001Good evening. Uh welcome to the January board meeting. We will begin with pledges to the flag of the United States of America and to the stand with justice for all. Coming on. >> We will start with the approval of the agenda. We have a motion to approve the agenda. Set forth. >> So moved. >> Got it. >> Probably moved and seconded. >> Wait, can I not? >> If I want to table the contract, do I have to do that now? I can do that. >> Huh? Do that then. Okay. Sorry. >> Movement seconded. Um all in favor signify by saying I same side. Motion passes. >> Sorry for >> um Michelle Leas. >> Uh before you get started here, Michelle, I'd like to just kind of read quickly. Uh so public forum allows for citizens
002of the school district to address a school board on an identified agenda item or policy allows for three minute time limit for speakers who are recognized by the school board chair. If groups are present, the school board reserves the right to designate one speaker for that group. Personal attacks by anyone addressing the school board are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Pipes area school district policy 206. Michelle. Okay, >> my name is Michelle Mas. I'm a parent of three PAS graduates and a senior who apparently attends the learning alternative learning center or ALC. I'm here to express my deep disappointment with the decision to exclude ALC students from participating in the PAS graduation ceremony. Graduation is meant to honor every student who has met the requirements to earn a PAS diploma. For families like mine,
003the decision has turned what should be a joyful milestone and a very painful one. My son attended PAS through the 11th grade, and because of significant mental health challenges, continuing in the traditional high school setting was not possible. The ALC was not an easier path. It was the support that allowed him to stay in school and graduate. Without that, I truly believe he would not have finished. After meeting with Dr. Willard and Mrs. Dortmund. I want to acknowledge acknowledge that I do understand their concerns about the ALC, including questions about curriculum, rigor, and alignment. However, those concerns point to a need for better collaboration between PAS and the ALC, not the exclusion of students from graduation. ALC students meet the same graduation requirements and earn the same PAS diploma. They remain PS students for activities,
004athletics, and records. Their accomplishments are no less real or deserving of recognition. In Minnesota, alternative learning programs are recognized as valid pathways to graduation. Graduation ceremonies are tied to earning a diploma, not to where the instruction occurred. Excluding ALC students creates an unnecessary and harmful divide, especially when many of those students attend the ALC due to mental health needs, disabilities, or other challenges beyond their control. A separate recognition ceremony is not the same as belonging. It does not replace standing alongside their peers and being publicly recognized as a PAS graduate. In closing, if there are issues with curriculum, referral processes, or criteria for attending the ALC, those are adult issues that need to be worked out between the programs. The students are doing exactly what they are asked to do. They are completing the work
005their teachers assign. If there is a problem with the program, it should be addressed with the program, not by punishing students at the finish line, but by denying them the opportunity to walk at graduation. Therefore, I respectfully ask Dr. Willard and the school board to reverse this decision and to place this issue on the February agenda so it can be discussed publicly and thoughtfully. I also urge the school district to focus on collaboration with the ALC rather than exclusion of students have done every who have done everything required of them. Thank you for listening and for considering the impact this decision on has on students and families. Thank you Michelle. >> Thank you Michelle. It's been a while since I did any public speaking. Uh my name is Greg Ke. I want to start by
006saying education and knowledge is very important to our family. I have a junior who was enrolled at ALC. Just to give you some background about our son, Caden all throughout elementary school um and middle school, his test scores always fell below normal, but not low enough to qualify for any help and or an IEP. Now, fast forward the freshman year. That same kid who was always below normal on the testing scores did not transition well into high school at all. He was in over his head and struggled academically and mentally with school. Our son was a two sport athlete going into his freshman year. He quit all sports because he could not keep his grades up. It was embarrassing for him. We were also uh we were also doing 3 to four hours of homework
007at night with him because he was not retaining the information that he learned in school. It was exhausting for our whole family and him. We met with the sped department and they put him through the testing to see if he had a learning disability which in fact he did. He was also diagnosed with ADHD by our family physician. We finally had all the documentation needed to get our son an IEP and get him back on track to graduate. Everything was better for him scholastically for his freshman and sophomore year. The sped department staff did wonders for our son. However, this year this year the sped department changed. Our son was no longer allowed to go to go down for help this homework testing. Um some of his things were just taking tests by himself. Um
008um uh he was forced to stay in the classroom to get help from the teacher. This was very frustrating for our son because he's e easily distracted by other classmates and cannot focus. He started having outbursts at teachers again. He was failing every single class again. We were uh right back at square one. What changed this bed department this year? I don't have the answer for that. Um this is something you guys the school board need to look into. However, due to these changes, we had to figure out how to move forward and get our son back on track to graduate again. We met with Miss Orman and Casey Slava in December of 2025. We asked what our options were besides traditional school setting. We were told that our son could either do online class
009or to get a referral to go to the ALC. This was not an easy decision for our family and we asked multiple questions as we were unsure what the ALC even was. We opted to go with the referral to the OC because we were told by the administration staff at PA that our son will get the will get a uh PH PAS diploma and he will be able to walk to this class which at their graduation along with participate in all things PAS including sports, band, choir, prom, homecoming, etc. I don't why are we picking and choosing which privileges a PA student can participate in? After meeting with Dr. Miss Orman this morning, we we understand there are concerns with AOC not being rigorous enough. This sounds like an issue between the administration and the
010ALC. Why are the kids being punished for this? To conclude, our son, for the very first time in his life, talks about what he learned at the ALC with Matt, his teacher. For much of his high school life, our son thought he was a failure and was not smart enough for college. Since he started out today, he applied to STI recently. This is a huge step in the right direction for Kaden. This is something that PS should be proud of and not segregate or discriminate against kids that get the same diploma and the same standards set forth by the state of Minnesota as traditional settings uh kids get. The ALC is doing its job in educating and inspiring young minds. Again, PS PAS should be proud of all kids that earn a PAS diploma and
011they should be celebrated as one class. If you do not think the ALC kids are receiving the same standards of education the state requires that traditional school kids are getting, you should speak with the Minnesota Board of Education along with the SWWC co-op to change that. Do not take it out on the children that are told it's equal to traditional school. Lastly, if there were concerns with ALC, all parents that were thinking about taking this route should have been notified of these concerns prior to making their decision. Going back and changing it now could cause a negative impact on these kids and make them feel unworthy again. It is not right for for a learning in institution to tell kids and parents one thing and change direction in the middle of the student's journey. It
