In last week's articles on the school board meeting of July 19 the following clarifications should be made...
1. In the "Principal discusses handbook changes" article, the numbers used to discuss co-oping with the Caledonia School District were examples based on the 2009-10 school year, not actual numbers as the final numbers will be determined by proportional cost for the 2010-'11 school year.
2. In the "Board establishes fees" article, it should be noted that the eligibility meeting on Aug. 10 with Athletic Director Michelle Anderson is for students not coaching staff.
The Herald apologizes for the errors.
Principal Nancy Gulbranson reported to the Spring Grove School Board at its July 19 meeting that the student handbook is currently under revision and with a few tweaks, will be ready for the school year.
This year the handbook will feature a welcome letter from the student council president and school administrators.
Another change made for this year, as outlined in the handbook, will be that student fees and bills must be paid prior to participation in activities.
Gulbranson explained that in the past the fees had to be paid before report cards could be issued. However, with grades available online, fees have not been paid promptly, which lead to the policy change.
She also pointed out that the handbook clearly states that participation in graduation ceremonies is a privilege not a right. Students must have 60 credits and all disciplinary action taken care of before students can participate in the ceremony.
Another change stated in the handbook will be the addition of another source of communication for school closings. The school will set up a Facebook account to alert users of school announcements.
This year instead of printing the handbook, as well as its appendices, the district will print the handbook only and send one home per family. Appendices will be available in the school's office, in teachers' classrooms and online.
Additional contract changes
The board discussed the contract for interim Superintendent Rachel Udstuen. The contract is based on the Minnesota School Board Association model contract for interim superintendents.
Board Member Christy Folz said she did not feel that as an interim superintendent, Udstuen shouldn't be offered life insurance and long-term disability. The rest of the board seemed to be in consensus.
Folz also brought up that perhaps the board should look into placing a cap on money allotted for the superintendent to attend conferences and meetings. No action was taken, but the board seemed to be willing to further discuss this point when they begin the job search for a permanent superintendent
The board approved a resolution naming Udstuen official signatory for the school's depositories.
Superintendent update
Superintendent Udstuen explained that the Q Comp application has been turned into the state and the Department of Education reports that it looks good and will require only minimal revisions.
Udstuen reported that Athletic Director Michelle Anderson is working with Caledonia's athletic director to implement a sports cooperative agreement between the two schools, which includes the non-host school paying a proportional cost toward each sport.
Udstuen explained that Spring Grove will pay Caledonia $19,300 for shared spring sports while Caledonia will pay $12,700, which ends up to be a total cost of $6,600 that Spring Grove will pay for co-oping.
Collaborative funding secured
Board member Mark Johnson reported that the Houston County Collaborative will have funding for another year. However the collaborative is down $30,000 from last year, but is still able to provide support personnel in Houston County schools.
Early childhood report given
The board discussed the Early Learning Programs report submitted by Mary Lou Busta, school readiness coordinator.
It was noted that the program is well run and serves 780 children in ECFE programs and serves 100 percent of children in Spring Grove ages birth through kindergarten.
Sale of gen. obligation aid
The board approved a resolution authorizing and awarding the sale of general obligation aid anticipation certificates of indebtedness, series 2010B for cash flow purposes for the 2010-2011 school year.
The maximum borrowing amount is anticipated to be $867,800 with bonds to be issued Sept. 1, 2010 and will mature on Sept. 1, 2011.
School District Accountant Tanya Elton explained that this is the first time the district has had to do this since she has worked there and that without taking this action, the district could be without cash flow as early as November.
Personnel changes approved
The board approved a contract offer to Paula Snell for early childhood special education/elementary teacher. Snell's position will be a full-time position.
Also approved was a contract offer to Scott Solberg for the school's guidance counselor. The school approved all coaching positions for the school year.
School age care to kick off
The school district will move ahead with a school age care program.
When the program was first suggested last year there wasn't enough interest to continue, but since then the district has enough parents committed to using the service for their children to cover the costs of morning and after school childcare.
The program will be run by the Community Education program.
Udstuen was adamant that the program will not continue if it is not self-sufficient. "If the program can't fund itself," she said, "we can't move ahead with it."
