001All right, it is six o'clock. We will call the organizational meeting to order. All members are present. So, we will move on to the approval of the agenda. >> I make a motion to approve. >> By Gerald, second by Cheryl. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Hearing none, motion passes. Um, no public input at this time. Moving on to the organization of the board. Um, first off is the chairperson looking for nomination. Nominations. >> I'll nominate Rachel. >> Yeah, I second. >> Okay. Are there any further nominations? Any further nominations? >> Keep going. >> Hearing no further nominations, I entertain a motion to close the nominations and cast ballots. >> Make a motion. Post nominations and cast unanimous ball. >> Motion by Ron. >> I second. >> Second by Gerald since there's only one. Okay.
002>> Um all in favor. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion passes. Chairperson is me. Moving on to the clerk position. Looking for nominations for the clerk. >> I can nominate Cheryl. >> Maintain that position. >> Gerald's the treasurer. >> Treasure. Sorry. Clerk. >> Gerald's a clerk. >> Okay. >> Gerald. Sorry. I second that nomination for Gerald. >> Any further nominations? Any further nominations? Hearing no uh hearing no further nominations. Looking for a motion to um close the nominations and cast ballots. >> I make a motion to close the nominations and casting it on his spell. >> I'll second that. >> Motion by Ron, second by Cheryl. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries. Clerk is Gerald. Moving on to treasur. Looking for nominations for treasurer. >> I make a motion for Cheryl.
003Uh, as treasure by Gerald, >> a second >> second by Jacob. >> If anyone else is interested in the position, >> please speak up. I mean, I'm okay with it. I'll I'll do it, but if anyone else is interested in taking it, >> I would be interested, but maybe next year. Wait to see what happens after elections this year. And then because then you then I'd have a couple years with you still on the board. Okay. >> To kind of roll through that. >> That's okay. >> That's good. >> I was going to say, too, but >> I make a motion to close nominations. >> Cass unanimous. >> Motion by Ron. >> I'll second. >> Second by Jacob. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing? None. Motion carries. Director Cheryl is the treasurer.
004U moving on the vice chair. Looking for nominations for vice chair. I nominate Bruce Vanderpool. >> Vice Chair. >> I'll second that. Okay. >> Um I nominate Jacob as vice chair. >> I second that. >> Any any further nominations? >> How do I run drama? >> Vote for you. I can take that back. I'm sorry. I should have spoke that. >> Oh, you're sorry. You're fine. Um, hearing no further nominations, I entertain a motion to close the nominations and cast ballots. >> Make a nomination to uh close nominations and cast out. >> Motion by Gerald. >> I'll second that. >> Second by Cheryl. Since there's two, we have to do a roll call. >> Jacob, I guess me. >> Cheryl. Jacob. >> Rachel. Jacob, >> Thomas, >> Jacob, >> Harold, >> Jacob, >> Bruce, >>
005Jacob. >> So motion carries then. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Right. >> For Jacob >> for motion carries for Jacob being the vice chair. Sorry, I'm ahead of myself. Uh looking for going moving on for the assignment of committees looking for you have to >> discuss it first >> determinations. >> Yeah. The terminations >> the uh the one committee that I uh am still very interested in staying on. Uh the other ones that I'm comfortable with that I have but the one that I'm I very uh would like to stay on is the West Central District. Uh right now I'm currently the chair and uh we we did that board meeting last night and that's carried on. So like to stay with that. >> Y >> I would like to stay on the Sterns County family
006collaborative if I could. >> I assume all our negotiation committee should remain. >> They will be doing on teachers since I can't be on that anymore. Mhm. >> Um, so there's there's a couple of pieces uh with Jacob picking up a coaching position, uh, his teaching negotiations, and probably the Minnesota State High School League would be ones probably want to take a look at for committee representation. >> I can take that, Mr. >> Can they swap? I suppose he can't be alternative then for that one, right? >> U actually doesn't need an alternative. >> No, >> I guess just >> No. >> Okay. So then >> would that actually be a conflict of interest with that of the high school league? I'm I'm curious. I'm not actually sure >> if you're if you're passionate about
007it and you want I just think that that's >> an alternate for that one >> if if needed. >> Yeah. >> And I don't think your involvement you haven't had it's I think once we sign off on a on a document. >> I don't think that would be a >> a conflict >> because he's not voting on his job. He's voting on what the league is doing overall policy. Fair enough. >> Yeah, >> that's fine. >> But yeah, I'm I suppose >> anybody else disagree with that? >> I don't disagree. I don't disagree. So I can be an alternate and we can let you mean just to be safe. >> You guys comfortable with I just >> if you want to remain on it, why don't you remain on it and then >> Okay. Yeah.
