001All right, we are live. >> All right, 5:39 in the secondary school media center. We'll call the meeting to order and start with the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, roll [clears throat] call. Gross is here. Porter >> here. >> Sandstead is not. Sawyer >> here. >> Maya is remote. >> Yes. >> And Josh is not here. And Claire >> here. >> All right. Is there anybody in the audience that would like to come up and speak? Doesn't look like it. [laughter] All right. Well, then we'll move on to look for a motion to adopt modify the organizational meeting agenda. >> So, we
002got a second. >> Second. >> Okay. So, all votes tonight will be a roll call vote uh with Maya being remote. So, we'll start with Porter. >> Yes. >> Sawyer. >> Yes. >> Maya, >> yes. >> Flair, >> yes. And I am Yes. >> And you said that Ryan was the second. >> Second. Yeah. >> Okay. We'll move on to election of board officers for 2025. Would be 2026. Sorry. Correct. >> Yep. 2026. >> 2026. >> So the first up would be I'd look for a nomination for to elect a chair. >> Maya. >> Okay. So Maya's been nominated. Are there any other nominations? Are there any other nominations? Being none, I think we we don't have to do a roll call, right? We can go ahead and say that Maya will be the chair.
003Um our second position is the vice chair. Are there any nominations for vice chair? >> I will nominate Darren Gross. Okay, Darren's been nominated. Is there any other nominations? Are there any other nominations? Being none, I will be the vice chair 2026. Move on to the clerk. Are there any nominations for the clerk position? >> I'll nominate Kayla. >> Okay, Maya nominates Kayla. Sandstead, are is there any other nominations? Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, Kayla will be the clerk. Um, next position is treasure. Are there any nominations for treasur? >> I nominate Nathan Porter. >> Nathan Porter's been nominated for treasur. Are there any other nominations? Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, Nathan Porter will be the treasurer 2026. That concludes our nomination of uh officials for 2026. We'll move on to
004to four, appoint representatives for the following committees and organizations. Um there's quite a list. I'll read off the list and the people who um we discussed at the prior meeting and we'll see if there's anybody that has any changes or adjustments to what is on what's on the list. So, we'll start with buildings and grounds. Um we'd have Porter Gross and Sawyer. Finance would be Maya Alch, Nathan Porter, Josh Olrich. Personnel would be Maya, Kayla Sandstead, and Claire Vincent. Um, public engagement be Sandstead, Vincent, Josh Olrich. Uh, policy is all board members. Meet and confer would be Maya, Nathan Porter, Ryan Sawyer, uh, curricular and co-curricular would be Maya, Vincent Porter. The negotiations committees, certified staff would be Maya, Porter, and Josh Olrich. Support staff and clerical beansstead, Gross, Sawyer. Administration, Gross and Vincent. Uh,
005representatives for the community education committee would be Sanstead. Child and youth council bec my ECF would be Sandstead. Legislative is Gross. Minnesota State High School League is Josh All. Midwest Special Education Cooperative of Morris would be Vincent and Sawyer would be the alternate. Um corporate sponsors is Gross. WCA Education Foundation is Mr. Porter. Is there any changes that anybody would like to make to any of those committees? Or I would look for a unanimous motion to or motion to move forward on that. I'll make a motion we move forward. >> Second, Sawyer. Okay. Roll call vote. Sawyer. >> Yes. >> Maya, >> yes. >> Vincent, >> yes. >> I am a yes. And Porter? >> Yes. >> All right. Now we move on to set school board compensation for officers and directors. Um, nothing has
006changed here, Paul, from >> So, this is the current Yeah, this is the current dollar amount. So, >> so it' be $150 per month plus mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate. Um, $500 annual comp compensation for the chair and a $300 annual compensation for vice chair, clerk, and treasurer. And then a $50 additional compensation for each negotiations meeting. I'd look for a motion to approve that. >> So move. >> Second. Vincent. And >> we'll move on to roll call vote. Sawyer. >> Yes. >> Maya. >> Yes. >> Vincent. >> Yes. Porter. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now we'll move on to the consent agenda. set dates, times, and locations for committee and regular board meetings. >> Um, these are all the current the same as it's was the previous year, correct? So, it's the committee meetings
007first Wednesday of the month starting at 5:30 p.m. September through May and 7 a.m. >> June and August. >> Should be June through August. >> June through August. June, July, and August. uh regular meetings third Wednesday of the month at 7 a.m. >> Would it be just June and August? We don't typically have that meeting because it's usually around the fourth. >> Correct. Yep. So, I'm sorry. Yep. You are correct, Maya. So, yeah, the regular meetings we would have the third >> June and August. >> Yep. So, June and August is still correct. >> Yeah. The regular meetings would be the third Wednesday of the month at 7 a.m. All meetings held at the secondary school media center. Meetings postponed due to inclement weather or other emergencies will be rescheduled to the following day at
008the same meeting time. Is there anybody that is there any discussion on that portion before we move forward with the consent agenda? Um so 6.2 would be designate official school district depositories was Kensington Bank and Minnesota school district liquid asset fund. Then 6.3 is designate Pimton Law as a school district legal council. And 6.4 is designate Grant County Herald as the official district newspaper. 6.5 is authorized superintendent or finance manager to invest school funds in interestbearing accounts as cash flows allow. 6.6 Six. Authorize superintendent or finance manager to lease, purchase, or contract for goods and services within the budget as approved by the school board. And then 6.7 is authorize designated business office staff or superintendent to make electronic fund transfers to payroll, direct deposit, payroll taxes, TRRA contributions, PRA contributions, Minnesota unemployment insurance, Minnesota
