Superintendents’ Executive Council
September 17, 2013 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
SW/WC Service Cooperative, Marshall MN
Meeting Summary
Present: Jerry Kjergaard, Chair, Willmar
Luther Heller, Past-Chair, Montevideo
John A. Dotson, BOLD
Luther Onken, Fulda & Murray County Central
Chris Sonju, Glencoe-Silver Lake
Todd Meyer, Jackson County Central
Chris Fenske, Lakeview
Klint Willert, Marshall
Dan Deitte, Minneota
Bill Strom, Mountain Lake
Robert Windel, Mountain Lake Christian
Paul Carlson, New London/Spicer
Jim Lentz, Pipestone
John Brennan, Red Rock Central
Ray Hassing, Round Lake-Brewster
Sharon Kabes, SW Minnesota State University
Ann Wendorff, Southwest Star Concept
Loy Woelber, Westbrook/Walnut Grove
Al Stoeckman, Yellow Medicine East
Michael Meihak, Principal, Yellow Medicine East
Absent: John Landgaard, Worthington
Michael Van Keulen, MN West
Staff: Cliff Carmody, Executive Director
Darin Jensen, Senior Director of Administrative Services
Mary Palmer, Senior Director of Special Education
Bob Braun, Senior Director of Teaching & Learning Services
Shelly Maes, Manager of Member Services
Deecy Jesse, Executive Assistant
1. Call to Order: Chair, Jerry Kjergaard, called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. at the SW/WC Service Cooperative Office in Marshall, MN.
2. Agenda Review/Approval: The agenda was reviewed. Motion made by Bill Strom seconded by Loy Woelber, to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Previous Meeting Summary Review: The minutes from the May 7, 2013 Superintendents’ Executive Council meeting were reviewed. Motion by Luther Heller, seconded by Ray Hassing, to approve the minutes from the May 7, 2013 meeting as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
4. New Business:
i. Organization of Superintendent Executive Council
a. Election of Vice Chair
Jerry Kjergaard called for nominations of Vice-Chair. Loy Woelber nominated Jim Lentz. Motion by Luther Heller, seconded by Bill Strom, moving that nominations cease and the secretary cast a unanimous ballot for Jim Lentz as Vice-Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
b. MN Tele-Media Representation
Luther Heller gave a brief description of MN Tele-Media meetings and expectations from members. Loy Woelber volunteered to serve as a representative for the open position, seconded by Bill Strom, to appoint Loy Woelber as the MN Tele-Media Representative. Motion passed unanimously.
ii. SC Board Meeting Schedule
Cliff Carmody highlighted the SC Board schedule and who is assigned to attend the meetings through January 2014. Please contact Deecy Jesse at 507-537-2250, if you are not able to attend your scheduled meeting date.
iii. Review of Executive Council By-Laws
The Executive Council By-Laws were emailed with the agenda information. Please review and let us know if any changes need to be made.
5. Facilitated Conversation: Purpose of the Executive Council
Cliff Carmody facilitated a conversation on the Purpose of the Executive Council. After discussion was held, Cliff asked that the Council hold SC & Admin Team accountable to keeping the meeting agenda in line with the purpose, to bring questions/information/issues to the meeting for change, and we will continue to look at the purpose throughout the year.
6. Administrative Services Report:
Darin Jensen handed out a flier regarding LearnPad. This is an alternate option to the iPad and was developed specifically for education. Redwood Area, Fulda, and Glencoe-Silver Lake are currently implementing these devices in their districts. The cost range is $299/$399; however, Shareen may be able to get you better pricing. Darin also mentioned the Edmentum Lunch & Learn to be held on September 27th and Forecast Five demonstrations, an analytical tool for online software where you can compare MDE information, have been setup. Darin will set up a survey to gain information on whether to move forward or not.
7. Risk Management Services Update:
Cliff Carmody mentioned that we have a group of counties that are looking at going in on a self-insured program. Cliff also talked about Enroll Ease, an online benefits program that will enroll all employees. We will pilot this at the SC first to see if this is something we want to implement for all of our members.
