March 29, 2012 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Description:  Diane Moeller, Principal, along with staff and parents, will present information about Kennedy Community School, including general school demographics, academic performance, student activities, strengths and challenges. 

Description:  Stephanie Peterson, Academic Achievement Coordinator, will review the Vision Card items that include EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT, and Advanced Placement measures.  The EXPLORE and PLAN tests are the precursors for the ACT.  Advanced Placement courses are offered at Tech and Apollo High Schools.  Information is attached.

Description:  District 742 and the Board of Education will be recognizing all 2011-2012 retiring employees on Monday, May 14, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.  The event will be held at Apollo High School.

Description:  The Board of Education will host a reception honoring the "Top Ten" students of Apollo and Tech High Schools.  It will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.  The event will be televised live on Cable Channel 6.

Description:  Tech and Apollo High Schools will hold their respective commencement exercises on Monday, June 4, and Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. at the River's Edge Convention Center.  Two Board Members per school are to be appointed to award diplomas to the graduates.  All Board Members are encouraged to attend commencement exercises, and stage seating will be provided.

Description:  The Board of Education adopted a resolution on February 23, 2012, directing the Administration to make recommendations for the reductions in programs, positions, and course offerings.  Tracy Flynn Bowe, Executive Director of Human Resources, will present information regarding recommendations for reductions based on changes in staffing, enrollments and budgets.  A copy of the resolution will be distributed at the meeting.

The Administration recommends approval of the Resolution Discontinuing Positions.

Description:  Sebastian Witherspoon, Director of Equity Services, will present an update regarding the Equity and Integration Plan.  Dr. Les Green, Chair of the Board Integration and Equity Committee, will present and review a proposed resolution.  The resolution will be discussed and considered for possible Board action.  A copy of the proposed resolution is attached.

Description:  Superintendent Bruce Watkins may present information on current activities in District 742.

Description:  Standing Committee Reports will be presented as follows:

      Board Development Committee (Jerry Von Korff, Chair)
      Community Linkages Committee (Bruce Mohs, Chair)
      Finance and Audit Committee (Jerry Von Korff, Chair)
      Integration and Equity Committee (Les Green, Chair)
      Legislative Committee (Bruce Hentges, Chair)
      Personnel & Negotiations Committee (Cindy Harner, Chair)

Description:  Board of Education members may suggest items/topics for future Board Meeting agendas.  Items brought forth should have been previously discussed with the Board Chair or Vice Chair, Board Standing Committee, or at a prior Board Work Session/Meeting.

Board Meeting/Work Session topics for April, 2012, will include:
        Equity & Integration Plan Update
        Technology Expectations for All Staff
        Madison Overcrowding
         

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the Monthly Treasurer's Report for February, 2012.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the payment of bills and other financial transactions in the amount of $4,457,875.05 (Check Numbers 200040-200737 and ACH 111200906-111201002 and Wire 201103747-201103785) and P Card Totals in the amount of $162,463.01 for a grand total of $4,620,338.06.

Description:  The Administration recommends acceptance of the Monthly Financial Report for February, 2012. 

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the following personnel changes pursuant to relevant laws and appropriate provisions of negotiated agreements between the Board of Education and exclusive representatives.  For new hires, the indicated rates are consistent with current negotiated agreements and Board approved rates of pay.  All rates/salaries listed do not include fringe benefits.

Description:  Alternative Leave
 
Bridget Hamak, Counselor, Technical High School, effective for the 2012-2013 school year, 40% leave of a full time contract.

Janet Keaveny, Second Grade Teacher, Talahi Community School, effective for the 2012-2013 school year.
 
Sharon Truex, Second Grade Teacher, Westwood Elementary School, effective for the 2012-2013 school year.
 
Extended Leave of Absence (Pursuant to M.S. §122A.46)
 
Janet Knoll, Principal, Westwood Community School, effective for the 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years, employee to pay both employer and employee share of TRA.
 
Child Care Leave

Jennifer Lecy, Special Education Teacher, Technical High School, effective for the 2012-2013 school year, 10% of a full time contract.

Sarah Jennings, Speech Language Pathologist, Madison Elementary School, effective for the 2012-2013 school year.
 
New Hire
 
Terri Keacher, Special Education Teacher (Long Call Substitute), Technical High School, effective March 14, 2012 through April 17, 2012, Lane BA+60, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 25 days).  Ms. Keacher’s salary for this assignment will be $5,265.69. This is a replacement position.
 
Professional Leave
 
Jill Neumann, Art Teacher, Madison Elementary School, effective for the 2012-2013 school year.
 
Resignation
 
Karie Currie, Occupational Therapist, Apollo High School, last day of service June 7, 2012.
 
Julie Mische, Special Education Teacher, Madison Elementary School, last day of service June 7, 2012.
 
Bonita Schwinghammer, Language Arts Teacher/Special Education Teacher, Riverwoods, last day of service June 7, 2012.

Description:  Health Leave
 
Constance Hommerding, Special Education Paraprofessional, Roosevelt Early Childhood Center, effective March 12, 2012 through April 13, 2012.
 
Carla Long, Special Education Paraprofessional, Discovery Community School, effective March 19, 2012 through April 11, 2012.
 
Leave of Absence
 
Heather Czeck, Special Education Paraprofessional, Apollo High School, effective March 13, 2012 through June 6, 2012.
 
New Hire
 
Nita Ceron, Special Education Paraprofessional (Long Call Substitute), Apollo High School, effective March 12, 2012 through April 17, 2012 at an hourly rate of $10.47 per hour.  This is a replacement position.
 