012is wrong. I'm I'm requesting that the school board put this on agenda for the February meeting for a more in-depth review. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Good evening board members. We are here to address the district's decision to exclude students who attend the alternative learning center ALC from participating in the high school graduation ceremony. After meeting this morning with Dr. Libert and Mrs. Ortman, we understand the district's concerns regarding accountability, time on task, and academic effort at the ALC. These are valid expectations for all students. However, the way this change was made and the students impacts is deeply troubling. The Alternative Learning Center exists for a reason. Its mission is to provide a viable education pathway for students who struggle in a traditional setting so they can succeed, graduate,
013and move forward. It is not a lesser program. It's a different one. After reviewing the student handbook and district policies, there is no written policy that excludes ALC students from participating in graduation ceremonies if they meet the graduation requirements. A decision of this magnitude one that directly affects students rights should not be implemented without transparency, formal policy changes and board approval. While we understand the district may have the authority to revise the policy, this was not done correctly. This burden should not fall on the students. The responsibility lies with the administration of Pyson area schools in the ALC. The district should have expressed expectations of the students in the ALC program. Students should not be punished for the district's failure to define, communicate, and enforce consistent academic standards. These students meet the same Minnesota graduation
014requirements, they earn the same diploma. We respectfully urge the board to reconsider this decision immediately. Follow your own written policies and to ensure that all students who meet graduation requirements are allowed to walk with your graduating class. We also formally request that this matter be placed on the agenda for your next board meeting for full discussion and reconsideration. Thank you for your time, Matt and Kelly. Thanks. Thanks. >> Caitlyn Hansen. >> Um, this is going to sound a bit repetitive. Um, good evening. My name is Caitlyn Hansen. I'm a senior here at PS. I apologize for my attire. I came here straight from work. I work on good. Um, Friday I was working concessions at the double header basketball game for French because I'm going on a French trip. I got a notification from our
015senior group chat on Snapchat regarding the ALC kids and that they would not be allowed to um walk the graduation um stage. I was really shocked when I read that because um my own brother went to the ALC. His name is David Hansen. He was working at McDonald's. He had ADHD and just a lot of learning problems. Learning was just not his thing. He hated school. He had no ambition um to go to college. I think his plan was to go um and work at McDonald's for the rest of his life. But he got recommended to go to the ALC for um credit recovery so that he could graduate or at least on time graduate. And it changed everything for him. It was such a amazing resource. And now he's at Augustana. He got in.
016He is majoring in psychology for a bachelor's degree and he's preser pursuing either a master's or a doctorate. I don't know. Teenage boys are indecisive. But something with psychology, I don't know. And it's just sad to see that excluding the ALC graduates from a proper ceremony. It's just unfair. They're students of our district and these ceremonies are meant to recognize completion and they are. Excluding these students sends a message that they are less than us who graduate from this building and it breaks our class apart. It hurts these students and it leaves them with a huge mental toll. And I'm glad that my brother could walk the same stage because he had no friends at the ALC. He chose to take that hard path and he did and he succeeded. And his only friends were
017here, but he graduated with them. They took a lot of pictures after. It was so cute. But they had the same diploma, same smiles, same high school experience. But this would change. I suppose this change in policy doesn't really make sense to me. A lot of these students have the same experiences like going to the kinder buddy events, sports, and all the required senior activities. So why are we setting them apart? Policy changes should be for serving the students, not for being convenient. A policy for a student should be simple and fair. For example, any student that earns the diploma may participate in the district's graduation ceremony. Many students attend programs outside of this building. For example, the CEO pro um program or the medical careers course or PSO or special placements. but we don't
018treat them as less deserving as celebrating with their class just because of a different building they go to. ALC kids shouldn't be any different. In conclusion, there's no real benefit of separating as graduates, but there is harm in division and stigma. I urge you to keep graduation inclusive and allow all students who earn a PIS diploma, including these ALC kids to walk and celebrate a huge achievement as it should be with their peers. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Thank you. That's it. >> Yeah, if I may, I just like to comment. Um, as was noticed, we we did have a chance to meet with some of the parents today and talk about this and u I think we can answer the call to bring this forward to a February discussion of the full
019board so that there is uh thorough vetting and and certainly there are some valid points that are raised and some considerations that I think we need to take into account. So, um I think as well we can share some of the information. I know that there have been multiple questions that have emerged through this process on um expenditures to the ALC, tuition, student enrollment, um some history of of the ALC. So, I think all that can come to a forefront. I think that'd be very valid. I think the biggest takeaway that I have from this though, I think we are having a great conversation about the value of a diploma and the importance of a diploma from Pipstone Area Schools. I think that's an important conversation to have. I think equally it's important that we
020beam into this the conversation that we've been having over the last several months about a portrait of a graduate and those key tenants that we've identified as a board on what we want and expect a graduate from Pipstone area schools to to be able to do and identify and I think that's equally important to have a conversation with the service cooperative in that context as well. I have had some conversations as Mrs. Ortman with some of the leadership from the service cooperative. We'll continue to extend that hand and again I think we can bring it forward in February for a full discussion board. All right. Uh moving on to consent agenda. Uh 6.1 approvements for >> if you're leaving. Thanks for inviting me. Thank you. Thank you. approvements of the December 15th, 2025 regular school
021board meeting. So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. Do we have um was this the full consent agenda you're doing or just consent agenda? >> I'll go back to this here. Um also 6.2 approved minutes of the January 5th, 2026 school board organizational meeting. uh that we approve the amendments for the school board work session meeting and personnel report hopefully open it up for a new >> so second. It's been properly moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All oppose same sign. Motion passes. Financials check. See this but a little small. If not, no. I'm getting there. You're getting there right now. >> Yep. We're currently at 48%. Last year we were at 47%. And you will notice that some of these, not that many, they're over budget.
