March 28, 2013 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Description:  Paula Foley, Principal, along with staff and parents, will present information about Westwood Elementary School, including general school demographics, academic performance, student activities, strengths and challenges, and student spotlight. 

Description:  Diane Moeller, Assistant Superintendent, will introduce Natalie Prasch, EL Coordinator, who will present an update regarding programming for English Language students in the District.  Information is attached.

Description:  District 742 and the Board of Education will be recognizing all 2012-2013 retiring employees on Monday, May 13, 2013, at 7:00 p.m.  The event will be held at Apollo High School.

Description:  The Board of Education will host a reception honoring the "Top Ten" students of Apollo and Tech High Schools.  It will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.  The event will be televised live on Cable Channel 6.

Description:  Apollo and Tech High Schools will hold their respective commencement exercises on Monday, June 3, and Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. at the River's Edge Convention Center.  Two Board Members per school are to be appointed to award diplomas to the graduates.  All Board Members are encouraged to attend commencement exercises, and stage seating will be provided.

Description:  The Board of Education adopted a resolution on February 23, 2012, directing the Administration to make recommendations for the reductions in programs, positions, and course offerings. Tracy Flynn Bowe, Executive Director of Human Resources, will present information regarding recommendations for reductions in programs and positions based on changes in staffing, enrollments and budgets. A copy of the resolution will be distributed at the meeting.
 
The Administration recommends approval of the Resolution Discontinuing Positions.

Description:  Superintendent Bruce Watkins will present information.

The Administration recommends that the March 18, 2013, snow day not be made up, however, that any additional inclement weather school closures be made up on June 6-7 as noted on the school calendar.

Description:  Superintendent Bruce Watkins may present information on current activities in District 742.

Description:  Standing Committee Reports will be presented as follows:

      Board Development Committee (Jerry Von Korff, Chair)
      Community Linkages Committee (Bruce Mohs, Chair)
      Finance and Audit Committee (Cindy Harner, Chair)
      Integration and Equity Committee (Les Green, Chair)
      Legislative Committee (Peter Hamerlinck, Chair)
      Personnel & Negotiations Committee (Cindy Harner, Chair)

Description:  Board of Education members may suggest items/topics for future Board Meeting agendas.  Items brought forth should have been previously discussed with the Board Chair or Vice Chair, Board Standing Committee, or at a prior Board Work Session/Meeting.

Future Work Session Topics will include:
     Summer Deferred Maintenance Projects 
     Spanish Immersion Program Growth
     Talahi Program Update
     Board Retreat Planning
     Technology Integration  
        

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the Monthly Treasurer's Report for February, 2013.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the payment of bills and other financial transactions in the amount of $3,581,396.19 (Check Numbers 206007-206457 and ACH Numbers 121301683-121301878) and P Card totals in the amount of $232,518.68 for a grand total of $3,813,914.87.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the Monthly Financial Report for February, 2013.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the following personnel changes pursuant to relevant laws and appropriate provisions of negotiated agreements between the Board of Education and exclusive representatives.  For new hires, the indicated rates are consistent with current negotiated agreements and Board approved rates of pay.  All rates/salaries listed do not include fringe benefits.

Description:  Additional Assignment
 
Rachel Ilstrup, Speech Language Pathologist, Talahi Community School, effective March 11, 2013 through June 6, 2013, Lane MA, Pay Level 5 (20% of a full time contract for 65 days).  Ms. Ilstrup’s salary for this assignment will be $3,130.23.  Ms. Ilstrup is currently a full time teacher.
 
Child Care Leave
 
Kara Mather, Orchestra Teacher, Oak Hill Community and Technical High Schools, effective on or about September 9, 2013 through on or about December 2, 2013.
 
Leave of Absence
 
Shannon Dyrud, English as a Second Language Teacher, Talahi Community School, effective for the 2013-2014 school year.
 
New Hire
 
Kirsten Axson, Fourth Grade Teacher (Long Call Substitute), Lincoln Elementary School, effective February 20, 2013 through June 6, 2013, Lane BA, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 73 days).  Ms. Axson’s salary for this assignment will be $13,097.68.
 
