September 9, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting of the School Board

Discussion:  MEMBERS PRESENT: Lindsay Clauson, Heather Holst, Ashley McFarland, Matthew Munger, Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services

VISITORS: Sarah Turcotte, Jason Wilcox, Bill Wietman, Lindsay Beier, Lori Sinnott, Gretchen Appelwick, Julie Lenz, Heather Hren, Kristal Berg, John Muenich

Discussion:  Whitwam. Recognized Payroll Specialist Shelly Janson for putting in a significant amount of extra time to get payroll done. 
Munger. Stated that communication from administration and teachers has been great leading up to and at the start of the school year. 

Discussion:  No Visitor Business.

Discussion:  Elementary, Middle, High School Principals and Director of Community Education gave updates on the beginning of the school year. 
Appelwick at Elementary School. Started new playground time procedure for parent drop off, which has been going well. Holly Martin did research over the summer on how extra unstructured play time can benefit elementary-aged children, so wanted to implement this for 2024-25. Ms. Martin, Mr. Pederson, Mr. Borak and Mr. Olson are supervising at the front playground each morning. 
Wietman at Middle School. Getting positive reports on blended advisors (includes students in grades 6-8). Counselors have been busy giving building tours. 
Muenich at High School. Thanked custodial staff for their work in getting the buildings ready for the beginning of the year. Specifically, thanked Mike Sweeney for his work on the external grounds, as they have never looked better at the beginning of the school year. 
All principals thanked the teachers and staff for being flexible during the first week of school. 
Berg at HCLC. Preschool is going great. Also recognized Mike Sweeney's work on the outdoor area at the HCLC and also recognized Nate Vesel for keeping the inside very clean all summer. New this year, preschool is doing staggered starts for classes. Sarah Dennis and Jilli Peterson were recognized for their flexibility with last-minute registrations and shuffling classes right before classes started. 

Discussion:  No Correspondence. 

Discussion:  Numbers today were 2,086, which is still six students over what we have budgeted for this year. 

Discussion:  Lawyers are wanting all groups to sign all documents regarding the Arena project at the same time. There is currently a hold up with the Arena Legacy Fund on personal liability. 
Construction on the trail going up to the high school from the arena is being widened to the East. They are planning to widen it to10 feet to align with the sidewalk and it will eventually be paved. Whitwam asked for a gate and also asked them to make sure that they ask for permission from the Board ahead of time when they start on projects outside of the easement agreement. 
Bus garage parking is not going to be happening at this point. 
Fiber line was cut, which affected the Elementary school internet and phone lines. 

Discussion:  The next Elementary Facilities Assessment meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 23 with LHB, select Elementary staff, Principal Appelwick and Principal Wietman at 4 p.m. Board member Munger is able to attend. 
CTE Committee will next meet on Thursday, October 3, Calendar and Bell Schedules Committees will next meet together on Wednesday, November 6, which aligns with the end of the first quarter. Meeting with counselor group regarding Whole Child will meet on Wednesday, September 25. 

Discussion:  Additional Blueprint for Success meetings are also scheduled. The CTE Committee will next meet on Thursday, October 3, Calendar and Bell Schedules Committees will next meet together on Wednesday, November 6, which aligns with the end of the first quarter. Meeting with counselor group regarding Whole Child will take place on Wednesday, September 25. 

Discussion:  Peterson. Arena Committee Meeting. Mostly discussed work starting on the new arena. Right now, they are starting to pound pylons into the ground.