June 28, 2013 at 4:00 PM - Superintendent's Weekly Update to the Board of Education

Description:  The new referendum equalization percentages are categorized into three different tiers.  The state is willing to pay 75% of a $300/per pupil operating levy for Royalton Schools (Tier 1).  This is the "supercharge" MDE has been referring to the past several weeks.  It is the state's way of equalizing funding for schools.

The percentage the state is willing to pick up drops off to 57% for any referendum dollars between $300/per pupil and $775/per pupil (Tier 2).  This 57% is still, however, higher than last fall's 51% state and 49% Royalton School.  The Royalton School District residents voted down a $350/per pupil levy in November 2012.  At that time, the burden was essentially split at 51% state paid and 49% locally paid.  Unlike the first $300/per pupil that now requires only Board approval, monies in tier 2 require voter approval by local residents.

The state will not provide any percentages of support for most school districts in tier 3.  Because Royalton School District residents have less financial ability to pay for their children's education the state is willing to provide 25% support for a voter approved levy exceeding $775/per pupil. 

Description:  1.  Teacher retro pay was paid on schedules A & B.  Retirees/deceased were also paid.  Those that resigned were not paid.

2.  We will pay the new contract rate of $50 per day for unused sick leave for those exceeding 120 days at the end of the year. This is normally paid on June 30th.  We will pay the increased amount for the current year, but not last year.

3.  Personal leave payout is based on the sub rate which changed mid-year this year, so there would be no retro for last year.  This is also normally paid on June 30th, and we will pay at the current $100 per day sub rate.

4.  We will not retro pay Schedule D, occasional work assignments, much of which is paid to non-licensed staff not covered by the contract and is paid on a per event basis of $26.65 per event.  Beginning July 1 we will use the new rate$27.19.

5.  Some employees became eligible for a 403b match in both years of the contract. However, they need to have a contract in place with a 403b provider in order to do this.  We will deal with this in the fall when teachers come back.  We will not retro pay the match.  Eventually they get the full amount of the district contribution anyway, up to the limit defined in the contract.

6.  Extra-curricular assignments will be retro paid for both years 2011-12 and 2012-13.  The attached document titled, "REM Payments on Salary Schedule C" addresses how the new additions to Salary Schedule C will be paid.

Description:  With the recent purchases of iPads and other technology tools for students and employees it is necessary we write a policy addressing personal use and access/use by other family members.  Can a sibling of a 5th or 9th grade student use the iPad mini to do school work too?  Can an employee use their iPad or laptop for personal use?

MSBA doesn't have any model policy addressing these questions.  I will be using sample policies from the state and cities across Minnesota to develop our own.  I plan to have it ready for the first reading at the July board meeting.

If you're curious, both of the above questions are allowed (with certain restrictions) in all of the sample policies.  The concern is to have a public policy outlining expectations for taxpayer paid devices. 

Description:  Don Lifto is the VP for Springsted Incorporated.  He'll be here on Monday evening to visit with members of the facilities planning committee. 

The group wants to learn about Springsted's available services with planning for a building project, including referenda support.  We haven't jumped right to a campaign effort, but we want to know our options from idea, planning, to eventual completion.

The document titled, "Why Springsted 2013" illustrates how Alexandria School District used their resources to complete a recent building project.  The two years removed Superintendent at Osakis told me Springsted deserved the credit for their building project.  Without their help a building project wouldn't have happened. 

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