022In February, I will present budget amendments if necessary. I usually do budget transfers, but I figured since I'm in February, I'm going to go ahead and probably do an amendment. So, I'd left those where they're at. And the only difference between an amendment and a transfer, the amendments have to be approved by the board because I'm either increasing the overall revenue that was originally approved in June or the overall expenditures. for his budget transfers. I look at a budget code and say, "Oh, I probably have enough there utility billboard to size." So, I moved that from one object code another object code that I prepared that Dr. Willer signs off on. So, that's the difference. So, I just prepared this and I thought I'm not going to mess with doing budget transfers since in February.
023We may not have to do an amendment. It may just be budget transfers, but that's my go back and we look at different things. I have better information now than I did in June. Any questions? >> No, nothing on that. >> Thanks, Shaggy. Okay. >> Okay. We're currently at That's really small. Yeah, we're currently at 5 million $9,511,000. >> I don't really ever know what to say about this at all. >> I move to approve the treasures report. >> Second. >> Been moved and seconded to approve the treasures report. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All >> oppose the same sign. Motion passes. Uh moving on to the bonds treasury report and the balance in the bonds is 750 $727,86160. >> Do we have a motion to approve the 2023 a bonds treasures
024report? >> So moved. >> Second. We have a we got a motion and seconded. Um all in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All oppose same side. Motion passes. 74 approve regular bills. Any questions on the bills? >> None. Do we have a motion to accept the regular bills? So moved. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. All oppose the same sign. Motion passes. Uh approve high schools activity bills. Is there any questions on the activity bill side? Hearing no discussion. Do we have a motion to approve high school activity bills? So move. Second. It's >> been motioned and seconded. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> All the same sign. Motion passes. Uh board forum board updates. >> Well, me and
025Daffy and Tammy went to the MSBA. We see no protesters while we were there. And anyway, um lots of focus on mental health um of not only our students but our staff also. Um talked about identifying stressors, what we can do as a district to minimize and show support. Um there's a really cool program that I think we might want to look into putting on all of our um Chromebooks and computers in the district. It's called Hopebot, and it's a free resource. It's a service that allows 24 access 40 24-hour access to mental health for adults, kids. Um, so I I just think that's kind of a cool thing, especially, you know, it doesn't always happen during the normal business hours of school or, you know, your workday. So, it's kind of nice that it's
026a 24-hour service. Um, and it makes it there are things that makes it very accessible for students and staff to be able to get to. Um, and they see it there and know that there's help at all times, which I thought was cool. Um, what was the rest of it? They talked about cell phones and how, you know, we can be regulating them better and what they um parts they add to mental health. Um, and then me and Daphne had to ride or got to drive a robot. We actually got we did our little task that we did yelling at a few times to slow down. Yeah, she was yelling at me. It was slow down. It was a lot of fun. It was just It was fun to see the kids. They were super
027excited. They were very into showing us their robots and it was a lot of fun. So, and then a lot of interactive sessions that were great, able to connect with other schoolboard members and administration and just kind of share solutions and experiences. So, overall, it's a great experience. Yep. I went to a session um that talked about inclusion for American Indian students um and just guidance for school boards and challenges that districts face with um the students who are part of a sovereign nation um just cuz there are a lot of you know guidelines and regulations there. But just um the takeaway, the inclusion, relationships with um tribal communities and um I guess the process, some of the things I I didn't know. So, it was good information. And then um I went to board
028relations things that trip us up um just our rules, what what's to be expected. Um and it was just uh more of a round table, just other districts talking about their challenges. And so it's it's good to hear other opinions and what's going on in other schools as well. And then our um opening speaker um one of the slides he showed us I thought was really good especially with our uh strategic planning. Um it said what do we value in our school district today that exists thanks to a decision and efforts made more than 10 years ago? And then it said um what might we decide to do today that would be valued in our school district more than 10 years from now. So I think going into our strategic planning that's those are a
029couple good questions. >> I went to some good ones. Mine are going to be a little bit longer. Um the first one was called community engagement like a rock star and it talked about ways that um we as a school can interact with a community. Um you know they do a day of caring which I know we had talked about of day of service for our our students to do. um their superintendent used to do, you know, the monthly coffee things and then just really had to step back and just say, "Who am I in this for? I'm in this for the students." So then once a month he started holding an activity that involved the students and families. Usually it was on a Saturday. He just said it was like the one most recent
030one was like a a cupcake decorating thing. So, it was like a parent and a student decorated the cupcakes and then people voted on what, you know, what they wanted to do. Um, it's just, you know, again, getting the parents involved with the students and just, you know, having the staff connect. Um, they did, um, which I thought that this was kind of a neat idea because we do have new schools, but they said they hold class reunion school tours when class reunions are in town. um so that they can see the the new facilities. Um they have a student podcast. They do um community listening sessions two times a year to interact with the public and it's set on an agenda, you know, so they have a couple topics. So it doesn't, you know,