008>> Okay. Keep it up. Yep. >> Okay. Uh staff schools advocating for fair funding. >> Thomas was on that one. >> I was on that. Yeah. Last and remain on that if >> and the legislative on as well. >> So if we fast forward, does anybody want to change any positions? >> Yeah, that's I was just going to ask. >> If not, can we just >> The only one we have to change it to is the teacher. Am I on something this year or no? Uh >> you were on um the district advisory committee. >> Okay. >> And you were on the um uh administrative uh negotiations committee. >> Wasn't he on? >> They don't meet or do anything. So Okay. Yep. >> Well, we'll be meeting with them shortly. Y >> I thought he
009was on the facility. Were you on the facilities, too? >> No, I stepped down. You had too many people. >> Okay. >> Do you want to be on the facilities? >> No. No. That's that is one that I am passionate. >> Yeah. No, no, you're very passionate. Yeah. No, no, that's totally fine. I was say I only know >> including Ron on here for that. >> So then somebody else must not have selected it. >> Uh there's four on here. >> Well, I'm seeing from last year. >> Oh yeah, >> there should only be three. Y >> Yep. And I I see that Jacob has that one instead of Ron for this year. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, can we make a motion um to accept the committee assignments? >> I think the only
010one that we're still standing on is teachers negotiate. >> Y >> So, you're looking for somebody? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Do that. >> Okay. All right. I guess >> that's your guess. And it won't be till two years, but because we have a tenative agreement. So, >> okay. And my term is up. What? Next year. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> So, then we move Ron to replace Jacob and the teachers. >> Yes. >> Anything else? >> Everybody else say the same >> as of what we 25. >> Okay. >> Everybody go with that. >> So, can we make a motion to accept the that as discussed? >> I second that motion. >> Motion by Bruce, second by Gerald. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries. Looking um at the schedule
011for schoolboard meetings. Um there's only uh one that I want to call out that's a little bit um uh wonky. Uh that would be different than it has been in the years past. And I'll share with you kind of why. um if you so obviously whenever there is a a a township election or there's a an election day um the board cannot meet so then it's uh it would meet on generally the Monday prior so that's the March 9th um and then uh we have our our May meeting which is during the day in order to have student presentations and then um the uh June so June 3rd or June 17th This is a request and if the board would prefer to just keep it on that Wednesday on the 2nd um that's fine. Um
012that's the week that I have my residency for my program and so I'm in Morehead that whole week. So last year I came back on Tuesday and then went back. So I was um if it is am amicable for the board to move that work session to either the 3rd or the 17th that was my consideration for the board. If not, I'm totally fine just driving back and forth, too. >> What was best for you? The 17th later? >> Either way. >> So, we would move it from Tuesday to Wednesday instead. >> Nope. It would be the week either week before or the week after 16th. >> Yeah, it' be June 2nd or the 16th because the 3rd and the 17th are Wednesdays. U Miranda, do you want to look at that? >> That's why
013I just clarify. >> No, it should be on a Tuesday. >> Okay. >> Be the two second or 16th then. I must have been looking at this year's calendar. Oopsie. >> Okay. So, what would the board prefer? >> I'll put June 16th >> is fine with me. >> Would that be easier for you? >> Either way is fine. >> Yeah. >> 16th sounds good. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Sounds good. >> Thank you. I appreciate the flexibility. >> Yep. >> Um other than that, you're going to notice that um we have primary election day. Um, you're also going to notice our uh we should have a November uh 10th should be um Miranda, can you make a note that that should be in the 1:30 meeting again? That'll be our student meeting in November. I
014if the board prefers to have student >> absolutely >> enjoy that or at least I do. >> Yes. >> Don't want to make assumptions. >> And then otherwise the only other uh I guess consideration that's on this document is the time of day. But that's kind of been we've had a little back and forth about that over previous years. So >> I think six works for everybody. >> Y works. I'm getting old. I get confused easily. >> So, consistency is good. >> I'll make a motion to old school readings um as we have selected on the document. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Motion by Thomas, second by Ron. All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries. looking for the next is they established commentation for board members overall seems consistent with
015what we've done in >> this is what we haven't this is what it has been in the past correct >> I don't see any changes >> I don't need to >> I don't think so either >> I make a motion to accept the uh conversation as uh uh as posted >> second or excuse me motion by Gerald second by Cheryl all in favor >> I >> any opposed hearing. None. Motion carries. Moving on to the school district legal counsel and authorized contact. Um so this is a standard resolution. It just allows um administration to contact legal counsel as necessary. Um you'll notice that we we haven't specifically identified a um one firm. Um, I typically have used one firm, but there are times where if I've received um a document from a different um from
016a different law firm that I might reach out to them, but um it has we've typically both the squires Waltzburg and Mace. >> Okay. So then I make a motion to uh continue to leave council that we uh we already use Wahberg and Mace. >> Yep. Um it is a resolution though if you like to introduce the resolution. >> Uh make a uh I introduce a resolution to uh uh have uh Wellsburg Mace Squires and Mace as our legal council for district uh school. >> So are you are you wanting to change the language to be them specifically? >> No. that just to have it be legal. >> Okay, >> I second. >> Second by Ron. Roll call vote. >> No. Did we get Are we going with one firm? >> No. Okay, gotcha. >>