009paid family leave premiums, health insurance premiums, vision insurance premiums, Delta insurance premiums, supplemental insurance premiums, life insurance premiums, disability insurance premiums, 403b contributions, flex plan payments such as HSA, FSA or VIVA, wage garnishments and payments to approve vendors. Everybody got that? [laughter] >> That is it in the consent agenda. So, I'd look for a motion unless somebody has anything they want to change on any of those deals. A motion to approve those. >> I'll make a motion. Do we approve? [snorts] >> Nathan's made a motion. Is there a second? Second. >> Second to Sawyer. Uh, roll call vote. Maya, >> yes. >> Vincent, >> yes. >> Gross is a yes. Porter, >> yes. >> And Sawyer, >> yes. >> All right. Well, that brings us to the end of our organizational meeting. So, I'll look
010for a motion to adjourn the organizational meeting at 5:49 p.m. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. Roll call vote. Vincent, >> yes. >> Gross is a yes. Porter, >> yes. >> Sawyer, >> yes. >> And Maya, >> yes. >> You said 549. >> 549. It's still 549. Move through all that. All right. So, now we'll call the meeting to order. Our regular committee meeting to order. And I will look for a motion to adopt or modify the committee meeting agenda. We better identify the modifications. >> Modifications were >> 5:50 is the time. That's >> modifications to the agenda are five point we're adding 5.6 which is the Minnesota paid leave district policy and 5.7 approve the following memorandum of agreements. Uh 5.7 Minnesota State University Morehead Student Teacher Placement and 5.7.2
011to Southwest Minnesota State University student teacher placement. So I'll look again for a motion to adopt the agenda. >> So move. >> So a second. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Porter. Um we'll go to roll call vote. Vincent. >> Yes. >> Gross is a yes. Porter. >> Yes. >> Sawyer. >> Yes. >> And Maya? >> Yes. Okay. [clears throat] Well, now we're on to our committee reports and presentations. Um, I see Caitlyn is not here. >> Nope. >> Everybody has their report. Do you have anything to add on it or I asked if there was any highlights? She said nope. It was just a successful December the elementary. Of course, you know, having Mark Olsen recognized on K1 was a a big deal there. So, that they've got fast testing taking place this week. They'll
012have their data meetings next week early out. They've got plans already for this Friday for the early out some plans for professional development on the 19th of January and just kind of resetting and getting everything ready to go for the second half of the school year. >> Okay. Wonderful. All right. Then we'll move on to a secondary principal, Mr. Wood. >> All righty. Um, as mentioned, uh, school year is going well. Winter season and school year overall is going um, exceptionally fast. Our winter band and choir concerts were once again excellent. Miss NY, Mr. Wallace, and all of our students did a very good job um putting forth effort to make those performances happen. Other things going on um kind of the time of year where we need to recognize Marissa Sabalik for all her
013work behind the scenes in setting up subs and making sure that classrooms are covered. She does an excellent job with that. Um always on the ball making sure things are taken care of. also really appreciate our staff who are always willing to fill in and help cover classes when people are out for events or illness or things like that. Um, and we also have a really good group of subs, consistent substitute teachers that um, come into the building regularly and do do really good work. Other things, quick renaissance update. Our student team has been doing an awesome job keeping energy and positivity up. Our goal right now is to continue to sustain this through the kind of long cold months of the winter, the time where it's easy to let things slide and the focus
014is going to be to kind of ramp it up a little bit so that that nothing slides with that. Um, and big thank you to everyone who's been supporting these efforts in making our culture culture work positive. We have a courage retreat for our eighth graders coming up next week on the 13th. This is a a really fun event that's put on at um across the road. We use Peace Lutheran for that. Um but it's put on by the organization called Youth Frontiers and uh it's focused on character, leadership, and building a sense of community within their class. And we will have approximately 10 seniors that will be helping as group leaders for that as well. Closing out first semester, um quarter ends next week on the 16th. We'll have staff development on the 19th
015and then it's that time already looking ahead to the 20 uh 2627 school year. Um working on the master schedule for co course offerings. Um this is always kind of a big task working together um with um we have a committee working on that making sure we're offering strong options that kind of meet the flexibility and needs of our students. And our goal as always is to have schedules as finalized as possible by the end of the school year. And we're hoping with um some pieces of JMC and some of their online registration that will help um help streamline that registration process a little bit. So that is what I have. Any questions for me? See none. Thank you very much, Mr. Wood. Um we'll move on to the activities director, Mr. Buzzling. >> I
016have a pretty short report this month. So, um, a couple congratulations here in my report. Congratulations to our AAA uh, candidates. Our committee reviewed them here in December, Marshall Dwey and Isabelle Pakowski. And then congratulations to our junior state high school Excel Award winners, Isaac Allen and Amelia Pard. Those four will be recognized at the January 26 boys basketball game versus Parker P. So, you want to keep that on your calendar. Uh, another congratulations, and it's not in my report, but congrats to Coach Grugo for earning his 300th win at last night's wrestling quad. That's pretty impressive for a wrestling coach to get to that number. So, um, couple things to finish off my report. We host a subsection one act here on Saturday, January 24th, and I finally got a third judge for that
017event. If you've ever tried to find judges for that, that is a challenge. And today I finally got a third one. So if you're looking for something to do in January, you can be a judge and you're going to get a phone call or an email from somebody. So um and then uh you know, we made that change to go cashless for our tickets. Uh January, we'll test that because pretty much every day besides Wednesday, there's a home game here in January. Um but we are looking to add a card reader in the concession stand. working with dollars for scholars uh to have that option. Cash will still be there uh but there will be a cashless option there as well. So look for that in the near future and that's my report. >> Wonderful.
