September 6, 2013 at 4:00 PM - Superintendent's Weekly Update to the Board of Education

Description: 
The Board asked for input on where the monies for the $300 levy will be going.  The dollars will be used to support the continuation of the district plan for technology, textbooks and transportation.  Currently, the monies are coming from Board assigned general education dollars.  The same category where the new operating dollars will be placed into.

The policy committee will be coming back to the Board with a recommendation to increase the unassigned general fund balance each year by 1% or until the reserve equals 17%.  To place it into perspective this 1% is approximately 1/3 of the new levy dollars.  The other 2/3 is again to support the continuation of the Big 3 Ts and operate the district in new higher costs reflected in cost of living. 

Description: 
Members of the policy committee were wondering if the district would receive a better interest rate on a school project if the fund balance was 10%, 13%, 17%, or add in your own number.  We passed the question on to Don Lifto and his response is attached.

Description: 
I visited with Don Lifto (Springsted) regarding the services available in a communication plan with our public.  Please find attached samples of the work he and Springsted has done in other school districts.

Don said we'd be charged an hourly rate and not to exceed a set limit.  Communication getting us through the first six months would be $82 an hour not to exceed $1,500.  A full scale communication plan from beginning to end would not exceed $2,500 to $3,000.

In my opinion, accessing and hiring services for a full scale communication plan is the most necessary need in this entire process, even more than the facilities study plan or actual construction.  If we do not have the community support everything else is for nothing.

To place the fees into perspective the district spent several times this amount on arbitration with REM.  Our facilities needs are here and not going away....we can't be penny wise and pound unwise on something this important for our students, families and community.

Unless I hear back concern from a board member by Wednesday, September 11 I will be going forward with Springsted on developing a full scale communication plan.  To be honest, this is extremely cheap for what we'll be receiving. 

Description: 
Please find below an email message I received from Sue regarding the $450 savings on the cost of transporting the new bus ourselves.

North Central wanted $1900.00 to deliver the bus to St. Cloud.  Our expenses for the entire trip were as follows:

Air Fare was $198.90
Shuttle from airport to Blue Bird factory was $100.00
Fuel was $603.23
Lodging was $272.72
Food was $36.89 (always stayed at a motel with a continental breakfast.)
Wages was $240.00

This totals $1451.74. 

This left enough money to purchase the two way radio which would have been over and above the $1900.00.  I feel the district did wisely by sending someone to pick it up. 

It was a beautiful trip, but ungodly hot.  I will never complain about our heat again.  Even the last two weeks of heat was nothing compared to the heat in GA.  No wonder the GA peaches grow the way they do!!!   Also, another thing I learned in those four days that the seven states we traveled through also have road construction!  I honestly thought MN was the only ones with the orange signs.

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