017That's a general overall. >> Yep. >> Jacob. >> Hi, >> Cheryl. >> Hi, >> Rachel. >> Hi, >> Thomas. >> Hi, >> Cheryl. >> Hi, >> Bruce. >> Hi, Ron. >> Hi. Um hearing no opposed. Motion passes. Moving on to the approval of the agreement. Uh so this document was approved. It was new last year and it was approved so that we have um it's a shared agreement between the city of Payneesville and Paysville Area School District. Um oh there it is. Uh the agreement has been updated. Um Miranda reached out to the city and the dates have have been revised. Looking for a motion to approve. >> Make a motion to approve the agreement as presented. >> Motion by Jacob. >> A second. >> Second by Thomas. All in favor? >> I. >> Any
018opposed? Hearing none. Motion carries. >> Looking for a motion to adjourn the organizational meeting. Second >> by Bruce, second by Darl. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Hearing none. The organizational meeting is adjourned. >> So we'll pause for a second. No, >> I'm going to keep your names the same. >> Okay. >> Gerald and Rachel, can I get your signature really quick? >> Our next our next name. Are we going to talk about this um the conference coming up here >> um >> a little bit or or we do that off the record or what? >> We talk after. Yeah. >> Okay. I guess the only correspondence I got >> I had a doubleend >> guess I haven't seen an agenda yet is what I was kind of curious about. >> Okay. >> Um there
019should have been some MSBA emails that came with like downloading the app. >> I've got this uh no before you go 26. >> Yep. >> Is that but I don't see the agenda. download the the I suppose I just have to download the leadership conference app. >> Yep. And that's where all the agenda lives. Okay. >> Oh, wait. It's the booklet. Did you get the booklet delivered >> in the mail? The magazine? >> No. Uhuh. >> And >> actually, uh I thought I did something where I didn't want it. It was It was paperless. >> Oh, okay. So then >> So you would get the app. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Which I prefer anyway. So >> Okay. Right. >> And then uh uh you don't have a hotel room for me for tomorrow night.
020I'm I'm coming at coming in in the morning. >> On Thursday and >> Thursday morning. Yes. >> Yep. That's what we That's what we got. >> Okay. >> Um and then for uh uh supper, I'm going to meet my my nephew. >> Okay. >> So, because normally you guys get together on Thursday night, correct? >> Yep. So, we'll be doing that. >> So, then you're not going to join us? >> I'm not going to join you guys. >> Change reservations. >> Okay, sounds good. >> Just want to clarify that. So, >> yeah. Thank you. Sounds good. >> Okay, we will start the um work session. I'm sorry. All members are present. Move on to communication items. Uh so, we'll start. It's been a little bit since we've heard from our administrators. It feels like it's
021been a long time uh since the middle of December. So, uh we'll start with uh Cassie and Mrs. Akerson. Come on up and uh let's hear what's going on at the uh at the elementary. When we miss a month, then you get three page document. So, um but just, you know, recognizing a lot has been happening, um at the elementary school, um including some December highlights. We had a busy December. Um first sharing uh we had a performance by the youth dance ensemble. Um they are a organization out of the Burnsville area and so they came to our school and put on the Nutcracker Story Ballet. Um it was very wellreceived and this performance was made possible by the Minnesota State Arts Board operating support grant. um and they really promoted giving out to rural
022schools um with that specific grant. And so they um had reached out to me and asked if that was something we were interested in. And I connected with Mrs. Strand and our music department and she was all over that. And so it was great for her to really boost um the story of the Nutcracker and that performance and the music that goes along with that and orchestra and all the things. So it was a great great opportunity for our students. Um I had even heard um just from various people that students went home and were trying different ballet moves and dancing in the kitchen in the living room. And so that was just music to my ears um that it extended beyond that program. So I wanted to share that with you. Um, also we
023were able to offset um some of their transportation costs through our fundraising efforts. Um, so it was a great way to utilize some of our dollars that our our families have raised. >> Um, we also, you maybe saw this in the newspaper, uh, last year's fifth graders created ornaments um that were selected to go on the National Christmas Tree um, in Washington DC. And so we had about um 24 ornaments from Payneesville students on the National Christmas Tree from Minnesota out in Washington DC. And I I put the link on there. Um you can really dive in and see the different trees and the different ornaments from all of the states um and territories. I did try to find um the live lighting and that showed the big tree um being lit up, but nothing
024specific to our Minnesota tree. But um such a neat opportunity uh for our students uh to be chosen to um participate in that and those pictures are added on um at the I think on page two and three. So I just wanted to recognize uh students that were um had their ornaments added. >> Um in December we also met our schoolwide barout goal. Um and so students get barkouts for being mindful, connected, and respectful. We had a goal line and they met that goal um as a school and so we celebrated that with a snack cart uh where students got to pick out a special snack that day and they thought that was pretty cool. U Mr. Matias went door to door and offered a little snack treat uh for students. Uh we also had
