Tracy Area Public Schools No. 2904
Regular Board Meeting Minutes from June 27, 2016
I. Meeting called to order by board chair Rod Benson at 6:00 p.m.
II. Guests include: (Russ Stobb with the Tracy Headlight Herald)(TAPS Teachers: Amy Larsen, See Leske, Craig Polkow, and Nancy Jones)
III. Board Members present: Rod Benson, Jody Bauer, Sheila Holland, Matt Surprenant, Ben Ludeman, and Nikki Swanson. Not Present: Annette Miller.
IV. Administration present: Superintendent Anderson & Secondary Principal Vondracek.
V. Motion by Bauer, second by Surprenant to approve the previous meeting minutes (May 16, 2016). (MC 6-0).
VI. Motion by Ludeman, second by Holland to approve the amended agenda. (MC 6-0).
VII. Motion by Bauer, second by Ludeman to approve the claims, account balances, treasurer reports and vender payments. (MC 6-0).
VIII. Visitor Reports/Comments:
i. Superintendent Anderson presented the 1:1 student/parent handbook during this portion of the agenda.
IX. Administrative Oral Reports
A. Activities Director Tauer/Superintendent Anderson:
i. Superintendent Anderson presented the Phase II Track Complex updates.
B. Elementary Principal Munson: Superintendent Anderson distributed Mr. Munson’s report.
i. Positions
We will have Reading Corp back this year! Marissa Olson will be our new Reading Corp instructor for this year. The position is hired by Reading Corp.
Anne Hesse will be our new Early Childhood SPED instructor through the Coop replacing Sherri Citterman.
Please accept the hiring of Kim Persons for the Balaton Pre-K program.
Please accept the hiring of Shannon Benson for Elementary Music on a Community Expert license.
ii. Handbook Changes-
Just minor changes this year. Added TK to some of our lists instead of K-6.
3rd grade was switched from letter grades to 1,2,3,4 system that 1st and 2nd grade uses and what we will be transitioning to as part of Standards Based Grading over the next year.
iii. Grant-
I applied and received a grant for 1400 dollars to cover any costs for the Pre-K -3rd grade Leadership conference I attended and the work day we had to discuss the different programs. The only thing asked was that we recognize the Southwest Initiative Foundation for giving this grant. We thank the Southwest Initiative Foundation for their dedication towards Early Childhood Education.
C. Secondary Principal Kathy Vondracek:
i. Weighted grades for college now and AP courses: First Reading: was last month.
(Survey Monkey w/High School Teachers (January 2016 meeting) Advanced Placement (AP) and College Now (CN) grades should receive more weight. Yes 87%, No 13%)
Grade Regular Raised
F 0.000 0.000
D- 0.333 0.333
D 1.000 1.000
D+ 1.333 1.333
C- 1.666 1.666
C 2.000 3.000
C+ 2.333 3.333
B- 2.666 3.666
B 3.000 4.000
B+ 3.333 4.333
A- 3.666 4.666
A 4.000 5.000
ii. MCA Test Results will be available to the public on Thursday, July 28, 2016.
iii. 1:1 Technology Plan Implementation:
a. Received, unpackaged, recycled, & inventoried the computers is complete.
b. Three hour staff development on “Schoology” was June 2 presented by Kara Damm. 28 teachers attended.
c. Second day of staff development in School is July 20 and/or August 11.
d. Parent orientation meetings have been set: Monday, August 8 from 12-1 in HS gym. Monday, August 8 from 5:30-6:30 in HS gym prior to the fall sports meeting, Tuesday, August 16 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. in the high school cafeteria prior to new student orientation at 9:00, Thursday, August 18 from 5:30 -6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria, prior to 10th grade parent meeting at 6:30. Letters will be sent home July 18.
e. Handbook Committee work spearheaded by Katie Gervais.
f. Infrastructure: Craig and a student have been running wire and installing all access points in classrooms.
g. JMC/Schoology Connection will be completed by July 15.
iv. Ramp up to Readiness will have .25 credit for the year. This years ninth graders could earn up to 1.0 elective credit if they pass all four years.
v. NAEP (Nation al Assessment of Education Progress testing.
vi. SHIP program will fund the purchase of the hydration station.
vii. Credit Recovery.
viii. Congratulations to Kendra Ludeman for winning the State High Jump Championship.
ix. Janitors cleaning, gym ceiling is painted, roof work started, and courtyard is progressing beautifully.
