MINNEWASKA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT #2149 GLENWOOD, MINNESOTA MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2022 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

The Minnewaska Area Schools Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, October 17, 2022 in the Minnewaska Area Schools Board room. The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Vice-Chairperson Zavadil. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Members Present: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred

Members Absent: Barsness, Holtberg

Motion by Lagred, seconded by, T. Reichmann to approve the agenda as presented. 

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred 

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Visitor’s Comments: None

Special Recognitions & Honors: The Minnewaska Area School Board would like to recognize the following individuals:

• Nick Millbrandt is our High School Agriculture teacher. Nick goes above and beyond the contract, always helping and working with other staff, activities, and students. Nick does an amazing job engaging students in class and connecting with local businesses in his classes. Often our AG students are out touring a local manufacturing business or working on local projects. Thanks, Nick, for what you do for MAHS! 

• Kasey Douvier has worked hard to build our intervention system and continues to revamp and research ways we can improve our practices. Kasey worked hard with a staff member who was completely new to intervention. In addition, she’s already working on starting Targeted Services programming for our students and ensuring we have the grant written and communication with parents and staff set up. Kasey is a self-starter. We are honored to have her working on behalf of our kids daily! 

• Designers of Wonder Wednesdays are Jennifer Erickson, Mary Johnsrud, Megan Greene, and Deidre Williams. These staff members came up with the idea of having Wonder Wednesdays and met to plan and prepare for them. They have been solely responsible for creating the program. On Wednesdays, they turn the media center into a maker space. Each class gets to go down for one Wednesday to the media center to explore science, technology, and arts through inquiry-based activities. 

• Nicole Meissner is an irreplaceable member of the WIN Staff. She goes above and beyond in providing all teachers with the academic support to run a successful classroom.  Nicole is our new teacher mentor, a member of the crisis response team, on the BLT/DLT Committees, a PBIS guru, ensures accurate Special Education due process, a certified CPI Trainer, and the lead for intake and recruitment at WIN. But above all else, she cares for what’s best for kids and staff and does it with a smile on her face.  

Motion by A. Reichmann, seconded by T. Reichmann, to approve the minutes of the September 26, 2022, Regular Board Meeting

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred 

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Superintendent Rankin presented the summary of bills, investment report, foodservice report and presented the Superintendent report.

Motion by A. Reichmann, seconded by, T. Reichmann, to approve the Claims & Accounts totaling $1,004,256.03. Zavadil abstained due to a conflict of interest.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred 

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Zavadil, seconded by Lagred, to approve Resolution No. 10172022 accepting the donations to the school district.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred 

Nay: None, 

Motion carried.

Motion by T. Reichmann, seconded by Lagred, to approve the consent calendar as follows:

New Hires: Gabriel Eisenbacher, JH Girls’ Basketball Coach, BS+10 Step 2, effective 10/25/2022 • Coni Hagen, Long-Term Sub, BS Step 1, effective 10/17/2022-05/26/2023 • Minette Johnson, Special Education Teacher, MA Step 5, effective 10/3/2022 • Dave Moe, Long-Term Sub, BS Step 1, effective 10/17/2022-05/26/2023 • Carla Ritter, Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 1, effective 09/28/2022 • Brian Walker, 9th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach, BS+10 Step 10, effective 11/21/2022. Change of Status: Candance Swagel, Special Education Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 1, changes hours from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm to 7:45 am to 4:15 pm effective 09/01/2022

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred 

Nay: None, 

Motion carried.

Motion by Zavadil, seconded by A. Reichmann, to approve the resolution Establishing a Combined Polling Place for multiple precincts and designating hours during which the polling place will remain open for the school district elections not held on the day of a statewide election.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred 

Nay: None, 

Motion carried.

The 2013 Minnesota Legislature passed a law that changed the school district process for reviewing curriculum, instruction, and student achievement. A companion document to the World’s Best Workforce summary located on the school website was shared with the public at the District Advisory Council set for prior to the regular board meeting this evening. Scott Lempka, Minnewaska Elementary Principal, has facilitated the development of the 2021-2022 WBWF Summary and is in attendance to provide a summary on the district’s progress to date, gather feedback, and answer any school board questions. The WBWF Summary is to be completed and submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education by December 15 each year.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by A. Reichmann, to approve the 2021-2022 World’s Best Workforce Summary as presented. 

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred 

Nay: None, 

Motion carried.

Minnewaska Elementary Principal, Scott Lempka updated the board on the Laker PALS program. Wednesdays between now and the end of the year will be PALS days. As we go, if the program is successful, we can add additional days to the week. Each volunteer will receive a Laker PALS T-shirt to wear for the day. These have been ordered at Screen Prints Plus and will be ready any day. They will also have the option of purchasing their own. Laker PALS will sign up in advance using a Google form linked to our webpage. They must complete the background check form and provide the $15 fee. We will scholarship anyone who asks for assistance. I have attached the schedule they will follow, providing added safety/security and supporting academics. 

The following policies were reviewed by the district’s policy committee and first read at the September 26, 2022, regular board meeting, and no revisions were made. After the school board has received public comment and after the board has discussed the policies listed, a motion adopting the policies with an effective date of October 17, 2022, is appropriate.

Motion by Zavadil, seconded by Lagred, to approve the policies as listed with an adopted date of October 17, 2022.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred 

Nay: None, 

Motion carried.

Announcements: 

• November 8, 2022, General Election

• November 11, 2022 MAS Veterans Day Program

• November 17, 2022, Canvassing Election at 7:30 am in the MAS district office board room.

• November 21, 2022, Regular School Board Meeting at 7 pm in the MAS district office board room

• December 19, 2022, Truth in Taxation Meeting at 6:30 pm in the MAS district office board room.

• December 19, 2022, Regular School Board Meeting at 7:00 pm in the MAS district office board room

Motion by Lagred, seconded by T. Reichmann, to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 p.m.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Zavadil, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred,

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Angie Reichmann, Clerk

Minnewaska Area Schools,

ISD 2149

Glenwood, MN

Nov. 28