025our second grade gingerbread house decorating day. Um that's a strong tradition that keeps going forward, gets families into our school and connected with their students um and just a fun setting. Um so that's great. We ended on our early uh release day on the 23rd. We had a bulldog holiday bash um celebrating our successful fundraiser. Um and so our top 15 uh sellers got to participate in some relay races during our fundraiser. um kind of celebration there. Um and then we had a sing along. We had some special guest appearances and had some jokes just filled with good holiday spirit um as we sent our students off to winter break. As we came back in January, uh we have been spending the last couple of weeks just reviewing um expectations um as we come back
026and uh get ready for the remainder of the school year. And so that image that you see up there um are just some common areas that our uh teaching staff spend time reviewing because when we all do those things, our school runs um efficiently and effectively um and we are more successful when everybody is doing our one path with one purpose and following our bulldog basics. Um so I just want to say thank you to staff for taking time um as students returned um to u allocate towards that. Um we have started winter benchmarking and so looking for our student growth from fall to winter and certainly we look at that data and adjust our instruction. um power half hour as you are um aware that is our time where we provide reading intervention uh
027for remedial and to extend learning for students who are reading at grade level. Uh so we are kneedeep into winter benchmarking right now and we look forward to seeing that data. We also had fifth grade dare graduation on January 8th. And I just want to give a big thank you to the Paysville Police Department and to Officer Leaka for another year of partnership um teaching our fifth graders decision-making skills that will last a lifetime um outside of school. And then just um a couple reminders uh to families. Um breakfast is being served every morning 7:55 to 8:10. students enter uh classrooms beginning at 8:10. We've had um some nice conversation around our breakfast and um sometimes students are are getting in at 8:10 and wanting to get that breakfast. Um that tardy bell does ring
028at 8:20. So just a reminder to families um breakfast is a great opportunity um making sure that we're getting there in time. Um, kindergarten planning is underway for the 26 27 school year. And so, uh, similar to the last couple of years, I've sent out an inquiry survey asking families from our census, um, what is their plan for next year. And so, we're getting responses back for that. And then new this year, we will have our registration online, which, um, as a district, we've shifted to, and so we're going to do the same for kindergarten. Um, in years past, we've had an open house and they bring their packet to open house. This year, all of that will be online and we will have an open house for to review our programming and to give
029tours, but that registration packet is not physical anymore. Um, so that'll be noon to families. So, communication will be going out in the next week or so. Our open house is scheduled for February 12th. Um, and then from it's there's a little image down below for uh further details on that um for families to take a look at. 6 o'clock to 6:45. Um, upcoming dates. Um, we are nearing the end of the second quarter, which is hard to believe. Um, we have inservice on Monday the 19th. Looking forward to learning and growing um, as staff. and then uh letting families know that grades will be posted in infant campus on January 21st. Um and we are beginning our interviewing process for um our positions for the 26 27th school year. Um, I think we're good
030on the rest, but please do take a look at the pictures of the now sixth graders that participated and then uh spread the word about kindergarten open house and the online registration opening February 1st. >> Do you have a capability for um families that don't have online capabilities? >> Yes. Yeah, they can uh contact the district office or Amy Spanard and we can certainly help get that situated and and figured out. >> So, it's probably too early to project how many kids are out there, right? I mean, you're not going to know until probably 1 of March. >> Yeah, hopefully sooner than that. Um, you know, each year we go off of the census and then we kind of comb through that to see how many or which students are still within district, which have
031moved, which families are homeschooled. And so we're able to narrow down a little bit. Um, and then looking at which students are eligible by that September 1st date and which students are in our current preschool programming. Um and so it is lower than than last year um just with number of of students on the census. Um so we're monitoring that as they begin trickling in. >> Uh as if I could get a poster I I guess I'm just going to throw this out there. Uh but yourself and you should now make a decision on this. But if I get a poster and put it at the Bainesville Community Service Center, >> would that work? Okay. poster for >> the kindergarten. Okay. Kindergarten. >> Yep. We can do that. >> Yes. And that'll um get in
032the paper as well. >> And we've got it on social media. >> That's a good spot to hang it. That visual. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. And as I'm pulling this up, we'll let Jesse come up and see what's happening at the secondary building. Mr. Rasmmanson, what do you have for us? >> Well, good evening everybody. I think in the future I need to go more Cassie because I only have two pages. So, she's a she's a hard act to follow. So, um just uh looking back again, you know, it feels like it's been a long time since we've been together. And um just a chance to look back at all the things that have happened with again Cassie mentioned this, but December was a was a very busy month and so
