We need it. We have three schools that are >> Yes. Yes. >> But that's just like All right. 3.0 is roll call of all school board members and everybody's here except for
Larson. So we have Horum. We have Eastston here. He is present as a student representative. And so 4.0 is to approve the agenda and I'll move to approve. >> I'll second. >> Any questions or discussion on items in the agenda?
Okay. All those in favor of approving the agenda say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 5.0 is communication reports. >> Starting with enrollment. Um unfortunately if you looked at um the sheets presented we are down 12 kids
from last month and >> last month. >> Last month they are accounted for. Um and it's it's pretty much across the board. I mean um just starting with the um new heights three kids moved. I mean there's no ifands or buts. Um that's where they went. Um I didn't Melissa was
not at our meeting. So um but again her secretaries have confirmed um I forget it was one third grader and one fifth grader I think. Um we lost a few at the middle school and a few at the high school. And so um it's where it's at. It doesn't mean we lost full FT obviously,
but it's people moving around and and leaving for the most part. We had two more I think two or three go online. That's where we're at. >> Yeah. any progress on getting online for us? >> Well, no, we're working on for next year. It's going to be in place. >> Okay.
>> If it's just again, Mr. Won't speak for Mr. Lure, but yeah, it's in the works and we're going to >> have a piece to combat. >> Okay. >> Again, >> um the finance update, we're going to wait till next month. You're going to have a new budget, and that's what the time and effort's been put into right
now. Not that the bills aren't getting paid and stuff, but we will have the 27 um agenda or uh budget for you and that's what's going to direct the movement forward and I'll talk more in my report about that if you want me to
just keep going. >> Yeah, keep going. >> Um a couple um just again as no specific order. um community members as well as everyone in here um that lives in the district should be um getting a survey from Nexus, encourage people to put it
out um fill it in. Um again, however you so choose because the better the data we have, the better it'll direct the you know us moving forward. Um I know um Sherry has gotten a few requests. Um, if you want another and and I'm not saying every family has to do two, but if if
some families want to, you can get a second either mail or a paper copy or we can send a code because they're all individualized. We don't know who has them, but they just don't want, you know, someone sitting there entering, not that who would do that, entering 20
surveys or something, but that's why there's individual codes. But again, just hope the community will take the time and effort and fill them out and um that'll direct um the community group that's going to meet here coming up um March 18th. And again, this is not
something the board um participates in and admin doesn't other than I'm going to come and give a little budget piece and a welcome kind of a thank the um different ones. But then um they do their things. They meet once now and once sometime early April and then they'll make a recommendation and again
based on the survey you'll get the survey results but they'll make kind of a a recommendation to the board and and we'll see where that goes but um wanted that out there. Um got a request um earlier well late last week and I need some direction from the
board. I I met with with Scott. Um the the soccer club locally um is interested in putting another field in out at uh South Point and and again Melissa isn't even aware. There's two on the east side, you know, what what they kind of
call smaller fields or whatever. And there's a chunk of property there that they would like to put a full-size um field in. Um, obviously if we ever did, you know, construction-wise, they under, you know, something else. They understand it's not, you know, forever
necessarily or a guarantee, but there's plenty of room right now. And and I asked like, "What are you talking? Are you like digging it out, putting drain tile in and all that?" And and they're like, "No, they would probably um, you know, maybe build it up a little bit, but get it leveled, you know, replant,
maybe eventually even put some fencing. you know, they didn't, but they don't want to go start asking for um, you know, some donations and some help community-wise unless they know it's it's a doable thing. And and I just said, I don't know what the process is.
