Battle Lake School Board December 14, 2020 and January 4, 2021 Meeting Minutes

Truth in Taxation Hearing Vice Chair Sam Bellig opened the hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2020 in the media center. In attendance were: Sam Bellig, Sheila Newark, Rachel Logan, Ashley Altstadt, Darren Kern, Tanya Maethner, Jonathan Hartman, Aimie Hallberg and Elizabeth Klintworth. Motion to adopt the agenda as presented. (Newark/Altstadt) UC Darren Kern delivered a powerpoint presentation that explained property taxes for the district. He presented the budget publication report that detailed fund balances as of June 30, 2020 and it also showed the projected expenditure and revenue budgets for fiscal year 2021. With no questions posed from those in attendance, the board transitioned into the regular December board meeting. Regular School Board Meeting The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in regular session on Monday, December 14, 2020 in the media center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 6:15 p.m. Members present: Sam Bellig, Paul Ness, Sheila Newark, Rachel Logan, Ashley Altstadt and Wes Hull. Members absent: None Others in attendance were: Darren Kern, David Marso, Tanya Maethner, Aimie Hallberg, Jonathan Hartman, Amy Wicklund and Elizabeth Klintworth. Motion to adopt the agenda as presented. (Altstadt/Logan) UC. Motion to approve the minutes from the November meetings as printed. (Newark/Bellig) UC. The board acknowledged enrollments per grade. Currently the K-12 enrollment is 417. The board gave updates on meetings, conferences or conversations they had encountered the past month. Motion to approve and pay the following: Checks # 55542 – # 55645 in the amount of $221,750.20, electronic fund transfers in the amount of $370,887.26 and payroll checks #21781 – # 21784 in the amount of $2,592.25. (Bellig/Newark) UC. David Marso gave an update on activities. Tanya Maethner gave an update on Community Service events. Motion to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented. (Altstadt/Logan) UC. Mr. Severson joined us virtually and gave his High School Principal’s and Technology Coordinator’s report. Mr. Kern gave his Elementary and Superintendent’s report. Motion to certify the Pay 2021 Levy at the amount of $1,183,865.94 (Hull/Bellig) UC. A copy of the entire levy is on file in the district office. Motion to approve the World’s Best Workforce report as presented. A copy of the entire report is on file in the district office and will be posted on the school’s website at www.battlelake. k12.mn.us. (Bellig/Altstadt) UC. Motion to accept the letter of resignation from Bus Driver, John Rydland effective December 31, 2020. (Hull/Newark) UC. Motion to approve the recommendation for hire of Deb Heidenson as special ed van driver. (Newark/Bellig). UC. The implementation of Battler Pride award was discussed. Motion to approve the request for unpaid leave by a teacher for the rest of the school year. (Altstadt/Newark) UC. Motion to accept the following donations as specified: Several Community members and Church organizations $10,085 – for student needs and Giving Tree Project. Several Community members $4253 – Thanksgiving meals. Larry’s Supermarket $3500 – Fine Arts. (Logan/Bellig) UC. The board did cast ballots for Region I Joint Powers Board members and a MREA member. Motion to set the reorganization meeting to be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 beginning at 7:00 a.m. (Bellig/Hull) UC. Motion to set the date for a board retreat as Friday, January 29, 2021 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. meeting place to be determined. (Logan/Newark) UC. Chair Paul Ness presented certificates and note cards, along with words of appreciation and honor for their terms of service to the two retiring board members: Sam Bellig and Wes Hull. With no more items of business on the agenda, Chair Paul Ness declared the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk Regular School Board Proceedings The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met on Monday, January 4, 2021 in the media center. The meeting was called to order by past Chair Paul Ness at 7:00 a.m. Members present: Jonathan Hartman, Aimie Hallberg, Paul Ness, Sheila Newark, Ashley Altstadt and Rachel Logan. Absent: None. Others in attendance were: Darren Kern and Elizabeth Klintworth. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Member Sheila Newark moved to nominate Paul Ness as board chair. Seconded by Ashley Altstadt. With no more nominations from the floor a unanimous ballot was cast for Paul Ness to continue as board chair. Member Sheila Newark moved to nominate Aimie Hallberg as Vice Chair. Seconded by Ashley Altstadt. With no more nominations from the floor a unanimous ballot was cast for Aimie Hallberg to reside as the Vice Chair. Member Ashley Altstadt moved to nominate Sheila Newark as Clerk. Seconded by Jonathan Hartman. With no more nominations from the floor a unanimous ballot was cast for Sheila Newark as clerk. Member Aimie Hallberg moved to nominate Jonathan Hartman as Treasurer. Seconded by Rachel Logan. With no more nominations from the floor a unanimous ballot was cast for Jonathan Hartman as Treasurer. Motion to adopt the organization agenda as presented. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Motion to designate the Battle Lake Review as the official newspaper for the district. (Hartman/Newark) UC. Motion to designate the First National Bank of Battle Lake and any other institution that meets MN Statutory requirements as official depository for the district. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. Motion to set official meeting date and time for school board meetings to be held on the second Monday of each month in the media center beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Hartman/Newark) UC. Motion to set the board stipends per meeting and the annual salaries for board chair, clerk and treasurer as follows: $450 for Chair, $75 for Clerk and Treasurer and $70 per meeting. Meetings that are 4 hours or more will be paid at $130. (Newark/Hartman) UC. Motion to set the mileage reimbursement rate to follow the IRS guidelines. Currently that rate is $ 0.56 per mile. And to authorize the payment of all legitimate travel expenses of all school employees connected with attending official school business and training pursuant to adopted policy. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. Motion to set the standing committee assignments as follows: • Special Ed Coop – Sheila Newark • MSHSL – Ashley Altstadt • Policy – Sheila Newark, Rachel Logan, Aimie Hallberg • Community Ed Advisory – Paul Ness or Jonathan Hartman • Negotiations – Paul Ness, Sheila Newark, Rachel Logan • Systems Accountability/Curriculum – Rachel Logan. Aimie Hallberg • Legislative Liaison – Rachel Logan • Staff Development/Supt. Evaluation – Sheila Newark, Rachel Logan, Jonathan Hartman • BL Community Liaison – Paul Ness, Jonathan Hartman • OTC Family Collaborative – Ashley Altstadt • Fine Arts – Paul Ness, Jonathan Hartman • Strategic Plan Review – Rachel Logan, Aimie Hallberg, Jonathan Hartman • Battle Lake 542 Ed. Foundation – Ashley Altstadt • Meet and Confer – Sheila Newark, Rachel Logan, Jonathan Hartman • Neighboring Schools Collaborative – Paul Ness, Ashley Altstadt • Transportation – Jonathan Hartman, Sheila Newark • Wellness – Ashley Altstadt (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Motion to authorize the Superintendent or his designee to make deposits of school funds and to invest school district funds according to MN Statutes. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. With no more items of business left on the agenda, Chair Paul Ness called the meeting adjourned at 7:35 a.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing January 20, 2021 of the official minutes of this meeting.)