033lots of things. We did have our first round of band and choir concerts uh on December 8th for our band concert and December 15th for our choir concert. Just really great celebrations of student talent. One of my favorite things is to watch the very first band concert of the year and to watch those sixth graders who just got an instrument in their hand about two months ago get up in front of a auditorium film of people and play music for the first time on their instrument. and it's just a cool thing to watch and be a part of. So, um I was really impressed with the amount of people that came out to both of them. Uh just outstanding concerts. Um just great uh great great to see the hard work and dedication and pride
034of our students and and their abilities in fine art. So, and thanks to all of our families who helped support that and encourage that. Excuse me. Um then coming up, we had our uh student council blood drive on December 17th. Uh student council hosted our annual blood drive. We had 43 heroes come out to donate blood uh resulting in a total of 45 liters which was um greater than our um goal. And so we we collected more blood than we than we set out to. And so a big thank you to student council for organizing that and to all the students, staff, and community members who came out and donated blood. Their generosity made a real impact and reflects the positive culture of service in this school. So, um, just a really cool thing and
035I'm glad student council decides to do that every year. Um, I put up here our bulldog leaders just to recognize. So, every month we as teachers uh sit down in our grade level meetings and we nominate one student from every grade who we believe has been an exemplar leader uh who shows our our lead model of living engaged, embracing integrity, acting respect respectfully and displaying resilience. And so I put up here these are our November bulldog leaders. uh they they come together in here. We hand out their certificates. We explain the process a little bit because a lot of them don't know how they get nominated. And then I I make a personal phone call home to each family explaining the reasons why their students get nominated. So um it's one of my absolute favorite
036times during the month to just um shout out the great things our students are doing here. So those I won't read them all, but those are our November Bulldog leaders. And then if you uh scroll down a little bit more, these are our December bulldog leaders. But I did want to put that out there for families. >> So, looking ahead here, uh lots of another busy month here. Uh we have midwinter activity day coming up on uh January 28th. This is a this is where middle school students get the opportunity to select one of three things. They either go bowling, roller skating, or downhill skiing. This is just a cool opportunity for middle school students to get out uh be active, build relationships with staff, the faculty and uh other students and just a really
037cool highlight and so we're looking forward to that coming up here at the end of the month. Um some important dates coming up. Cassie mentioned this. We have our end of the second quarter here coming up real quick. January 15th, no school January 16th and 19th uh paraprofessional week. We're recognizing pair professionals in in here January 19th through the 25th. Um I just um just an awesome I'm excited to celebrate all the great things that our pair professionals do here. I you know school wouldn't be the same without them. So excited to celebrate them. A start of our third quarter coming up on January 20th and then mid middle school mid-inter activity day on January 28th. And then I put the goals down there and I won't go over them again but I just want
038to keep down there to remind you what I'm working on. questions for Mr. Asmusson. >> All right, thanks everybody. All right. Um, next we'll invite Chris uh hear what's happening at community ed. Um, what's been going on in that world? All right. Hello. Awesome. Yep. So, in September, we had an event planned, but it was one of those days that we had to cancel school. So, we didn't get to do our pizza pajama party. And it's been two years in a row that we haven't been able to do that. So, I think I'm going to pick that date to be in June. I could pick a knot in the winter. So, so we we did not get to do that event, which which was too bad. There were quite a few families signed up. Um
039we are starting our uh so we'll be talking about also doing preschool midyear benchmarks. Um we'll be setting those dates really soon. Um I've set the dates for uh information night for preschool for 2026 27. So March 5th is is like an open house for new families um that want to hear information. And then registration will open March 16th for that for those um uh openings. Um our ECF winter classes started tonight. We have uh eight in one in our zero to twos and uh 10 in our um three our two to three to four year olds. So, um, good numbers and, um, they're, uh, love the from the just kind of we didn't do a survey, but talked to a few families and asked how, you know, how things went and we some good
040positive feedback. So, excited to keep uh, keep up the good work for the winter and we'll have one more session in the spring. So, that will be will be three sessions. Um, our catalog went out before Thanksgiving. It featured our winter activities, but also some spring summer activities. Starting to We're already talking about baseball and we're talking about softball and we have to get those numbers done. So, um we have uh have those in those cataloges. Um and believe it or not, I'm working on the I just worked was working on summer catalog today. So, um working on summer concerts and programming and field trips and um speakers and we have to get all those things booked. So those are yeah that's what's happening in the community for paws. Summer pause um opens March 1st
041for registration. Um the theme is a great outdoors and then each week's going to have a different topic area. So we're planning for that. That's part of the planning that I just been talking about. And then also staffing as a priority. We just need to find and make sure we secure all the staff for that. Um and then if we have to open up to hire, we're not sure. So we're going to we need to figure that out. And so soon soon we'll have that done. Uh pack busy, very busy. It is a it is the spaces in the gym are hard to get to. So um we we have a lot of stuff going on in that space, which is great. Um I extended hours over the holiday. uh put some staffing in to,
