001It is six o'clock so we'll call the meeting to order. Um all members are pres are present including our student reped. We there is no additions to the agenda. So we'll move on to the approval of the agenda. >> Make a motion to approve. >> Agenda is presented. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Motion by Cheryl, second by Thomas. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion passes. No public comment. Moving on to the consent agenda. Uh Cheryl, do you want to start with bills? >> Sure. Um it was all pretty much normal stuff. Um I did notice uh the a payment went out for the uh band tour >> that's coming up. >> It was a pretty big payment, but it's going to be a pretty big tour. It's going to be
002pretty cool. >> It's fun. >> Yep. And I did not I was going to check on those the date confirmation and I don't Jesse do you happen to remember the date off the top of your head >> of the trip? >> Y >> I know it's next year right before it's it goes out right before Thanksgiving I believe. >> Typically around that time >> right around Thanksgiving. I don't have the exact dates. >> We've been fundraising already and working towards it. Everybody is excited. Um I also saw the bill for the mold remediation. Um, so just to kind of let let you as board members know where so the the bill was um can you remind me again like $10,919144. >> Yeah. So, um, service masters was called, um, when we had the, um, at
003the elementary school when we had the steam issue and, uh, um, when we saw that there was a potential of mold, it was just what, it was very proactive to make sure that because mold is kind of a big deal. Um, and they did a really fabulous job. Instantly, they were there within hours. it was um plasticked off and they had um so that that is the payment for uh the mitigation process. Uh we did reach out to uh the department of ed and find out and that is an eligible expense under our long-term facility maintenance dollars. And so um I'm going to recommend to the board in March that we make a revision to that LTFM plan and pay for that mitigation uh from that plan. So >> those were the only two things
004that really stood out. I just um the mold remediation really stood out to me because coming promptly like that and the amount of work they had to do and where they had to work it and when >> I assumed it was a down payment. >> Yeah. Nope. That's the bill. >> That was the bill. >> Yep. So service masters did a nice job for us. >> Um looking at the rest of the agenda, um most of our personnel, you know, our hires at this time of year, uh we have some new teachers to fill our elementary positions. uh we have our ECF, our early childhood family ed sessions. And part of the reason why those are are um systematically throughout the year is because we don't know what level of interest there's going to be.
005And so we uh we offer those contracts based on classes and when they're uh what the enrollment is. Um and then uh we also have a track coach and then our um um some uh pause workers. Um the one the one component I do want to call out for donations um is uh we have a a donation and the reason I want to call this one out besides saying thank you to the Legion for um our um the a $3,000 donation. Pays Lab is not um Payneesville Area Elementary School Lab. It is the uh it is the PAS lab which is a um it's a lab that is set up in a classroom to really have um functional and foundational skill development and assessment for um young adults with disabilities. Um, and it's actually not
006only um beneficial for students that have um more uh significant disabilities, it's really helpful for students learning the soft skills of just getting a job at the front end in their first employment opportunity. And so, um, the pays lab itself we've been fundraising for for a couple of years. Um it is approximately $40,000 um because it is um training modules that are set up and it's very there's probably um there's a whole host of modules that students are able to go through. Um what we're working on is uh we've worked through the community foundation for some grants. We were we received some money from the Legion. Um we are also reaching out to our neighboring school districts um to see who would be interested in contributing and then utilizing that that same LA lab program.
