April 24, 2014 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Description:  Kelly Stanton, Assistant Principal at North Junior High School, along with Stephanie Peterson, Program Improvement Facilitator, will present the Strategic Plan 2014-2019.  The Strategic Plan includes mission, core values, strategic objectives, strategies and end results that will guide all planning and decision-making as our District moves forward.

Description:  Diane Moeller, Assistant Superintendent, will introduce Shelly Gilmore, Physical Education Instructional Leader, and Teachers Mark Hesse and Tom Johnston, who will present latest research in the areas of Physical Education, as well as highlights of the District 742 Physical Education Program.

Description:  Diane Moeller, along with Mary Broderick, President of the St. Cloud Education Association, will present an overview of the new Teacher Evaluation Process.  This work is a result of a collaborative committee of administrators and teachers charged with creating a system that meets the requirements of new Minnesota legislation.  Information is attached.

Description:  Assistant Superintendent Moeller will provide information on the topic scheduled for the May 14th Board Work Session, in which Kevin Januszewski, Executive Director of Business Services, will present information on the the 2014-2015 budget. 

Description:  District 742 and the Board of Education will be recognizing all 2013-2014 retiring employees on Monday, May 12, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.  The event will be held at Apollo High School.

Description:  Jerry Von Korff, Chair of the Board Development Committee will present a proposed revised Board Policy 213.2, School Board/School Liaison Procedure.  This is on the agenda for a second reading.  A copy of the proposed revised Board Policy is attached.

Description:  Sebastian Witherspoon, Director of Equity Services, will present information and review the 2014-2017 Achievement and Integration for Minnesota Plan.  Information is attached.

The Administration recommends approval of the 2014-2017 Achievement and Integration for Minnesota Plan for submission to the Minnesota State Department of Education.

Description:  Tracy Flynn Bowe, Executive Director of Human Resources, will present information regarding the resolution.  A copy of the resolution will be provided at the meeting.

The Administration recommends approval of the Resoluton Relating to the NonRenewal of the Teaching contracts of Named Probationary Teachers.

Description:  Superintendent Willie Jett 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 (Dennis Whipple)
      Finance and Audit Committee (Cindy Harner, Chair)
      Integration and Equity Committee (Al Dahlgren, Chair)
      Legislative Committee (Peter Hamerlinck, Chair)
      Personnel & Negotiations Committee (Dennis Whipple, 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.

May Work Session Topic:
2014-2015 Budget Presentation

Future Work Session Topics:
Career and College Readiness
Communications
 

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the Monthly Treasurer's Report for March, 2014.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the payment of bills and other financial transactions in the amount of $1,569,712.77 (Check Numbers 212215-212593 and ACH Numbers 131402054-131402342) and PCard Totals of $228,417.12, for a grand total of $1,798,129.89.

Description:  The Administration recommends acceptance of the Monthly Financial Report for March, 2014.

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
 
Jessica Eddy, Special Education Teacher, Apollo High School, effective March 31, 2014 through June 10, 2014, Lane MA, Pay Level 7 (20% of a full time contract for 53 days).  Ms. Eddy’s salary for this assignment will be $2,778.05.  Ms. Eddy is currently a full time contract teacher.
 
Tammy Klassen-Bengtson, Special Education Teacher, Apollo High School, effective March 31, 2014 through June 10, 2014, Lane MA+45, Pay Level 19 (20% of a full time contract for 53 days).  Ms. Klassen-Bengtson’s salary for this assignment will be $3,682.94.  Ms. Klassen-Bengtson is currently a full time contract teacher.
 
Karell Sartell, Special Education Teacher, Riverwoods, effective March 10, 2014 through April 17, 2014, Lane MA+60, Pay Level 26 (20% of a full time contract for 29 days).  Ms. Sartell’s salary for this assignment will be $2,142.17.  Ms. Sartell is currently a full time contract teacher.
 
Health Leave
 
Gerald Huls, Physical Education Teacher, Area Learning Center, effective April 1, 2014 through April 30, 2014.
 
Noorayn Muhumed, English as a Second Language Teacher, North Junior High School, effective March 27, 2014 through the remainder of the 2013-2014 school year.
 
