REGULAR BOARD MEETING                                                                                        April 15, 2008

A regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 518, Worthington, Minnesota, was held at the Worthington High School Media Center, 1211 Clary Street, Worthington, Minnesota on April 15, 2008, at 5:15 p.m.

The following were present:  BOARD MEMBERS - Joel Lorenz, Lori Dudley, Steve Schnieder, Bob Jirele, Linden Olson, Brad Shaffer, Lowell Nystrom

ADMINISTRATORS - John Landgaard, Superintendent, Dave Skog, Director of Management Services

Correspondence and Recognition:  The board recognized the following staff and students:  Bess Hendrichs and the Middle School SADD group for their efforts in the blanket service project and Middle School science participation in the Minnesota Bioscience conference.

Public Participation:  Chad Neuberger spoke regarding a technology donation.

1.      Motion by Member Olson, seconded by Member Lorenz and unanimously passed to approve the Consent Agenda for the April 15, 2008, School Board meeting, with the correction of 4.3.4 approve a reduction in assignment to .6 FTE for Helen Van Leeuwen.

2.      Motion by Member Olson, seconded by Member Dudley and unanimously passed to approve the Main Agenda for the April 15, 2008, School Board meeting.

3.      Motion by Member Shaffer, seconded by Member Lorenz and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2008, Regular School Board meeting and the April 9, 2008, Special School Board meeting.

4.      Motion by Member Olson, seconded by Member Jirele and unanimously passed to approve the action of the items on the Consent Agenda as follows:

4.1         Financial Reports -

A.     Approved Investments Matured and Purchased

B.     Approved Wire Transfers

                  C.   Approved Claims and Accounts for April 15, 2008, as per Board Check Register

D.     Approved District Imprest Cash Account and Community Education Imprest Cash Account for March 2008.

E.      Reviewed the Middle School, High School, Prairie Elementary and the Area Learning Center Activity Accounts for March 2008.

4.2.1.        Approved resignation of Mary Kay Hansen as Paraprofessional at Prairie Elementary and as Junior Class Prom Sponsor effective April 11, 2008.

4.2.2.        Approved resignation of Jerusha Lowe as Program Assistant with Community Education effective May 31, 2008.

4.2.3.        Approved resignation of Jeff Britten as Curriculum Director for the School District effective June 30, 2008.

4.3.1.        Approved employment of Lisa Grothe as long-term substitute ECSE Teacher at Prairie Elementary School effective March 5, 2008, through April 29, 2008.

4.3.2.        Approved employment of Sherri VanderBrink as long-term substitute Paraprofessional at Prairie Elementary effective April 14, 2008.

4.3.3.        Approved employment of Janet Haren as Girls’ 9^th grade fast pitch Softball Coach with the High School effective April 7, 2008.

4.3.4.        Approved a reduction in assignment to .6 FTE for Helen Van Leeuwen as Secretary with Community Education effective March 10, 2008.

4.3.5.        Approved a change of classification to Class II Custodian for Andy Braun as Custodian at the Middle School effective March 31, 2008.

4.4        The board accepted the following donations for the month of March 2008:  Prairie Parent Group for Earth Adventure and Whales programming; from Worthington Regional Economic Development Corporation for the Middle School Science Program; from Target Corporation (take charge) for Prairie Elementary and from an individual for Prairie Elementary programs.

4.5        Approved the Memorial Auditorium rental agreement for $11,579.00

4.6        Approved the 2008-2009 school breakfast/lunch prices of:

5.      Motion by Member Dudley, seconded by Member Shaffer and unanimously passed by roll call vote 7 to 0 to approve non-renewal of probationary teaching contract resolution for Bryce Belseth, Third Grade Teacher at Prairie Elementary School effective the end of the 2007-2008 school year.  Copy of resolution is on file at the District Administration Office.

6.       Motion by Member Lorenz, seconded by Member Nystrom and unanimously passed by roll call vote 7 to 0 to approve non-renewal of probationary teaching contract resolution for Nick Pease, Ag Teacher at the High School effective the end of the 2007-2008 school year.  Copy of resolution is on file at the District Administration Office.

7.       Motion by Member Dudley, seconded by Member Lorenz and unanimously passed to approve waiver of tenure agreement.

8.       Board Member Nystrom introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE

EXPULSION OF THE STUDENT IDENTIFIED

IN THE ATTACHMENTS HERETO

AS THE “STUDENT”

            WHEREAS, the Student was proposed for expulsion pursuant to the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121.56; and

            WHEREAS, the Student and her parents were served the written notice of the School District’s intent to initiate expulsion proceedings and such notice was accompanied by a copy of the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56, as required under the Act; and

            WHEREAS, the Student and her parents elected to waive the scheduled hearing with the understanding that by such waiver, the proposed terms of expulsion would be submitted for action to the School Board of Independent School District No. 518.

            THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 518 as follows:

1. The School Board hereby accepts the Waiver of Hearing executed by the Student and her parents, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
2. By reviewing the record relating to the matter, the School Board hereby finds that due to the nature of the conduct engaged in by the Student, the terms of expulsion proposed by the School District are reasonable and appropriate.
3. The School Board of Independent School District No. 518 hereby orders that the expulsion of the Student be imposed immediately pursuant to the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56.  Said expulsion shall be imposed in accordance with the written notice provided to the Student and her parents, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
4. The Clerk of the School Board is directed to provide written notice of the expulsion to the Student and her parents in substantially the form as provided in attachment Exhibit D.
5. It is further ordered that pursuant to a proper request, the School District shall provide copies of the Resolution.  However, any release of said Resolution shall not include the exhibits or attachments hereto as the School Board hereby finds that such materials constitute private data on individuals pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat.§13.32.

The motion for the adoption for the foregoing Resolution was duly seconded by Board Member Olson and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:  Lori Dudley, Lowell Nystrom, Joel Lorenz, Bob Jirele, Brad Shaffer, Steve Schnieder, and Linden Olson

and the following voted against the same:  None.

whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

9.       Board Member Jirele introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE

EXPULSION OF THE STUDENT IDENTIFIED

IN THE ATTACHMENTS HERETO

AS THE “STUDENT”

            WHEREAS, the Student was proposed for expulsion pursuant to the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121.56; and

            WHEREAS, the Student and his parents were served the written notice of the School District’s intent to initiate expulsion proceedings and such notice was accompanied by a copy of the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56, as required under the Act; and

            WHEREAS, the Student and his parents elected to waive the scheduled hearing with the understanding that by such waiver, the proposed terms of expulsion would be submitted for action to the School Board of Independent School District No. 518.

            THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 518 as follows:

1. The School Board hereby accepts the Waiver of Hearing executed by the Student and his parents, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference.
2. By reviewing the record relating to the matter, the School Board hereby finds that due to the nature of the conduct engaged in by the Student, the terms of expulsion proposed by the School District are reasonable and appropriate.
3. The School Board of Independent School District No. 518 hereby orders that the expulsion of the Student be imposed immediately pursuant to the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56.  Said expulsion shall be imposed in accordance with the written notice provided to the Student and his parents, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
4. The Clerk of the School Board is directed to provide written notice of the expulsion to the Student and his parents in substantially the form as provided in attachment Exhibit D.
5. It is further ordered that pursuant to a proper request, the School District shall provide copies of the Resolution.  However, any release of said Resolution shall not include the exhibits or attachments hereto as the School Board hereby finds that such materials constitute private data on individuals pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat.§13.32.

The motion for the adoption for the foregoing Resolution was duly seconded by Board Member Dudley and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Bob Jirele, Joel Lorenz, Brad Shaffer, Lori Dudley, Lowell Nystrom, Linden Olson, Steve Schnieder.

and the following voted against the same:  None.

whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

10.   Motion by Member Nystrom, seconded by Member Lorenz and unanimously passed to approve the purchase of a Kubota zero-turn lawn mower from Jaycox Implement for $11,850.

11.   Motion by Member Shaffer, seconded by Member Nystrom and unanimously passed to approve a security camera proposal from Living Connected, Inc. for $24,014 for installation and upgrades at the High School, Middle School and Prairie Elementary.

12.   Motion by Member Dudley, seconded by Member Lorenz and unanimously passed to approve family connection dollars and a contribution of up to $22,000 from the general fund to support the various Community Education programs affected by grant expirations that support these programs.

13.   Motion by Member Nystrom, seconded by Member Olson and unanimously passed to approve activity fees/other related fees for 2008-2009 as presented.

The Board further discussed and reviewed the following matters: Investments and financial status; reports on: Superintendent’s Report – Mr. Landgaard reported the following:  Education Minnesota Worthington MOU regarding pay period plan; District 403b vendor selection issue; statewide health insurance issue; MN West, District 518 and Prairie Holdings received award regarding participation in the Bioscience Conference; transportation legislation on van driver requirements; Governor’s After School Summit invitation; Meet and Confer meeting; Finger Net technology; Country Club meeting regarding rain garden project at the Middle School; and review of vacant administrative positions.  Instructional Committee Report – Mrs. Dudley reported the following:  The committee tabled some topics for the next meeting and Mr. Besel gave a brief update on Kindergarten round-up.  Operations Committee Report – None.  Nobles County Integration Collaborative Report – Mr. Schnieder reported the following:  The NCIC approved two mini grant proposals for the elementary school theatre summer camp and circle mentors program; also discussed events scheduled for Year of the Rat celebration on April 19^th; Mexican Council on April 19.  Technology Committee Report – Mr. Olson reported the committee discussed the server being tied up by emails and looking at a possible new server to accommodate usage; the capital budget for 156 computers and smart boards; discussed technology staffing and a centralized database.  Staff Development Report – Mr. Olson reported the committee discussed music teacher training and various staff development trainings and Mr. Besel gave a brief presentation on the RTI program and retreat.  Other Business – Mr. Landgaard gave a negotiations update and the board previewed the school district video.

Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

                                                                        Linden Olson, Clerk

                                                                        Lisa Ahrenstorff, Deputy Clerk