007Um there is a similar um program that's set up in Albany through our West Central Education District. Um but it's not super functional for us to send our students up for that far and try to be there for an hour a day and then come back. It's just too much time out of their school day. So we're really excited because we're getting closer. Um and we have Eden Valley Watkins, New Lemon Spicer, Belgrade Brutin Rosa, um ACGC that have all expressed interest in partnering with us. So it's getting way closer to becoming a reality. So we're really excited about that. So um long- winded story to say thank you to the Legion for some additional money and it bring it back to the forefront that we're getting closer to make making that happen. So that's
008exciting. And I would just stand for any other questions that you have on the consent agenda. Now I make a motion that we accept the consent agenda. Thank you folks for providing information. >> Motion by Gerald, second by Ron. >> Um all in favor. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion passes. Um moving on to the communication items. >> Uh administrative reports. So this is the time of year um that we really do um kind of begin um the the legislative conversation. So the legislature is back in action. Um I did want to it is not a budget year. Uh but uh there is still a lot of focus on uh where the budget is truly going to come in. Um so that we do expect the governor's forecast to come in end of this week,
009beginning of next week. Um but it is really the policy year. So we talk about things that are going to impact from a policy perspective without funding. Um one of the things that uh we we truly are kind of keeping an eye on are things around cell phones funding and safety of buildings. Uh so what I did here is I just wanted to kind of share with you um some of the communication that I get from for example this is from um the Minnesota Association of School Administrators MASA. And so these are some of the bills the the the Senate files. So those are the files that are going moving through the Senate. And then down below are the House files. Um so again files that are moving through the House. And you can see
010many of the um the topics are going to be if they're going to get traction there's going to be similar in the House and the Senate to make things really come to fruition. So I just really linked this in. um board members, you'll have access to this if you want to click on the files and anybody um these are all just linked to um the Minnesota legislature and it's the revisor file so you can take a look at what's being proposed and drafted. Um I have kind of a lovehate relationship with the revisor because uh sometimes you'll find things that are out there that have been proposed and then after the session is done they never go away and you kind of wonder what ever happened with this. So, um it's it's nice to see
011what's proposed with the striketh through and a um an underline, but um this is kind of the way that the bills are introduced and then they move through the process. So, I just kind of put those up there for you to kind of keep an eye on if you'd like to. Um and I'll uh traditionally I try to send those out a little bit more as I get them. I try to pass them along and if people are interested, I'm happy to share uh what comes across my desk if they if they would have any interest in that. Um, another area of interest that I think is uh I just wanted to highlight is that uh MSBA did share uh that um there is a bill that has been introduced um banning cell phones completely
012in grades K8 and inside all classrooms at the high school level. Um and I I know that's a conversation that has been had um kind of about the pros and cons of cell phones um systematically. Um, but I I think it is interesting that it's it's reaching that legislative level from a ban perspective. Um, a couple of years ago, districts uh were required to have a policy or a procedure addressing cell phone use, which we have done, and we're going to actually talk about that in a little bit here. Uh, but just uh it's it's bringing a level of of conversation, and I do expect it to gain traction. Um, I think that was I'm expecting it to gain traction uh this legislative session. So legislatively really my goal is always just to serve as
013a resource um and a um so that whether it be um Speaker Damoth or um Senator How, you know, who represents our area um or you know the any any legislator that I have a relationship with, I really want them to know if they pass legislation how that impacts and influences us here in Paynesville. And I think that's something that we all can do as we contact our legislators and we have conversation and have an opportunity to just share what these things what um legislation looks like in in action when it um takes effect. Um, uh, Thomas and I are going to be at the Capitol on March 9th for the, uh, MSBA and MASA joint day at the capital. And then I have an opportunity to go again on March 26th for the region
014MASA day. Um, those are really good opportunities to again share kind of our perspective as things move through um, raise concerns or support um, and really just serve as a resource. So that's um, gearing up. So, in regards to the budgeting forecast, uh we are planning on a 2.69% increase to the formula. Last month, I reported 2.7 um instead of 2.69. So, I wanted to make sure that I clarified that for you. And then at the March 9th board meeting, we'll we'll re really begin by revising the budget and then talking about the 2627 budget recommendations. Um any questions that you have for me on that? >> I guess I have a question. um is it your responsibility or how I guess when we're down at that MSB and these various vendors talk about well