8. Special Education Services Update:
Mary Palmer mentioned that MDE monitoring, a federal requirement, is now in process. Janet Dirksen will oversee the file reviews. The North Central Learning Center, a setting IV program in Willmar, is now open. They have eight students currently, but anticipate many more. Mary also talked about Low Incidence funding. This is an area where very few students are considered LI but are very high needs. The state receives federal money to provide services to kids; the SC hosts funding for our area. Between last year and this year, we’ve been cut 15%. Due to this, a few programs have already been reduced or discontinued. Mary and Annette will meet to discuss service fees; as the funding is just not there for the SC to provide free service any longer. We will do our best to keep these costs down.
9. Teaching & Learning Services Update:
i. Project Based Learning
Bob Braun mentioned and provided handouts on a Project Based Learning workshop to be held on November 19th at the SW/WC Service Cooperative. Bob and Tom Hoff are working on this project with their goal to continue to do four conferences over four years.
ii. Teacher Evaluation/Classroom and Non-Classroom
The Division of Teaching & Learning just completed a four part Teacher Evaluation series with 8 districts to work through the process of developing teacher evaluations. Bob is also on an MDE workgroup to work through evaluating a non-classroom employee, which they hope to roll out in January. He is also working with Lakes Country Service Cooperative on putting something together as a database for schools on where they are at will evaluations. They hope to also roll this out January and be able to start training Superintendents and Principals. Information was also shared regarding a STOP BULLYING workshop to be held on October 25th at the SW/WC Service Cooperative. Bob asked the Council to read over the School Alive! flyer and let him know if this is something they would like us to provide.
10. Member Services Update:
i. Summer Superintendent’s Conference Update
We received really good feedback from our Keynote presenter, Richard DeLorenzo, and are looking at bringing him back. We tentatively reserved June 25-27, 2014 for our Summer Leadership Conference to be held at Arrowwood Resort, Alexandria. A suggestion was made to hold the conference in Arrowwood Resort, Okaboji. We will look into that option.
ii. New Superintendent Mentoring Program & MASA Region 3/Admin Forum Schedule
Shelly Maes provided a quick demonstration on where to find information on these programs. It can be found on the SC Website www.swsc.org under Programs & Services – MASA Region 3/ Superintendents. You log into the site using your same login information as used for contracts. The survey summaries that Shelly sends out are listed on this site as well. Please let Shelly know if you would like to add anything else to this site.
Also, Shelly will contact you if your district may host a Tai visit.
11. Executive Director’s Report:
i. AESA Fellowship Program – Cliff Carmody reviewed what the AESA Fellowship Program is and informed the Council that the National Conference is in San Antonio, TX December 4-7, 2013. The SC Board would like to extend this again to the all members. Please submit your AESA Fellowship Application by October 11, 2013. The SC Board will determine who is selected.
ii. Focus Worksheet – Cliff, the Cabinet, and the SC Board continue to work with the CCOGA on the insurance pool and are going to look at what else we could do to better serve this membership; Cliff will email you regarding the review of the SC vision/mission/priorities; Bob Braun will be retiring at the end of this year and we will look at how best to design the leadership of the Division of T&L – hope to have a plan by Jan 1.; handout on legislative influence in rural MN by the Center for Rural Policy and Development. We have received an attorney’s opinion on the status of the SC owning educational space.
12. Recognition of Luther Heller: 2012-13 Chair
Cliff Carmody recognized Dr. Luther Heller for the 2012-13 leadership he provided as the Superintendents’ Executive Council Chair and presented him with a certificate of appreciation.
13. 2013-14 Superintendent’s Executive Council Meeting Dates:
September 17, 2013; November 12, 2013; January 7, 2014; March 25, 2014; May 20, 2014.
14. Open Forum: Klint Willert opened a discussion on AA Degrees. Loy Woelber mentioned that the Board of Teachers was meeting to make licensure changes.
15. The Meeting Adjourned: 12:21 p.m.
The next Superintendents’ Executive Council meeting is schedule on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the SW/WC Service Cooperative.