Leave of Absence
 
Sara Nelson, Elementary Principal, Madison Elementary School, effective for the 2014-2015 school year.
 
New Appointment
 
Tina Lahr, Elementary Principal, Lincoln Elementary School, effective July 1, 2014, Lane C, Pay Level 12.  Ms. Lahr’s salary for this assignment will be $109,170.00.  Ms. Lahr was previously an Assistant Senior High Principal.
 
Judith Nagel, Kennedy Community School, Junior High School Principal, effective July 1, 2014, Lane B, Pay Level 8.  Ms. Nagel’s salary for this assignment will be $109,821.00.  Ms. Nagel was previously an Interim Junior High Principal.
 
Joni Olson, Interim Executive Director for Principal Leadership and Student Achievement, District Administration Office, effective July 1, 2014.  Ms. Olson’s salary for this assignment will be $116,000.00.  Ms. Olson was previously an Elementary Principal.
 
Carol Potter, Technical High School, Assistant Principal, effective July 1, 2014, Lane D, Pay Level 6.  Ms. Potter’s salary for this assignment will be $99,393.00.  Ms. Potter was previously an Elementary Principal.
 
Kelly Stanton, Elementary Principal, Oak Hill Community School, effective July 1, 2014, Lane C, Pay Level 4.  Ms. Stanton’s salary for this assignment will be $96,541.00.  Ms. Stanton was previously an Assistant Junior High Principal.
 
New Hire
 
Derek Branton, Elementary Principal, Westwood Elementary School, effective July 1, 2014, Lane C, Pay Level 4.  Mr. Branton’s salary for this assignment will be $96,541.00.
 
Kate Flynn, Elementary Principal, Talahi Community School, effective July 1, 2014, Lane C, Pay Level 15.  Ms. Flynn’s salary for this assignment will be $110,170.00.
 
Jonathan Luknick, Elementary Principal, Discovery Community School, effective July 1, 2014, Lane C, Pay Level 3.  Mr. Luknic’s salary for this assignment will be $94,260.00.
 
Travis Okerlund, Elementary Principal, Madison Elementary School, effective July 1, 2014, Lane C, Pay Level 3.  Mr. Okerlund’s salary for this assignment will be $94,260.00.
 
Kathy Paradeis, English as a Second Language Teacher (Long Call Substitute), Apollo High School, effective March 25, 2014 through June 6, 2014, Lane MA+30, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 52 days).  Ms. Paradeis’ salary for this assignment will be $12,046.57.
 
Permanent Reduction
 
Stacie Schraut, Special Education Teacher, South Junior High School, effective with the 2014-2015 school year, permanent reduction from 100% contract to 80% contract.
 
Rehire
 
Sarah Fortney, Adult Basic Education Teacher, LaCruz & Hands Across the World, effective April 14, 2014 through June 6, 2014 at an hourly rate of $32.00 per hour.
 
Terri Hess, Special Education Teacher, InnStep Program, effective March 11, 2014 through the remainder of the 2013-2014 school year, Lane BA+30, Pay Level 2 (40% of a full time contract for 65 days).  Ms. Hess’ salary for this assignment will be $5,148.69.  This is a new position.
 
Joseph Patten, Physical Education Teacher (Long Call Substitute), Area Learning Center, effective April 1, 2014 through June 10, 2014, Lane BA, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 52 days).  Mr. Patten’s salary for this assignment will be $9,432.06.
 
Retirement
 
Judith Behrens, Reading Interventionist, Madison Elementary School, effective the end of the 2013-2014 school year, after 35 years of service in District 742.
 
Brian Espe, Elementary Principal, Westwood Elementary School, effective June 30, 2014, after 1 year of service in District 742.
 
Bonnie Kay, Nurse, Discovery Community School, effective the end of the 2013-2014 school year, after 16 years of service in District 742.
 
Roger Ziemann, Principal, Technical High School, last day of service June 30, 2014, after 15 years of service in District 742.

Description:  Health Leave
 
James Teigland, Custodian, Talahi Community School, effective March 26, 2014 through April 2, 2014.
 