042you know, catch the people that were visiting for the holidays, uh family members, community members, and and then of course for our membership and we had a decent turnout. So, it's definitely something that we want to, you know, keep going in the future is to, you know, have that gym open for people to use. Events coming up. We just hosted the uh youth a high school and a youth wrestling tournament on the 9th and 10th. Our parking parking lot was very full and so was the pack. So, it was a a good spot. Just for kicks is this Sunday. They'll actually be in the high school gym, but it they park in our parking lot. The um Sweet Fest, which is a middle school dance, uh February 20th, March 6th through 8th, we got youth
043volleyball, then another wrestling tournament, and the talent show. So, it's uh you know, packed with things to do. our child care uh group is meeting on Thursday to finalize our goals. So we'll be able to share more about the goals that we have identified in our um through the survey and through our um town hall meeting. I'll be able to share those next month what those goals will be. >> And that's any questions for Chris what's been happening in community ed. >> All right. Thank you. All right. And Ken, uh, buildings and grounds, what do you have for us today? >> Oh, I got a few days off over Christmas. So, so, um, air handlers, we had a few that my evaporator sprung leaks, so they're all in the steam ones. Um, so I've been
044doing some research on why that's happening, asking the guys what's going on that the evaporator would just start leaking. So there's lots of different theories out there, but I think main thing is they're probably just getting old. But I'm just going to maintain them and watch them and see what happens. So yeah. Um, with the air handlers, we had uh um we've got two the two that were put on top of the roof when the pack went up for the auto shop and the CTE rooms went offline. So, I can't see them. They're just they they're there, but they don't show anything. So, I was had Ule out their programmer and he looked it all over and he's like needs to be updated. So, I'm like, so what does that mean? you know, yada yada
045yada. Anyway, they want $36,000 and some change to do this and I'm like, whoa, these are new. I do have widers put them in and I've been contacting them too and stuff, but I'm just like, there is something going on. I don't know if this is there's a few things that have happened that have just with the pack lights last summer with that lightning strike and stuff. >> I don't know if this is all kind of related cuz I had a BFD go down. Um, I just there's just some weird electrical things happening and I'm trying to get my finger on it and figure out what's going on. But, uh, so that's what's up with the air handlers. Uh, boilers. We had to replace a few parts on the boilers and that BFD that was
046actually down in the boiler room for a water pump. And, uh, lead and water is, uh, on our list. And I just applied for a grant. So, I've got like the old home room. not using much, but we can't drink the water in that room. And it's very sporadic throughout the building. So, it's kind of weird. So, I'm hoping I can get that grant, get some new fixtures put in there and stuff. So, just uh maybe take care of that issue. And there would be some plumbing involved. So, they think the water pipes going down the walls were soldered together in 3ft sections with lead instead of >> lead free. So, there just some speculations going on that we don't understand why it's in certain areas. And then uh the fire system that got thrown
047back on my lap because the fire marshall called me the other day and asked what we were doing with that and you know I had sent him an email a year ago when he was out >> and he okayed it back then so I don't know what happened but uh we do get some troubles here and there and it'll beep and it'll be a trouble throughout and they were telling me that it was the wiring going over the top. I know you guys have all heard about the wiring thing. Well, I have cut it down to about half, but I can't find any more. So, it's still doing it. And they said it's got to be fixed. So, that's been put back on there. So, some of the stuff that we got to take care
048of. And then, um, this Friday, I just want to heads up that there is a leak in the fire pipe. So, the fire brothers is going to come out to fix that. So, there might be an alarm for the staff. I don't know what's all going on. >> It's a It's a quarter break day. We'll just give him a heads up. >> Yeah. So, >> so that's basically what I got. >> Any questions? >> Can I get a question? >> This is bad to say. How old is the pack? >> Three years. >> October 21. Uh 21 is October of 21. >> Six years. Okay. Time flies when you're having fun. Five years. Six. >> Well, October of 21. So, >> four years, whatever. Five. >> Okay, I'm call U. So, those are our newest
049or uh most recent air systems and they work perfect. >> Correct. >> I just got to go up on the roof. >> Correct. >> See what's going on. >> How old are the the oldest ones we have? >> 71. >> Really? >> Okay. And they are >> here. Huh? Is that the one right behind us? >> Uh, no. >> How about this one? >> This one here was put up with the pack as well. >> Oh, okay. >> So, you said 1971 >> and and they are working fine. >> Yeah, that one of them is the ones that had a a coil leak in it. >> Okay. >> And them if you walk the hallways, you can hear the motors running. >> Okay. So, >> so there's some age there. Yeah. >> Yeah. them are
050all them are all steam and then air regulators on them. So they're all I can see them, but I have to manually go up and if something needs to be adjusted, >> you can't just do it by the system because it's air air control. >> I guess unfortunately that's the way a lot of the newer things are where they come with the bells and whistles and and >> and they're really nice when you get to know them. >> They work. >> Yeah. Yeah, they're nice. >> Okay, that's interesting. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right, >> moving on to the legislative priorities. >> So, I just wanted to um put these in uh and share all of the platforms that have come across either um committees that I've been on or they've come across
