INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #912
MILACA, MINNESOTA 56353
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 6:30 pm
BOARD ROOM

REGULAR BOARD MEETING – 6:30 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- Chairperson, Pat Nelson

II. ROLL CALL - CLERK Those present:                      Those absent:
Voting Rotation: Todd Quaintance, Linda Ramson, Pat Nelson, Jeff Larson, Jackie Struffert, Aimee Struffert, Jody Chambers

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

IV. PRESENTATIONS
1. A NAMM representative will be presenting to the Board.

V. PUBLIC FORUM – 6:40 PM
Open forum is a specific time set aside during School Board Meetings for members of the public to communicate to the board, even if they are not on the agenda. To participate in the open forum, please sign in on the clipboard before the meeting is called to order.
Guidelines for the open forum:
- When your name is called, please stand. Remember to state your name, address and the organization you represent. Please limit your comments to five minutes, with a maximum of 15 minutes per topic. These limitations are needed to run a timely and orderly board meeting.
- Most information about students is also private under Minnesota law. The Board cannot allow public discussion of information that could identify individual students.
- Personnel matters should not be discussed because most of those issues are private under Minnesota law. If you have a concern with a district staff member, try to resolve the issue with the individual. If you cannot resolve the issue, follow the district's chain of command.
- The School Board is eager to listen to your remarks; however, Board Members are not able to debate issues that arise during the open forum. The forum is an opportunity for the citizens to speak and the board to listen. Items brought before the Board through the Public Forum may be answered immediately if the information is known, or referred either to the Administration or to a Board Committee for further study. If issues presented at Public Forum need further Board action and are unrelated to the current meeting agenda, the item will be placed on a future agenda for action.
- We urge participants in the forum to model civil, respectful speech on topics appropriate for the forum. Thank you so much for your willingness to present your thoughts and questions to us. (See School District Policy 206 Public Participation in School Board Meetings for further information. This policy, in its entirety, can be found under Policies on the School District Web site.)

VI. GOOD THINGS HAPPENING

1. Thank you to Doug Olson and the horticulture class who planted a few shrubs in the flower box in front of the school to replace ones that had died. The Milaca FFA Foundation purchased the plants as a donation to the schools.
2. We received a letter in the mail from Peggy Weaver, wife of Delmer L Weaver. Delmer would have graduated from Milaca in 1941, but he was a member of the National Guard and was mobilized and sent to Camp Clairborne, LA in February of that year. Mr. Weaver was trained, sent to the Pacific Theater and spent 18 months overseas. He returned in May of 1943 very ill with malaria. After recuperating in several army hospitals, he went to Fort Benning, GA to train officers. He was discharged in November of 1945. Shortly thereafter, he began an electrical apprenticeship and graduated from Dunwoody Institute in 1949 as a journeyman electrician. He started his own electrical construction business in 1962 and retired at the age of 62.
      However, through all of this, he never received a high school diploma. He asked for one upon his discharge from the army but he was refused. He is now 87 and has a limited amount of time left to live due to his current health condition. His wife sent a letter detailing the above and will send his honorable discharge papers. Milaca High School is preparing a diploma which will be mailed to him. Though he was invited to attend the graduation of the class of 2010, having missed the graduation of the class of 2009, his wife indicated that she didn't believe he would be able to, due to his health.
      The State of Minnesota allows school districts to issue diplomas to all WWII veterans who were honorably discharged and, due to their military service, would have earned a high school diploma had they not been sent to war. Mr. Weaver clearly qualifies for this honor and it is our pleasure and honor to be able to provide this diploma to him at this time, not only for his service to our country, but for his upstanding citizenship displayed throughout his life.

VII. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda is used for those items on the agenda that usually do not require discussion or explanation as to the reason for board action. At the request of any individual school board member, an item shall be removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda for discussion.

A. Approval of Minutes (See Enclosure #1 on the website)
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on May19, 2009

B. Approval of Bills (See Enclosure #2 on the website)
    - Register
    - Detail

C. Approval of Wire Transfers Listed Below:
LIQUID ASSET TRANSFERS TO CHECKING:
5/7/09       $435,000.00
5/19/09     $150,000.00
5/21/09     $470,000.00
5/29 /09    $186,000.00