New Hire
 
Eric Diamond, Custodian, Clearview Elementary School, effective April 8, 2014 at an hourly rate of $11.52 per hour.
 
Gary Gohmann, Custodian, Clearview Elementary School, effective April 8, 2014 at an hourly rate of $12.46 per hour.
 
Shukri Kassim, Special Education Paraprofessional, Discovery Community School, effective April 14, 2014 at an hourly rate of $12.00 per hour.  This is a replacement position.
 
Kathleen Kirchner, Kitchen Helper, Technical High School, effective April 7, 2014 at an hourly rate of $10.56 per hour.
 
Courtney Studenski, Special Education Paraprofessional (Temporary Assignment), Discovery Community School, effective April 15, 2014 through May 20, 2014 at an hourly rate of $12.00 per hour.  This is a new position.
 
Betty Sweeter, Special Education Paraprofessional, Lincoln Elementary School, effective April 1, 2014 at an hourly rate of $12.00 per hour.  This is a replacement position.
 
Reassignment
 
Nathan Brusky, Behavior Support Specialist, Apollo High School, effective March 10, 2014 at an hourly rate of $12.56.  Mr. Brusky was previously a Special Education Paraprofessional.
 
Rehire
 
Roni Reever, Special Education Paraprofessional (Temporary Assignment), Roosevelt Early Childhood Center, effective April 14, 2014 through June 5, 2014 at an hourly rate of $12.00 per hour.
 
Resignation
 
Lori Lafrenz, Kitchen Helper, South Junior High School, last day of service April 9, 2014.
 
Linda Tripp, Special Education Paraprofessional/School Bus Assistant, last day of service April 25, 2014.
 
Retirement
 
Harriet Bartell, Kitchen Helper, Technical High School, last day of service May 30, 2014 after 35 years of service in District 742.
 
Beth Moffett, Title I Paraprofessional, Talahi Community School, last day of service June 6, 2014 after 22 years of service in District 742.
 
Marjorie Stroeing, Kitchen Helper, Apollo High School, last day of service June 6, 2014 after 23 years of service in District 742.
 
Termination
 
Leslie Faulk, Kitchen Helper, South Junior High School, last day of service April 1, 2014.
 
Cynthia Kissner, Kitchen Helper, Talahi Community School, last day of service April 1, 2014.  Ms. Kissner is currently on leave.
 
Hamdi Mohamed, Cultural Navigator, South Junior High School, last day of service April 8, 2014.
 
Daniel Schlagel, Classroom Paraprofessional, Roosevelt Early Childhood Center, last day of service February 27, 2014.
 
Patricia Voigt, Kitchen Helper, Area Learning Center, last day of service April 2, 2014.
 

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

1.  Outreach to Schools Pilot Project grant award to District 742 Career and Tech Education in the amount of $40,000.00 from DEED for the Higher Education and Career Advising Pilot Project.

2.  Donation in the amount of $2,500.00 to Apollo High School from D & L Manufacturing, Inc., for a Football Team Camp.

3.  A School Garden for Talahi grant award to Talahi Community School in the amount of $2,000.00 from the Whole Kids Foundation.  The project will add a school garden section to the reading garden.

4.  Donation in the amount of $100.00 to Tech High School from Matthew Heintzelman and Marianne Zitzewitz for Orchestra Music or Program Expenses.

5.  Donations as follows to the District 742 Partners In Education Awards Program:
        $100.00 - Dahlgren and Dahlgren, Inc. - Once Upon A Child
        $100.00 - Patricia Welter
        $50.00 - Mechanical Energy Systems
        $50.00 - Somali Cafe & Grocery
        $50.00 - Handyman's, Inc.

6.  Donation in the amount of $3,000.00 from FIRST, Manchester, NH, to the Apollo High School Granite City Gearheads for the Robotics Club.

7.  Donation in the amount of $2,000.00 from Connexus Energy to Tech High School for a 2014 Connexus Energy Scholarship.

8.  2013 Sabaru Healthy Sprouts grant award in the amount of $500.00 to Talahi Community School from the National Gardening Association, Williston, Vermont.  The purpose of the grant will be to add a gardening component to the Reading Garden Project.

