Clearbrook-Gonvick School Hires Two New Teachers

Superintendent Jeff Burgess reported that BRIC has hired a teacher for the DCD position. A speech therapist has also been hired for the district. Having a speech therapist on-site will save the school district between $10,000 and $15,000 compared to the system that has been used.

Principal Carl Dugstad introduced changes to the handbook. The three changes approved by the board included a statement that PSOE students would not be able to be considered for valedictorian or salutatorian. Another change requires students to provide information on credits completed in other programs to the school two weeks prior to graduation. The final change to the handbook requires that students who would like any variation to graduation dress must submit their request to administration one month in advance of the ceremony.

Justin Maaninga, Senior Project Manager from ICS was present at the meeting to discuss approval of building plans. The bids received put the project overbudget. Maaninga brought up several adjustments to the project to bring the costs back into the budgeted amount. The board discussed these potential changes, as well as the timing and duration of the project. Maaninga stated that his goal was to present a more finalized plan at the August 19th meeting, with changes presented to the board by August 12th to allow members time to review the adjustments.

The Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue and Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan were both approved by the board. According to Jeff Burgess, the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan ensures that school districts’ financial planning allows for funding of major building maintenance issues like roofing or flooring replacement. The current year budgeted amount for this category is approximately $42,000 and expenditures are coming in at around $40,000. Flooring replacement in some parts of the school, especially the commons area, is being looked at for the near future. The life of the current roof is expected to extend to around 2026. The roof has been inspected recently and is still in good shape.

The negotiations committee has been meeting with teachers and an overall agreement has been set up. Mr. Dugstad reported that there has been good conversation on points where both teachers and administrators wish to improve. The committee will continue to work with the teachers to fine-tune the language before finalizing contracts.

The transportation committee met with Gerry and Deb Stein, of Stein’s Bus Service, who were present at the meeting.  A request for an additional bus route on the south end of the district for the upcoming school year was discussed. Issues that make bus route planning challenging were brought forward, including accurate prediction of student numbers prior to the start of the school year. The bus route plan must provide a seat for each student on the route, even if that student never rides the bus. The board chose to wait to add the route for now, but will reconsider the addition for the following school year.

Increases to lunch fees for the 2019-2020 school year were approved by the school board. The cost of each lunch was raised by five cents, while milk prices will stay the same. New prices will be $2.70 for an elementary lunch, $3.00 for a high school lunch, and $4.15 for an adult lunch. Breakfast prices will increase to $1.50 for a student breakfast and $2.30 for an adult breakfast.

The Q-Comp Report was presented and approved by the board. This report covers professional development and curriculum planning issues the teachers work on during weekly Wednesday meetings. Peer observation, collaboration, and mentoring are among the strategies covered under this plan.

Consent calendar issues including approval of bills presented, approval of electronic transfers, and approval of treasurer’s report were passed by the board. Payments made include $15,038.60 to Clearwater County Nursing Service, $10,764.20 to Clearwater-Polk Electric, $5,118.69 to Stein’s Bus Service, LLC, $8,185.50 to Marco, $1,917.58 to Garden Valley Telephone Company, and $1,048.98 to Community Oil Company.