MINNEWASKA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT #2149

GLENWOOD, MINNESOTA

MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

The Minnewaska Area Schools Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, August 21, 2023 in the Minnewaska Area Schools District Office Board Room. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Barsness. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Present: Barsness, T. Reichmann, Lagred, A. Reichmann, Zavadil, Holtberg, Ogdahl

Members Absent: None

Motion by Holtberg, seconded by, Zavadil to approve the agenda as presented.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Special Recognitions & Honors: 

• The MAS School Board would like to recognize the summer of 2023 as a huge success for our Minnewaska Athletic Development Program. Our Laker staff worked with over 145 Laker student-athletes over a period of 8 weeks, four days a week. The Laker MAD program’s focus was on strength, speed, flexibility, and injury prevention. The commitment from not only our student-athletes but our coaching staff was excellent! Minnewaska Area Schools and our Laker Families would like to thank our summer strength training staff for their dedication, talent, and skills. Their commitment to teaching has made a lasting impression on our student-athletes that will last a lifetime. Thank you, Jeremy Christensen, Jared Lyle, Matt Maegher, Amber Gremmels, Zach Traphagen, Sidney Barker, and Grace Gerads. Your mentoring of athletes through strength training is exceptional and appreciated!

• The MAS School board would like to recognize Minnewaska Area Community Education with a very successful Summer 2023!  Starting in early June, the four-week summer recreation program and the three-month Laker Legends program had record participation numbers! Summer Recreation: Over its four-week run, the summer recreation had over 150+ students in grades K-6 who registered for various athletic, computer, and visual arts activities. This was a fantastic increase from the previous summer of nearly 30+ students. Led by coordinator Linda Mills, along with the help of Community Education/Activities Administrative Assistant Carrie Janu, the program was as successful as we could have hoped, as students enjoyed the wide variety of activities and experiences in which they participated. We are hoping for continued interest as we look ahead to possibly even more significant numbers for Summer 2024.  A huge thank you goes out to all summer recreation employees for their dedication and commitment to making our elementary-age students’ involvement an enjoyable and fun experience!

• Minnewaska Summer Recreation – 2023 Staff: Coordinator – Linda Mills, CE/Activities Administrative Assistant – Carrie Janu, Staff – Kathy Ammend, Ian Mills, Zachary Palmer, Easton Palmer, Avery Lewison, Emma Hellermann, Chris Eklund, Keely Hanson, Maggie Hjelm, Kylie Erickson, Jacob Woo, Lucas Curry, Ella Lewison, Leah Greseth, Jayda Kolstoe, Lane Curry, Josie Koop, Esryn Dahl, Brooklyn Noyes, Leandra Graham, Shay Hastings. 

• Laker Legends: As successful as our summer recreation program was, it could be argued that we reached even greater heights with Laker Legends.  Geared for ages 4-12, this five-day-a-week program ran all summer from 7:30 to 4:30 every day at Minnewaska Area Elementary. Enrollment numbers were also off the charts in this program, as we had over 80+ students enrolled and present at any given time, which was also an increase of over 30+ children over last summer. This shows the continuing importance of this program and how critical it is for local families. Each summer, since it began a few short years ago, this educationally based daycare program has exposed students to a wide variety of experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom and in and outside of the community.  The program was exceptionally well organized under the direction of coordinators Magan Anderson and Amanda Sayles. This was their first year taking over the leadership reins, and they were outstanding!  We look forward to having them continue to lead and grow the program as we look ahead to the summer of 2024! Minnewaska Laker Legends – 2023 Staff: Coordinator & Site Lead – Megan Anderson Coordinator & Site Lead  – Amanda Sayles, Site Lead – Melissa Hayek, Site Lead – Celeste Rapp, Site Lead – Dawn Blair, Site Aide – Gretchen Erickson, Site Aide – Haley Shea, Site Aide – Tracy Ogdahl, One-on-One/Site Aide – Brittany Kramber, One-on-One/Site Aide – Carla Ritter, One-on-One/Site Aide – Melissa Lannes, One-on-One/Site Aide – Alannah Christensen, One-on-One/Floating Site Aide – Gay Finn, Site Lead/Site Aide Substitute – Abbie Massmann, Site Lead/Site Aide Substitute – Leigha Janssen, Site Aide Substitute – Stephanie Douvier

Motion by Lagred, seconded by, Ogdahl, to approve the minutes of the July 17, 2023 Regular Board Meeting.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Superintendent Rankin reviewed the Summary of Bills and the Investment Report.