018Thank you Mr. Fosling. Um our next would be community ed but Luke is not here. Do you have anything for us? His was pretty straightforward as well, just that a lot of things begin in December with steam. Had full classes at North and South Co volleyball he said is in full swing beginning actually this evening uh after break here. Thursday night skiing they had a few things that they needed to bugs they needed to work through but I think he's got some ideas to improve that registration process and moving forward that he'll make down the road. But I know we have lots of kids that are are getting ready to do that and doing that Thursday night skiing. Um, and then still working on that, uh, 55 plus class for the driving. So, I think
019they're finding a vendor to come in and take care of that. And which location they'll do that at, I think is still being determined um, that way. So, that's kind of what he's been working on. >> Wonderful. Um, technology coordinator, Mr. McNamera, what do you have for us? >> Oh, the wonderful world of technology. Um, break was good. got some catching up which was wonderful. Now just picking up the uh the onslaught of students that left car devices and cars over break and different stuff like that. Broken devices because it was just sitting in a bag all break. Um getting that cleaned up and finished. Believe it or not, we are now jumping into our testing season. So, we have um some of our English language learner testing coming up towards the end of this
020month. Then we'll be jumping into ACTs this year. We have our ACTs online again. Um it's going to be we scheduled we scheduled it for early spring instead of late spring so that we can kind of get that sweet spot between winter sports and spring sports so we're not disrupting activities. I'd hate to make more work for Jake. That would be horrible. Um and then MCAs [clears throat] uh will be as normal in the spring. Um kind of same old we've been doing. However, it's every year we're trying to find new ways to get kids to really do their best on those exams. It's uh it's definitely tricky. That time of year is hard just because kids are burned out and the tests can sometimes be pretty draining. So, um, other than that, world is
021going just fine in technology. The things are still turning on and for the most part connecting to the internet. So, that's always a good thing. Um, but the goal is as spring wraps up, we start making any big changes or movements, we're going be going into next year. Um, right now I'm looking at some of our rate options for next year. So, that's our federal funding based off of our free and reduced lunch. um some of our internet connections and network equipment we get a 70% discount on which is huge for us. Um and then also each year part of our rotation to spread out student devices. We buy new devices for students coming into fifth grade and they use them for four years and then we buy a new device in ninth grade and
022again they use it for four years. Um, so that way we're not buying a gigantic bundle of devices every four years. We're buying two classes each year. So to spread it out a little bit. [sighs] Other than that, not much else to report at this moment. Anything the board has for me? >> How do we get that 75% discount? Can you remind me? >> So it's a 70% discount. It's based off of our free and reduced. So it is actually through the FCC. Okay. >> And um it is all the entire funding is based off of us meeting both our SIPA compliance and COPA compliance which is the CH children's information protection act. So they have certain requirements that each year I have to go through and I have to certify that we are meeting
023and exceeding their standards. Um a lot of it is filtering and protecting student information. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. And buildings and grounds, Mr. Norberg. Right. Um don't have a whole lot to add to mine. Our water to waters again, they're up and running. Everything's going good. Uh Monday I think it was. Yep. The rebate check is already here. I handed that to Mr. Rammo. >> Um, so that was pretty expedient, I thought. >> Um, got through the winter break. Uh, I think we got all our projects done in all three buildings that we little extra stuff of some shampoo in here and some wax in there and gym floor down here. So, it all went well and I feel very good that we accomplished everything. We had gotten together and put
024our heads together and wrote down a list before break started. Now I'm just working with the three buildings trying to work on the capital outlay and get stuff set up for that to have that prepared done. Um and then I'm just working with some of our entities and looking at our contracts to try and see if we can streamline some of the stuff we have for facilities uh or or do better or less. So that's where we're at with buildings and grounds. >> Do we want to set a standing? I guess that probably should have happened up in that organizational meeting. But remember we talked about maybe having a standing committee meeting. So we want to do that now just say it's going to be a certain it's the even numbered month. So is it
025February, April, June or is there another way to do that just before the the regular I mean the regular meetings or >> something like that? Does that work? >> Pretty much whatever works. >> Quarterly >> do Yeah. Does quarterly work? Okay. Does that work for you Chad? >> Quarter. Y. >> So do we want to start in well on the even numbered months we also have meet and confer. So probably and you would be you two would be in both of those, right? So that would be um unless we want to do that's very early to do prior to the regular board meetings. They have to be 6 a.m. That's probably not going to shouldn't work that way, but I'm here at 5:30. >> So, should we do the should we do the then maybe
026we'll do want to do March. >> Is that soon enough for you, Chad? We do >> get something going. Um, >> you can get your stuff put together for capital outlay and >> we can hopefully I'll have it together by then. The majority of what we go over and have some ideas just to shoot what we're looking at from the three facilities. I don't think the meetings will be very long. You know, we might have one a year that might take a little bit more if something pops up, but just >> I like to have that regular >> I just want to be on the same page >> is what I'm asking. >> So March March, June, September. Okay. You have to make >> I don't think so. So I think as long as we've
027got that, we'll make sure that we still post them and everything, but they'll just be a standing. So yeah, we'll do that. So March, June, >> September, >> any questions after that or before we move on? >> Maybe after Christmas break or during something like that. >> Okay. >> I mean, I think we can pretty comfortable come up with long as we decide that, you know, we're going to have a quarterly meeting and >> come up with some dates and we put it on the calendar. Sounds good. >> Yeah. I mean, whatever works for you guys because I know you're in lots of stuff, too. I mean, just, you know, you want to do it before meeting, you want to do it in the morning. I mean, I'll I'll make it work so that I
028can >> just a couple other things. I know that you worked on the um school store that was kind of brought up with that. >> Yeah. I mean, I think they were starting there a little bit. There were some things brought to the ed foundation. I think it's been scaled back a little bit, but the vending machines have been taken out. you guys refinish the floors in there after the machines were taken out and I think some repainting. So that'll continue continue to move forward with some so there'll be some merchandise available. My understanding is like during game nights and stuff like that so people don't have to buy everything online. They'll be able to buy it, you know, during those events. And then as you mentioned too, the rebate check we got back is
