December 13, 2013 at 4:00 PM - Superintendent's Weekly Update to the Board of Education

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A reminder to please bring 4-6 dozen baked goods to the regular board meeting on December 16, 2013.

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Below is an email Verndale's Head Boys Basketball coach sent to Patrick Slack at Morrison County Record.  It's as good or better than receiving the new Xbox One for a Christmas gift.

"Looks great. Something to pass along: I thought Royalton was one of the most welcoming schools we have been too. AD was great, coaches were nice, and kids were as well. Even the concession stand was open after the game and kids were able to buy things before we left. I look forward to doing the same when they come here next year.

Thank you,

Jordan Hinkle
Language Arts Teacher
Head Boys Basketball Coach

Verndale Public School

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Heather is not able to be present this year for our annual audit.  She is recovering from a medical issue related to her recent childbirth.  Unfortunately, the other persons in the office cannot logistically make it either because of other scheduled presentations the same evening.

Dean Birkeland, Managing Partner from Carlson Highland, CPA is comfortable with Mary Plante presenting their PowerPoint presentation and answering Board and public questions.  He told Mary nothing will change in the information because it's our school data.  He has never seen anything change at this stage and a result of these required public hearings.

Please call Mary early on Monday if you have any known advance questions or concerns.  It will give her time to contact Dean while he is at the office during regular business hours. 

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Carrie Ardito (Ardito Creatives) will be conducting a communications audit of the School District, along with soliciting community members' feedback to our facilities plan.  Attached are the individuals throughout our district that are scheduled to meet with Carrie.  The interviews will be on Thursday, December 19 at the Royalton Community Center.

I am waiting to hear back from 3 or 4 people to fill my last two open times.  If you know of someone who'd be interested, please let me know as soon as possible.

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Please find attached Gary Benson's (Springsted) takeaways from the special board meeting on Monday, December 9.

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In the board packet is the technology plan for 2013-15.  The state requirement of a five-year plan was reduced to a two-year plan.  We need it Board approved in December to receive next year's federal e-rate dollars for our phone service, internet service, cell phones, and school web site. 

David and I went through our past technology plan to update what we've recently accomplished and where we're going as a school district to meet school district goals.  Mr. Makella is reviewing the plan and helping us organize it into the best format for the school web site.  

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Happy Holidays!

I know Christmas programs are probably more on your mind than school issues, but I wanted to make sure I sent an update before the year gets too far along.

You probably heard that MN has a projected school surplus of 1.0 billion.  While this is not money in the bank, it is a positive growth sign.  There is still speculation as to whether or not the surplus will hold as further tax receipts come in from the 4Q of 2013.  In any case, there is good reason to believe there will be enough in the state funds to restore the school shift to 90/10.

Anti-bullying bill and safe schools legislation is being teed up again.  I have read the legislation and have a number of concerns.

1. The MN School Board Association has taken a good lead on this issue and my research indicates that schools in MN already have enough policies dealing with safe schools and school climate.

2. This mandate will be another liability to school finance.  Furthermore, because of the inequity of resources between metro and rural the costs will disproportionately fall harder on the rural schools.  Really?  Does the administrative staff need one more reason to create a report and upload to an archaic system?

3. I stand behind my belief that our local schools are perfectly competent at handling these issues.  Yes, incidents occur that gain statewide attention and get everyone in a lather, but everyday hundreds of thousands of kids go to school, attend class, and come home with no issues.  When one considers the magnitude of issues you folks deal with on a weekly basis, I'd say your doing a stellar job.

4. The law is a political attempt to give leverage to special interest groups in our schools.

So those are the big issues in education right now.  I have not seen or heard other legislation yet that will impact the schools.  When I do, I will get you an update.

Thanks for your work and have a wonderful Christmas with your families.

Ron Kresha

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Attached is the revised job description for the Gifted, Talented and Enrichment Coach.  Dr. Gurbada made changes regarding required teacher licensure and teaching experience to preferred (#1 and #4).  Dr. Gurbada said he/we are ready and he understands the close attention and time developing a good program it will request of him. 

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Please find attached confidential information about an employee termination. 

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Please find attached the weekly bills for your approval.