D. Personnel Items
Employment Approval/Hours Adjusted/Position Creation:
1. Hire Sarah Marte, High School ESY Teacher, $24/hour, 45.5 hours, effective June 9, 2009 (This is a correction from the May agenda in which it was originally approved for 37.5 hours.)
2. Hire Laura Odden, ½ Student Council Advisor for 2009-2010, $809
3. Hire Betsy Wall, ESY Birth to 3, $24/hour, up to 20 hours/week, effective June 9, 2009
4. Hire Patti Fetters, Targeted Services Summer School Para, 33.5 hours, $14.35/hour, effective July 17, 2009
5. Hire Mary Jo Vickers, Targeted Services Summer School Teacher, 33.5 hours, $24.00/hour, effective July 17, 2009
6. Hire Valerie Anderson, Targeted Services Summer School Teacher, 33.5 hours, $24.00/hour, effective July 17, 2009
7. Hire Michelle Lyrenmann, Targeted Services Summer School Teacher, 33.5 hours, $24.00/hour, effective July 17, 2009
8. Hire Missy Tellinghuisen, Targeted Services Summer School Teacher, 33.5 hours, $24.00/hour, effective July 17, 2009
9. Hire Shirley Geurkink, Targeted Services Summer School Teacher, 33.5 hours, $24.00/hour, effective July 17, 2009
10. Hire Lora Dagel, Targeted Services Summer School Teacher, 33.5 hours, $24.00/hour, effective July 17, 2009
11. Hire Kylee Thomas, Targeted Services Summer School Teacher, 33.5 hours, $24.00/hour, effective July 17, 2009
12. Hire Shannon Lepper, Targeted Services Summer School Teacher, 33.5 hours, $24.00/hour, effective July 17, 2009
13. Hire Nikki Hartung, Lifeguard, $6.75/hour, hours as needed, effective June 22, 2009 – June 2010
14. Hire Keri Lenzmeier, Lifeguard, $6.75/hour, hours as needed, effective June 22, 2009 – June 2010
15. Hire Haley Totzke, Lifeguard, $6.75/hour, hours as needed, effective June 22, 2009 – June 2010
16. Hire Jennifer Strande, ALC Summer Session, Physical Science I & II, $24.00/hour, effective June 22 – July 14, 2009 (contingent upon background check)
17. Hire Jody Udstuen, Elementary Teacher, BA, Step 3, 1.0 FTE, $34,470, effective August 18, 2009
18. Hire Jennifer Monroe, ALC Summer Session, English Teacher, $24.00/hour, effective June 22 – July 14, 2009

Leave Requests/Resignations/Retirements/Seasonal Layoff/Termination:
1. Approve the retirement of Nancy Gully, Elementary Teacher, effective June 9, 2009. Thank you Nancy, for 33 years of service to Milaca Public Schools!
2. Approve the retirement of Rosemary Bohlig, Elementary Teacher, effective June 9, 2009. Thank you Rose, for 35 years of service to Milaca Public Schools!
3. Approve the retirement of David Schenk, Elementary Teacher, effective June 9, 2009. Thank you Dave, for 31+ years of service to Milaca Public Schools!
4. Accept the resignation of Cheryl Larsen, Food Service, effective June 8, 2009
5. Accept the resignation of Ben Bakeberg, Elementary Assistant Principal, effective June 30, 2009 (Contingent upon St. Michael-Albertville approving his hire)
6. Accept the resignation of Sarah Marxhausen, FACS Teacher, effective June 10, 2009 (Contingent upon Princeton approving her hire)

E. Authorize Food Service Director to Seek Bids for Dairy Products for the 2009-2010 School Year

F. Approve Limited Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (Enclosure #3)
This plan, which was explained to the board at the last board meeting, regarding the use of money, as negotiated in the superintendent contract for medical premium payment. This plan will allow that to happen. The cost of preparing the plan was not paid by the district.

G. Approve Memorandum of Understanding for the Superintendent Contract (Enclosure #4)
This MOU goes with the Limited Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan and allows for the bulk of the negotiated contract amount of unused sick leave to be used for the payment of medical premiums until the money runs out. This does not add an additional benefit, but defines the already negotiated benefit and how it will be used. If the superintendent should pass away, and there is money remaining in the account, the school district retains the money. The remaining amount owed to the Superintendent, upon execution of this MOU, will be placed in a 403b plan. Again, this is not a new benefit. It is one that was negotiated many years ago. The cost to draw up this legal document was not charged to the school district.

H. Approve Memorandum of Understanding for the Milaca Education Association
This is a one time agreement to pay 2 additional years of the school board’s contribution toward health and hospitalization insurance for any teacher retiring by June 30, 2009 having reached age of 55 years with at least 15 years of full time service to the District. This additional contribution shall not exceed $11,500 per retiree over the two additional years.