029um it's going to be over half of the project. So we were anticipating half, but it's going to be over a little over half of the project. So, some good news there as well to take care of that piece. And then I know Drew from Ottertale Power also mentioned some other pieces that we should possibly look at. So, I asked him for some more clarification. Then I'll forward that to the auditor and our business manager to see if there's any other rebates. He thought there were some other things with the geothermal pieces that might be eligible, I think, on an annual basis for some rebates. So, check on that, too. >> So, we're looking into that stuff, too. >> All right. Is there any other questions for Chad before we move on? Seeing none, we'll
030move on to superintendent report. Mr. Brown. >> Okay. So, you'll see um that link there that takes us to attendance for uh coming back to school on January 5th. Attendance is holding consistent. I think we just had one student fewer at the secondary school there, but other than that, it's holding consistent. But you'll see our K12 total is now at 689 students. So when we add in preschool, it puts us to with our three and four year olds puts us at 769. So we continue to see a decline um in student numbers, not significant, but they there is a slight decline there. So we'll want to continue to monitor that closely as that does impact budget. So that's that piece there. Um as we mentioned earlier, thanks to Mark Olsen for making South Elementary a
031Winter Wonderland for our students in December. his work was recognized by Boyd Hoopert on care 11 just before Christmas and uh these are the things that make I think that time of the year special for our kids and he I think comes in on his own I shouldn't say I think he comes in on his own time looks like he might have a helper that comes in with him uh to get that ready to go but it's I mean the kids loved it the story I thought was fantastic just one of those great things that's happening here at WCA second amazing thing happening at WCA Today is the Mr. Sawsky's award for the 2026 National ACTE Carl Perkins Community Service Award. You know, he was recognized in the region, went down to Nashville in December
032and is recognized as that national leader and recipient. And so I say he's one of those pioneers in the egg field. sometimes for me to stay even remotely close to where he's at can be challenging and difficult, but he's always got a great idea. Coming in with ways to add great things without adding a lot of expense there as well. And so he'll be again presenting down at the school board's convention on Thursday, uh, a week from Thursday about how he's been able to work in the school and get that community engagement to generate a lot of funding. So very good news there. the 2627 school calendar. We'll start to get our committee together for that and bring that information to the February um school board meeting for board review and approval. Uh this year
033heard lots of positive comments. Still heard that Christmas break went by fast, but it was a full two weeks and I think the biggest one I heard is it was nice to have New Year's and then not have to come back that following day after New Year's. Um it'll be a little more challenging this upcoming year. I thought it was going to maybe move. So we maybe have Christmas Eve on Tuesday, but I see Christmas is on a Friday. So it will make that a little bit more challenging that way, but uh we'll definitely look to see what can happen happen there. But remember the legislature did allow us to start school or we can start school September 1st this upcoming school year for the next two years. So that might have some impact there.
034but typically get representatives from both elementary and secondary school um from our different bargaining groups as well just to see what schedule we can come up with because we also recognize that it's a nice holiday break for everybody. However, for our um 9month and 10-month that's a long break too without working days to get paid for. So that's the other piece that we have to consider there. Um Justin's Renaissance January is one of those months to reset and refocus on the goals for the remainder of the school year. So, we'll be recognizing and celebrating our students and staff here in January, but then also focusing what we'll do to finish the year strong. I think probably the other conversation that we'll need to have sooner than later is um the next conference. I believe we
035want to take more staff there if we can, if the board would allow that to continue that um push forward to making great changes in climate and culture in our school. And I think that conference is one of those areas that really got some excitement um from our current staff that are on the committees. And so I think if we can continue to build that, I also understand that we have to bring back to the board the reasons why and our data and stuff like that from attendance to um student recognition to academic achievement. We'll bring that back and continue to monitor that. But I think we've got some real positive pieces there. I know that there's a real positive piece as well in our community as we see the financial support for some of
036our recognition programs that way. Already talked about the leadership conference. There'll be three uh board members that'll be going. Ryan, Josh, and Maya will be attending the conference. So, we'll get that coordinated to make our way down there, but we'll for sure sit uh in Ryan or in um Mr. Swatsk's presentation. There'll be several other presentations that'll be happening during that Thursday and Friday. So, a busy day there. Um, I already talked about the larger than expected uh rebate that we got from Autotail Power. Think I heard somebody say at the very beginning, what is influenza doing here? I believe it's starting to creep up just a little bit. So, we'll monitor that. I did ask the school nurse today what our resp uh reporting responsibilities are because I know once you hit a certain
037threshold, you've got to report that to the state. She clarified because I thought we would just ask families what symptoms were and if they were flu-l like symptoms, we reported that. She said, "Nope, it's got to be a confirmed case um through a my understanding a doctor's visit." So, they've been tested and I'm not sure how many people will probably go in now to to test. So, we could have classrooms that could be down fewer students and things like that, but if it's if they haven't been to a doctor to confirm that, you know, then we won't be able to to report that. So, we'll just remind students and staff of proper handwashing. And I think it's also probably sometimes just inevitable, right? it's if it's going around and it's that uh that virolent, it's
038probably going to take its course there. So, we'll continue to monitor that. You'll see some of the upcoming dates that I have on the schedule. Special ed cooperative meeting tomorrow. Um we have our professional development day on the 9th where again in the secondary school we'll be working on our PLC's. So, the anxious generation I've talked to a few other staff that just say, "Hey, we really need to look at this even more closely of things that we're seeing." Um, and I know that I talked to somebody who's an administrator in another building. They went complete. No cell phones all day and his response was, "We will not go back to having cell phones at all uh during the day." He said, I said, "Well, we just do it during lunchtime." He said, "We will
039not go back at all." And I know it's a it's a tough thing, but I think um once we get to that point, I think it's going to be a little bit easier. And I'm not saying we are, but I think it's going to be a conversation that we'll continue to move forward on. And maybe it's not all the way up through 12th grade. Seniors are probably going. I'm glad we're graduating. But, uh, we'll just make sure that we look at that. I think it just shows that there's some pieces there hopefully as a school that we can take care of. And as I mentioned that last month's meeting, hopefully we can get something into our community as well as we've talked to Krie trying to get something out that way as well. Um, there.
