June 2, 2013 at 8:00 PM - Superintendent's Weekly Update to the Board of Education

Description:  A recommendation will come to the Board to increase the assigned general fund dollars for curriculum, technology and transportation.  The new figures will assign $100,000 for curriculum, $150,000 for technology and $85,000 for transportation.  This increase will allow us to sustain a long-term commitment to the curriculum review cycle, bus replacement cycle and 5-year technology replacement cycle.  The $210,000 we're allocated in the 2013-14 capital outlay budget isn't even enough to pay for technology (that's why schools have technology levies).

The first attached document shows the available general fund and capital outlay dollars.  The second through fourth documents illustrate how it's intended to be spent.  The recommendation is to spend the full $335,000 in assigned general fund dollars and the new $210,000 in capital outlay.  We'd keep the $155,000 carryover money as a fund balance for future needs that come up between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014.  For example, a lawn mower breaks down and needs to be replaced.

I'm very excited about the new monies available to the District and our ability to have a sustainable replacement cycle for curriculum, transportation, and technology.  We were already close to being able to do it this year, but the new state dollars pushed us over the edge!

You will notice in the document titled, "5-Year Technology Plan of 1:1 iPads for Pre-K - 12 Students."  We have a transition plan for all students to have a personal learning device.  Today, the personal learning device is an iPad Mini.  What it will be in 3 or 4 years from now is a guess.  Whatever it is the School District is positioned to be ready with available monies under $500/each.

Please give me a call when you have questions about capital outlay and the 5-year technology plans. 

Description:  Please find attached Dr. Bratlie's PowerPoint presentation.  He was really good about quickly sending out the copy you requested.  He could have sent it with two slides per page instead of four or electronically.

Description:  The attached document gives a big picture view to important financial information for the School District.  The Board and Superintendent said the School District needed $700 per pupil to provide a "basic" quality of education.  And it is the state's responsibility to fund it.  Today, the legislature and Governor stepped up to their responsibilities and made it possible for schools like Royalton to receive the $700.

Part of the reason I'm recommending we increase the assigned general fund dollars for curriculum, technology and transportation (aside from having a responsible and sustainable replacement cycle) is that these additional state dollars are needed for educating our students.  Some of those dollars can certainly go toward "reasonable" salary increases, but first we need to purchase the necessary resources for our children.

Description:  I was planning to attached the minutes from the facilities planning committee meeting on 5-23-13.  It will be ready for this week's Friday letter on June 7th.  Sorry.

Description:  I attached a copy of the "Charge of Discrimination" by one of our families.  Also, found in the attached file is Dr. Gurbada's written response requested by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.  I sent the full 18-pages to our school attorney for review before sending in.  I'll let you know if anything becomes a concern for the School District.  About a year ago this family was making similar allegations toward Mid-State employees and lost their case at MDE.

Description:  When Jen was terminated a few of you suggested to me we pay Mary for any additional hours worked - this was a good idea and fair/kind of you members.  I asked Mary to keep track of her additional hours worked while doing payroll.  Attached is an explanation of those hours.  Unless I hear any disagreement from a board member, I'm okaying Kelsie to pay Mary for the additional hours worked.  She will be paid in the June 15th payroll.

Description:  Good photo!  I'll add it to the school district web site under the Board's subsite.

Description:  Please find attached the weekly bills for your approval.