August 17, 2020 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  Barsness, Christianson, Gugisberg, Holtberg, Meyer, Reichmann, Zavadil

Description:  Barsness, Christianson, Gugisberg, Holtberg, Meyer, Reichmann, Zavadil

Description:  The following school leaders and or staff deserve school board recognition for making the "all hands on deck" commitment needed to prepare for the school year. The attitude and work ethic demonstrated by all has been truly commendable.

School Level Principals and WIN Leadership Team
MAS Teachers
Bill Mills, Activities/Community Education Director
Corey Curry, Director of Building and Grounds
Megan Boutain, School Nurse
Mark Meyer and Lisa Silbernick, Technology Leaders
Vicki Moen, Finance
Tara Nelson, Payroll
Angie Van Zee, Administrative Assistant
Amy Johnson and School Level Administrative Assistants
 

Description:  Adoption of this resolution will authorize the base learning model(s) for the upcoming school year.

The K-6 Base learning model will be "In Person Learning".
The 7-12 Base learning model will be "Hybrid Learning"

A "Distance Learning Choice" model will be also be available throughout the year as a parental choice or alternative for all students medically impacted or not comfortable with a return to either of the base models.

If the school board adopts this resolution, the report shown in the attachment will be submitted to the MDE Commissioner on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 as required.

Description:  Superintendent Ellingworth will lead a discussion of changes and possible changes administration has/or will be proposing over the early weeks of our return to school. Topics include, but are not limited to:

     1.  Purchase of additional technology supporting instruction of on site distance learning instruction.
     2.  Solicitation and employment of up to five part-time maintenance employees (up to 4 hours daily) so the district can implement every day deep cleaning throughout the district. If adults are unavailable student help may be hired.
     3.  As daily deep cleaning becomes our standard, consideration of amending the 7-12 Hybrid model moving from AB W AB schedule to ABABA and BABAB over10 day period. Five day notice should be presented to families if this change is requested and authorized. No changes would be recommended to the Base model in K-6.
    4.  Recognition of Gov. Walz releasing $250,000,000 to Federal Aid to Minnesota schools to be used to offset COVID-19 related expenses and financial implications for MAS.
    5.  MAS Decision-making team--Finalize composition (see attachment)
     6.  Other topics that may arise.

Description:  This resolution addresses conflicts that may arise between currently adopted policies and laws and requirements related to COVID-19 identified in the Emergency Executive Order. 

Any and all other related items will follow current policies, regulations, and requirements as currently specified in previously adopted policies.

Description:  Activities Director, Bill Mills, will be in attendance to provide the school board with a status report on his meetings with conference representatives and head coaches/directors of school activities.

Mr. Mills will reference the outline attached to this agenda item.

This status report is informational only and no board action is requested at this time.

Description:  Annually, the school board adopts a Coaches and Advisors list for the upcoming school year. The 2020-2021 list is attached and approval is recommended.

Description:  Sealed bids/quotes were solicited and received for Water Softener Salt and Snow Removal for the 2020-2021 school year.  We held a bid opeining on Wednesday, August 5th 2020 at 2:00 pm.  Angie VanZee, Corey Curry and Rick Ellingworth attended the bid opening.

Tom's Market was the only bid received for water softener salt. The bid is $5.49 a bag delivered.

Two snow removal bids were received. One was from Braaten Masonry and the other from McCrory Maintenance.

All bids are attached. Building/Grounds Director Corey Curry will be in attendance to answer board questions.  Following board discussion, board action is recommended.

Description:  Superintendent Ellingworth will provide the background regarding this MOU at the board meeting. However, MPA and the MAS have clarified amended language in this MOU  that will, pending school board approval, be in effect throughout the 2020-2022 MPA contract.

The clarified language states  "Principals beginning their 5^th -10th years of experience within the district will receive an additional 1% of their base pay on the salary schedule, Principals with 11-17 years of experience within the district will receive an additional 2.0% of their base pay on the salary schedule, and Principals with 18+ years of experience within the district will receive an additional 2.5% of their base pay on the salary schedule.
 

Description:  Mark Meyer, Technology Director will attend the board meeting and discuss with school board members any proposed changes in the proposed "Mobile Device Policy" for the 2020-2021 school year.  Annually, this policy must be reviewed and updated. 

The School Board's Policy Committee reviewed this proposed policy earlier this evening in their subcommittee meeting.

School Board approval of the proposed policy is recommended.

Description:  Annually, state law requires taxing jurisdictions schedule a public hearing called Truth-In-Taxation. The purpose of the TNT meeting is to present information and receive comments from an audience at a regularly scheduled meeting  between November 25 and December 26. The information presented will focus on current year budget and the proposed property tax levy for 2020, payable 2021.

In the past the TNT hearing was scheduled for 6:30 pm prior to the December regular scheduled board meeting. The December 2020 regular board meeting is set for the 21st. The school district can certify the final levy on the same night the TNT hearing is held.

The administration recommends the school board schedule the Truth-in-Taxation meeting for 6:30 pm on Monday, December 21, 2020 in the Minnewaska Area High School Auditorim. Purpose of the meeting will be to present the 2020-2021 school budget and the proposed 2020, payable 2021 Property Tax Levy and to encourage public input at the meeting.

Later that evening, the school board will be asked to certify the 2020 payable 2021 Property Tax Levy.

 A motion is recommended authorizing the date of the public hearing.
 

Description:  The administration and guidance department proposes the MAS high school student handbook add language under Post Secondary Options.

The proposed language will state:  As required by MDE, a student must notify the Minnewaska School District counselor or principal of his/her intent to enroll in PSEO courses by May 30 annually or the student will be responsible for paying any related tuition costs.

Description:  The District's Policy Committee presents the following policy for consideration.

The first reading of Policy # 808 COVID-19 Face Covering was held at the August 10TH work session and second reading will be held at the August 17 school board meeting.

Description:  The following policies were reviewed by the district's policy committee and no revisions were made. After the school board has received public comment and after the board has had any discussion pertaining to the policies, a motion adopting the policies.