August 8, 2014 at 4:00 PM - Superintendent's Weekly Update to the Board of Education

Description: 
I plan on being absent next Thursday for the first round of mediation talks with REM.  I didn't realize this is the same Thursday and Friday when my family and I go back home to Aberdeen each year. Mary will be in attendance and available at mediation for help with the financial numbers.  I will be available by phone to answer any questions and provide support/opinion. 

Please let me know if you have concerns and I'll reschedule my family trip or have my wife and children drive separately.  I believe it's in the best interest of the district to continue with the meeting as scheduled. The earlier we settle a contract the sooner we can all focus positively on the facility plan and January 6th vote. 

Description: 
Four community members have filed for the open board positions.  They are Jeff Swenson, Dale Lenz, Jim Block, and Randy Hackett.  All have indicated that they are running for the four-year term.  If no one files for the two-year term by the end of filing, at least two of them have indicated that they would run for that seat.

I'm meeting with Heather Harren on Monday morning about running for the board.  She emailed me her interest this week. 

Description: 
Please find attached a nice thank you letter from Contegrity Group Incorporated.  We'll have to keep them in mind again for other small school projects.

Description: 
Please see attached email correspondence between Kevin Rupp and Kelsie.  It is my recommendation to follow the new law, of course, but not include language in the RESP or other labor union contracts.  

Either way we have to following the laws, but at least this way by leaving it out of the contract they cannot use the process/steps of a grievance.  This adds some protection for the Royalton School District when an employee really doesn't have a legitimate reason to use the sick leave.

Unless I hear back from a board member, I'll send Darrel and RESP a response that the Royalton School District will follow the law but will not include language in the RESP contract. 

Description: 
Please find attached Kevin Rupp's review of the the secretaries proposal for a contract.  I waited to publish the Friday letter until Kevin sent it to us late this afternoon.  I too will review it over the weekend.

Description: 
Please find attached the open-ended responses to the community survey.  Most of the responses were positive, productive, and helpful.

Description: 
Please find attached an agreement Kelsie and I sat down and wrote with Bill Sobania.  I included thoughts/ideas/language discussed with the board.  Specific items necessary of pointing out are the following:
1.  Work schedule may not exceed 25 hours per pay period, 
2.  Same hourly rate he left at plus the 3% custodians receive for 2014-15 school year, 
3.  Royalton School District paying 100% of the single HSA insurance plan (additional $115.85/month),
4.  At-will position.  

Description: 
Please find attached new and updated job descriptions in the district.  We will continue to revise these as necessary - the world keeps turning.  

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