D. Superintendent Anderson discussed the following:
i. Mobilization of Laraway Roofing on June 23. Will bring in an 8 man crew.
ii. Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program Application: Results will be in by August 1, 2016.
iii. TAPS Board Member Terms: Resolution will be later in the board agenda.
iv. Technology Update: Backpacks, Schoology, Lap Tops, etc.
v. VMC Update:
· Wall and Garage Door Installation
· Painting Progress
· Wenches and Safety Straps: City is paying for half.
· Flooring; Grinding and/or scarcifying. ($15,000-$20,000)
· City is putting in new doors, exit signs, and cement board around windows.
· Timelines
vi. Court Yard “Panthers Lair” Update: Sand was hauled in my students and pavers are being laid by Jim Christian. Looks Great!
vii. Painting in TAHS Gym Update: The ceilings are almost painted, followed by the floor refinishing and then the painters will come back in and wrap up the flooring.
viii. TAES Cafeteria & Walls Project Update: Next Meeting is Wednesday, June 29 at 1:00 a.m. in the TAHS Board Room.
ix. MSBA Phase I and Phase II training. August 9, 2016
x. e-rate payback received is at $38,340.
xi. Ag2 School Credit: IF it would be signed by the Governor all ag property (except the house, garage, and one acre on agriculture homestead property) will receive a tax credit of 40% of the taxes for school district debt service.
X. Old Business:
A. Motion by Surprenant, second by Holland to approve the weighted grades policy. (MC 6-0)
XI. New Business
A. Current enrollments were given by Superintendent Anderson (730). 2015 in May was (743) 2014 in May was (753).
B. Motion by Bauer, second by Ludeman to approve the 2016-2017 preliminary budget. In summary, Tracy Area Public Schools will show an increase in general fund expenditures for FY2016. The following some of the major reasons why:
· An increase of $256,660 for the 1:1 computer initiative at TAHS.
· The VMC Revitalization project which will cost an estimated $285,000. However savings from rent $210,000 over 12 years, Sanford Grant for $75,000, Athletic Booster Donation of $5,000, and City cost sharing on Wenches and Safety Straps for $14,250 our Revenues will be $304,250.
· Increase in employee salaries from negotiations is estimated to be $235,735.
· The Elementary Cafeteria and Elementary classroom walls are an unknown factor. $500,000 was assigned to the building fund for this project, however preliminary estimates by AST&R predict costs to be $900,000 for the combined project. The TAPS board has decided that they will move forward with bids for this project. However if bids come in higher than expected the project will be reviewed and or cancelled.
· The unrestricted fund balance will decrease from $2,478,447 in FY16 to $1,757,824(-$720,623) in FY17 due to the above projects. If the board continues with the TAES Cafeteria and classroom walls project the fund balance could decrease by an additional $900,000 to leave $857,824 in FY17.
(MC 6-0)
C. Discussion/NO ACTION: First Reading and discussion of motion to adopt a resolution calling the operating referendum election for Tuesday, November 8, 2016 for the 2018 school year. Resolution will be on the July 18, 2016 board agenda. (See Below)
RESOLUTION RELATING TO INCREASING THE GENERAL EDUCATION REVENUE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CALLING AN ELECTION THEREON
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2904, State of Minnesota, as follows:
1. The Board hereby determines and declares that it is necessary and expedient for the school district to increase its general education revenue by $760 per adjusted pupil unit. A portion of this proposed referendum revenue authorization would replace the school district's existing revenue authorization of $570.59 per adjusted pupil unit which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2017. As provided by law, the ballot question must abbreviate the term "per adjusted pupil unit" as "per pupil". The additional revenue will be used to finance school operations and the property tax portion thereof will require an estimated referendum tax rate of approximately 0.11759% of the referendum market value of the school district for taxes payable in 2018, the first year it is to be levied. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten (10) years, beginning with taxes payable in 2018, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. For this purpose, the rate of inflation shall be the annual inflationary increase calculated under Minnesota Statutes, Section 126C.17, Subdivision 2, paragraph (b). The question on the approval of this referendum revenue authorization shall be School District Question 1 on the school district ballot at the special election held to approve said authorization.