051as approved by the different organizations. So, MASA is the superintendent organization or the school administrator association. MSBA is obviously the school board, MEA is the Minnesota Rural Education Association. Um, MASBO, which is going to be is the business officials. Um, and then SAF is our schools advocating for fair funding. So, the one piece that I just want to just kind of quickly walk through are are the commonalities that you'll see in these. Um, you're going to see all of the language is going to talk about stable, adequate, and predictable funding. um our in in education right now. It it is um there's a a a colleague of mine really kind of summed it up pretty well that you know the state going out for a referendum in the next couple of years. You know, looking
052at it from a a school district perspective, they don't they don't have money to to send back into schools. And my concern is um is the uh we want to we we don't want to lose the the inflationary index on that funding formula because we all organizations whether it was the schoolboard association, superintendent, business officials, everybody advocated to have at least a little bit of predictability and funding so that we could have a minimum and we could have a maximum and um you know that doesn't I think it it becomes a little bit confusing because schools. There are very very few schools that are truly funded only by that that formula. There's so many other components that come with your different compensatory revenues and your cross subsidies and all these other things. However, um I
053am concerned about which is part of why this is on all those platforms making sure that that's maintained and stable, right? is is that that inflationary index. Um the other uh area of consistency across those documents is uh special education sustainability. Uh last year in the legislative session, there was a um a mandate to um to reduce $250 million out of special education. Um, if you remember, special education is is um it's a federallymandated program, but the federal funding that has come through for special education has not kept up and it's not it never really was what they said it was going to be at the front end. So, states have really picked up a lot of a lot of that funding. However, um it there every district has access which is called your cross
054subsidy and that's um the if this task force can't come up with the $250 million, it's going to come out of our cross subsidy across the state. And that's been that's revenue that really reimburses our general funds. And so that's another area that is consistently on on those uh documents. You're also going to see um local flexibility and local control. Um I think especially in um I hear a lot of in rural schools, let us let our school boards make the decisions that are best for our communities. And that really is the the conversation around local control and local flexibility. Um, you'll remember that last year uh the uh legislature allowed school boards to uh vote to renew operating referendums. That was advocacy to say we know our communities if if they're going to support
055it. Don't make us run the cost of running an election. Let us just make make the decision. So, there's there's a lot of um advocacy for local control and local flexibility. I'm I'm all over that as well. Um there's uh there's some increased conversation about um levy and this is one of the things in in staff that is a the schools advocating for fair funding is about equalization of levy dollars that come into school districts. Um it's if they're on the um on the SAF brochure um they have some links that you can you can watch the videos about and I and I took that out from last year's agenda, but it's it's the video really about showing how um the the the pizza is not cut and served the same across the state of
056Minnesota. and uh and by advocating for equalization so that there is more equity in funding that's received um it helps districts to make the dollars go further. Um so that's another one of those conversations. The other piece that I'll let you know that is is on those documents is just some um push back to the unfunded mandates that our our districts have been experiencing. Um and uh um and really just a a push to say no more. We don't don't add things unless you're going to fund them. Um because they um it's it's difficult to navigate in our current budget state. So um I just wanted to put those up there and give you just a a kind of a highle summary of of the things that you're going to find. you'll find a little
057bit more language in each of them that are um a little more specific to the niche of the organization. But in general, I have been impressed that and I think that is where you get the most momentum um as of for instance the um ind the indexed formula that came because everybody was sending the same message to legislators and they were hearing it from multiple multiple entities with the same impact. This is matters, this matters, this matters. So, um those are there for for you to see. Um when I have the dates for uh both MASA um staff and MSBA will have days at the capital again. Um when I get those dates, I'll put those out um for board members. So, if you want to go um you're certainly welcome and encouraged to um
058go and and tell stories about our local experiences. it it does go a long way with our legislators to hear um what it really means when they make decisions at the legislative level. So that's that's what I have for unless there's any other questions um for the legislative priorities. >> Nothing we'll move on to the request for information roundt. Uh as I mentioned kind of at the beginning of uh the last meeting uh the West Central District did have their uh board meeting last night and same things uh that we did uh uh at this meeting were performed there. So West Central that is uh is moving forward uh doing doing well but uh there's areas that uh uh they're looking at hopefully for some growth. Uh one concern uh is with the uh the