Sharon Booth, Special Education Teacher, Technical High School, effective March 11, 2013, Lane BA, Pay Level 2 (50% of a full time contract for 64 days).  Ms. Booth’s salary for this assignment will be $5,741.45.  This is a replacement position.
 
Monica Helland, Math Teacher (Long Call Substitute), North Junior High School, effective March 26, 2013 through May 10, 2013, Lane BA, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 35 days).  Ms. Helland’s salary for this assignment will be $6,279.71.
 
Haylee Vershure, Science Teacher (Long Call Substitute), Apollo High School, effective March 11, 2013 through May 10, 2013, Lane BA, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 46 days).  Ms. Vershure’s salary for this assignment will be $8,253.33.
 
Yunqing (Moya) Wang, Special Education Teacher (Long Call Substitute), Madison Elementary School, effective February 26, 2013 through June 6, 2013, Lane BA, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 69 days).  Ms. Wang’s salary for this assignment will be $12,379.99.
 
Professional Leave
 
Jill Neumann, Art Teacher, Madison Elementary School, effective for the 2013-2014 school year.
 
Reassignment
 
Alexa Hoffman, Speech Language Pathologist (Long Call Substitute), North Junior High School, effective February 19, 2013 through April 19, 2013, Lane BA, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 39 days).  Ms. Hoffman’s salary for this assignment will be $6,997.39.  Ms. Hoffman was previously a Special Education Paraprofessional.
 
Reduction of Contract
 
Bonnie Fitzharris, Nurse, effective with the 2013-2014 school year, reduction of a 100% contract to 75%.
 
Teresa McCabe, Early Childhood Family Education Teacher, Roosevelt Early Childhood Center, effective with the 2013-2014 school year, reduction of a 100% contract to 80% contract.
 
Lissa Miller, Early Childhood Teacher, Roosevelt Early Childhood Center, effective with the 2013-2014 school year, reduction of a 100% contract to 50%.
 
Rehire
 
Joyce Hummel, Fourth Grade Teacher (Long Call Substitute), Kennedy Community School, effective May 8, 2013 through June 5, 2013, daily rate of $110.00 per day (full time position for 21 days).  Ms. Hummel’s salary for this assignment will be $2,310.00.
 
Resignation
 
Ryan Cox, Technology Integrationist, District Media Service, last day of service June 6, 2013.  Mr. Cox is currently on leave of absence.
 
Charles Hentges, Industrial Arts Teacher, North Junior High School, last day of service June 6, 2013.
 
Retirement
 
Susan Currey, Title I Coordinator, District Office, last day of service June 7, 2013 after 37 years of service in District 742.
 
Susan Doering, Teacher on Special Assignment to Curriculum, last day of service June 6, 2013 after 40 years of service in District 742.
 
Guy Schafer, Second Grade Teacher, Oak Hill Community School, last day of service June 6, 2013 after 38 years of service in District 742.
 
Rodney Schindele, Special Education Teacher, Technical High School, last day of service November 8, 2013 after 14 years of service in District 742.
 
Mari Walker, English as a Second Language Teacher, Oak Hill Community School, last day of service June 6, 2013 after 41 years of service in District 742.

Description:  Health Leave
 
Rebecca Graham, Bus Driver, District Services Building, effective March 11, 2013 through June 6, 2013.
 
Doug Hertling, Bus Driver, District Services Building, effective March 11, 2013 through April 8, 2013.
 
Carlyn Ray, Equity Services Coordinator, Technical High School, effective February 21, 2013 through March 25, 2013.
 
Leave of Absence
 
Carol Nieters, Second Cook, Apollo High School, effective for the 2013-2014 school year.
 
New Hire
 
Ibrahim Abdi, Student Support Paraprofessional, Talahi Community School, effective February 22, 2013 at an hourly rate of $10.13 per hour.
 
Sandy Austing, Clerical Class I (Long Call Substitute), Apollo High School, effective March 18, 2013 through June 5, 2013 at an hourly rate of $10.99 per hour.
 
Barbara Eaton, Behavior Support Specialist, Talahi Community School, effective March 14, 2013 at an hourly rate of $12.44 per hour.
 
