August 16, 2021 at 7:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  All speakers are asked to complete the Listening Session Sign-in Form including as much detail as possible and including a printed / written copy of your presentation if one is available. This is an opportunity for the Board to listen, the Board will not engage in dialogue. As a general rule, the Board will not comment on or respond to any comments made by speakers. Please do not include names of Greenbush Middle River employees or representatives, their title, or location in your remarks for your own legal protection and the legal rights of staff.

Each speaker will have five (5) minutes to speak: speakers may not roll their time to another speaker. Speakers will be timed and are asked to complete their comments in this time frame. Board members may ask questions if needed.  Please begin your presentation by stating your name and topic only.
In the spirit of fairness to all participants, we request that you respect the format above. Thank you for taking the time today to attend this meeting and share your concerns and suggestions.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, members of the public may wish to email Board communication(s) to <info@greenbush.k12.mn.us>
 

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Description:  Budget consists of 6 fund balances:

o  01 General Fund
o  02 Food Service
o  04 Community Services
o  07 Debt Redemption
o  08 Scholarships
o  09 Student Activities
• *see attached 

Description:  Donation by One Better Liquor (Diane Rud) for reducing outstanding school lunch account(s)... $1,000

Description:  Referendum information has been posted on the School's website (front page Navigation panel).

Public information efforts relating to Special Ballot question for an operating referendum as a part of the November 2, 2021 Special School Election may include:

Local Newspaper;
Radio talk show (KQ 92)
Virtual Meetings (eg:  Zoom);
various Social Media;
Small group settings;
etc.

MSBA will release a listing of MN Public School Districts participating in special school elections in early Sept.  For now, other NW MN area elections:
Newfolden - Bond referendum on Aug. 10 (failed by small margin)
Thief River Falls - operating referendum renewal + additional per pupil
Bemidji - Revoke existing and Replace with higher operating referendum amount per pupil
Stephen-Arygle - operating referendum
Warroad -  Question #1:  Increase operating referendum by $763.21 per pupil
                    Question #2: Capital Project Levy ($3,000,000 over 10 year period)


Board Discussion

Description:  An agenda item within a Special School Board Meeting held on August 2, 2021 included a report of Back-to-School with COVID-19.

With just under a month to go before classes resume Sept. 7, the GMR will not require face masks to be worn inside school buildings, and it will not require proof of vaccination from either students or staff.

Following the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education’s updated health recommendations, the Greenbush Middle River School District will recommend the use of masks this fall, but they won’t be required.  However, masking will be required on student transportation as per Federal Public Transportation guidelines regardless of vaccination status.

Wearing masks during sports and other activities is at the discretion of the Minnesota State High School League. Coaches and advisers will provide details as events come up.

Based on an August 10 MSHSL meeting with AD's statewide:

• MSHSL is recommending (not requiring) the same prevention strategies as last year such as masking, distancing, and keeping the same small groups together for practice and games.
• Masking is required for everyone in a school bus.
• Nothing was said about spectators, ticket sales, concessions or pep band.

With just under a month to go before classes resume Sept. 7, the GMR School will not require face masks to be worn inside school buildings, additionally the school will not require proof of vaccination from either students or staff.  However,  the GMR School encourages students (12 year old and above) and adults to follow CDC and MDH recommendations towards getting vaccinated.  The Food and Drug Administration has given emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children as young as 12. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have only been given authorized use for those 18 and older.  NOTE:  Area Schools (including GMR) in cooperation with Roseau County Public Health will be offering an on-site COVID Vaccine Clinic for students.  The on-site clinic will take place on September 20th with a 2nd dose 3 weeks later - more information to follow.

Throughout the pandemic parents, teachers, students and staff have recognized the importance of having in-person learning in school. 

COVID cases, including the DELTA variant continue to rise in the State and even Roseau County.  The GMR School and State and Federal Agencies will continue to work towards creating a safe and healthy learning environment.  With that said, State and Federal Agencies will continue to provide direction to inform school officials in the coming weeks, meaning, things could still change.  

