Clearbrook-Gonvick School board holds monthly meeting
The monthly meeting for the Clearbrook-Gonvick School board was called to order by Chairman Westrum at 7:02 p.m.
There were no community comments.
Special Education teacher Katie Bardwell did a presentation regarding National Autism Awareness Month, which is April for the Spotlight on Education for the board.
Principal Report
Principal Jeff Burgess discussed the following items:
1) Events – The Bear Share and Science Fair will be held on April 27th. ACT testing started April 19th. The High School Band Concert will be held on May 17th. The Awards Banquet and Baccalaureate will be held on May 25th.
2) Testing – MCA testing started. The process was going well. They are seeing mixed results with scores so far. They are working on Local Locator Ideas - which is a resource that comes from the MCA test results and is an individualized improvement plan for each student. They are currently working on a plan to get this information to the parents.
3) Counselor – The district has had five full time applicants and one part time applicant. Interviews started for the position and they went well.
4) Schedule – Principal Burgess presented the schedule for the 16-17 school year. There weren’t many major changes, except Junior High rotation was set up. The schedule includes College and OCHS classes. The ITV schedule is not yet complete. Sophomores and Juniors were brought in to start working on scheduling. Registration will be done online this year.
Superintendent Report –
Superintendent Wayne Olson discussed the following: Title Monitor – Supt. Olson advised that the office staff and some teachers will be involved in the Title Monitoring, which will take place the last week of the month on Wednesday – Friday. Attention will be paid to how the district is using the Title dollars and staff licensure, in particular, the core subjects. The monitor will also look at the meetings/PLCs that are held.
Personnel Update - School Readiness - Numbers look good, and classes should be large in the fall. Insurance numbers look good. Supt. Olson would like to meet with board committee members before next meeting. Building and grounds should meet regarding the parking lot. Non-Certified negotiations have been requested, however no dates have been set. Counseling Position – this is currently a half time position. The people that are applying would like full time. Mr. Olson recommends that the board consider making it a full time position. He believes we would be able to make use of a full time counselor. They wouldn’t know the total difference cost wise at this point, but Mrs. Cousins was an extremely qualified person and paid accordingly.
The board members were in favor of a full time position, as long as the person is well utilized and it can be demonstrated that the person is well utilized.
Committee Reports – No meeting was held on the Superintendent’s Evaluation
Consent Calendar –
Payroll/Expense checks were approved totaling: $358,964.30 along with electronic transfers, treasurer’s report and bills including: Stein’s Bus Service LLC $51,548.07; Clearwater-Polk Electric $9,205.17; March $7,532.91; Bemidji State University $3,500.00; Pine to Prairie Coop $2,749.60; Clearwater County $2,707.88; City of Clearbrook $1,918.68; Skatetime School $1,809.70; Peterson Sheet Metal $1,767.49; Garden Valley Telephone Company $1,528.36 and BRIC $1,073.29.
Old Business
BRIC Update – Mr. Olson advised that a meeting will be Tuesday, April 26, regarding changing of the Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Council (BRIC) by-laws, disallowing a partial withdrawal from BRIC services. Mr. Olson is concerned that the changes need to be discussed over more time than has been given. He will be discussing this with BRIC staff. Mr. Olson will keep the board posted. Ben Maclitt is the BRIC representative & he will be able to attend. Board member Petterson asked how other BRIC board members feel about the change. Mr. Olson advised that he was not certain how other districts felt, but he doesn’t feel comfortable with BRIC taking financial decisions out of the hands of the individual districts when it comes to staffing Special Ed positions. Discussion was held.
New Business
Personnel – Approve Resignation – Kim Cousins, Counselor as they are moving out of the area. Approve Resignation – Renae Bakke DCD SPED Teacher. Chairman Westrum thanked both Kim and Renae for their service to our District.
The board approved the Resolution proposing to place Jay Jones on Unrequested Leave of Absence, reducing him to 4/7ths time.
The board approved the Managed Technology Contract with Marco for the 2016-2019 school years, for a total of 3 years.
The approval Memorandum of Understanding on BCBS Insurance Rebate was postponed.
The board approved the audit contract with Eide Bailey for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years.
The board also approved of the addition of two minutes to the school day for 2016-2017 school year.
Action Items for next meeting - Superintendent Evaluation Committee Should Meet and Supt. Olson will contact committee members to plan necessary meetings in other areas
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Upcoming Meetings:
Committee Meetings – All Dates to be determined
May Board Meeting/Town Hall Meeting – Monday, May 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.