031it's not 20 different things. It's just a couple things and everybody knows what they're going to talk about. So I thought that was interesting. Um another one was guiding students with a purpose and it was a high school career pathways program. Um, and they just said that if the kids have a purpose, they feel like they're more have more of an investment in their education. So, making sure that the coursework is aligned with their interests. Um, in middle school, they offer students like gateway experiences. So, teasers on things that they may have an interest in before they, you know, I feel like it was Zello. I don't know how do you it it was XE lll O is is this interest program that they use um and that sort of guides the students on the
032coursework that they that they want or maybe may have an interest in in taking in high school and they kind of have a step by-step process and every year they evaluate um and not that that can't change again I think they look at it every year so I thought that that was kind of something I cuz I know we have talked about doing things like that, but the last one that I went to on the last day was measure what matters a scorecard for student success and they had um it was a career ready, it was a college ready and then um they had a life skills scorecard checklist type thing. So um from 9th grade on up they evaluate the completions of these categories um every year and every year at they they do
033conferences twice. One is just like your normal rotate teacher to teacher. The last one is they have a teacher is assigned to this student. So the student is presenting to their parent probably kind of like we do in the elementary whatever just certain tasks that they can complete but they just go over their scorecard as to so that everybody the parent the that teacher that is assigned to them um are on the same wavelength regarding where this student is going on their path with with coursework and stuff. Um anyway, I just I thought I know with our portrait of a graduate, you know, I know I have always talked about, you know, just kids just don't know basic little skills, how to use an iron, how to, you know, checkbook and I mean, all these
034things that, you know, maybe they don't have parental guidance at home to teach them those things. And so it was kind of interesting that that life skills checklist that they had for the the students that, you know, they can look and evaluate every year. Um anyway, I know I had forwarded some of that information on to um Mrs. Orman and and Dr. Willard to to just look at and see if there are some things, you know, you can take from that and um you know, help us forward with, you know, a direction that we're wanting to take our kids on the right path. So anyway, so I thought that that was good. Yeah, definitely got us home safe. Okay, >> good. >> Weather was a little iffy, but >> it was good. >> Yeah, >>
035go there. >> Yeah, >> it was good. Definitely fewer people I feel like, you know, at least it didn't seem as, >> you know, which is understandable. >> Speaker, but not really at other stuff. >> Right. Right. >> I think maybe people weren't staying downtown. I think they were >> that could be >> they were just >> Yeah, we weren't seeing that though. >> That is true. >> Yeah, it was good. That's all I got. >> Any other board reports? Committee reports. >> Just the upcoming facilities meeting next week, right? Tuesday. Is it Tuesday? >> What do we ever agree on for times? >> 3, isn't it? 3:00 or so. >> I'm pretty sure it's 3:00 on Tuesday. >> Negotiations committee met with Dr. Bullet last week. Uh see, we've got a contract that we
036landed on and have at the end of the meeting here for approval. So, thought things went well. Um, I know there's some topics that that want to be brought into that contract and I think, um, yeah, we did our best to try to associate all that in there. We kind of went a lot back to some of the MSBA standard um, wording, modeling, whatever you want to call it. So, yeah, there's some some different parts that that was able to bring in. I do want to spend some time um I get emailed Deb this that governance communications um quadrant picture whatever you want to call it. Um I just I I think we can do a little bit better job as a board team um especially just kind of communications in and out between ourselves
037as well as u board members to administration. And so what this allows or kind of the the gist of this is just to help set and share how important a subject is and the timeliness that we expect in your back. Um so you can see in there there's four quadrants. You can see there's urgent not urgent at the top and then important not not important at the bottom. So kind of think of it as a button square. Um so on the bottom right where you have our quadrant number four. Um those are things that are not urgent and not important. Um right off the bat we can kind of limit that eliminate that stuff. Um you know just banter of you know emailing hey how was the game last night? Um you know we can
038kind of eliminate that pretty quick of just probably don't need to be taking up our work day um with those types of emails. Right. Fine if that's a conversation. Do I have the water cooler? Um but we can kind of clean up some of our communication that way going into the other extreme urgent and important. Um this is stuff that needs to get done now. So an example of that is well staff negotiations, right? Uh if there's a time set to that, we need to make sure that we're setting or getting those deadlines done. Um, I kind of ran into that over the weekend, unfortunately, because I missed a Friday email. Um, and so I was trying to play catch-up here, um, with that negotiation process, too. And so, as far as, okay, I'm trying
039to use that language of, hey, this is something we got to get done here today. Um, and so trying to set those timelines. Same thing with not urgent or important or we're not important or urgent. just trying to reflect of what what is it that I'm bringing up and if it's important it might not be urgent. Um I think a lot of things probably fall in that category. Um you know we talk curriculum things quite a bit where very important but it probably has a longer shelf life. This is not something that we're going to implement tomorrow. Um, and so I think as a board members, we can do a better job of saying, "Hey, um, here's kind of what I'm thinking. Can you get back to me um within the week or get back
040to me at your earliest convenience?" Um, I think if we could try to work on that, that would help kind of everybody communicate back and forth a little bit more timely. That's all I have on it. >> So, you want us to put that on the emails mean like quarter? No, I think just put a timeline on things. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I don't expect us to remember quarter one two quarter. I'm not going to email you. >> Not taking is if we can put some timelines on things. Um I think that would help a lot. Gotcha. >> I'm going to piggy back off that. I think if it's urgent and important, don't send in an email. Like because I hardly ever check my email. >> I'm one of those. Like send send me