Motion by T. Reichmann, seconded by Zavadil, to approve the Claims & Accounts totaling $2,676,865.55

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by Holtberg, to approve Resolution No. 08212023 accepting the donations to the school district.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Zavadil, to approve the consent calendar as follows:

New Hires: Marlinda Alexander, Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 3, effective 08/28/2023 • Luke Barkeim, Junior High Tennis Coach, effective 08/15/2023 • Bryce Bergeron, ECSE Teacher, BS Step 1, effective 08/01/2023 • Dawn Blair, Preschool Assistant, Grade 5 Step 3, effective 08/28/2023 • Tate Card, Junior High Wrestling Coach, BS+10 Step 4, effective 11/13/2023 • Michelle Dunn, Intervention/Preschool Teacher, BS Step 3, effective 08/22/2023 • Grace Gerads, Fall Speed and Strength Coach, BS+10 Step 3, effective 08/14/2023 • Patricia Holder, Preschool and ECSE Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 1, effective 08/22/2023 • Bobbi Jo Johnson, Intervention Teacher, MA+10 Step 2, effective 08/21/2023 • BreAnna Johnson, Special Education Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 1, effective 08/22/2023 • DeeAnn Johnson, Long-Term Sub Teacher, MA Step 5, effective 08/21/2023 • Deb Mathias, District Assessment Coordinator, MA Step 1, effective 08/21/2023 • Becky Reber, Intervention Teacher, MA Step 2, effective 08/21/2023 • Anita Rodi, Cook, Grade 4 Step 11, effective 08/21/2023 • Rachel Schake, Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 3, effective 08/28/2023 • Stephanie Swalla, ECSE Teacher, MA Step 12, effective 07/15/2023 • Sarah Traphagen, Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 5, August 2023 • Jessica Wilmes, Preschool Teacher, BS Step 7, effective 08/14/2023. Change of Status: Jeremy Christensen, Speed and Strength Coach, change in percent time in the fall, effective 08/14/2023 • Gabriel Eisenbacher, change from Junior High to 9th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach, BS+10 Step 3, effective 11/13/2023 • Jeff Hetzler, Change from Custodian to Day Lead Custodian, Grade 8 Step 11, effective 08/01/2023 • Deb Medalen, Cook, Grade 4 Step 12, moving to a substitute cook • Brian Walker, Varsity Boys Basketball Assistant Coach, BS+10 Step 10, effective 11/13/2023. Resignations: Tracy Anderson, Paraprofessional, effective 08/16/2023 • Ruth Hovel, Junior High Speech Advisor

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Superintendent Rankin discussed the district’s strategic plan and gave a broad overview. Building Principals, Nate Meissner (High School), Scott Lempka (Middle School), Sue Currens (Elementary School) and Susan Knutson (W.I.N. Academy) each gave a presentation on the goals and objectives for the upcoming 2023-24 school year for their respective buildings.

Activities Director Phil Johnsrud was in attendance and gave an update on the 2023-2024 fall sports and activities.

Foodservice Director Bridget Gallagher presented an update on school lunches for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Gallagher discussed the free breakfast and lunches for students. She also discussed School Nutrition Programs funds may not subsidize meals served to adults or other non-program meals, such as second meals. The meal price must be set high enough so that the cost of the meal is fully paid by the customer. The calculation is based on the state and federal reimbursement rates plus the national average per meal value of U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods, rounded up to the nearest five cents. Sponsors contracting with a vendor meal provider or food service management company may need to adjust upwards in order to cover the full cost of the meal.

Motion by Zavadil, seconded by Barsness, to approve the increased lunch meal prices for non-program adults from $4.10 to $5.00 starting the 2023-2024 school year.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Ogdahl, seconded by Lagred, to adopt the Resolution Calling the School District Special Election.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Holtberg, to set the Truth and Taxation Hearing on Monday, December 18, 2023, at 6:30 pm.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Holtberg, to table the consideration of the increase of the per individual fee for community education programs.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Holtberg, seconded by Ogdahl to approve the Softener Salt for FY24 and FY25 to Tom’s Market.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by T. Reichmann, to approve the Snow Removal Quotes for FY24 and FY25 to Braaten Masonry and McCrory Maintenance as presented.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Zavadil, seconded by Ogdahl, to approve the adoption of the e-Learning Plan for the 2023-24 school year.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Lagred, to approve the School Election Services Agreement with Pope County.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by T. Reichmann, seconded by Holtberg, to approve the 2023-24 Coaches and Advisors list.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Holtberg, seconded by Lagred, to approve the 2023-24 Mobile Device Policy. 

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Zavadil, seconded by T.Reichmann, to close meeting at 8:48p.m., to hold Superintendent Evaluation.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by Ogdahl, to reopen the meeting at 9:36p.m.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Visitor’s Comments: None

Announcements: 

• Thursday, August 31, 2023, 5:30 pm, Picnic on the Patio

• Monday, September 18, 2023, 7:00 pm Regular Board Meeting at MAS District Office Board Room

• Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 5:15 pm, Policy Committee in the MAHS Media Center

• Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 6:15 pm, Work Session in the MAHS Media Center

• Monday, October 16, 2023, 7:00 pm, Regular Board Meeting in the MAHS Media Center

• Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Technology Levy Capital Election

Motion by Zavadil, seconded by T. Reichmann, to adjourn the meeting at 9:42 p.m.

Angie Reichmann, Clerk

Minnewaska Area Schools,

ISD 2149

Glenwood, MN

Sept. 25