040So, leadership conference, end of the second quarter, as Mr. Wood stated, is right around the corner. Then we have our staff development day. And for the secondary staff, it'll be the e catalyst training. So the non-verbal training. The elementary will get that at a later time because they're still of course kneedeep in the letters training that's pretty scheduled and needs to be regular. Okay. There any questions for Mr. Brown? Seeing none, we'll move on to new business. Um, our first new business is 5.1 personnel items. Um, we got 5.1.1 resignation Tammy Ward. Um, elementary teacher pair professional and a leave request. April Richards. Look for a motion to approve that. >> Claire Nathan is a second. Um, roll call. Gross is a yes. Porter, >> yes. >> Sawyer, >> yes. >> Maya, >> yes. >>
041And Vincent, >> yes. >> Okay. Um, 5.2. Consider approve agreement for building project survey. And it looks like the two were school perceptions proposal and the Morris Leatherman proposal. >> That is correct. >> Anything you got for us on that? >> Yeah. Well, I think that you know I think some things for the board to consider. One, you've had a relationship with school perceptions. I think I don't know if it was the last um bond referendum, Maya, or if it was prior to that bond referendum, but I know there's been some experience with them. two two referendums ago, two bond items ago that we did that. >> Yeah, I think two two. Okay. Um and then of course if you So I think it's you know pieces to look at would be that you know
042how satisfied were the was the board at that point with the information that was gathered. There is a significant cost difference between the two proposals. School perceptions I did narrow down by the time you include postage and things like that. Um Darren Severs felt that that would be roughly 15 to$16,000 to conduct that survey. Um and of course that's the mailed survey that goes out to everybody. So they tout the fact that it's inclusive and includes everyone. Um now sometimes the opposite end of that is okay well if it's a mail-in survey do people take time to complete the mail-in survey and is there any possibility that you know people don't take the time to complete it or it could be you know possibly skewed one way or the other. Um, when I followed up
043with him again, he said, "No, we have one each household gets a survey." And he said they can do it via Q a QR code or they can go online to do it that way or they can just do it paper pencil and send that back in. He said it is an anonymous survey, but they can tell the municipality because they do ask for that information. So, municipality and other aid, you know, age and things like that, are you a school employee? So they have some ways to narrow that out to report that data back. Um with the phone survey I did ask you know is there any how do you most of our folks have went to cell phones. Can you get all the numbers to he said we don't have a problem with
044our database getting enough cell numbers. That one is le is limited to 400 respondents. Now I think they get a wide range of respondents and things like that but that is the phone survey about 60 questions. So he said we we limit that to 400. And so that's really what um and then he would say that school perceptions could be skewed because it's an optin, you know, so people who take the opportunity to complete it, that could cause some possible um issues there. And then if you talk to school perceptions, they're going to they had just said, well, you're limiting it's you know to 400 phone calls. Are you getting the right sample size and things like that? and cost was the other piece because in Morris Leman is $25,000 is their proposal. So it's
045about a $10,000 different. So as I've kind of thought about it a little bit, I think probably school perceptions would take care of the pieces there. We want to make sure that we communicate well that the survey is out there so everybody can complete that survey so we can get good information. they take time, both groups take time to find, you know, questions that will give the board the answers that they need to move forward with the project uh that's being proposed that way there. So, that's the information that I have and like I said, I think school perceptions just because you've had prior experience. They've done 1300 community surveys over the last 25 years and they've got quite a few recently that they've um done as well. And uh both organizations said, "Hey, if
046you need more information, let them know." And if we wanted to wait until that next meeting uh to make a decision, we could do that. But I think we've got the information now to probably move forward on that. Unless there's some other questions that you feel need to be, you know, vetted out and things like that, we can definitely do that. And I guess the other piece too, you know, I think Krauss Anderson's recommending as is W with Seth is the survey. I think that was part of the conversation during the task force meetings. I think also during some of the meetings as you were selecting the the um construction manager and pre-referendum planning process, you know, that way. So I I guess that would be the other thing to consider too. Do you still
047move forward with I think that there's valuable information there to to guide that process just a little bit, but that would be the other piece to to throw out there. >> I guess I just have one question regardless of which group who who sits down and kind of helps put together those questions like would Lindsay be a part of that or >> Lindsay would but also their staff. and their staff. >> Their staff are the ones that we really >> I'm just thinking that connection with who's been in the process for a while here and then you or >> I think the board I think yeah they figure about two to three weeks that they'll take that development they'll >> see what data the board wants to gather >> they put things together bring the
048questions back is my understanding um and then they say okay do these questions look appropriate but I think even Krauss Anderson might be part of that process as well >> I like that section and not just on, >> right? No, but it sounds like it's quite a a vast group that reviews that. They'll have some suggestions and ideas. I think they one of the things that they said to at the very beginning, not only is figuring out the the demographics, but also people's current how do they appreciate communication? So, as we move forward into the looking for the referendum vote, how do people want to be communicated with? Is it newsletters? as as Darren Severs from school perception said, he said, "We're finding that more people are now kind of getting tired somewhat of everything
049be electronic." They sometimes like to have that paper copy that they can put next to the phone or on the end table to say, "I don't have time now, but I'll get back to it here and not having to remember it on their on their phone and things like that." But it sounds like, yeah, it'll take two to three weeks to do that. Um, and then it'll be two to three weeks to get it developed, printed, ready to mail out. And then from there two to three weeks. So they allow it's sort of like three weekends for two and a half weeks. So three weekends for people to complete the survey. Then they start to compile the data and bring that back to the group to answer any questions. And their timeline has I think
050the survey going out in April was April is when the survey was going to be out gathering that data so it would be ready to go for a June um review and comment. Yes, I'd be comfortable with school perceptions again. They did a pretty good job the last time. I mean, I think they gave us pretty accurate information if you actually went back and looked at what it said. >> Yeah, I trying to think back to when we did it and and from a perspective of the company, I think they did a I think they did a fine job. I mean, I know I voted against the survey originally, but it had nothing to do with the, you know, the company. It had to do with, you know, I didn't think some questions were on