Stephanie Loehlein, Behavior Support Specialist, Talahi Community School, effective March 11, 2013 at an hourly rate of $12.44 per hour.
 
Rehire
 
Katherine Erickson, Special Education Paraprofessional (Long Call Substitute), Oak Hill Community School, effective March 18, 2013 through June 5, 2013 at an hourly rate of $10.88 per hour.
 
Amy Williams, Special Education Paraprofessional, Westwood Elementary School, effective March 18, 2013 at an hourly rate of $10.88 per hour.  This is a replacement position.
 
Todd Myra, Behavior Support Specialist (Long Call Substitute), Area Learning Center, effective March 25, 2013 through June 5, 2013 at an hourly rate of $13.21 per hour.
 
Resignation
 
Abdirizak Abdi, Cultural Navigator, Technical High School, last day of service February 21, 2013.
 
Lacie Adelmann, Special Education Paraprofessional, Clara’s House, last day of service March 14, 2013.
 
Lindsey Schmitt, Cultural Navigator, Westwood Elementary School, last day of service March 28, 2013.

Description:  The Administration recommends acceptance of the following grant awards/donations:

1.  Donation in the amount of $200.00 from St. Joseph Action Group to Kennedy Community School ($100.00 to be used in health office for student needs and $100.00 to be used for student supplies.)

2.  Donation in the amount of $15.00 from Petters' Physical Therapy to the Tech High School Swim Program for new scoreboard.

3.  Donation in the amount of $500.00 from the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association to Apollo High School for the Robotics Club.

4.  Donations to the Tech High School Greenhouse Project as follows:
       $1,000.00 from Jim Miller
       $250.00 from Plombon Properties
       $1,000.00 from Scott and Kim Blattner
       $500.00 from McDowall Company

5.  Donation in the amount of $50.00 from TLC University of Foley to the Tech High School Skills-USA Program for the Vex Robotic Team.

6.  Donation in the amount of $7,000.00 from the Lutheran Community Foundation to Riverwoods School for SmartBoard and other technology updates.

7.  Donations to Madison Elementary School from DonorsChoose, New York, NY, as follows: 
        $399.00 for an Apple Ipad with Wi-fi for use in classroom
        $399.00 for Ipad for use in classroom with a project called "Celebrating Diversity the Kindergarten Way Part 3"
        $278.25 for use in fourth grade classroom for a project called "Chromebooks for Kids"
       
8.  Donation in the amount of $544.00 from the Bon Ton Stores (Herberger's Community Days) to fund Youth As Resources mini-grants.

9.  Donations to Apollo High School for a Dan LaFountaine Memorial Scholarship as follows: 
        $25.00 - Beverly Hoye
        $25.00 - Karl and Heide Thoennes
        $25.00 - Douglas Lien
        $50.00 - Kern, DeWenter, Viere, Ltd.
        $75.00 - Apollo Gymnastics Boosters

10.  District 742 Local Education & Activities grants in the total amount of $18,930.00 ($11,280 from the LEAF Activities Fund and $7,650 from the LEAF Academic Fund).  A copy of the grant awards is attached.

11.  Donations totaling $445.00 from Apollo Staff Members for an Apollo High School Staff Scholarship.

Description:  Minnesota rules require that school districts appoint surrogate parents for students with disabilities under the following conditions:

1.  The parent, guardian, or conservator is unknown or unavailable.
2.  The pupil is a ward of the commissioner of human services.
3.  The parent requests in writing the appointment of a surrogate parent.

The Administration recommends that the Board of Education appoint Larry Gotvald to act as a surrogate parent to represent students with disabilities because legal parents are unavailable.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the following change orders for the above named project for the amounts listed:
AME Const. Corp.          C. O. #1   +$920.00       Installation of guardrail at roof hatch
Rapid Electric                 C. O. #1   +$22,472.62 Aluminum feeders for RTU’s
Rapid Electric                 C. O. #2   +$37,541.49 Provide & install low voltage cabling & devices
Steenberg Watrud Const.  C. O. #2   -$1,624.00    Delete concrete locker bases
C & L Excavating Inc.     C. O. #2   +$3,602.50   Frozen soil exchange