Battle Lake School Board May 11, 2020 Meeting

The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in regular session on Monday, May 11, 2020 in the media center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 6:32 p.m.  Members present: Sam Bellig, Ashley Altstadt, Tanya Maethner, Paul Ness and Sheila Newark. Members absent: Wes Hull. Others in attendance were: Darren Kern, Sue Reidel, Doug Anderson, Kevin Foss, Kate Haus and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion to adopt the agenda as revised.  (Bellig/Altstadt) Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried. UC.

Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on April 13th as printed. (Meathner/ Newark). Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.

The board acknowledged receipt of the enrollments per grade as of May 1st.  Currently the K-12 enrollment is 417.

The board acknowledged receipt of the Pay Equity Report approval. A copy of that report is on file in the district office.

Board gave updates from events and meetings that they had attended in the past month.

Motion to approve the payment of claims and accounts in the amount of $ 90,422.11 including check #55011-#55061, the electronic fund transfers in the amount of $318,700.62, and payroll checks #21749-#21752 in the amount of $1,350.77. (Bellig/Newark) Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.

Mr. Kern read David Marso’s Activities Director’s report. A copy is on file in the district office.

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as read.  (Maethner/Altstadt) Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.  UC.

Mr. Kern distributed Ryan Severson’s High School Principal’s and Technology Coordinator’s report. A copy of the entire report is on file in the district office.

Mr. Kern gave the Elementary Principal’s and Superintendent’s report.

The board held extensive discussion about custodial responsibilities. No action taken at this time.

Fees for use of the facilities from outside organizations was discussed, but not action taken at this time.

Bethel Church presented a proposal for renting the school’s facility for their Sunday worship services and Wednesday evening educational/ministry time. No action taken at this time. This item will be brought back at a later date.

The board acknowledged the notice from Public Employees Insurance Plan (PEIP) for automatic renewal of the Health Insurance Coverage for the 2020-2021 school year.

Motion to accept the quote from 1st Lakes Agency for the school district’s property, liability, auto and work comp insurance coverages through Liberty Mutual and RAM. (Bellig/ Newark) Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.  UC.

Mr. Kern updated the board on the Capital Projects Levy and the need to renew that levy. It was the boards’ consensus to move forward with the Capital Projects Levy renewal.

Motion to extend the probationary period of Amber Eastwood.  (Maethner/Altstadt). Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.

Motion to approve the letter of resignation from CJ Peeters as a Phy-Ed teacher and Boys’ basketball coach effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year. (Bellig/Altstadt) Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.

Motion to post a vacancy for a .5625 FTE Phy-Ed teacher. (Bellig/Altstadt) Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.

The board held discussion on what to do with summer recreation for this coming summer. No action taken at this time.

Motion to adopt the grading standard as presented in Mr. Severson’s written for the distant learning time. (Bellig/Newark) Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.

Motion to enter into a contract with Lake Country Service Cooperative (LCSC) for a 3 year Health and Safety Agreement as presented and on file in the district office. (Maethner/ Newark)  Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.

Motion to accept the agreement with the Battle Lake Education Association for addressing alternative Teacher Performance Pay and /or Teacher Development & Evaluation During Peacetime Emergency. (Maethner/Altstadt)  Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried. A copy of the entire agreement is on file in the district office.

Motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with William Klaers for a one year leave from teaching for the 2020-21 school year. (Bellig/Maethner) Upon a roll call vote being taken, those voting in favor: Newark, Altstadt, Maethner, Bellig, Ness. Motion carried.

Motion to accept the following donations as specified:  Amor Township $500 and Front Stream $30 – both for Summer Recreation. Julie and Robert Anderson $500, Elizabeth Komonko $500 both for student lunch accounts. Anonymous $500 – “where needed most”. Anonymous $500 – hotspots.

With no more items of business on the agenda, Paul Ness called the meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

Sheila Newark, Clerk

(This publication constitutes the legal printing June 17, 2020 of the official minutes of this meeting.)