School District Question 1
Approval of School District
Referendum Revenue Authorization
The board of Independent School District No. 2904 (Tracy Area Schools) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $760 per pupil. This proposed referendum revenue authorization would replace the school district's existing revenue authorization of $570.59 per pupil which is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2017. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would increase each year by the rate of inflation and be applicable for ten years, beginning with taxes payable in 2018, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law.
/ YesNo / Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 2904 be approved?
BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU
ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
D. Motion by Holland, second by Surprenant to approve Package 1 ($1,950) from Ehlers for Operating Referendum Service for the 2016 operating referendum. (MC 6-0)
E. Motion by Ludeman, second by Bauer to approve the membership in the MREA for the 2016-2017 school year for $1,890.00. (MC 6-0)
F. Motion by Bauer, second by Swanson to approve the installation of two security cameras in the room where all the 7th and 8th grade laptops will be stored each night for $1,450.17. (MC 6-0)
G. Motion by Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 2904 (Tracy Area Public Schools), State of Minnesota, was held in said school district on June 27, at 6:00 p.m., for the purpose, in part, of establishing the dates for filing affidavits of candidacy for the 2016 school district general election.
The following members were present: Rod Benson, Jody Bauer, Sheila Holland, Matt Surprenant, Ben Ludeman, and Nikki Swanson.
And the following members were absent: Annette Miller
Member Ludeman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING DATES
FOR FILING AFFIDAVITS OF CANDIDACY
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2904, State of Minnesota, as follows:
1. The period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member of Independent School District No. 2904, shall begin on August 2, 2016 and shall close on August 16, 2016. An affidavit of candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk and the $2 filing fee paid prior to 5:00** o'clock p.m. on August 16, 2016.
2. The clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause notice of said filing dates to be published in the official newspaper of the district, at least two (2) weeks prior to the first day to file affidavits of candidacy.
3. The clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause notice of said filing dates to be posted at the administrative offices of the school district at least ten (10) days prior to the first day to file affidavits of candidacy.
4. The notice of said filing dates shall be in substantially the following form:
NOTICE OF FILING DATES FOR ELECTION TO THE SCHOOL BOARD
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2904
(Tracy Area Public School District)
STATE OF MINNESOTA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member of Independent School District No. 2904 shall begin on August 2, 2016, and shall close at 5:00** o'clock p.m. on August 16, 2016.
The general election shall be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. At that election, (4) four members will be elected to the School Board for terms of four (4) years each.
Affidavits of Candidacy are available from the school district clerk, (934 Pine Street, Tracy, MN 56175). The filing fee for this office is $2. A candidate for this office must be an eligible voter, must be 21 years of age or more on assuming office, must have been a resident of the school district from which the candidate seeks election for thirty (30) days before the general election, and must have no other affidavit on file for any other office at the same primary or next ensuing general election.
The affidavits of candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk and the filing fee paid prior to 5:00** o'clock p.m. on August 16, 2016.
Dated: June 27, 2016 BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
/s/
Annette Miller, School District Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Surprenant. On roll call vote, the following voted in favor: Sheila Holland, Matt Surprenant, Ben Ludeman, Jody Bauer, Nikki Swanson, and Rod Benson.
And the following voted against: None.
Whereupon said resolution was declared and duly passed and adopted.
H. Motion by Surprenant, second by Swanson to approve the 2016-2017 grounds contract with Jim Christian for the sum of $65,000. (MC: 6-0)
I. Motion Bauer, second by Holland to approve the resignation from Mrs. Amy Rubin as junior class advisor/prom advisor. (MC: 6-0)
J. Motion by Ludeman, second by Surprenant to approve the amended pay equity report for implementation. (MC 6-0)
K. Motion by Surprenant, second by Holland to approve the resignation of Donovan Hanson (TAES Music Teacher) with many thanks for his service to TAES. (MC: 6-0)