051there that I felt should be on. >> So, that was the only reason I voted against it. But one, but I think they did a good job or, you know, a fairly good job of moving forward with it and conducting themselves to try, you know, their best to make to make sure that there wasn't, you know, stuff done the wrong way or >> sure. >> Um, >> so I guess >> it' be interesting to see. We got I think we got 26% returned on the last one. And I don't know how that translates to a number, but it'd be interesting to see if that's close to that 400. You know, >> you look at the number of households we have in our district. That's got to be pretty close to the same, you know, that
052400 mark's got to be, I would think, pretty close to 25, you know, percent of what you probably have for households. It'll be interesting to see what that number is. >> Sure. >> Now, you said it one gets mailed out perhold, but Maya, do you remember? So, if there was three voting members in the household, there was another there was a way for all three of them. >> I think we let people come and get them as well. >> They could come into the district office and get them, but they'd have to sign for it or something so that they'd only get one or something like that. Is that right? >> Right. I think that's what we did. >> Yeah. Just I mean there was a way for >> some households that we gotten four
053of them mailed to them and >> and we could have wasted four, you know. So I think we had it available in the office with a QR code. We had hard copies in the office and then we also mailed one to each address. I believe that's what we did. But there was but we did track each person that came in and got one and they could only come in and get one, right? >> Yeah. Yeah, I think that's accurate where there was there was a way to cross you off so you couldn't do more than one. So you couldn't skew the numbers and try to Yeah. do a bunch. there. Anybody got any other questions or comments or thoughts or um you know whether we do [clears throat] a survey, don't do a survey. If
054we're going to do a survey, who we're going to do survey with? >> School perceptions. It looks like they actually have additional services that can be purchased. >> Mhm. >> Does Leatherman have it? >> I don't see it on there. >> No, I think with their proposal, I mean, they strictly do a phone. He said that was their their preferred method was that random sample but the phone one and this survey is just specific to a facilities issue. >> Correct. Yep. Is there >> maybe we'd have to look back. I can't remember if we did a separate one for staff to start with and then we did the facility one or if there was just questions that were tailored to when you answered, you know, I'm a staff member and we got that information that
055way. But I know I I want to say we had a maybe had a separate one for the staff to begin with. I can't remember. >> I can't remember either. But I mean, for this thing, it should be just people in the voters in the district, right? >> As it pertains to this specific survey. Whether we do another one, I'm not against that by any means, but >> No, no, I'm just saying I I know we had it there was a way to track like who did it and I can't remember if we did a separate one specifically for staff or we just had numbers based on the fact that they said they worked in the district or they didn't work in the district. That part I can't remember. >> So that's that opening part
056of the survey. He showed me a sample there where you say I'm a staff member of the school, not a staff member. And then it was I have kids in the school. I don't have kids in the school. So, but I don't think there's any there wasn't anything separate. It was all part of the same one. But then they were able to gather that information to say, "Hey, our respondents are 80% staff and parents that have kids in the school." So then we would want to look at that data to say, "Okay, did we get everybody who we wanted because I think we've talked about folks on fixed incomes and things like that. If they if they didn't complete the survey, the more than likely probably going to still come out and vote, >> right?
057Well, Couldn't those nuances be discussed with a group that really looks at the questions and Yeah, I mean, I think either company could do that well with us. >> Well, we'll be going over I know the last time I mean, we went over pretty thoroughly as a board, you know, the questions and if anybody wanted any other questions on it or if you wanted the wording in the questions changed. Yep. And then and we did that with school perceptions as part of the conversation so they could explain why they wrote it the way they wrote it. Then >> you know to when we wanted to change if we wanted a change in it >> the other >> cuz for me it was a lot of spec you know like I said I voted against it
058because of there was few questions that I didn't that weren't in there that I really wanted in there. Um, there was really three reasons and um, I didn't think few of the questions were specific enough to get an answer one way or another. I felt like they could be whichever side you were on, you could kind of tailor the answer to fit your your side, I'll say, for a lack of a better term. And I think two board members were missing during the meeting. I think those were the three reasons I sure that I felt like should have a vote. I would like to make a motion that we use school perceptions. Um, one of the main reasons is the the material they give us. Look at the two companies and just seems to me
059the preparedness that their references. They get, you know, a few pages. The other company has one So, we have a motion to go with school perception. >> Do we have a second? >> I'll second that. >> Maya seconds it. Um, so we'll take Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, we'll go on to the roll call. Porter, >> yes. >> Sawyer, >> yes. >> Maya, >> yes. >> Vincent, >> yes. and gross is a yes. Move on to 5.3. Consider app and approve payroll services contract with the center for effective school operations or CESO. Mr. Brown. >> Yep. So, yeah, we did a little bit of review. Um I checked with Brady Marts who was a prior uh vendor that did payroll back in 2023. They would not be able to scale up until March
060or April. I said unfortunately at that point it would be too late. Uh then I did reach out to SMS. They also provide that service as well. It was a little bit more expensive by about $300 than CISO. Uh but I think the selling point really for CISO is the fact that they have somebody that's coming in with 20 years of experience doing payroll. um she's worked both region one and CMERDC and I think that was the concern that region one had before. Sometimes if you bring somebody who doesn't know the way the region software works and has their own way of doing it, it can create some confusion and some and some issues there. And so I think just being and then they're willing to give us a six-month contract. So this allows us
061to give it a trial period. They're able to start right away. So they'll take care of the January 15th payroll. um they will not be on site, but they're willing to schedule. She's very so far the person who we've visited with Maggie and myself has been very responsive and says, "Hey, here's the details I'll need. I'll be ready to get this uh completed. I want it to be done two days before payroll actually happens. If we have any issues, need to see your contracts because sometimes there's nuances in contracts that I need to understand that, oh, this is why they get these dollars in those." And so, uh, I think there's just some really good pieces that we'll be able to move forward on and she'll be able to take the ball and and roll
062with it. And and they've got not just one person, they have a staff, they're an organization out of the cities that does both business managers and um, other efficiencies, I guess you could say, probably for schools. And I think that's the other part that excites Maggie and myself is the fact that if there's things that we're doing that aren't efficient, we probably do them that way because that's the only way we know how to do it. So if there's another way to to streamline that process and I think this um person here will be able to do that. So the recommendation is to go with CISO as you saw in the contract it's about a 12 to 16 hour per month contract. So it's few fewer hours than we were currently um paying for the
