October 8, 2020 at 5:00 PM - Work Session

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

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

Description: 

Late this summer, the Minnewaska Area School Board authorized the administration to work with Palmer Bus Company local director, Wyatt Gaulke, to develop viable options, before and after school, to shorten student ride time for students and improve overall efficiency of the transportation program.  

            Morning--Student pick-up and drop off at school
            Afternoon--Student pick-up and drop off at homes

Wyatt Gualke, Palmer Bus Services and Rick Ellingworth, Interim Superintendent will be in attendance to make the presentation.

Description:  Monday, October 5, the MAS Command Team met in its regular Monday meeting to review MAS COVID related data.  The committee reviewed MDH weekly guidance (older information) as well as the more recent information district leadership is able to create.  Both documents are included as exhibits.

Following discussion, the Command Team recommended, by consensus, to continue with the IN PERSON SCENARIO for grades K-6 and alter the HYBRID SCENARIO for the 7-12 grades by dropping the Wednesday Distance Learning Day and replacing it with a HYBRID Learning day. 

Given the short weeks coming up, the revised plan will begin on Tuesday, October 20 (Monday, October 19 is a staff workshop day).  The schedule going forward will be Tuesday, October 20 A Day followed by B,A,B days that week. Monday, October 26 will be A Day followed by B,A,B,A etc. This plan will stay in effect until further notice. The notification letter informing students, families, parents, community and staff is included as an exhibit.

Description:  Teaching students on site in the classrooms combined with expectations brought on for teachers in grades 4-12 to also teach in the distance learning scenario has created time demands we did not properly anticipate at the beginning of the year. In addition, in the COVID environment, all of our teachers in grades K-12 are needed to supervise all students entering the building as early as 7:30 am. These requirements and expectations have created an immense amount of pressure on our system with a primary impact resulting in the loss of pre-school work, meeting or planning time. 

Consequently, we have been discussing possible remedies that would be brought about by improved bussing schedules, a one or two hour late start every Wednesday or a one or two hour early dismissal every Wednesday.

After significant discussion and a focus on mitigating the impact on our communities, we are recommending a 9:10 (one hour late start) every Wednesday, beginning October 21st until further notice.

This will be helpful at varying degrees in each of our three school levels. However, it will provide staff with as much as 85 minutes every Wednesday (7:30 to 8:55) for staff meetings, team meetings, teacher planning, etc. that they do not have now.

In addition, the adminsitration will continue to seek ways to improve our instructional delivery system during these COVID times.

Superintendent Ellingworth and the three school level principals will be in attendance to share this need and will reference the Exhibit with this agenda item..

Description:  Starbuck Police Chief, Mitch Johnsrud met with Vicki Moen and Rick Ellingworth to discuss a three year agreement for the City of Starbuck to provide a School Resource Officer for the WIN program in Starbuck.

After dialogue, it was agreed a three year contract would be developed calling for a 3% increase annuallyand moving from 175 to 178 days annually so the SRO can complete DIRS data entry for the school district.

The proposal is included with the agenda and will be presented at the October 19, 2020 school board meeting for approval. 

Description:  As we continue to move through the 2020-2021 school year, the administration is requesting school board consideration authorizing leadership to look for ways to improve efficiencies and services throughout the school district.

This can include consideration of proposals to add or discontinue programs and recommend possible reallocation of resources to improve systems or services to students or community.  It also can include anticipation of possible retirements, ideas to generate revenue (both short and long term) and consider planning for succession of critical leadership positions.

Description:  Rich Ragutz, Ideal Energy Representative has been in contact with Superintendent Ellingworth about the possibility of installing a Solar Panel Field on Minnewaska property.  Previously, Mr. Ragutz met with the school board but when COVID became our reality, the discussion was dropped.

MAS has averaged electrical annual bills of approximately $220,000 over the last three years and $238,000 was paid in FY 20.  At an estimated discout of 20% annually, installation of the solar panel field could save the school district $45,000 to $50,000 annually.

If the school board is interested in discussing this concept further, Mr. Ragutz is available to meet with the school board at the regular meeting scheduled for Octorber 19. Three exhibits are included with this agenda item.

School Board direction is requested.  

Description: 

Adds provisions and procedures regarding storage and return of drugs

Or medication and regarding unclaimed or abandoned prescription

drugs

Description:  Adds language regarding dyslexia screening

Description:  Describes documentation that may verify student’s age admission

Description:  LCSC is accepting a minimum of three nominations to serve four-year board member terms, beginning January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2024.

Description:  October Regular Meeting - Monday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the MAS Board Room.
Election Day - Tuesday, November 3, 2020, no meetings or activities from 6-8 p.m.
November Work Session - Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 6:15 p.m. in the MAS Board Room.
Special Board meeting to Canvass Board Election Results - Friday, November 13, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. in the MAS Board Room.
Personnel Committee - Monday, November 19, 2020 p.m. at 6:00 p.m. in the MAS Board Room.
November Regular Meeting - Monday, November 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the MAS Board Room.