I. Approve the Food Contract with Cambridge-Isanti for Rum River North (Enclosure #5)

J. Approval of the Central Minnesota Adult Basic Education Consortium Membership Agreement (Enclosure #6)
This is a yearly ABE agreement under our Community Education Program.

K. Approve Lakes & Pines (Head Start) Food Service Catering Agreement for 2009-2010
We have had an agreement with Head Start for meals for several years. The cost of meals is $2.35 for a child and $3.35 for adults, which is slightly higher than our student and staff prices to help offset the cost of delivery.

L. Approve Written Agreement for Use of Site Space By Lakes & Pines (Head Start) for 2009-2010
We have had an agreement with Head Start for use of space across the street for several years. The fee for this agreement was $190.00 last year. The Superintendent recommends increasing this rental fee to $265 per month.

M. Approve the Renewal of Property, Casualty and Worker’s Comp Insurance 2009-2010 (Enclosure #7)
We received quotations from EMC (our current provider), Indiana and Hanover. The Business Manager recommends that we remain with EMC for this insurance coverage.

N. Approve the Renewal of the Long Term Disability Insurance Premiums and Life Insurance Premiums (Enclosure #8)
We received quotations from Madison National, formally Lafayette Life (our current provider), and Met Life. The Business Manager recommends that we remain with Madison National for this insurance coverage.

O. Approve the Renewal of the Delta Dental Insurance (Enclosure #9)

P. Approve the Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement for Rum River Special Education Cooperative (Enclosure)
The Office of Special Education Policy (OSEP) recently provided guidance on the relationship between cooperatives and member districts. According to OSEP, cooperatives are responsible for the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), including paying the costs of complaints, due process hearings and mediation. The superintendents recommend adding language to the Joint Powers Agreement, which states that each member district is responsible for their own costs incurred in due process options, such as complaints, hearings and mediation.

Q. Approve the 2009-2010 Title 1 Tutor Agreement (Enclosure)
 

Discussion
The Superintendent recommends that the consent items be approved as notated above.
A motion is in order to approve consent agenda.

VIII. PRINCIPALS/DIRECTORS/COORDINATORS REPORT
A. High School Principal

B. Elementary Principal
1. Elementary Staffing Update (Enclosure #10)

C. Activities Director

D. Food Service Director

E. Community Education Director

F. Business Manager Report
1. Update on financial picture of district (Enclosure #11)
2. Revised fund balance projection chart with revised kindergarten numbers reflected (Enclosure #12)

IX. ITEMS ON WHICH BOARD DISCUSSION AND ACTION IS REQUESTED

A. Approval of Treasurer’s Report (Enclosure #13)

Discussion
A motion is in order to approve the Treasurer’s Report.

B. Approve 2009-2010 Revenue and Expenditure Budgets (Enclosure #14)

Discussion
The Superintendent recommends, along with the Business Manager, that the revenue and expenditure budgets for 2009-2010 be approved.
A motion is in order to approve the 2009-2010 Revenue and Expenditure Budgets.

C. Approve the Staff Development Set Aside Money for 2009-2010 with $34,000 Given to the Staff Development Committee to Distribute and $20,000 for District Discretion as Allowed by Current Legislation
In the past, the district has had to request permission from the staff to retain a portion of the staff development funds, rather than turn the entire amount over to the Staff development committee for workshops etc. Prior to the 2008-2009 school year the staff approved, through a vote, the district to retain $20,000 of this funding, which the district used to code against salaries on in-service days. This allowed the district to have this revenue and off set some of the budget reductions made in 2008. The legislature has now authorized districts to continue to do this for the next two years, without a vote of the staff for approval. I have talked to the District Staff Development committee about this and explained that I would be recommending this to the board at least for the 2009-2010 school year to help offset some budget reductions needed in the spring of 2010.

Discussion
The Superintendent recommends that the Board approve this set aside for 2009-2010 only with a review of this prior to the 2010-2011 school year to determine later if this set aside will or will not happen for 2010-2011.
A motion is in order to approve $20,000 Staff Development funding set aside for district use from the 2009-2010 state allocation and a review of this prior to making a decision on the 2010-2011 funding.

D. Report on ALC Revenues and Expenditures and Decision to Direct Administration to Create a Plan to Bring Expenditures in Line with Revenues
The ALC programs have been expenditure over revenues for some time now. Most of this has to do with the changes the state made in capping the WADM's for such programs. We are overspending at the ALC by $83,041. In addition, the offering of classes to small numbers of students certainly impacts the balance of revenue and expenditure. As you can see from the report given you by our Business Manager, the ALC has needed to dip into the general fund to continue offering the programs in their current manner. It is my recommendation that the board direct the administration to study this and make formal recommendations for bringing the expenditures in line with the revenues during the course of the next year or two.

