MINNEWASKA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT #2149

GLENWOOD, MINNESOTA

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

The Minnewaska Area Schools Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, September 18, 2023 in the Minnewaska Area Schools Board Room. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Barsness. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Present: Barsness, A. Reichmann, T. Reichmann, Lagred 

Members Absent: Holtberg, Ogdahl, Zavadil

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

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

Visitor’s Comments: None

Special Recognitions & Honors: 

The Minnewaska Area School Board would like to recognize the following Mentors that have provided new staff a chance to feel supported, encouraged, and appreciated while challenging our new teachers to improve their practice based on effective self-reflection, coaching, and evidence of student learning. Mentors provide support systems to help teachers mitigate stress and anxiety and empower and equip them with resources to become distinguished educators. We believe it is integral to provide teachers with a nurturing environment to develop and master their craft: Matt Meagher, Jeremy Christensen, Sue Brown, Denise Ver Steeg, Bryan Draxton, Nancy Hoffmann, Megan Modahl, Karna Palmer, Stephanie Swalla, Jean Barkeim, and Tamie Williams-Quiggle.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by A. Reichmann, to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2023, Regular Board Meeting.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

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

Motion by T. Reichmann, seconded by, Lagred, to approve the Claims & Accounts totaling $1,462,767.02. 

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

Motion by Barsness, seconded by, T. Reichmann, to approve resolution 09182023 accepting the donations to the school district.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

Motion by A. Reichmann, seconded by, Lagred, to approve the consent calendar as follows: New Hires: Marlinda Alexander, School Age Child Care Assistant, Grade 4 Step 4, effective 08/28/2023 • Lexi Barsness, School Age Child Care Assistant, Grade 4 Step 1, effective 09/12/2023 • Amy Gilmore, Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 4, effective 09/11/2023 • Julie Heid, Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 4, effective 08/22/2023 • Mariah Hetland, Assistant Dance Coach, BS+10 Step 3, effective 10/15/2023 • Jade Rassmaussen, Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 1, effective 10/02/2023 • Oliver Rivera, Co-Head One Act Play, BS+10 Step 3, effective 11/13/2013 • Michele Torgerson, Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 4, effective 09/18/2023 • Stephanie Thoen, Intervention Teacher 4-8, BA Step 6, effective 08/21/2023 • Marla Watson, Paraprofessional, Grade 5 Step 4, effective 08/31/2023 • Simi Kasakwe-Welsch, Head Speech Coach, BS+10 Step 5, effective 10/15/2023, Change of Status: Dawn Blair, School Age Child Care Assistant, Change from Grade 4 Step 7 to Grade 5 Step 4, effective 08/28/2023 • Kelly Bleick, High School Principal’s Administrative Assistant, changed from Grade 6 Step 12 to Grade 7 Step 12 • Kerry Cook, Preschool Paraprofessional, changed from Grade 3 Step 8 to Grade 5 Step 1 • Jamie Dietzman, Office Administrative Assistant W.I.N., changed from Grade 6 Step 12 to Grade 7 Step 12 • Gabriel Eisenbacher, 9th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach, changed from BS+10 Step 3 to BS+10 Step 3, effective 11/13/2023 • Audrey Frey, Elementary Office  Assistant, changed from Grade 6 Step 12 to Grade 7 Step 12 • Angela Gentry, Preschool Paraprofessional, changed from Grade 3 Step 8 to Grade 5 Step 1 • Alyssa Greeley, School Age Child Care Assistant, Change from Grade 4 Step 7 to Grade 4 Step 4, effective 08/28/2023 • Patricia Holder, change from part-time to full-time, Grade 5 Step 1, effective 08/22/2023 • Kaye Kriel, change from Co-Head to Junior High Speech coach, BS+10 Step 10, effective 10/15/2023 • Kaye Kriel, change from Head to Co-Head One Act Play, BS+10 Step 7, effective 11/13/2023 • Kylie Murken, Elementary School Principal’s Administrative Assistant, changed from Grade 6 Step 12 to Grade 7 Step 12 • Nancy Rapp, Middle School Principal’s Administrative Assistant, changed from Grade 6 Step 12 to Grade 7 Step 12 • Jessica Ryan, Preschool Paraprofessional, changed from Grade 3 Step 12 to Grade 5 Step 4 • Kristin Toohey, Preschool Paraprofessional, changed from Grade 3 Step 12 to Grade 5 Step 4 • Nicole Vogt, Preschool Paraprofessional, changed from Grade 3 Step 12 to Grade 5 Step 4, Resignations: Ann Hall, Paraprofessional, effective 08/27/2023 • Stephanie Douvier, Paraprofessional, effective 09/22/2023 • Betsy Rode, Paraprofessional, effective 08/23/2023 • Summer Rydell, Junior Class Advisor, effective 09/01/2023 • Marit Salveson, Assistant Speech Coach, effective 09/18/2023 • Rachel Schake, Paraprofessional, effective 08/22/2023, Certified Staff Lane Changes: Cheyenne Beck, BA Step 5 to BA+15 Step 5 • Bryan Draxton, MA+10 Step 10 to MA+30 step 10 • Manford Foster, BS Step 9 to BS+20 Step 9 • Caleb Greene, MA+20 Step 12 to MA+30 Step 12 • Heidi Greene, MA+20 Step 12 to MA+30 Step 12 • Josh Greene, MA Step 12 to MA+10 Step 12 • Megan Greene, MA Step 12 to MA+10 Step 12 • Bailey Gronner, BS+30 Step 1 to MA Step 1 • Leigha Janssen, BS Step 3 to MA Step 3 • Jesse Johnson, MA Step 10 to MA+10 Step 10 • Jennifer Johnsrud, MA+20 Step 12 to MA+30 Step 12 • Noelle Kratzke, MA+10 Step 12 to MA+20 Step 12 • Megan Larson, MA+10 Step 12 to MA+20 Step 12 • Megan Modahl, MA+20 Step 8 to MA +30 Step 8 • Dacia Reichamann, MA+10 Step 12 to MA +20 Step 12 • Sidney Schiffler, BS+20 Step 6 to MA Step 6 • Summer Spence, BS+30 Step 7 to MA Step 7 • Kristal Wendt, MA Step 12 to MA +10 Step 12.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