041a text, give me a call, whatever, cuz I'm on the road a lot. So I don't I don't and like since we can't have emails on this, like this is my source like the school email. I don't I don't look at this all the time. So I feel a text or a call would be best >> if it's important to text check your email, right? or check hey check your email like that would that would be great >> first time so like myself if even if you text me to check my email >> I don't have this with me >> you're on the road yeah I'm on the road a lot >> so got to log in on the app >> so it's not that I'm ignoring my email I'm just not I don't I
042don't have it >> really so that would be helpful for me anyway All right, moving on to administrators reports. You have to go first. >> Dr. Willard. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> We could do rock paper scissors, but um all right. There are a few things that uh worth mentioning and highlighting in the report. Um, first of all, I'll go through what I have in my prepared comments here. Um just a number of things that that have come to fruition with the ICE concerns and we do remain in communication with local law enforcement and just asking questions of what is actually going into town because as we know there were a considerable number of rumors that were flying um even to the extent suggesting that ICE was present in school and I was starting to
043get phone calls from area superintendent saying what are you doing about it and I'm like about what and because it wasn't it wasn't true. There wasn't anything happening in the school per se is what was being shared. So, we did have a staff meeting. We talked through some procedures, some processes, um clarified some protocols with our front office secretary staff. And so, I think we're in a pretty good spot. Um but again, I know that there continues to be questions and concerns out in the community. So, we are doing our best and when I say we, the administrative team and our support staff to address those questions and concerns as they come. Um, I was at the future of educational technology conference and um probably could have summed it up with two letters and the
044capital letter A, capital letter I, cuz that is everything that's going on right now. and so much so that um there's a lot of questions about how schools should be responding and working through and with AI. Um, as a result of that, for example, um, during the during the conference, one of the new things that we learned was that there is, uh, chat GPT for teachers. And in learning about that, and Josh knows this because um, what I learned was the first person that signs up for that account automatically by default becomes the administrator of that for our district. So, I was quickly texting Josh saying, "Sign up now." And he did. So, he is officially the administrator for that. So that that's a good thing. But um we are going to have to put
045together a work group within our district. And I think we want a couple of schoolboard representatives, administrators, some teachers, some parents, some uh some parents because the way that AI is is evolving and developing it. It is absolutely staggering and in ways that we can't even imagine. And I tested that theory. For example, a Lego had seven, I think it was seven pieces of Lego, random pieces of Lego out in the out in the little packet, and you were supposed to make a duck and and present that to the booths. And it it made no sense. So, what you did is you took your phone out, opened up Chad GPT, took a picture of the five or six random Legos that were laying there, and say, um, act as if you're a design engineer and
046make a duck. and it came up with the step-by-step instructions, came up with a picture of that duck, so it told you exactly what to do. And and that's just looking at some Legos. That's a very low-level function. And Miss's in the background saying, "Yep, I knew that." Um because it's true. I mean, there there's just so much power. And with that also comes a great deal of responsibility. So, I think that that's something we really have to be intentional about and thinking how that looks and feels like what that looks and feels like in our district. um facility subcommittee as we talk that is coming up. Um we'll send a reminder Deb if we could cue to to do that to everybody. Um legislative session is kicking off soon and in doing so I
047I wanted to share the latest updated numbers. Um the budget forecast in December has predicted a $456 million surplus for the current bianium. So that's the good news, but the bad news is nearly a $6 billion that's with a B shortfall. in 2829. And I think this is going to really make it important that we're intentional about our excuse me, our budget planning and parameters, which is the next item that I identified. Uh, also in this report, you'll notice I attached from the work session that we completed, the summary feedback that occurred during that time. for those that were able to participate. You know this for those that weren't. We posed four key questions and then the board took um took steps to fill out little poster notes and all that data was then fed
048into uh utilize chat GPT came up with a summary solution of the key points that were raised and all of those will then be the tenants that we intend to share with a potential or a couple of potential vendors to partner with as we go through our strategic design and planning work. So that's that's going to be moving forward accordingly. Um staffing needs. I just wanted to share that we are already being mindful of potential staffing shortages. Um our administrative team has talked about having a presence. There's a couple of uh teacher career fairs coming up and and just even being present so that people know who we are, what we stand for, what our work is that's happening in the district. And we do anticipate that we are going to have some vacancies, a
049couple of elementary spots in particular right off the top of mine. Um, so something we want to be aware of. And then I know I've had the question from time to time about the impact of our social media. And you can see the attachment that was provided by our social media partner, our review process. Um, and I think that's pretty positive when you look at the fact that we have nearly 3,800 followers. Our growth is is up. um the average monthly views, 36,000 views. So again, this is where people go for information. This is where they go for updates and and we do have those fun connections obviously showing what we're currently doing, but then some of those blasts of the past. Um pictures and photos that that serve to engage our community and our
