June 28, 2021 at 5:30 PM - School Board Regular Meeting

Description:  Nikki Gieseke   ____    Jolayne Mohs     ____        Mark Sebring      ____    
Eric Schuster   ____     Timothy Jensen ____        Deborah Bandel  ____
Lori Weisenburger  ____   Student Representative Daniela Ortiz ____

Description:  Inspiring Excellence. Every Learner, Every Day.

Description:  If desired, items may be removed from the consent agenda by request by an individual school board member for independent consideration.  A request is timely if made prior to the vote on the consent agenda.  The request does not require a second or a vote by the school board.  An item removed from the consent agenda will then be discussed and acted on separately immediately following the consideration of the consent agenda.

Roll call vote is required as the consent agenda contains the personnel report.

Description:  The Board is asked to take action in a single motion, but the Board may separate out any individual items if they so choose.

Roll call vote is required.

Description:  The superintendent's evaluation was discussed during the June 14, 2021 work session. Attached is a copy of the final draft.

Description:  The 2021-2022 Preliminary Budget was reviewed at the June 14, 2021 school board work session.  The proposed preliminary budget is attached.

Description: 

To comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Affordable Care Act regulations, the District uses an hourly rate for casual workers in order to accurately track the number of hours these employees work in the District. The Act requires the District to offer benefits to all employees working 30 hours or more per week. With this rate schedule, the District is able to properly track hours worked for these positions to ensure that we are applying benefits accurately and consistently. 

A summary of recommendations for hourly rates for casual workers for the 2021-2022 school year is attached.

Description: 

Schools for Equity in Education (SEE) is an association of 56 school districts throughout the state of Minnesota. SEE districts tend to receive the minimum in state aid based on its student population and also tend to have lower property wealth. These combined characteristics along with the current problems in the state funding formula result in most SEE districts receiving well below the state average in funding.

SEE works for  

• Equal access to a quality education for all of Minnesota's students regardless of where they live and the property wealth in their local school district.

• Legislation that ensures equitable distribution of school resources.

• A property tax system that is fair and provides equal access to referendum and bond revenue for low property wealth school districts, communities and their taxpayers.

• Holding elected state officials accountable for adequate and equitable funding and policy that enables all students to meet state and federal academic standards and allows them to reach their highest potential.

• An educated and engaged community of parents, grandparents, community members, business leaders - everyone who values K-12 education in Minnesota to stand up and be a voice for our children and their schools.

Part of the membership fee for SEE is based on the number of students enrolled in our district.  The 2020-2021 membership fee was $6,809.  The 2021-2022 membership fee is $6,809. Owatonna Public Schools has been a member of SEE for several years. 

Description: 

Attached is the proposed meeting schedule for 2021-2022.  School Board Work Sessions are typically scheduled the 2nd Monday of each month, and the regular School Board Meetings are scheduled the 4th Monday of each month.  Both work sessions and regular meetings start at 5:30 p.m. and they are held in the District Office.  The exceptions to this are in the months of December and July.  There is typically just one, regular meeting those months.

Note:  school events occurring on or around the proposed meeting dates are noted on the schedule. 

Description: 

The Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) is an advocate for public education, supporting, promoting, and strengthening the work of public school boards.  MSBA provides training as well as policy services, helping us to keep policies in compliance with state and federal requirements.

The District’s yearly dues to the Minnesota School Boards Association are based on our average daily membership of students served. Dues for 2020-2021 were $11,015. Dues for 2021-2022 are $11,168. This amount includes policy services.

Description: 

Minnesota  Section 128C.01, requires individual school boards to authorize membership in the Minnesota State High School League.  The Resolution for Membership affirms (1) that our school board delegates the control, supervision and regulation of League-sponsored athletic and fine arts events to the Minnesota State High School League; (2) that our school board adopts the MSHSL Constitution, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations; and, (3) that the administration and responsibility for supervising our registered activities is assigned to our official school representative(s). 

Section 208.00 of the MSHSL Constitution found in the Official Handbook and online at mshsl.org provides that each member school shall identify a Designated School Representative and Designated School Board Member. The designees identified are authorized to vote on behalf of the member school at all district, region and section meetings whether in-person or by mail ballots. In addition, each school must identify individuals to represent boys’ sports, girls’ sports, speech and music. Schools are also urged to form a Local Advisory Committee to address MSHSL matters.

Signing this resolution affirms that the Board has viewed the Why We Play training video.

The resolution is attached.

Description: 

The District has been using the software program "Performance Tracking System"  for special education, which is owned by Danielle Theis, our Director of Special Services, creating a possible conflict of interest. The District would like to continue to use the software and attached is a resolution to approve the continued use of the software.

Note:  The licensing fee for the program is an annual fee and this will be reviewed each year.

Legal References:
Minnesota Statutes, 471.87 (Public Officers, Interest in Contract; Penalty)
Minnesota Statutes, 471.88 (Exceptions)
Minnesota Statutes, 471.89 (Contract, When Void)

Description:  Attached is an extended trip request from Mara Halverson at OMS for a trip to Washington DC next summer.

Description: 

Policy 706 establishes guidelines for the acceptance of gifts to the District.  As specified by Minnesota Statute 465.03, the School Board may accept a gift, grant, or property only by the adoption of a resolution approved by two-thirds of its members. Any gifts accepted of more than nominal value (more than $5), shall become property of the District (Policy 421).

The gifts are listed on the attached resolution.