059sale house that's going to continue uh right now here but u the possibility of expand trying to get more students in um based off of right now if it's because of fire bar fire codes they can only have 10 students they would like to get more students in but that also brings about staffing so but yeah west district is doing very well uh they glad they they set graduation dates uh for their AIC and also for for the sale program and very very happy to be out there serving up those folks. >> I want to say again that I love it when the kids come and tell us what's going on in here. >> I agree. >> As far as I'm concerned, to a degree we have sanctuary walls around this place. Nobody knows what's
060going on except everybody internal. not aware maybe that the rest of us don't really know what's going on and I really don't care what they present as much to have an idea of what's going on. We used to have presentations from like the innovation center kids that are doing something there. Um I always wanted to see something from the arts program. I'm guessing we have some unbelievable artists um that we don't know about. Um just things like that. Um, we had times where um, we had certain staff would get together about reading programs, mathematical stuff. I like that. >> That that's just a personal thing. >> It adds a little more. So, if somebody's watching us up here and this board half to death, they can listen to somebody else and we brag a little
061bit about what's going on in here. It's a little bit like the pack center. So, now what do we determine? Five or six years old. It's still not old. It is a highlight for most of central Minnesota. We need to treat it more like it's new and exciting and that but it tends to we tend to get it run-of-the-mill kind of thing. We just need to keep bringing it out on >> on everything. And um but I enjoy when the kids come. >> Yes. I remember one time when we had some arts that were done in the welding shop where the kids were welding >> pieces for art. Didn't have any idea what was going on. It was very cool and they came and showed us what was going on. But certainly if we look
062at where everybody gets to, we get to sporting events. What else is going on? We got the innovation center. We have maybe it's one or two kids have something going on. We have a class where they're welding these unbelievable things, things that we have done uh to further the kids education. I love that stuff. I know it's probably difficult to get the kids to come in and speak for a few minutes, but I think I'm not the only one in the community that likes to know what else is going on >> besides sporting activities. with Bruce. It would be kind of nice if if um some of our instructors come in and do a presentation just, you know, visual u put some pictures up for us about what the kids have been doing, you know,
063what what kind of metal work they've been doing, what what they've done in wood shop. Um a demonstration or a someone talking about what they've been up to at at the body shop, the auto shop, not body shop, auto shop. Um, I think that's a that's a topic that I'll I'll um ask the principles to bring back to their leadership teams and see what ideas they might have about how they could um bring a a different flare an additional flare and it doesn't have to be long workshop few minutes. Well, even that even getting student doing little clips of videos or something like I enjoy this or I am doing this or you know what I mean? Just the kind of I don't know. >> But I know some fantastic stuff comes out of our
064CTE programs. >> Well, exactly. We don't >> we don't really see it. The parents do or the teachers do or >> Yeah. and and and I I think that kind of comes back to um you know those some of those things are posted on social media or they're on the website and there so it's again trying to just maximize our exposure to all populations so that because I there are populations that will say yeah I see those things but not everybody and so um being a little more cognizant in that approach. I have an example has >> um why not just listening to it why not like as me a student like rep why won't I like go around and talk to all these people and then I come back with it I can have
065pictures and I can show you guys and have it on the report so then because I know some kids like me it took me a long time to get comfortable with some of you guys and even today I'm still really trying so for me this is out of my comfort zone but >> sometimes Sometimes it's really hard to go talk in front of people. >> So why don't I just take pictures and put them on like my document I chair you >> those are that's I think that's a great idea >> and I would suggest though when you do with Mr. Ras make sure you run things through him also. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. >> I just thought about it and that sounds great. >> That would be perfect. But I think that's that's
066a good um when it's a it the board really doesn't have an opportunity to hear a student voice besides and and and they can read what is posted and what's happening. So I think that's a a lovely idea to explore. >> Yeah. Ron, >> I had an opportunity to drive bus for a couple of I gotta give a shout out to Natalie for FFA. Uh went to the uh Bridgewwater College uh they had a uh competition, a region competition for various aronomy and stuff like that. And uh I was tempted to and I thought, you know what, I don't want to get myself in trouble taking pictures, you know, with the world we live in. >> Um but uh I was pretty impressed watching those kids in that. >> Yeah. >> Uh and then over
067Christmas vacation, I had at least five for sure come up to me and compliment the pack center. Some even said they wish it was bigger. But uh lot of lot of comp >> Yeah, a lot of people have complimented uh on that. So >> um you guys did a hell of a job when you put that together. You know, >> it's been fun. >> No matter what you build, there's always something you do different. I know that's human nature, but >> of course, >> but uh or that's all I got. So >> great idea. >> All right. Anything else? We are entered. >> Thank you.