Founder/Owner of Spark27, Katie Elenberger presented and gave an update on work completed for the technology levy and other initiatives.

Each school district is required to certify the proposed 2023, payable in 2024, property tax levy to the county auditor and the Department of Education by October 1, 2023. The proposed property tax levy is the school district’s proposed property tax levy for all purposes, including debt service. The law provides that the school district may certify the proposed levy as:

a. A specific dollar amount, or

b. An amount equal to the maximum levy limitation certified by the Commissioner of Education to the county auditor, according to Minn. Stat. 126C.48, Subd 1.

Superintendent Rankin gave a brief presentation and answered board members’ questions regarding the proposed levy and the levy process.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by, T. Reichmann, to certify the 2023, payable 2024, proposed levy to the Pope County Auditor, in an amount equal to the maximum levy limitation certified by the Commissioner of Education to the County Auditor, according to Minn. Stat. 126C.48, Subd. 1.”

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

This is a contract between MAS and Devine Homecare. The agreement allows a licensed nurse employed by Devine to provide medical services that allow one or more students to access their education. The services are billed by and paid for by Devine Homecare at no cost to MAS.  

Motion by, Barsness, seconded by, T. Reichmann, to approve the minutes of the meetings as listed above. 

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

According to Minnesota Statue 204B.31, the governing body of the school district holding an election that is not held in conjunction with a state election has the authority to set the dollar amount for election judges. Based on recommendations from the Secretary of State and other school districts, the administration recommends setting the pay for election judges at $20.00 per hour. 

Motion by, Barsness, seconded by, Lagred, to approve the hourly rate of $20.00 for election judges working during the district’s special election.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

Motion by A. Reichmann, seconded by, Barsness, to approve the resolution appointing election judges for the November 7, 2023 school district special election.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

The MAS school board needs to schedule a meeting to canvass for the results of the special election scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The administration is requesting that the school board set a special meeting for November 16 or November 17, 2023. Election judges would appreciate the school board scheduling the special meeting on one of the latter dates after the election, so ample time is available for them to count ballots. Board action is requested to schedule the special meeting to canvass election results for Thursday, November 16, at 7:30 a.m. in the MAS board room. 

Motion by, Lagred, seconded by, A. Reichmann, to set November 16, 2023 at 7:30 am to Canvass School Board election and Special Election Results.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

School Board approval of the Annual Assurance of Compliance statement is requested.

This request for approval should be an annual board action acknowledging the school district is in compliance with all federal mandates, which are required for all federal program entitlements and programming.

Motion by T. Reichmann, seconded by Barsness, to approve the Assurance of Compliance Statement.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

Motion by Lagred, seconded by, T. Reichmann, to approve the 2023-2024 Support Staff Handbook as presented. 

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

Nay: None

Motion carried. 

Announcements:

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

• October 4, 2023, School Board Work Session, 6:15 pm, MAHS Media Center

• October 16, 2023, School Board Regular Meeting, 7:00 pm, MAHS Media Center

• November 7, 2023, Special Election

• November 10, 2023 MAS Annual Veterans Day Program, 9:00 am, MAHS Gymnasium

• November 20, 2023, School Board Regular Meeting, 7:00 pm, MAS District Office Board Room

Motion by T. Reichmann, seconded by, Barsness, to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 pm.

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

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Angie Reichmann, Clerk

Minnewaska Area Schools,

ISD 2149

Glenwood, MN

Oct. 23