063person in that position. Now where we'll have to kind of keep a close eye and will be the paid family leave. That could change that just a little. I mean CISO if we wanted to add that to their contract we could. that's currently she said she could help a little bit but can't get too deep into the data tracking and stuff like that. So, we'll just kind of have to monitor that to see how that works. But, I think to get us off and running and and really [clears throat] to give us the next 6 months, she'll have us in a good spot. And I should say I did reach out to one uh vendor out of Sou Falls, South Dakota, they were only interested in selling software. They didn't have staff that would be
064willing to do that. So, I did check with four other um our four organizations to see who would be the best fit and and we believe CESO and again they've been very responsive. We're willing to set up right away when I reached out or actually Maggie had the contact and and so we reached out and they scheduled a meeting right away and have been continuing to follow up on the process and she's ready to start tomorrow um right away to make sure that our first payroll is seamless. Um, is this just for payroll portion or like other HR issues whether as far as the if somebody has question if staff has questions about their insurance or paid leave or any of the other um things that they might have questions on is that stay in
065house >> during this time or that stay with go with this company? >> We'll keep that inhouse for now. Now, we use National Insurance Services for our health insurance. So, I've got a pretty good connection there with Steve Smith. So, somebody comes in and says, "Hey, well, we had an example where somebody came in and said, "Hey, this has been submitted incorrectly on my application. It needs to be fixed. I just reach out to Steve and Paige." They go, "Yep, let us get reach out to Blue Cross Blue Shield and they'll get that taken care of." Maggie's gotten some of those passwords now, so she'll be able to do that. But, I really want to lean on them. We pay them dollars to to take care of that. And if there's any of the paid
066family leave, Maggie's been through some training. I've been through that. Our first thing is that we do ask that they they need to notify the district and you'll see that in our policy a little bit later here, but then they're really going to work through the state with deed to get that taken care of or that national insurance company when we make that move in April. So, I think right now we're going to manage that inhouse. one of the challenges, but I think our payroll new payroll person will be able to help with that is we plan to um top off or supplement that, you know, to keep people whole if they do because the Minnesota paid family leave doesn't keep people at 100%. They, you know, payment pro uh proportionate balance, but they'll tell
067us what that is. Then the payroll person will say, "Okay, here's what that remaining dollar amount that you have to pay." So, she would help with that piece there. But I think initially if any of those upfront questions will come to Maggie or myself and we'll direct them to the right people um hopefully through NIS right away because they also do our Delta Dental. Um so we would direct them to them that way to get answers that they need and hopefully get things taken care of in the day or two. >> And what is the what is the total they're charged per month? >> It is 4560. 4560. Yep. 4560 per month. >> For six months. >> Yep. For six months. And then we're we I said we would meet and reconvene again in March
068to let them know if we wanted to continue. I said, you know, if it we have a seamless process and it moves well, we may want to continue. I want to see how our staff respond to, hey, we need that person to be able to go to, but if she's able to connect with them quickly through either email or even a some type of a virtual meeting and they say, hey, this we get answers, it's accurate, we feel like that might be the best way to go there as well. >> I'll make a motion. Can you move ahead with >> Okay, Nathan's been Mr. Borders made a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. and Sawyer second. We'll go on the roll call vote. Sawyer, >> yes. >> Maya, >> yes. >> Vincent, >> yes.
069>> Gross is a yes and Porter, >> yes. >> Okay, so that was approved. Um, we'll move on to 5.4, annual review and updates to the following policies. Um, 5.4.1, policy 722 is public data and data subject requests. And 5.4.2 is policy number 806, crisis management policy. And under 55, 5.5, we got the first read in the following policies. Policy 514, bullying prohibition policy and policy 522, title 9, sex non-discrimination policy. Does anybody have any questions on that? I don't think we need a motion for anything, right? Oh, for just um reviewing and >> I have a question seven for the public data and data subject requests. Was there any changes >> in that or or the other one? the so the subject data policy the only change to that was the fact that if
070you do put in a data request if you don't come in within 5 days to get that data or I mean if you request that you're going to come and pick it up if you don't pick it up then the next one doesn't have to be fulfilled until you pick that up because I think there were some places that were having people request data nobody was picking it up so they were putting all the time and effort into doing that so the legislature enacted that in 2025 to say if you request data you need to come and pick it up or somehow, you know, retrieve it. So, it's being utilized, look at it. >> Right. Exactly. If you have to, you have to inspect it or to retrieve it. And if you don't, then the
071next data request would not have to take place until that is resolved. Okay. There any other questions? Seeing none, we'll move on to 5.6. Approve the Minnesota paid leave district policy. I think everybody was that's in their packet. Got anything there Paul you want to go over? >> I think the biggest >> points of it or >> Right. Yeah. It's really just kind of laying out a process of how requests will come in. So, uh they're supposed to the employee is supposed to notify the employer that they're looking to take paid leave. However, then after that, they do need to go through the deed program to apply and that's really who says, "Yep, you're approved for this or you're not." Um, eventually, like I said, in April, our plan right now is to move over
072to Madison National Life to have them take that because the cost will be a little bit less. The plan is that the district will pay for half of the premium. So, it's 888 currently. The district will pay the 044. the employee will pay 044 and that'll be right on the January 15th payroll here um for that time frame there and then the reporting needs to be uh reported to the state so they know our total wages and everything after the employee um goes on and it's very similar I would it's the same department really deed that does unemployment so it's very similar to that I know we've already received one request and it shows what the monthly or excuse me the weekly dollar amount will be the state will say here's what they're getting we
073need to then track that and then we can you know to top them off. So top them off means that an employee um can put in for the leave that's proportionate between between 60 and 90% roughly of what they'll get of their wage. We're allowing them to use their sick leave, their personal leave to complete that to keep them whole because I see that as an earned benefit. So they'll do that. the state did allow you to make that decision of if you wanted to do that or not. Um, from what I've heard from MSBA there, well, MSBA and I know Maggie went to a training um, and the attorney there just said we don't have all the answers yet. Things are still being changed and moved around. IRS was still having to report back
