December 21, 2015 at 6:30 PM - Regular

Description:  Austreng, Demuth, Habben, Lieser, Schnettler, and Schurman. 

Student representatives:  Anne Howard, Alyssa Job, and Lisa Volkers

Description:  The School Board Chair will lead the board and attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Description:  Board action to approve the agenda for the meeting is expected.

Description:  The agenda is open to visitors of the meeting to offer comments to and/or requests of the school board. The comments and requests should follow the adopted district guidelines which are printed and available at the meeting.  As a general rule, items introduced in the opportunity for comments and requests do not receive action from the School Board, but are taken under advisement or consideration for future action.

Description:  Lisa Volkers, Anne Howard, and Alyssa Job have been in regular attendance as the student representatives to the School Board.  At the second meeting of the month, the students are afforded a formal opportunity to update the board members on the activities of the secondary Student Senate.

Description:  At the second meeting of the month, the School Board takes time to recognize outstanding performances and efforts across the district.  Primarily this recognition comes through the ROCORI Proud program but there may also be other recognition opportunities extended.  The recognition efforts are part of celebrating the success of the district and excellent efforts by the individuals involved.

Description:  This award is intended to recognize actions and behaviors which provide a foundation for the future of individuals or organizations within the district. Long-lasting changes, major innovations, or significant work on the direction of the school district are appropriate elements for recognition. Elements of district vision, anticipation of issues in the future or other improvements which "create a better tomorrow" would be eligible for recognition.

Description:  This recognition is intended to represent actions and behaviors that improve conditions, have significant impact on others, or dramatically affect the school district, individuals or organizations within the school system.

Description:  This ROCORI Proud recognition is intended to represent exemplary performance that is completed or accomplished at a high standard. The ROCORI District expects to be central Minnesota's public education standard of excellence. Behaviors, effort, and performance demonstrating that high standard is worthy of recognition.

Description:  Action is requested on the following items of the consent agenda. Consent agenda items are typically adopted without discussion of the individual items because they are routine or ordinary in action.  Any consent agenda item may be removed for further discussion and deliberation by any member of the board.

Description:  The minutes from the work session and regular meetings of December 8, 2014 are included in the exhibits. Recommend approval of the minutes from the meeting.

Description:  The Master Agreements or Terms and Conditions of Employment documents within the district identify processes for developing the Seniority lists for staff.  The preliminary review of the senioirty lists was offered to the board at the end of November. This is the final approval for the seniority lists after the posting time requirements have been met.  Recommend approval of the seniority lists.

Description:  There are several standing items of business related to financial reports in the district. The standard agenda items are included at this time.

Description:  Board Treasurer Mike Austreng will review financial information for the board.  Approval of Treasurer’s Report is recommended.

Description:  Treasurer Austreng will review the monthly bills and offer recommendation regarding payment. The Treasurer has typically been at the school site to review bills, ask questions, and confirm information prior to the meeting.  Recommendation is to offer approval of bill payment as directed by the Treasurer.

Description:  The business office provides an update of district expenditures and revenues through the Budget Comparison Report.  The report is intended to provide a financial picture of the district in a couple ways.  One is to compare current year expenditures to the previous year.  The second is to simply give a report on the current financial status.  In addition to the report, special items of note are highlighted in the explanations offered.  This report does not require formal action but is provided as an informational item.

Description:  The business office provides an update of district expenditures and revenues through the Budget Comparison Report.  The report is intended to provide a financial picture of the district in a couple ways.  One is to compare current year expenditures to the previous year.  The second is to simply give a report on the current financial status.  In addition to the report, special items of note are highlighted in the explanations offered.  This report does not require formal action but is provided as an informational item.

Description:  Action items receive individual attention because of the nature of the issues, the need to discuss or review the information prior to taking action, or the specific kind of action required for the item.

Description:  At the last meeting, the Truth in Taxation presentation was shared by Director of Business Services Michelle Evenson.  The information included comparisons between the current levy and the intended levy for 2015.  The most significant change within the district is the implementation of the Local Optional Revenue made possible through legislation in the spring of 2014.  The LOR authorization permitted the school district to impose up to $424 of local levy authority as well as continue the board discretionary levy (2013 legislation) for a total of $724 per pupil unit.  A summary of the tax information is included in the exhibits.  Recommend approval of the 2014 Pay 2015 tax levy.

Description:  As the district begins the budget process for Fiscal Year 2016, one of the first steps is to adopt a resolution directing the superintendent to make recommendations regarding reductions and/or changes to district programs. The resolution is typically adopted with the idea that it begins the budget development process and because it may be necessary to make reductions or changes in programs as the process moves forward.  We are not anticipating a reduction cycle in the spring, however, the resolution also includes reference to changes to district programs, which is likely to happen.  Again, the resolution typically begins the budget development cycle.  Recommend adoption of the resolution. 

Description:  Discussion items receive individual attention because of the nature of the issues and the need for introductory or other discussion in order to review the information prior to taking action.  This is also the agenda location for items which simply need school board review, but no formal action on the item is required.  Discussion items will typically return to the agenda at a future point for more specific action.

Description:  The second reading of the Parental Involvement Policy for Title I is included in the exhibits.  This is based on MSBA model policy language and extends some of the expectations for the conduct of the Title I program.  The guidelines are issues that the district has been following under the previous policy structure.  No formal action is required on the second reading.

Description:  The first meeting in January is a board organizational meeting.  With a newly elected board member, Rick Bohannon, and the conclusion of Tim Lieser's term of office, there will be some changes in the assignments for committees and board representation.  The current committees and assignments are included for board member review, comment and information.  No assignments will be made at this time, but assignments of interest should be shared with the School Board Chair and/or the Superintendent so that plans may be made for the organizational meeting in January.  No action is required.

Description:  As the school district begins the budget development process, one of the first considerations (historically) has been to examine the assumptions and parameters that may be part of the process.  The documents that district has historically used are included to encourage thought about the process for FY2016.  No action is required on this item, it is shared to begin the budget development process and will be part of discussion in board meetings in January.

Description:  Superintendent Staska is expected to have a report for the board regarding district activities and information.

Description:  Board members will report on activities within their portfolio of committee and representative assignments.

Description:  A calendar of upcoming issues of concern to the school board is included as part of the agenda.

Description:  Superintendent Staska is expected to have a report for the board regarding district activities and information.

Description:  Board members will report on activities within their portfolio of committee and representative assignments.

Description:  Superintendent Staska is expected to have a report for the board regarding district activities and information.

Description:  Board members will report on activities within their portfolio of committee and representative assignments.