Clearbrook-Gonvick School board December 15, 2025
Clearbrook-Gonvick School board December 15, 2025
The Clearbrook-Gonvick School board had three different meetings on Monday, December 15.
The first meeting was a working session with two topics at 5:30 p.m. They had discussions on the roof replacement and a pickup to replace the one that they have. The board had asked at the last meeting to have Ehlers put together some financial information on the roof. They discussed what kind of roof, how long a warranty, getting bid specifications and what kind of a time frame to get the project done. They wanted to stay tax neutral. They will be having more meetings.
The second was on another pickup truck to replace the old one. Superintendent Grow supplied four options, a new Chevy truck for $51,800; a 2022 truck for $46,800; a 2019 Ram for $30,000 and a 2016 Ram for $16,000. No action was taken at the special meeting as they added it to the agenda meeting later that night.
After the working session Superintendent Grow had the Truth in Taxation meeting. He had the proposed 2026 Property taxes that he went over. The formula is set by legislature and with voter approved assessments. There are many different sources including property taxes and the county auditor sends out the proposed taxes to each property owner. These can be brought to the Truth in Taxation meeting at each taxing district. The legislature also sets tax capacity rates for different property classes. They multiply a property’s market value to get its tax capacity. The Clearbrook-Gonvick district is fortunate to have pipelines in the taxing district.
The regular school board meeting started at 7:00 p.m. James Bettin gave his Spotlight on Education. Over 100 students decorated Christmas cookies. The Elementary Student council held their annual cereal drive. They collected 650 boxes to take to the Food Shelf. Tiffany Kroulik oversees the project. The Christmas party is being planned with many events taking place. Caps and gowns have been ordered for graduation.
The minutes of the November17 meeting were approved.
Principal Report
Josh Tharalson submitted his report. The elementary music concert was switched to 2:00 pm and there was an outstanding turnout. The high school students were all able to see them perform.
The K-6 teachers will be completing the winter FastBridge screening in their classrooms. This is number 2 of 3 for the year which includes both math and reading. All this information is useful for teachers when making decisions about how to best meet the needs of their students.
There is still more testing that will take place as part of the READ Act. That is to determine if students are at grade level or have characteristics of dyslexia.
Current enrollment for grade 6 is 29; Grade 7 is 48; grade 8 is 36 and grade 9 is There are open seats for each grade.
Upcoming events:
No school December 24 through January 2 for Christmas vacation
End of Semester quarter 2 is January 16th.
No school for teacher in-service is January 19th.
Superintendents Report
Ryan Grow said there are a lot of unknowns with the READ Act. They are waiting for further guidance for implementation from the state. Part of the requirement is that the district must screen all 4th through 12th graders for dyslexia. They have identified elementary students who are not reading at grade level.
They are in need of softball and baseball coaches. As of that day they also need a Steller Position person which they will advertise for. One that was in the position has left.
Legislative platform items include funding, physical school safety, food service fund, student support, teacher licensure, mandates and calendars.
Roof options were discussed with no results
Kristopher Rue, the Industrial Arts Teacher stated that the worktables need to be replaced. Board members said they had sat at those tables a few years back.
Doug Liebl, the Art Teacher would like to offer digital arts. They will be looking at grants for this new offering.
Building and Grounds – the blower units have been making noise and they found out that it is a three-phase motor and not a single phase. They received a quote from Naylors for $5000 to fix the units. Money for the project will come from the contingency fund.
Some all-call systems were not working. Rooms did not have speakers so that announcements could be heard. Instead of a speaker a horn system would be set up in the shop area. A quote from Garden Valley for work and materials was accepted for $2,495.00.
Enrollment report with it going up1 to 500 students.
The DNR will be measuring the tress in the school forest lot by Gonvick. They want to compare them to other trees around the state. They will be spending some time doing that. Watch out for their trucks in the area.
They have also made some extra purchases with math test books and workbooks.
Consent Calendar
They approved the bills for $639,113.50 for non-payroll, $253,465.47 for payroll for a total of $892,578.97.
Some bills included: Superior Transportation Services Inc. $91,925.97; Gast Construction Co., Inc $54, 627.15; Bessler Electric $30,891.75; Kelly Services Inc. $26,927.16; Jeff Dehler Public Relations LLC $16,000.00; Clearwater-Polk Electric $11,004.70; Eide Bailly $9,348.20; Gustafson & Goudge Inc. $4,948.38; Marco $4,544.00; Bemidji State University $3,300.00; City of Clearbrook $3,247.18; Listrom Disposal Inc. $3,019.02; ATSR $2,684.93; North Country Hardware $1,178.21; Garden Valley $1,049.97.
Donation of $4,259.00 was received for athletics.
Old Business
The Board approved the MSBA Model Policies. Seven items included Chemical use, Resource Office, Student interviewed by outside people, Title 1, Technical System, READ Act and Transportation.
New Business
They accepted the resignation of Brenda Wilcox as the Custodian. Her last day will be December 19.
They approved the Indian Policies and Procedures of ISD #2311. It had been brought to the board by Heather Brandt, American Indian Education Program Coordinator.
They approved the Final Levy and Certification at the max of $2,021,439.25. a10.7% decrease.
Discussion and approval of the purchase of a new truck was held. They approved the new Chevy from Thiberts in Red Lake Falls for $51,800 with the snowplow prep package. They have the plow on the present truck.
The next regular meeting will be January 26th at 7:00 p.m. Changed because of Martin Luther King Day on January 19th the usual meeting date.