You know, I did, like I said, meet with Scott going, you know, as as anyone else is, baseball, softball, any other, you know, approach for kind of that area. If you know where I'm talking about, it would be to the north of those two practice. Yeah. north, you know, and and I drove
by again. I've been by there many times, but yeah, there's a good chunk. I mean, the only way I see it being an issue is if and again, I my gut is we're not going to have a standalone preschool or, you know, even a bus garage. I'm just being honest. I don't my gut is that
would probably end up more over towards CMS in the highway. I could be wrong, but I mean, you know, other than that, I don't know what at this point, you know, um, and they're not talking building, you know, grand stands or anything like that where it's, you know, so I'm just
I'm looking for and again, if you want them to come present or something, I said just let me bring it up and see what you all want as far as um, or just need some time to think or what, you know, that obviously right now. >> Are they asking us for anything for
money? No, they're looking to put in what what he says is a full-size competition. Not that they couldn't divide it in two for, you know, younger grades or whatever games, but they're looking for another like even for junior high where you need a full size >> um field,
>> you know, and obviously, you know, it'd be used practice, would be used games, whatever. They're they don't want to get rid of those two smaller fields or the football field on the west side. Yeah. You know, they're just looking for more community. It doesn't as far as you know mowing and
stuff. It's all >> That's what I was gonna ask. Who was >> Well, but but no, it would still be I mean we're mowing that. >> We're mowing right now anyways. >> So, it's I mean it's mainly unless like I say we're having knocks on the door for you know some other type field or something else which like I said Scott
is not against it. He agrees there's um Yeah. So >> there's a very large area there that we mow. So it's pretty insignificant adding. >> The only only way it would be an issue is if we were going to construct something there, >> right? As long as they I don't have an issue as long as they understand that there could be something that we decide
to build there. And then >> pretty wet and flat there. So they would have to build it up a little bit, I think. >> But if they're willing to do it, they're not >> No, that's what they're looking. And again, um, the person that approached me threw some names out and I like say they haven't, but just that they want to go and >> like I say, if you want more of a
formalized before you say 100%. They just don't want to, like I say, move forward unless >> I don't Yeah, I don't have an issue at all with that. >> Okay. Do you want anything formally? >> Yeah, we probably should have something formal agreement. >> Yeah, an agreement. >> So, why don't I work with them and we'll
bring some whether it's for the next board meeting or or whatever. Okay. Perfect. Perfect. Um, >> excuse me, >> Kevin. Sorry. Do you know when when are they looking to move on this? >> Well, I think they'll do something this summer. I mean, I could I didn't ask. I
guess, you know, obviously they want to try securing some funds. I don't know what the I didn't ask what the community soccer group, none of my business what they have or not, but he just said they'd be probably looking to get some, you know, sponsorship and, you know, that type of thing to raise some funds.
And then like I said and I agree if they're going to agree to something like someone business being up there we kind of got to know but then once it's forward they would let us know and go for it. And like I say um again not like I say doing a full like you know I'm
thinking if you're doing a high school college you know where you'd put drain tile that's not the just getting it built up a little bit leveled whatever they need and then planted compacted you know that type thing. So let me meet with them. I'll get
something and I'll bring to the next um but just >> perfect. Um uh mentioned just a few minutes ago we will have a formal uh budget presentation at the next meeting. Um and from there we will be looking for some specific direction. We've started
meeting with admin as far as the the budget hole that we have. Um I just want to throw it out. We may ask for a special meeting on the 30th. Okay. um if it would work with the group unless there's some major um hitch and it might even be a work session type deal with
like I say we're going to keep working until we get there but knowing we're going to have a significant hole that um just want to make sure we have plenty of time you know to get some ideas out have some discussion that's needed maybe
we'll decide we don't but like say I'm just if you could hold unless that's a bad date and we need to find something else. Um I did meet and and some some are aware but um did put it out to our district leadership team which is not only admin but it has a teacher rep from
each building and kind of presented just to kind of keep everyone in the loop. So that was was it last Thursday? Thursday. Um and again like I said administration has started some discussion and then um we'll keep moving forward once we have
the the exact number as much as we can go with. Um, other than that, um, just to give you a heads up, I will be I'm leaving tonight after our meeting to go to the Capitol in the morning. We're there at 8. There's, um, there's 19 from our region soups and directors. Tiffany
will be down there, so we're we're meeting on all kinds of educational stuff. It's our day at the capital. Um, and then there's five of us on Thursday going down and back to look at Foley's um, uh, level four facility. And again,
Tiffany from ASAC will be with us on that meeting. She'll meet us down there. Um so it'll be a busy week. Wednesday night is uh Steel um playoff game. We will be at Concordia for that. So it's going to be a few miles this week, but um that's what I have at this point.