Discussion
The Superintendent recommends that this action be taken as preliminary to future board actions that will likely be needed in these programs.
A motion is in order to direct the administration to prepare recommendations for bringing the ALC programs in line with revenues and to present this to the school board by fall 2009.

E. Approve Plan to Contract Food Service Director Time, Not to Exceed 40 Days Plus Two Days Before and After the School Year, to the Braham School District During the 2009-2010 School Year
We have had several meetings regarding a shared arrangement in the area of food service administration. The board committee members will fill the board in more on this matter and answer questions. It is a consideration for one year while we examine the pros and cons of such an arrangement. Saving to the district would be in the neighborhood of $10,000. Our director would continue to be employed by Milaca full time, but we would sub contract her to Braham for this period of time. Braham would also pay her mileage and provide a lap top computer for her.

Discussion
A motion is in order to enter into a sub contract shared service arrangement with the Braham Public Schools for one day per week of service during the 2009-2010 school year and two days before and after the school year of our food service director's time with an understanding that the program will be reevaluated prior to extending any services to Braham beyond the 2009-2010 school year.

F. Approve the Resolution Awarding the Sale of Alternative Facilities Bonds (Enclosure #15)
A representative will be with us at the meeting from Ehlers and Associates to answer any questions you might have regarding this sale.

Discussion
A motion is in order to approve the resolution awarding the sale of alternative facilities bonds.

G. Approve the Resolution Awarding the Sale of Capital Facilities Bonds (Enclosure #16)
A representative will be with us at the meeting from Ehlers and Associates to answer any questions you might have regarding this sale.

Discussion
A motion is in order to approve the resolution awarding the sale of capital facilities bonds.

H. Accept the Quote from Ron Wilken for Construction of a Van Garage Door in the Amount of $1,275 (Enclosure #17a, Enclosure #17b)
We received two quotes for the project of adding a garage door in the current van garage. They were very close in total cost and were received from two very reputable people/companies.

Discussion
The Superintendent recommends accepting the quote from Ron Wilken.
A motion is in order to accept the quote from Ron Wilken for the van garage door remodel and installation in the amount of $1,275.

X. ITEMS OF INFORMATION AND/OR DISCUSSION ONLY

A. Committee Reports

B. Second Reading of Policies (Enclosure #18 on the website)

Policy 214 - Out of State Travel by School Board Members
Policy 413 - Harassment and Violence
Policy 415 - Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults
Policy 522 - Student Sex Nondiscrimination

XI. SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD MEMBER ITEMS

A. Superintendent Report
1. Compensatory Audit Update
2. Review Assistant Principal Staffing Options
3. Discussion of tennis court, track and fence renovation

B. Calendar (See Enclosure #19 on the website)

C. Student Activities Report (See Enclosure #20 on the website)

XII. ADJOURNMENT

So, How Are The Children?
This is a traditional greeting among the African Masai Tribe acknowledging the high value that the Masai place on their children’s well-being. Even warriors with no children of their own give the traditional answer. “All the children are well.” Meaning, that peace and safety prevail, that the priorities of protecting the young, and the powerless are in place, and that we have not forgotten our reason for being, our proper functions and responsibilities. “All the children are well” means that life is good.
Speech by Rev Patrick T. O’Neill
************************************************************************
MILACA SCHOOL DISTRICT GOALS

1. Goal: Focus on the Whole Individual
Objectives: 1. Model and expect respect
2. Promote ethical behavior, cultural awareness, and personal responsibility
3. Provide broad and comprehensive enrichment opportunities
4. Reach all learners

2. Goal: Define, Measure and Track Student Achievement
Objectives: 1. Identify measurable student achievement data
2. Set student achievement goals
3. Use student achievement data to drive research-based curriculum and instructional strategies
4. Evaluate and communicate student achievement

3. Goal: Operate Within a Balanced Budget Each Year
Objectives: 1. Form an advisory finance council
2. Develop a school district fund balance policy
3. Assess and adjust budget/programs as needed

4. Goal: Strengthening Community Support
Objectives: 1. Foster community trust and good will
2. Increase community involvement in school
3. Expand communication among school, family, and community

MILACA SCHOOL DISTRICT VISION STATEMENT
The Milaca Public Schools will provide educational opportunities and serve as a resource for all learners in the community. The schools will provide a safe and respectful learning environment. We will focus on educating the whole individual by preparing each learner with the skills needed to succeed as a responsible citizen in our changing and diverse world.