Board discussion

Board resolution template as provided by MSBA:
 

Board Member __________________ introduced the following resolution

 

Health and Safety Measures for the 2021-2022 School Year 

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 123B.09 vests the care, management, and control of independent districts in the school board; and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Independent School District No. 2683 [hereinafter the "Superintendent"] is responsible for the management of the schools, the administration of all School District policies, and is directly accountable to the School Board; and

WHEREAS, when responsibilities are not specifically prescribed nor School District policy applicable, the Superintendent shall use personal and professional judgment, subject to review by the School Board, pursuant to School District Policy 302, Superintendent; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") and the Minnesota Department of Health ("MDH") have determined that the COVID-19 pandemic is currently ongoing and may remain ongoing for an unknown time; and 

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Education ("MDE") has issued and may continue to issue written guidance for Minnesota schools on educational issues related to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the MDH has issued and may continue to issue written guidance for Minnesota schools on public health issues related to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent and the administration of the School District have conferred with the School Board regarding COVID-19 health and safety measures, the current CDC, MDE, and MDH requirements for each, and other relevant information; and

WHEREAS, based upon the collective consideration of these factors, the Superintendent has recommended to the School Board that
   
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2683 as follows:

Section 1:     The Superintendent is hereby directed to implement the following health and safety measures to open the 2021-2022 school year: 
  Section 2: The Superintendent is hereby authorized, after consultation with the School Board Chair and notification to the School Board, to select and implement different health and safety measures for the School District or any specific school buildings without School Board action if the Superintendent reasonably believes that prompt implementation of different health and safety measures is necessary, and that constraints of time and public health considerations render it impractical to hold a School Board meeting to approve the implementation. The health and safety measures selected and implemented by the Superintendent shall continue in effect unless and until the School Board, in consultation with the Superintendent and appropriate school district staff and public health officials, deems it in the best interest of the School District and its students to implement different health and safety measures.  
 
Section 3:     The Superintendent will provide regular updates to the School Board regarding the School District’s efforts to implement COVID-19 related educational and public health guidance issued by the MDE and the MDH, respectively.
 

And Member __________________ seconded the afore-mentioned  resolution.

Where upon a roll call vote, the following voted in favor thereof:

And the following voted in opposition:

Whereupon the resolution was duly passed / failed







 

Description: 
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2683, State of Minnesota, as follows:

1. As required by Minnesota Statutes, Section 203B.121, the Board hereby establishes a ballot board to process, accept and reject absentee ballots at school district elections not held in conjunction with the state primary or state general election or that are conducted by a municipality on behalf of the school district and generally to carry out the duties of a ballot board as provided by Minnesota Statutes, Section 203B.121 and other applicable laws.

2. The ballot board must consist of a sufficient number of election judges trained in the handling of absentee ballots. The ballot board may include deputy county auditors or deputy city clerks who have received training in the processing and counting of absentee ballots.

3. The clerk or the clerk’s designee is hereby authorized and directed to appoint the members of the ballot board. The clerk or the clerk’s designee shall establish, maintain and update a roster of members appointed to and currently serving on the ballot board and shall report to the Board from time to time as to its status.

4. Each member of the ballot board shall be paid reasonable compensation for services rendered during an election at the same rate as other election judges; provided, however, if a staff member is already being compensated for regular duties, additional compensation shall not be paid for ballot board duties performed during that staff member’s duty day.

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by
___________.   

On a roll call vote, the following voted in favor:

and the following voted against:.

whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
 

Description:  As of 8/15/2021.... open positions

     - 1 para professional
     - 1 Kitchen staff


 

Description:  Motion by Board member _______________________ and seconded by ______________ to approve Janet Pierce as the Director of Food Services.

Description:  Motion by Board member _______________________ and seconded by ______________ to approve Alexandria Haugen as a Para Professional..

Description:  As parents prepare for the upcoming school year, the MN Dept. of Revenue asks schools to spread the word to families about state tax programs that help pay for education expenses
The Minnesota K-12 Education Subtraction and the K-12 Education Credit. Many families do not know about, or take advantage of, these valuable tax benefits.
These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes and increase their refund, but only if they
save their receipts.
For more information, parents are encouraged to visit the MN Dept. of Revenue website
<www.revenue.state.mn.us> and type K-12 Promotional Materials in the Search box.
see attached

Description:  The attached indicates various school improvement projects that will improve the school for students, staff and the community.  

Attached is also a mock-up of a mural to be installed on the front of the school (above High School Office).  The GMR Student Council is responsible for the cost of the mural. 

Description:  Principal/Athletic Director Mrs. Sharon Schultz will report on Joint Sports Board meeting held on August 16, 2021.

Description:  On August 12th, the MN State High School League released recommendations to address COVID-19 for Fall Sports.

Description: 
Motion by__________________        Second by ____________________ to ADJOURN

Description: 

• First Teacher Workshop Day - August 30
• GMR School Open House - Sept. 1
• First Student Day - Sept. 7
• COVID-19 Shot Clinic in GMR School - Sept. 20
• Regular September School Board Meeting - September 20, 2021 @ 7:30 p.m. in GMR School Cafeteria
• On site 2020-2021 School Financial Audit - Sept. 20-24
• Special School Election Nov. 2, 2021