050our patrons as much as those that maybe are Pipstone Area School fans from a distance. and and then you can see some of the comparison and comparative data in a range of district sizes. Um we're we're doing really well with our with our impressions and so much of this goes back to the credit of our teachers who feed information to the tool because it's only as good as the re as the relevant and current information that we put out there. So again, I really appreciate the fact that our teachers are actively posting and sharing what's going on in our schools because we have a great story to tell and this is a great place to tell it. So um those are some of the things that I wanted to share and would answer any questions
051that the board might have on any of the things that I've offered in my report. I always hear a lot of positive feedback feedback about Facebook posts. I think it's good. People like to see what's going on in our schools. someone know who's doing it step or >> combinations. >> Okay. Yeah. So, >> I usually get the sports things out, you know, games and stuff. >> No, I think we're doing a good job that way. >> And I think the addition of our new AIM program that we put in place this year has been a highlight as well to highlight the work that our staff are doing and celebrating >> our teachers and our support staff and the work that they do in the school has been very positive. you bring up the budget preparation
052and the staffing needs to um Marshall had just gone through a failed operating levy. Um so and it looks like there's going to be some drastic cuts there. Um I say that just cuz I want to make everybody aware of like we need to be really careful as we go these next couple years, >> right? Also, are there some possibilities there too to make some of those >> educators out? No, >> sorry. Go ahead. >> There was a lot of cuts there. I read that it was alarming. >> Yeah. And deep things. I mean, even cutting a gymnastics program and number of teachers. It's Yeah. >> Pretty. >> I read like one elementary teacher per grade. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Quite a few programs, too. >> Yeah. And we like we have
053ours advertised like all our positions are advertised. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. We really worked hard to advertise both locally and then in different venues that hit more of a broader audience, a state audience and even into South Dakota. >> Do we do anything with like colleges surrounding colleges to >> St. Cloud States has probably one of the premier listing services. We work closely with them. >> I want to say thank you to our administrators for your meeting last Tuesday after school. I heard a lot of good feedback from staff that felt much better. They liked having the direction and a plan put in place and so they appreciated that. So, thank you. I know last week probably was not easy for most of you. All right, Miss Orley. >> Okay, you're up. >> Perfect. All
054right. Um, one of the things that and you know this about me already that um I am very passionate about the level of literacy um trying to move students towards um greater literacy at grade level and so I just included some data there. So, um, we use the utilize the, um, program for all sixth graders. It's called Dreambox Reading Plus, and I've mentioned it before. So, we took our first benchmark initial assessment in September, and then we took our second um, benchmark assessment in January, and we've made some great gains that I'm really proud of. In just five months, the average increase in um reading level is 1.7 which means the average of all that. So some of it's higher, some of it's lower, the average student has gained in 5 months, one full year
055and 7 months >> of an increase in literacy. So we're going to continue using this program and it's the best thing that I have ever used for um for literacy for building that. And so the scatter plot, I'm also really into data. So the more we can see those dots um from lower the lower comprehension um higher fluency, we want to see all of that move to the right, the higher comprehension and higher fluency. And so if you look at both of the scatter plots um and you can also see what we're looking at 13% of our students at the beginning of the year were at an enrichment um phase and now 20% of our students are at an enrichment phase which means they are reading above grade level which is so great. So I'm
056really proud of this. Um and then I have a a write up if you're interested in in reading that. Um, I also want to talk about our attendance percentages. And I found it interesting that the highest attendance day for us at the middle school and high school is Thursday. And the the the day that is the most has the most absent students is Monday, which makes sense. They're coming off of a weekend. Maybe they didn't sleep well. Um, so we're going to continue um at the at the middle and high school to just try to encourage our families and encourage our students to actually just be attending school because that's um that's so important. Um and then the very last item I don't think I need to share because we um had a lot of
057talk about that. I just wanted you to have a copy of the actual letter that I sent out. Um so I should have sent that out um to you. I didn't know it was going to be such a a hot topic. So that that's the exact wording that I used. Um I also want to I wrote something down while you were talking. Um Tammy, you mentioned um fellow or fellow. So we looked into that in a different program last year called school links that we are now in implementing. We have implemented that and every week during the students prime there's a task that Mrs. Dulas assigns them and that Mrs. destroyer or assigned to the middle school. So the longer that we use that program, we're going to have every year that goes by, we'll
058have a better idea of exactly what the students interests are, what we can encourage them to be looking into, and it even informs our ability to decide what sort of um course courses course offerings we want at the middle and high school level. So, I'm really excited about that and my counselors are doing an awesome job just getting that off the ground. Um, I I really also like the scorecard. Um, that ties that would tie right in with our portrait of a graduate attributes. Um, so I I like that a lot. Um, does anybody have anything for me at this time? And if you're curious about what happened to me, I can tell you after the meeting. >> It is not a workman's comp issue in case you're worried about that. really clumsy love seeing
059the data improvement there. It's >> awesome. >> Yeah. I I'm just so happy about it and and it's it's just odd. I've seen, and I don't know if I've shared this before, but I have been in an IEP meeting where a student has said, you know, we involve the students if they're at a certain age, they get to attend the IEP meeting as well. And we talked to them about what are you good at? What do you want to, you know, work on? And um I was in one last fall and the students said, "I absolutely hate to read. I'm horrible at it, but the one class that I actually do well in is reading plus because it's at their level and they get to pick the non-fiction um excerpts that they are interested in.
