Battle Lake School Board November 13, 2023 Minutes

The School Board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in regular session on Monday, November 13, 2023 in the Media Center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 6:33 p.m. Members present: Paul Ness, Sheila Newark, Ashley Altstadt, Rachel Logan, Aimie Hallberg and Jonathan Hartman. Members absent: None. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Tanya Maethner, Pete Amundson, Amy Wicklund, Kate Scherfenberg, Jennie Mills, Sue Riedel, Jenny Cameron, Lori Codner, Jenny Roberts and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as presented. (Hallberg/Hartman) UC. Communications and visitors. Parent Lori Codner shared information in regards to racial slurs within the school directed at her son. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular October meeting as presented. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. Motion to accept the following donations as specified: CJB Law $500 – OTC Youth Football, Womenade $500 – student needs. Big Fish Kayak Ice cream for high school students. 1st National Bank Tailgating Proceeds $664 – OTC athletics. Michelle Braaten $250 and First Lutheran Church $561.03 – After School Program. (Altstadt/Newark) UC. Motion to approve the following consent agenda items: Payment of bills including checks #58806-#58915 in the amount of $ 141,379.64. Electronic fund transfers in the amount of $454,557.57.Payroll checks #21895-#21902 in the amount of $9,507.03. Treasurer’s Report as presented. Enrollments per grade. Currently the K-12 enrollment is 406. Hire of Kathy Love as Long Term Substitute Teacher through December 22, 2023. District Revenue and Expenditure Budgets for fiscal year 2023 and 2024 as presented. A copy of the publication is available in the district office and is also viewable online through the school district web page at www.battlelake.k12.mn.us.(Hartman/Altstadt) UC. Board members gave updates on conversations and encounters with residents and community members that they had in the past month. Madison Cameron supplied a written report that was read out loud. Tanya Maethner gave an update on Community Education and curriculum. Mr. Nudell gave the Principal’s report and his Superintendent’s report. The board held a first reading on the MSBA model policy #534 School Meals Policy. A copy is available in the district office. Member Ashley Altstadt introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: Resolution establishing combined polling places for multiple precincts and designating hours during which the polling places will remain open for voting for school district elections not held on the day of a statewide election. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Sheila Newark and upon vote being taken theron, the following voted in favor thereof: Aimie Hallberg, Jonathan Hartman, Sheila Newark, Ashley Altstadt, Rachel Logan and Paul Ness. And the following voted against the same: None. Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. A copy of the entire resolution is on file in the district office. Member Rachel Logan introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: Resolution Canvassing Returns of Votes of School District Special Election. BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 542, State of Minnesota, as follows: 1. It is hereby found, determined and declared that the special election of the voters of this School District held on November 7, 2023, was in all respects duly and legally called and held. 2. As specified in the attached Abstract and Return of Votes Cast, at said election a total of 1287 voters of the School District voted on the question of authorizing the issuance of school building bonds for a school acquisition and betterment program (SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1), of which 720 voted in favor, 567 voted against the same, and there were 2913 completely blank or defective ballots related to this question. Said proposition, having received the approval of at least a majority of such votes, is hereby declared to have carried. 3. The Clerk is hereby directed to certify the results of the election to the county auditors of each county in which the School District is located in whole or in part and to the Commissioner of Education. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Jonathan Hartman and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Aimie Hallberg, Jonathan Hartman, Sheila Newark, Ashley Altstadt, Rachel Logan and Paul Ness. And the following voted against the same: None. Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Motion to renew the current CD held at First National Bank for an additional 90 days at a competitive rate (Hartman/Hallberg) UC. Motion to approve the requested change of dates for the upcoming band trip as presented. New dates are April 25 through April 28, 2024. (Hallberg/Newark) UC. Next meeting is set for December 11th following the Truth in Taxation hearing that starts at 6:00 p.m. in the media center. With no more items of business remaining on the agenda, Board Chair Ness called the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing December 20, 2023 of the official minutes of this meeting.)