula Henry, Melissa Bushy, Holly Ward, Amber Lindgren, Sara Olson, Jason Schuster, Patrick Marolt, and Scott Brekke.
Also present were: Coby Skjerven, Craig Mattson, Marlene Anderson, and Dave Hill.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Chair Walseth called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Clerk Melbye confirmed that a quorum was present.
A motion was made by Wayne Nomeland and seconded by Mike Spears to approve the January 9, 2023 agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Michelle Westerman to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2022 regular school board meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by Kayla Lian to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2023 Organizational school board meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Chris Melbye and seconded by Mike Spears to approve the bills as submitted and on file in the School District Business Office. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment: None.
Presentations:
A. Learner Support Services Director, Holly Ward, gave an update on her department.
Reports:
A. Student Report:
1. LHS Senior, Coby Skjerven, provided an update on student life at LHS.
B. Principal’s Report:
1. CES Principal, Patrick Marolt, gave an update on CES.
2. FMS Dean of Students, Jason Schuster, provided an update on FMS.
3. LHS Principal, Scott Brekke, gave an update on LHS.
C. Superintendent’s Report:
1. Superintendent Henry shared that she has been notified this year the recipient of Chamber Member of the Year – Large Business goes to the Thief River Falls School District! The annual banquet will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the Legacy Event Center, where we will be presented with the award.
Recognitions:
A. Thank you to former school board member, Craig Mattson. for his service to our students, staff, and community the past four years.
B. Recognize the donation from John and Heidi McNary to the Prowler Pantry totaling $500.
Business Action Items:
A. A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by Misty Hempel to approve the Resolution of the Financial Condition of the District. Upon a roll call vote, the following voted in favor of: Nomeland, Spears, Westerman, Hempel, Walseth, Lian, and Melbye. Motion carried unanimously.
Recommended Resolution:
WHEREAS, the financial condition of the school district dictates that the school board must reduce expenditures immediately, and
WHEREAS, this reduction in expenditures must include discontinuance of positions and discontinuance or curtailment of programs, and
WHEREAS, a determination must be made as to which teachers’ contracts must be terminated and not renewed and which teachers may be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits in effecting discontinuance of positions,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 564, as follows:
That the School Board hereby directs the Superintendent of Schools and administration to consider the discontinuance of programs and positions to effectuate economics in the school district and reduce expenditures and make recommendations to the school board for the discontinuance of programs, curtailment of programs, discontinuance of positions or curtailment of positions.
B. A motion was made by Chris Melbye and seconded by Misty Hempel to approve to charge for Prowler Preschool mid-day bussing beginning the 2023-24 school year at the rate of $50/month for the 4 year old half day program and $40/month for the 3 year old half day program. Reduced rates will be available following the School Nutrition Programs Household Income Guidelines. Motion carried unanimously.
C. A motion was made by Wayne Nomeland and seconded by Mike Spears to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, and as appropriate, per negotiated contract, salary and benefits and an acceptable background check. Motion carried unanimously.
Personnel:
1. Approve the assignment of Melissa Fawcett, Food Prep, FMS, effective January 3, 2023.
2. Approve the employment of Alexandra Hemmestvedt, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective January 11, 2023.
3. Approve the employment of Joseph Hermreck, Technical Tutor, employment effective December 16, 2022.
4. Approve the employment of Peggy Lawrence, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective January 3, 2023.
5. Approve the leave of absence for Kelly Bohl, Transportation Assistant, from approximately December 21, 2022 until approximately January 20, 2023.
6. Accept the resignation of Kari Goulet, Kitchen Helper, CES, effective December 20, 2022.
7. Accept the resignation of Dawn Stevenson, Bus Driver, effective January 4, 2023.
D. A motion was made by Kayla Lian and seconded by Misty Hempel to approve the employment of the following Targeted Services positions: Motion carried unanimously.
1. Target Services – FMS –
January 9, 2023 – April 5, 2023
a. One (1) Coordinator – up to 20 hours – Jamie Bakken
b. Up to Two (2) Teachers – up to 45 hours each – Darci Geiser and Jamie Bakken
E. A motion was made by Michelle Westerman and seconded by Kayla Lian to approve to Establish and Post for the following positions: Motion carried unanimously.
1. Science Teacher
Effective: January 17, 2023 – May 25, 2023, approximately 3 hours/day, 2 days/week Location: Northwest Area Learning Center
2. Special Education Teacher
Effective: Immediately
Location: Northwest Area Learning Center
3. Special Education Paraprofessional Effective: Fall 2023
Location: Northwest Area Learning Center
F. A motion was made by Kayla Lian and seconded by Michelle Westerman to approve the following 2023 Fall & Winter Extra-Curricular Assignments: Motion carried unanimously.
1. Ben Poissant-Wrestling-Asst. Level 1
Strong Fiscal Management:
A. A motion was made by Wayne Nomeland and seconded by Mike Spears to approve the Resolution to accept the donations received for the benefit of the district as designated. Upon a roll call vote, the following voted in favor of: Walseth, Spears, Hempel, Lian, Melbye, Westerman, and Nomeland. Motion carried unanimously.
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 123B.02, Subd. 6 provides: “The board may receive, for the benefit of the district, bequests, donations, or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the same to the purpose designated. In that behalf, the board may act as trustee of any trust created for the benefit of the district, or for the benefit of pupils thereof, including trusts created to provide pupils of the district with advanced education after completion of high school, in the advancement of education.”; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 465.03 provides: “Any city, county, school district or town may accept a grant or devise of real or personal property and maintain such property for the benefit of its citizens in accordance with the terms prescribed by the donor. Nothing herein shall authorize such acceptance or use for religious or sectarian purposes. Every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full.; and
WHEREAS, every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the by the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Thief River Falls Public School District, ISD 564, gratefully accepts the following donations as identified below:
Donor Item Designated Purpose (if any)
John and Heidi McNary
$500 Prowler Pantry
Policies:
A. Second reading/review of MSBA 707 Transportation of Public School Students policy. This policy will be presented for approval to adopt at the January 23, 2023 school board meeting.
B. A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Wayne Nomeland to approve the renewal of MSBA 205 Open Meetings and Closed Meetings policy w/ changes. Motion carried unanimously.
Other:
A. Thursday, January 12, 2023 @ 7 am, LHS Training Center – Long Term Planning Advisory Committee meeting.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
/s/ Ryan Walseth, Chair
/s/ Chris Melbye, Clerk