074to the state of how this was going to be reported for tax purposes. And so, sounds like there's still a lot of pieces that are moving parts that need to be addressed. And often times they'll say until something gets challenged in court, we really don't know what the final answer is. And so there'll be some of those pieces there as well. I think I heard now today I thought I saw somewhere in the news is that 18,000 people have applied um for this. So um we'll see how that that goes for WCA. Of course at that point we need to then hire subs. And so that's one of the expenses that's not included in that cost of the 88. The cap is 1.1% is what the legislature said. I think they're going to have to
075revisit that. That was kind of the conversation piece that I heard um when we got together with the legislators last month in at uh um Lakes Country that they don't believe that that cap is going to be able to hold, you know, into the next year that the expense is going to be higher um than that. So, we'll want to kind of monitor that as well. So, um there's, you know, and any um mother who had a baby in 2025, they can use the bonding leave at the 12 months or 12 weeks if they would like. So, the max is 20 weeks. And so, a mom can [snorts] do the, you know, 6 to 8 weeks of medical leave and then have the 12 weeks of bonding to add, but it can't exceed the 20
076the 20 weeks there. So, this is the policy that's required by statute. I really just use what MSBA had recommended. Um we'll eventually make this part of our teacher manual. I mean, I know that you and Caitlyn have a teacher um employee handbook. So, we'll get that. We'll probably stream that line that for um all those pieces, but this is eligible to all of our employees and uh just kind of walks through the process of what we'll follow. >> I'm just wondering if we should start to kind of keep track because this could impact our budget for subs. You know, how many people coverage as we go through the next couple of years and >> what does that look like for us for budget planning? >> I would agree. Yep. I think it's going to
077be a great a great idea. >> And so >> did you say Paul as well like those aren't going to be things we're going to bring to a board meeting because they're protected. Is that cor is that correct? Just to make sure that we're clear. We're not going to come forward and say six people took this leave right now in a board meeting because it's a protected the family medical piece is a protected side. Right. >> Yeah. I I can say in generalities I can't give names. I can't say this person's planning to take um because it's a it's guaranteed in statute. So yeah, MSBA had some guidance out there that just said, you know, FMLA, paid family medical leave should not be on as we do our leaves and stuff like that, you know,
078because if there's board, so the ones that you're going to see are the ones that are in agreed to in contracts and stuff like that because that's a board approved leave and so those will be still there. But yeah, any of the ones that are FMLA or the paid family leave, I can give generalities to say, hey, our status report at this point is we have three people who are using Minnesota or have used Minnesota paid family leave, but I can't give any specifics. That's correct. >> And I just want to make sure everybody's clear on that. [clears throat] >> I just want to make sure I'm clear that I wasn't being negative or judgmental about this. is just I think from a budgetary perspective, we need to be able to start thinking about how
079will this impact our budget so that we aren't caught off guard, >> right? And yeah, I I totally agree. We just need to track it for budget purposes to see what >> not about >> if there's additional because we have to communicate that to our legislators, right? >> That's what they want to know. Yeah. >> If if something that they did is creating a, you know, a financial burden on us, it doesn't mean we disagree with it. just means we going to need the funding to cover it, right? So, >> well, I think even the legislators that were there at that meeting last December, I mean, one of the gentlemen who was a legislator said, "I'm a small business owner." And he said, "So, this is going to impact me." Cuz he said, "I've got
080that person hired right now because I need them to fulfill that service." And he said, "So now, I've got to find somebody for 12 weeks to cover that." He said, "And that's not an expense that's ever going to be recorded by the state." He said, "They won't see that expense that I have to do that." So yeah, I think that's going to be a talking point for a while. I mean, I think there's there's definitely some good points about it, but I think getting it all fleshed out and making sure that all those smaller details are are being considered, you know, will definitely be important to see how that how that works through. Any other discussion? If there isn't, I'll look for a motion to approve the Minnesota paid leave district policy as written. >>
081So, >> Mr. Cordon made the motion. Is there a second? >> Second. [snorts] >> Vincent, made the second. Um, roll call vote. Sawyer, >> yes. >> Maya, >> yes. >> Vincent, >> yes. >> Gross is a yes and Porter. >> Yes. >> That's approved. Um, now we are down to 5.7. Approve the following memorandum of agreements. Um, 5.7.1 is Minnesota State University Morehead student teacher placement and 5.7.2 is Southwest Minnesota State University student teacher placement. And I put them on together because they're identical. So yeah, they're the exact same agreement, just two different college names. And I got one today for the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. So you'll I didn't get it till 3:00 this afternoon. So we'll do that at our next meeting, but really it just says kind of the obligation that
082the university has to place a student teacher in our buildings, but they'll make sure that the teacher has from insurance, background check, and then the obligations that we would have as a training partner to make sure that the kids get or the students teachers get the experience that they need to become a successful teacher. And it's a five-year agreement. All right. Do we have >> So, this isn't a specific We got a student teacher coming. This is just a con an agreement with the college, >> right? Yep. Yep. Yeah. Just with the college and say, "Hey, we first of all to say that, hey, we're willing to accept student teachers in our schools, which I think most do, but there might be an occasional school that says, "No, we're not interested. We we will just
083take teachers when they come available." But, you know, I think this is just saying, "Hey, we have the opportunity to place. You're willing to follow these guidelines and regulations and the colleges and here's what we're willing to do." So, it's just kind of creating that communication piece. Any other questions or discussion? Seeing none, we'll look for a motion to approve the memorandum of agreements with Minnesota State University, Morehead, and Southwest Minnesota State University. So, move Maya made the motion. Is there a second? >> Porter. >> Uh, roll call. Maya, >> yes. >> Vincent, >> yes. >> Gross is a yes. Porter, >> yes. >> And Sawyer, >> yes. >> That passes. Under six, discussion items. I don't see anything. So, we'll move on to seven. Motion to adjurnn. So, move. >> Order. Second. Second. >>
084I'm glad you did that or I was gonna have to do it quickly. >> All right. >> What does your computer say there, Darren? Because your computer's a little bit faster. >> Mine's dead. Well, it's not faster than yours. It's completely was a [laughter] couple minutes. >> Yeah. 643. Yeah. >> 643. Well, um, might as well finish with the roll call. Vincent, >> yes. >> Gross is a yes. Porter, >> yes. >> Sawyer, >> yes. >> And Maya, >> yes. >> All right. >> You got to sharpen your pencil. That wasn't that wasn't even close to a