9.  A STEM Study of Urban Birds grant award in the amount of $350.00 to Talahi Community School from Celebrate Urban Birds, Ithaca, NY.  The purpose of the grant will be to study urban birds that come to bird feeders at Talahi through observation and journaling.

10.  Donation in the amount of $1,500.00 to Tech High School from LeRoy Kopp for 2014 Kopp Family Foundation Scholarships.

11.  Donation in the amount of $500.00 from Central Minnesota Orthodontics to Tech High School for Speech program expenses.

12.  Donation of crackers from the Knights of Columbus Council #5548 - Ladies Auxiliary to Madison Elementary School to be distributed to classrooms for snacks for students.

13.  Donation of laminating film rolls from FedEx to District 742 Media Services.

14.  Donation of Health Office supplies, general school supplies, and winter coats/books/snowpants to Talahi Community School from the First United Methodist Church.

15.  Grant award in the amount of $2,700.00 from the Central Minnesota Arts Board to Talahi Community School for a Readers Theater for Grade 2.

16.  Donation of a Hughes and Kettner DuoTone Guitar Amp and Speaker Box to the Tech High School Band Program from Jason Ploof.

17.  Donations to the Apollo High School Scholarship Program as follows:
        $400.00 - Class of 1987 Scholarship from the Class of 1987
        $465.00 - Apollo Staff Scholarship from various Apollo Staff Members

18.  Donation in the amount of $250.00 to the Apollo High School Granite City Gearheads from Stearns Electric Association for the Robotics Club.

19.  Donation of cases for iPads purchased for student/staff use to the District 742 Special Education Program from Coborn's.

20.  Donation in the amount of $300.00 to Kennedy Community School from the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict for students.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval for submission of the following grant applications:
 
1.  Grant application entitled "Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs Impact" by the McKinley Area Learning Center to the National Institute of Health in the amount of $100,000.00.  The purpose of the grant will be to learn the impact and develop strategies for prevention, education, warning signs and symptoms, and the impact on learning, behavior and classroom environment.

2.  "Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program" grant application by the District 742 Secondary Schools in the amount of $400,000.00 to the U.S. Department of Education.  The purpose of the grant is to expand the College/Career Counseling programs at Tech, Apollo, and Alternative Sites (ALC, City Life, etc.).  A total of 3.0 College/Career Counselors will be hired.  In addition, we will expand AVID Programming to middle schools in 2015-2016 and to high schools in 2016-2017.  A 1.0 FTE AVID Coordinator/Middle School Transition Counselor will also be hired to implement College/Career Programming at the three middle schools (North, South, and Kennedy).

3.  "Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)" grant application in the amount of $81,817.00 by Madison Elementary School to the Minnesota Department of Education.  The purpose of the project is to provide increased access to literacy inclusive of, but not limited to, digital literacy resources for the birth to adult neighborhood community surrounding Madison Elementary during the summer months; and second, to provide access to digital literacy resources for our immediate student population that is not restricted to the classroom or school day that will help to increase understanding of digital learning skills and promote reading proficiency.  We seek to do this by providing quality print and digital literacy resources. 

Description:  The total expenses incurred by Board Members from January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014 was $91.84.  A copy of the detailed expenses is attached.

Description:  The Administration recommends adoption of the Contingent Resolution Relating to Choosing Nominees for Election to the School Board and Calling the School District Primary Election for three seats on the Board of Education.  A copy of the resolution is attached.

State law requires School Districts that have opted into a primary election system to hold a primary election if there are more than twice as many school board candidates as there are school board positions available.  If a primary election is needed, it will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2014.

Description:  The Administration recommends adoption of the Resolution Establishing Dates for Filing Affidavits of Candidacy for three seats on the Board of Education.  A copy of the resolution is attached.

Description:  The Administration recommends that the Board of Education approve a Request for Proposal to Provide Comprehensive Program Management Services for District HVAC Upgrade Projects, which will be due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2014.

This project will be funded with Deferred Maintenance, Capital Outlay, and a Guaranteed Performance Contract.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of a Memorandum of Agreement between the School District and the St. Cloud Administrators' Association.  A copy is attached.