Proctor Journal

Regular School Board Meeting

December 10, 2007

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Larry Shelton at 7:03 p.m.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Roll Call

Members Present: Liz Asanovich, Mike Leiste, Kevin Maki, Louise Lind, Larry Shelton, Bob Silverness, and Carol Smith

Members Absent: None

Also in Attendance: Diane Rauschenfels, Superintendent of Schools

MOTION: Moved by Leiste and seconded by Silverness to approve the revised agenda. Motion approved by unanimous vote.

IV. Approval of Minutes– Regular School Board Meeting of November 26, 2007

MOTION: Moved by Shelton and seconded by Lind to approve the minutes of the Regular School Board Meeting of November 26, 2007, as submitted. Motion approved by unanimous vote.

V. Finance

MOTION: Moved by Lind and seconded by Silverness to approve the payment of bills dated December 10, 2007, in the amount of $18,724.82 covering checks 68205 through 68344. Motion approved by a unanimous vote.

VI. Commendations/Congrats

A. Thanked Alaine Erickson for the holiday goodies.

B. Thanked the Transportation Department for getting the children home safely on December 4.

VII. Public Participation

Jim Schwarzbauer suggested enhancements to our website and the need to market to retain students in Proctor along with the state aid we are losing. He also distributed information regarding the Tourism Committee and facts on the school district.

VIII. Consent Agenda

MOTION: Moved by Silverness and seconded by Leiste to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Motion approved by unanimous vote.

A. Personnel Items

1. Increased the assignment of Kelly Smith, Bay View Secretary, from 35 hours per week to 37.5 hours per week effective December 17, 2007.

2. Hired Sara Hagen as Ed Assistant, Safe and Civil Schools, 14 hours per week, Proctor High School, effective November 28, 2007.

3. Accepted the resignation of Michelle Johnson, Playground Aide, 14 hours per week, Bay View, effective December 7, 2007.

B. Approved second reading and adoption of Policy 425 - Staff Development.

C. Approved 2007 Payable 2008 Grand Total Certified Levy of $2,274,445.71.

D. Acknowledged support of Proctor Public Schools’ Vision for Diversity and Equity.

IX. Items for Individual Action

A. Presentation and Approval of the Audit Report for School Year Ending June 30, 2007

Jennifer Smith of Eikill & Schilling reviewed fund balances, explained the report, and answered questions. Following her presentation, the following action took place:

MOTION: Moved by Lind and seconded by Maki to approve the Audit Report for School Year Ending June 30, 2007, as presented by Jennifer Smith. Motion approved by unanimous vote.

B. Adopt Social Studies Curricula Change as Per State Graduation Standards Requirements

This change calls for one credit of World History to be taken during the sophomore year and moving .5 credit of Civics from the freshman year to the junior year beginning with the 2008-09 school year. Member Smith noted that all subjects need to be funded.

MOTION: Moved by Silverness and seconded by Asanovich to adopt the social studies curricula change per the MN State Graduation Standards Requirements. Motion approved by unanimous vote.

X. Items for Discussion/ Information

A. Superintendent Update - Noted meetings attended during past two weeks. The superintendent also assisted with notifying parents during the December 4 storm and commended the Transportation Department for the professional and caring work they consistently provide.

B. Projects and Partnerships Update - Noted that in the new consortium design for Perkins funding, Lake Superior College will be our technical college site and Lake Superior, Cook, Hermantown, Duluth, Proctor, and Esko will be the school districts connected for the funding flow. It was also noted that she attended a Northland Foundation orientation session and a meeting at UMD with other superintendents and principals to give feedback on their proposed administrative licensure program for principals and superintendents.

C. Public Relations Update

D. Finance 101 - Steve Anderson reviewed UFARS coding and a handout on 2008 budget comparisons of levies with various schools.

E. Fall Sports Review - Rory Johnson reviewed the number of students participating in fall sports programs, the success of teams, field conditions, challenges of his new position, and expectations of participants. A discussion was held on the possibility of adding golf in spring 2008. This will be added to the agenda for further discussion on January 14.

F. BattleBots Update - Anders Silverness and Dan Beattie presented a PowerPoint presentation that explained details of the program including funding, number of participants, competitions, etc.

G. High School Happenings - Items noted:

1. The fall homecoming king and queen will speak in classrooms across the District about teamwork, respect, and school involvement.

2. A Gay Straight Alliance group has been formed at the high school at the request of students (MN Statute § 363.12). It will provide a forum to further a school culture of respect and understanding.

3. Max Gonzales, PHS senior, explained a diversity and equity program (see Item VIII.D.) that will heighten awareness of cultural diversity and sensitivity. Projects will include all grade levels and schools and will be broadened to include Gay Straight Alliance.

H. Increase in Rate of Pay for Substitute Teachers

Member Shelton had requested that an increase in the rate of pay for substitute teachers from $80 to $95 per day be placed on the agenda for discussion. Board members received a comparison of rates currently being paid by area school districts. Following a discussion, action was delayed until the January 14 meeting to give Steve Anderson time to calculate the financial impact.

XI. Reports

XII. Communications

A. School Board Comments and Observations

1. Noted the article “Hopkins School Has Taken Pains to Put Forth an Inviting Face” from the November 26, 2007, edition of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, which was included on the agenda per the request of Member Silverness.

2. Member Smith attended a meeting at the Perpich Center for Arts.

3. NESC is sponsoring a regional legislative forum on January 9, 2008, at Black Wood’s.

B. Township Communications

C. Received note of thanks from Kay MacGillivray and Kim Terry regarding increasing the rate of pay for substitute ed assistants.

D. Received a request from ARDC regarding nominations for their board.

XIII. Unfinished Business

XIV. Adjourn

MOTION: Moved by Maki, seconded by Shelton, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:

/s/ Louise Lind

Louise Lind, Clerk

/s/ Larry Shelton

Larry Shelton, Chair

P.J. – Jan. 24, 2008