| If at first you don't succeed |
| Written by LOREN UNDSETH |
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During a special meeting held Monday, November 23, to address facilities issues, the Menahga School Board decided that it is in the District’s best interest to revise their expansion project and try to bring it to another vote in Spring 2010. Ongoing space problems in the current school buildings and the potential for an interest-free bond are the basis for the decision. The original expansion project failed in a November 3 vote on the project. During their analysis of the original project, boardmembers said that the primary complaint they heard was that the project was too big. They also felt there was confusion about what the property tax impact would be on homeowners, and also said that there was misinformation spread in the community about the possible tax impact. According to Superintendent Mary Klamm, one of the problems encountered while promoting the project was finding ways to make the community understand that the needed gym space is not just for extracurricular sports, but also for physical education classes. Phy. ed. classes are required in grades 1 through 9 and are taken for grades as well as credits. The school now has class times where 70 students from different grades are forced to share the existing gym space. In the elementary school, where the largest enrollment increase has been seen, classroom space is currently at a premium. Federal stimulus money in the form of a tax-free Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) may be available to the District until May 1, 2010. There is no guarantee that the school district would receive the tax-free bond, but the district will remain fourth on the state’s list of qualified schools until that date. By bringing in a modified form of the project to vote before then could help the district eliminate any interest on the bond for the project. As the first step in revising the project, the Board will organize focus groups made up of citizens from the school district to determine what should be included in the project. They plan on having focus groups start meeting in December and bring recommendations about what the project should include to the January 7 Board meeting. REGULAR MEETING During the regular meeting which followed the special meeting on November 23, Superintendent Klamm reported that enrollment in the elementary was 471, with 63.3 percent eligible for free and reduced price (FRP) meal rates. The high school enrollment was 304, with a 51 percent FRP rate. Klamm stated that the FRP rates will positively affect the districts compensatory aid for the next school year as well as qualify the district for additional grant opportunities. Elementary Principal Joleen DeLaHunt reported that the sixth grade students were being served breakfast in their classroom in an effort to free up gym space for PE classes in the multipurpose room in the morning. The Board voted down a motion to end classes at 12:30 on December 23, which is the last day of classes before the holiday break. Boardmember Curtis Hasbargen pointed out that by closing early that day, the district would not be fulfilling the teachers union contract and it would also cost the district $9,000 in lost class time. The motion failed with Hasbargen, Durwin Tomperi, and Jody Bjornson opposed. OTHER BUSINESS In other business, the Board: •Approved the 2010 seniority lists for paraprofessional and licensed staff. •Approved the following nominees as representatives with the Minnesota Rural Education Association: Administrator - Deron Stender, Frazee Vergas; School Board - Sherman Anderson, Nevis; At-Large - Nancy Dashner, Frazee Vergas; Teacher - Kelly Berg, Fisher. •Approved renewing insurance coverage with Riverport Insurance Company/MSBA and Auto Owners Insurance for one year. •Approved conducting three focus groups in December to address facility needs and to bring recommendations to the January 7 Board meeting as part of the Facilities Improvement Plan. •Approved moving the graduation date to May 21 at 7:00 p.m. Traditionally, the school has held graduation on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. •Approved the following appointments for 2009-10: Cody Geiser as junior high wrestling coach; Steve Bruer as volunteer coach; Paul Haldorson as regular route bus driver. •Approved setting the 2010 Organizational Meeting for Thursday, January 7 at 6:30 p.m. The Board also approved changing the December regular Board meeting from Monday, December 14 to Monday, December 21. |