060So they might all just read about the same topic all the time and then the teacher actually can see what they've read and the skills that they're building. So it's really cool. Um it's just a great program. So I'm happy to see growth always and I was proud to share that. >> All right. So Samantha Terry, who's a member of the elementary booster club, came to me in December and said, "What need do you see at the elementary?" One thing that I noticed is increasing of dried hands and chopped lips. So we talked about how can we solve this? So what they did is they went ahead and purchased hand lotion along with the Jasper um Jasper Lions Club and chapstick for all of our students. So that was passed out at the beginning of
061January, which is wonderful. made a huge impact. Um, ECF just started and kicked off their winter session, which is awesome. I love seeing these families come in. Second quarter just ended on Friday, so the 16th and we'll be sending out progress reports and grades. Our month of January is citizenship. So, we've been talking about that every morning during my announcements in the classrooms across the whole school. What does it mean to be a citizen? And uh this Friday we'll have our airway assembly to celebrate one student from each classroom. We will also have our terrific kid program. I love this time. The kids get excited. They get nominated each week. The kids usually tell me that they've been nominated and it's just such a wonderful event. And when we have our community members coming in
062and celebrating my attendance score, so as of January 19th, our current rate is 94.8%. Oh, I think I have more. Oh, no. That's it. It was a quiet January. >> Questions you have for me. >> All right. So, on January 19th, we had a full day in servicework day. Um, this is the first one that we've had this school year. And so the elementary staff, as you know, are implementing benchmark advance, which is the new ELA curriculum. So we um along with our purchase, we got three um days that they would come and do inservice days. So that was our second one. And that was really helpful to our staff. And in in conversations with staff and with Mrs. Morvitz, we decided that we are going to actually have Kate is her name. She came
063from Benchmark Advance and did an an amazing job. Kind of reiterated what you're doing is great that you know a new curriculum is a heavy lift. You're doing well. She answered their questions, made them feel better about what they were doing. And so we also decided that um we would like them to come back and do like a demo day where they will meet with each grade level and plan a lesson with them and then Kate will actually teach the lesson so that they can just get some reassurance of oh yes I am doing what I need to be doing or oh here's a little tip or a trick that that might make planning a bit easier for you. So I am getting those scheduled. And then um the middle school high school teachers were
064given time to complete their grading, work on finalizing their report cards because it was the end of the semester. And the paraprofessionals finished up their last literacy training for paraprofessionals. They had to complete 8 hours of training. So we got um all of those completed. or just um trying to get the the staff members that were absent that day um caught up so that we can get that checked off our list for them. Um a NAPE update. I met with the representative last week. We have all the pre-work completed. That again will take place on March 5th. The parents of the eighth graders were notified via email on January 14th about the assessment. And if parents wish to opt out, they have until um February 5th to notify Mrs. Ortman in writing that they would
065like to their child opted out of that assessment. >> Do you mind again? >> Um the National Assessment of Educational Progress. >> Thank you. And it's like the nation's report card is also what it's referred to. And then an educate. We have everything um of the onboarding process complete. So all of our data from all of our assessments, everything from Synergy is um collected there. And so we are going to have our virtual sessions and then those can be recorded because we can only have 30 people in a in a session. So we're going to get a recording so that every single teacher will have access to the recording and so that we can best utilize that platform. the reading MCA4. If you remember last year, we transitioned from the science MCA3 to the science
066MCA 4. This year is the new reading assessment. And so I attended a virtual workshop um with presenters from MDE and they gave us um a document that showed the similarities and differences between the assessments which is really helpful. they said which anchor standards would be assessed and which ones are just assessed in the classroom setting and so that will be helpful to share with the teachers as well. So um on a Wednesday early dismissal I will be meeting with them to share that information. And then finally dibbles testing along with Sonia we are really trying hard to improve reading skills at the elementary level as well and we've had our second round of dibbles testing. Um, I actually wrote this last week and I extended the testing window because of the early dismissal on
067Wednesday and the snow day on Friday and students absent with sickness and all of the things. So, um I extended the window till this week, Friday, but the kindergarten um teachers had completed all of their assessments and that's the um information that I have there. Just the academic gains from the beginning of the year to the middle of the year have been tremendous. Um the BOI is beginning of the year. MOI is middle of the year and you can see how we've transitioned from 39% of the students that were well below in their reading skills to 18% which is amazing and then for the students that are above went from 20% to 38%. So, our teachers are doing great things and I think that um the changes that we've made with um our phonics instruction
068as well as win time, giving our students what we need so that by the time they move along, the gaps won't be so big for our students. >> And that's just my grade level. I'm super excited. >> Yes, the other ones are similar, but they weren't finished yet. So, I didn't want to give that data quite yet. >> Questions for me? Thank you. It's exciting. >> Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to old business. Looks like we need to approve myself, Tyler Fee, as the legislative liaison for the school board. >> So moved. >> Second. It's been properly moved and seconded to approve myself as the legislative leazison of the school board. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. All the same sign passes pretty quick. >> Okay, one thing. Could I
069piggy back to something on the board? I mean, it's it's just something that we kind of had discussed when we were walking through the the convention center at all the little booths of of things there. You know, we were seeing a lot of esports um furniture and all that stuff. And just a discussion between um Daphne, Katie, and I just we just said that we as a board really should owe Neil and those students a visit to see what, you know, their room looks like, what it is that we as a board can support this. You know, there's a large number of students that are in this. What are his needs? What are I mean maybe he's he's already done that to admin but I I feel like we as a board need to support
070this new >> you know yeah extracurricular activity that we have for our students and and whether that you know is I know it it's hard for everybody probably to get you know there but Davany just kind of had suggested maybe you know each individual board member just you know make time to you know if we find out what what time is your schedule and like notify Neil ahead of time or can We all or small group just kind of just go and just observe you know just just see what you know like we saw pictures of just some fun >> rooms like you know are the walls white you know can we get them some like an environment that you know is enjoyable to be in and maybe they're in the dark and it really