015you can get grants well my theory behind that is the poorer you are the greater chance you are of getting a grant you kind of get penalized for having a positive balance or how do you go about getting some of these grants for like security food various things >> yeah so it well it very much depends depends on the type of grant that you're looking for um whether or not uh our district would be eligible or uh we would meet the very specific criteria of the grant. Um so it really kind of depends on what it is. Um some of the programs that are grants for like the safe schools um we may have some of the things they might be grants to put in a camera system for example. Well, we already have a
016camera system, so do we, you know, it wouldn't be applicable to us. So, it kind of depends on what what the grant is that is being applied for. >> But who kind of looks in is that is that kind of what you do then or or or >> there's there's really it's um so I might look into grants for um like maybe it's a grow your own. Uh, so if we had a a a shortage of special education teachers and we wanted to bring our pair professionals along, I might look for a grant to support that process. So, it's going to kind of depend on what our needs are as a district. Um, our uh technology department could look for grants that would support technology needs. um our um our principles could look for grants
017that would support uh academic um like an academic um trial if there's a program that they wanted to be part of. >> I know we did the speaker system thing, but I mean it's done now, but I guess I always kind of wondered and of course then this January I just kind of asked around, but like you said, it depends who you talk to and and uh it depends on the grant too. I just >> I'd like to make sure that we're leaving no rock unturned as far as because unfortunately you hear stories about people not even filling out an application. >> Yeah. >> So >> yeah. So one of the things that's that I've been in contact um most recently with um DED and um so the department department of economic and um economic
018and development >> what's the other name? employment employment and development, economic employment and development. Thank you. Um is around um the child care initiative. There's a lot of of grant money that is supporting development of child care. Well, we're not quite far enough in the process to apply for the grant because you have to have a lot of your logistics pulled together um to put into that grant. So, there's a lot of leg work that has to be done. Now, what's hard about that is many of those are matching programs. So, you have to show that you have some money up front and then a grant might match some of that money, but in order to get that money up front, usually you have to have you have to know what the costs are. So,
019there's a lot of moving parts to accessing some of those bigger grants. >> And I think some of those things have been kind of maybe set aside with what's going on in the country as far as uh you know, embezzlement of funds and stuff. So I think there's a lot more eyes looking around. >> Scrutiny for sure. >> Scrutiny. Scrutiny is is the word. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yep. And I don't think that's bad because then the the people that that are awarded the grants, it's it's going in a good it's going for what it's intended to go for. >> Um grant writing unfortunately is a it's a um uh it's a very laborious process that's that's and some of them are extremely competitive. So, you really want to make sure that you maximize um when
020you have something written, you do it multiple times and submit it to multiple >> push hard. Yep. So, yeah, that's a great question though, Ron about. >> I did still hold on to one down at the MSBA conference the one year and we hadn't found it hadn't heard about it here yet. Okay. >> And I brought it to the administration and they got the got it to the correct teachers and our teachers got the grant. >> Oh, perfect. But our teachers here are really good at looking into grants and writing them. If you stumble onto one somewhere and you're wondering if they know about it here, >> just pass it along. >> Let them know. >> Yep. They'll get it to the right person. >> Great. >> Revenues and expenditures have been updated. Um so
021you can take a look at those as well, but otherwise pass back over. Okay, hearing no questions. Moving on to committee and organizational reports. that balls meeting that we had and >> okay >> we'll hear about that >> discuss that okay hearing nothing we'll move on to the student representative report um hi guys um for NHS they're doing I cannot pronounce this first word sorry um a ceremony on March 29th they have 15 new candidates they're hosting a blood drive March 18th and they're hosting a middle school spelling be on the March 25th sad they're hosting interviews for new board members and doing activities with the elementary school. FFA, we did teach egg day with the first graders today. Actually, um we're getting ready for region contest and state and it's national FFA week this
022week. So, we're going to be going around on Thursday with treats for all of the staff. And tomorrow we have spring tour. I know we're going to a vet clinic, I think a bakery, and then we're going to like this like drink place where they make drinks. and >> brewery. >> I'm driving with you guys. >> No one's coming. I think I think it is the brewery. I have no idea. >> Yeah, you're going to the bakery and the brewery and you're going to Lead Stone. >> Yep. >> Uh and then you're going to the vet clinic in Melrose. >> Ron, are you >> And don't forget Don't forget the pizza at Barnellis. >> I decided that I think we might know our bus driver. >> I got I got the privilege of of getting
023to take them tomorrow. So be learning for me, too. >> There you Good luck. That's all I have to say to you. Um, for student council, we had Sweetfest last week or two weeks ago. I don't quite remember off the top of my head. And that's about it. Great. >> All right. Okay. Hearing nothing else. Um, no old business. Move on to new business. >> Policy review. First reading. >> Yep. So um I I promise I am not going to click through and walk through each of these policies because there are a lot of them and many of the policies um as you are going to see and and note very very minor changes. Um so the really there what MSBA has done is uh anytime and this is one of the reasons why we