Rance Eberhardt, Media Technician, District Media Center, effective March 19, 2012 at an hourly rate of $16.56 per hour.
 
Scott Knochenmus, Carpenter, District Service Building, effective March 2, 2012 at an hourly rate of $13.86 per hour.
 
Theresa Koller, Special Education Paraprofessional (Long Call Substitute), Area Learning Center, effective March 12, 2012 through April 25, 2012 at an hourly rate of $10.47 per hour.  This is a new temporary position.
 
Paul Novak, Media Technician, District Media Services, effective March 20, 2012 at an hourly rate of $17.56 per hour.
 
Maia Schroeder, Special Education Paraprofessional (Long Call Substitute), Apollo High School, effective March 20, 2012 through June 6, 2012 at an hourly rate of $10.47 per hour.  This is a replacement position.
 
Rehire
 
Renee Zieglmeier, Special Education Paraprofessional, Clearview Elementary School, effective March 12, 2012 at an hourly rate of $10.47 per hour.
 
Resignation
 
Sara Albrecht, Special Education Paraprofessional, Technical High School, last day of service March 13, 2012.
 
Susan Burroughs, Kitchen Helper, Apollo High School, last day of service March 2, 2012.
 
Elizabeth Fruth, Kitchen Helper, Technical High School, last day of service February 10, 2012.
 
Leslie Giffin, Health Paraprofessional, City Life, last day of service March 23, 2012.
 
Susan Kuzma, Kitchen Helper, Westwood Elementary School, last day of service March 23, 2012.
 
Nicole Lanctot, Student Support Paraprofessional, Clearview Elementary School, last day of service March 30, 2012.
 
Heather Ley, Special Education Paraprofessional, Roosevelt Early Childhood Center, last day of service April 18, 2012.
 
Retirement
 
Leonard Thielman, Custodian, Lincoln Elementary School, last day of service May 31, 2012 after 32 ½ years of service in District 742 schools.

Description:  The Administration recommends acceptance of the following grant awards/donations:

1.  Donation of a Crate GX-15 Guitar Amp (estimated value of $75.00) to the South Junior High School Music Department.

2.  Donations to the Tech High School Scholarship Program as follows:
        $1,000.00 from Connexus Energy
        $250.00 from the Class of 67
        $1,500.00 from Leroy Kopp for Kopp Family Foundation Scholarship

3.  Donations to the Apollo High School Scholarship Program as follows:
        $5,000.00 from Henrietta Pietrzak for a Ken Doucette Memorial Scholarship
        $500.00 from VFW Post 428 for VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship
        $300.00 from VFW Post 428 for VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship
        $100.00 from VFW Post 428 for VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship
        $1,500.00 from Leroy Kopp for Kopp Family Foundation Scholarship

4.  Donation of used and new clothing, coats, boots and shoes (estimated value of $300.00) from Melissa Geisenhof to the District 742 Homeless Program.

5.  Donations to the Robotics Team as follows:
        $500.00 - Charter Communications
        $10.00 - Glenn & Dorthy Deutz
        $100.00 - Royal Tire
        $100.00 of aluminum - Midway Iron
        $50.00 - Gene Scherer & Sons Trucking, Inc.
        $500.00 - Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association
        $500.00 - Imperial Machine
        $100.00 - McKay's
        $75.00 - Advantage Chiropractic
        $250.00 - Traut Wells, Inc.

6.  Donation in the amount of $10,000.00 to Westwood Elementary School from the Westwood P.A.W. (formerly PTA) to purchase smartboards for classrooms.

7.  Donation in the amount of $1,500.00 to South Junior High School from the Student Council Club to purchase a 3D color printer for student projects.

8.  Donation in the amount of $1,050.00 to Clearview Elementary School from Beatty-Humphries Post 323, Clearwater American Legion, to purchase iPods.

9.  Donation in the amount of $100.00 to Madison Elementary School from the St. Cloud Kiwanis Club for donated books for Dr. Seuss Night.

10.  Donation in the amount of $500.00 to the Tech High School Skills USA Program from Thermo-Tech Windows for Skills USA competition.

11.  Donation in the amount of $900.00 to the Tech High School Art Department from Bruce Klemz for jewelry making books, supplies, and equipment for classroom use.

12.  Donation in the amount of $4,950.00 to South Junior High School from the Drama Club to purchase a wireless sound system for the South theatre.

13.  Donation in the amount of $100.00 to Westwood Elementary School from the Residential Mortgage Group.

14.  Donation in the amount of $200.00 to the Tech High School Tennis Program from Jerry Sales.

15.  Donation in the amount of $43.74 to Lincoln Elementary School from Culver's for milk and juice for students.

16.  Donation in the amount of $24.69 to Kennedy Community School from Gail Berg (Wells Fargo Giving Campaign).

17.  2011-12 LEAF Spring Cycle II grant awards, as attached:
             Total Activities Fund Grants:  $12,114.00
             Total Academic Fund Grants:  $10,425.00

Description:  The Administration recommends approval for submission of a grant application to the Laura Jane Musser Fund by Clearview Elementary School in the amount of $22,900.00 to create a student nature trail in the 20 acre nature preserve at the school.

Description:  The Administration recommends that the Board of Education authorize a call for bids for Gym Partitions - Discovery, Oak Hill, and Talahi to be opened on Friday, April 13, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time.

This project will be funded with Deferred Maintenance funds.

The Call for Bids will be available at www.isd742.org.