071doesn't matter. I don't know. Again, I agree these are the smaller things and I think as I think as a board member, at least on on my end, that I I feel like we owe it to them to show them that we're going to support them. And kind of same thing with the robotics team, you know, I don't, you know, their events are >> I was just thinking about that's of interest to me. I'd like to, >> you know, RIGHT? I MEAN, I KNOW ONE time when when I was on the board last night, I mean, they came and they did a little demonstration or whatever, but you know, >> I I feel like we, you know, >> Yeah. >> I think we're in it for them and we need to, you know, show that
072we support we support them. Yes, we go sit in the gym on the football field. I mean, we see those things, but, you know, some of the other smaller ones that are a little bit quieter on the I don't know. I that that was just something and I and I should have put that in my little note. So, sorry to backtrack. It was nothing major, but I was thinking about it as you guys were talking. I'm like, I was going to mention that. I think that Matt told me that one of the kids is actually like doing awesome and is ranked and state in Fortnite. I think I was going to say I'd like to go see what it is cuz I can picture what it is emailed me and asked and so I I
073know Neil has a great interest in sharing he's super excited about the program and and at that educational technology conference they the elevation of esports it's again one of those areas it's just going to explode. So, I would envision that at our February meeting, we could just make that the front end of our meeting, uh, much like we have these reports baked in, but we'll take a little field trip down there and have them showcase and ask if you had a couple have a couple of students there. That way, we're not trying to manipulate schedules and coordinate things. I think that'd be a great a great presentation. So, already on that. So, thanks for >> Yeah, that's awesome. Thank you, Dr. Willer. So, just if you're curious, he is so excited about this program. And
074the kids are in there from 3:15 to about 5:00, okay? And I see them every day because that's usually the way that I leave is out of the library. They're in their library classroom. And they're doing amazing things. In fact, there are two students on esports that I had cons I had concerns about their attendance and um Neil really got on to them about you can't participate if you don't, you know, come to school and their attendance has improved. So, I'm excited. >> That's what it's all about. That's good. >> It's good. It's good addition. >> All right, moving on to board action. Um, so I'll read all three of these here. So, resolution accepting donations to community. Um, in the form of $1,500 from the Sons of American Legion, donation to the PAF, I'm
075assuming I'm assuming pipes area young football >> for jerseys and helmets. We've got another one at a total of $5,246.50 50 cents to the school that involves Kyle Hansen of $200 to a Pizza Ranch field trip and transportation for the JK. The PCMC warm socks to those in need for the elementary. Buckwheat LLP pipstone $500 donation to overdue lunch balances. Christ the King Luther $100 donation to wellness room. Kazowski Insurance $2,500 donation to wellness room. the Aero Athletic Booster Club of $1,9004 $1,946.50. Uh to the T trainer gymnastics, a slip knot transaction set and sticky mat pad replacement basketball. Also doesn't stop there. High school activities. Um, $2,000 from being in memory of Stan's Electric, donations to the robotics team, and then $1,000 from Tyler Rans Kyros that secretary SEC LLC. >> Sure. I think
076it's an escort. >> I Tyler escort. All right. Donations to esports. >> So, I thank you for donations. >> I'm just going to say there's a couple of personal connections here. Obviously Tyler with the Jackie and Stan's electric was my uncle. So um kind of a neat connection there. So >> early that's crazy. >> Do we have a motion accepting all those donations? >> So moved. >> Second. It's been moved and seconded. Uh all in favor signifi signified by saying I. >> I. All post same sign. Motion passes. 11.4 for approval. Approve contract for superintendent Dr. Clint Willard for July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2029. >> I would request that we table this because we just got it this afternoon and I had other commitments this afternoon that I have not had a chance
077to fully look at it. I don't know if I'm the only one, but if if if I am, then I >> I was trying to, but I was trying to read it on my phone walking literally from a child's activity to to the board meeting just cuz I was I I couldn't get to it this afternoon with work. So, I don't feel like it would be fair to both. I I also have some concerns that I've expressed that I think we need to maybe either have some language or just just some things that I've talked to the negotiation some of the people in negotiate negotiations team about just things that I think should be talked about prior to approval of the contract. With that being said, um we do not make a motion to table.
078You can either make a motion to postpone indefinitely with no date or postpone definitely to the February board meeting >> if you want to make that motion. >> Tableing table we >> that's not okay. Okay. I don't know what they're learning it can be brought up at any time during the meeting. Like if this were the first thing on the agenda, >> okay, >> you said I want to make a table. Somebody could bring it at the end of the agenda. >> So if if you're making a motion, it would be to postpone. >> Postpone indefinitely or postpone till February meeting? >> Postpone definitely and then set a date. >> Okay. So indefinitely or definitely. >> I'm assuming you want to do definitely. >> Definitely. Right. Right. Right. Right. Yeah. Okay. I just want to
079make sure that I was saying the right word. Okay. Okay. I make a motion that we postpone >> definitely >> the the approval of Dr. Willard's contract. Definitely. Maybe that's not the right way I would should have worded it, but nobody said I'm an English major. >> What's the date? >> Do you want to put a date on? >> Do I have to put a Do I have to put a date or do we discuss it when you want to talk about it? >> Like Yeah. When I think you have to put a date as to when you want to do it. That's how I would think that it should be done. >> Yes, I would say. So, >> it'd have to have a date >> like at the next meeting >> like the next
080meeting I mean do we feel like we can everybody by then? >> Yeah. So, what is that? February 23rd. >> Mhm. >> You want to take a recess now? Half an hour, 15 minutes, 10 minutes. Read through it. >> I That's not going to be enough time for me. I guess for me it's not >> I read through it but I would like to Yeah. I mean I can vote on it that's fine but >> do we have a motion on the table? >> Tammy has a motion. >> Two you said a motion. >> Yep. Yep. to postpone it till definitely to February 23rd of 2026. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded to table the approval for the contract for the superintendent until our February meeting. All in favor signify by saying I.
081>> I. >> All oppose same sign. >> I I >> So I have four opposed and three four. Is that correct? Motion fails. >> Um, no, it it fails. Yes. To postpone. So, now you're voting on it. >> Yep. >> So, >> the original motion >> I just need to get my stuff here. So, Chrissy, Brad, Mark, and Tyler did not want a table. So the original motion or not motion there's we still need a motion to then approve the contract for superintendent Dr. Willard. >> I haven't read it and I'm just going to say that if we're approving contracts and expected to look through contracts they need to be posted on time not at 2 or 3 4:00 on the day of a board meeting. For those of us that don't get out of
082work until 5:36, that's I'm expected to vote on a contract. I make a motion to approve the contract for Superintendent Clinton Willard from July 1st, 2026 to June 30th of 2029. >> Second. It's been moved and seconded to approve the contract for Dr. Clint Willard for July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2029. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All oppose. Same sign. >> I. >> Motion passes. >> Do we have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. All in favor signify by saying >> I. All same side motion pass.