024subscribe to the policy service is anytime that there is a statutory reference or a change to the reference they will update and they'll send this out to the policy committee and then we're able to walk through it and make sure that it really does um we stay up to date. Um so you're going to see many uh statutory reference changes or there there might be an expansion or a clarification of a definition uh which is all has been uh clarified through statute or through the legislature. So um that's a lot of what you're going to see in these proposed changes. the two areas that I I do want to call out um let me scroll down specifically um to uh the first one is um policy 524 and this was on really as a proactive
025method in anticipation if um if our if we do need to move to a cell phone free school. uh we wanted to make sure that the policy was um in a place that it could be incorporated into the handbook which is where our procedure lives right now and so um the policy committee reviewed that with really the lens of of making sure that uh we could do that if we need to do that. Okay. Uh the next policy is policy 535 which is service animals in school. Um this is a new policy to us and we we have not had this policy. The reason this is here is because um our special ed or our uh special education director Aaron Hoffman uh brought this to our attention and said if you haven't yet addressed so
026the four school districts that are in the west central ed district if we haven't yet addressed service animals in schools um we should do that and the reason for that is because sometimes just if in the absence of of a procedure or a policy it makes a determination if a student would come through with a request for um for a service animal. If we don't have a procedure, it makes it a little bit more difficult to in the in that moment say is this we really haven't thought about this and we haven't addressed it. Uh MSBA has had this policy for many years. Um in our ad district, we two of our members already have this policy. And so what what is presented here for review and what the policy committee reviewed is a recommendation
027from MSBA. Okay. So it will be um this again because this is a new policy um I would encourage people to take a look at it and if they have questions or comments it'll be in the district office for the 20 days so they we can have conversation um or you as board members take a look at it and see if there are any any questions. But um it really is a pretty sound procedure just to make sure that if animals are in the building for a service perspective um they're they're serving serving the purpose of of um being a service animal or a training animal. >> Would the board be interested in uh somebody coming to do a demonstration of where Lions members and leader dog >> uh they come out there's no charge
028and they do demonstrations like with a K9. Mhm. >> Um that's something you know if it comes to that >> Sure. >> you can line something up like >> Okay. Thank you for that resource. >> Even in school too demonstration school >> they could come in and do >> Oh, do it for the kids. You mean >> we'll do kind of come to maybe come in the door first and then >> elementary or something. Yeah. you know, I mean, to introduce at least. >> So, >> um other than that, um you'll see that um the the minor changes are are going to be deleting references. So, again, I um there was a lot that we walked through and then you'll also notice that there are some that had October edits and February edits. Um again,
029MSBA was catching up with what had happened in the legislative session and um so those edits are referenced twice. And then um the very last uh very last document literally had um a note on the top which schools can delete. So there was the policy committee reviewed it but there was no change to the substantive language in the policy. It was sometimes poor Miranda she does a fabulous job walking through each of these. But these have all been reviewed and and looked at and touched and so um they'll be out here for people to take a look at if there are any questions or comments on the policies. Okay. Um moving on to the employee appreciation. So February is uh we have um the national school counseling week week which is February 2nd through the
0306th and then February 18th is school bus driver appreciation day. Uh so you'll see our uh just a special note um calling out Jackie Campbell, our our high school counselor. And then you're going to see a document that links out all of our bus drivers. Uh Ron, thank you for being a bus driver as well. >> Um >> just >> Well, that's okay. There's no just a they're still driving a bus. >> Still a driver. >> So um so just a thank you. Um, I do and I I I think that, you know, when when I think about our students experiences on the bus, uh, what they get on to and what they walk away from really does kind of provide bookends to the day. So, um, that's greatly appreciated. >> Okay. Uh, moving on
031to the review upcoming meetings. Um, I did note tomorrow we have the county collaborative at 8:30. Oh, okay. >> I just noted that now that it wasn't on there. So, >> okay. >> I think I think everything else seems consistent. >> Okay. Thank you for catching that. >> Um, and then just a a bolded notice, you a reminder, Monday, March 9th, uh, instead of Tuesday because there were possible township elections, >> right? Yeah, I'm a judge for Roseville Township, so I for them. Well, >> let's not take you away from that duty. >> Hearing no other comments. Looking for a motion to adjurnn. >> Make a motion to motion by Ron. >> Second by Jacob. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none, we're adjourned.