>> Okay. Any questions? Okay. Um I think we have some principles here that maybe want to speak. We got a little like over overlapped with the meetings like some spoke last time and you know some are here to speak this time. So >> So I just said if you're ready and want
to if not feel free next go around. There we go. All right. Good evening. Um just want to give you a little bit of update that's happening out at South Point. Um this last week myself and two sped teachers, Miss Strut and Miss Fory,
um we attended a Ukeru training and this is a hands-off approach to help regulate students who are extremely disregulated. So we've all been formerly trained in CPI training and that's how to put students in a hold if need be. Um the Ukaro
approach um is about receiving. So, how we receive those blows or hits as you would say and how to do that in a safe manner that supports both the student and the staff from injury. And so, um, we were trained
as the trainer. So, now we can go back and we will be training our, um, crisis response team at South Point, um, to have that training as well. And so, um, we're excited about that. Again, it really talked to us about this regulation and how to help students So
does that come with a set of pads for you guys then? >> Can you say that again? >> Is that going to come with a set of pads then you guys >> order ours? Yes. Yep. So we are looking at that but that is the training that we went to this last week and so um it's just a new approach and I think it's a really dignified approach and like I
said safe approach for both students and our staff. Um Miss Schmer, she's been busy um with administering our access test um this last last week. this week. She'll continue that um for our EL students at South Point. And so um
they're busy working on that. We're continuing to work on our schoolwide interventions. They are going really well. Um and with that, we're maybe a little hopeful as we're gearing up for state testing. Um as we're approaching
this year, um South Point, um as like I said, is gearing up for that. We'll be starting with our MTAST testing. Um, and that's going to be starting next week actually for those students. And then our MCAs will be starting uh the last
week in March um with for students. Um, a very special thank you to our South Point literacy team. They've created and designed a whole month of activities and fun designed around I love to read month. Our theme out at South Point is I
did a read. And so it's been just really great. We kicked it off last Monday. Uh, hats off to Miss Olstead who got dressed up in her parka and had a whole sled full of books and brought them across the stage and really just um did a nice um a nice kickoff to to the
>> next time she needs a boatload of huskys. >> Right. Right. We were working on that. So, actually, it didn't even dawn on me. I'm like, "Aren't you going to take your coat off or I'm like, oh, you're in theme. You're ready to go." So, that's Miss Olstead. So, we appreciate her for that. Thank you for that. Um but yeah, we've got some fun events happening
throughout dress up days. Um we've got uh a deer time, you know, drop everything and read on our Wednesdays. Um and then we have that family engagement night with our family book bingo and that'll be coming up in a week on the 19th. I believe that's at
Thursday night. And then um we cap it off with our schoolw ride schoolwide read event and then we'll have our closing ceremonies the last part of um March. And so if you do come out to South Point, you'll see the big posters in each wing and they've got little
husky dogs of um reflecting every chapter or um 10 books that they read. And so it's kind of cool to see all the dogs that are as they're mushing their way through March. Any questions on anything at South Point?
>> All right. Thank you. >> You Hello everybody. Um, busy as usual. Uh, conferences are coming up at the middle school uh this Wednesday the 11th and next Wednesday the 18th. Those run from 3:30 to 6:30.
So parents, please come talk with teachers. Um the book fair will also be going on as well. Um on both of those nights, I believe. Thank you, Jenny HVD for organizing that for us. Um we had the musical last week. Thursday and
Friday were the public performances and they were with matineese that the sixth, seventh, eighth grade preschoolers and some high schoolers got to come and watch. So I think I estimated over 900 people watched um James and the Giant Peach. um those Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of last week and it was it was
very good. It was very well done. So, very good work students. Uh we met with Scott and the spring coaches to start planning our spring activities that will be coming up and getting all of our athletes ready for what's to come.
Tomorrow, we have 18 students that are participating in solo and ensemble festival for band at UND. Um, next Monday the seventh and eighth graders are going to uh be bust over here to the senior high actually to the pack and get the Lion's Heart
experience. Um, it is a I don't even remember who's bringing it in the Hope Coalition Aluma I think a kind of a collaborative effort is bringing in a a speaker to talk with our seventh eighth graders and high schoolers. I'm sure Brian will touch a little bit too. Um,
we are finishing up our access testing this week, which is our testing for our EL students to just kind of see where they are in their English um, abilities and how much progress they've made this year. Um, we're making progress on AVID and working to identify students for the
AVID elective next year. Um, and with that, the BLT, the building leadership team, we're having conversations about what our schedule should look like next year to not only prioritize AVID, um, but the ReadAct and how that'll look a little different now that it's being fully implemented into the secondary,
um, then just like South Point, we are in the midst of MCA prep and getting ready for our MCAs, which will come up soon. Any questions about what's going on at the middle school? >> So, the Lion's Heart, what is what is it about?
speaker thing. I'll talk about it. >> Okay. >> It's Yeah. And it's a grant through the county and and Aluma and Okay. >> I think every school in our area is getting it. Um >> yeah, they're with us on Monday and somewhere else on Tuesday and somewhere else. I mean, and so a lot of schools in
Northwest Minnesota are getting to experience it. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. Hello everybody. Um Ean, I don't want to steer your thunder, but so you're probably going to talk about the basketball. Okay, I'm going to leave that out. Um just to follow up on the on
the Lionhe Heart thing. Um like I said, motivational speaker. Um focuses on mental health for kids. Uh talks about building resilience, uh emotional competence, and a belief that something good's going to happen. So those are all good things that we want our kids to do. So we have three three presentations
that Monday. Um Mr. Torson's going to bring over seventh and eighth graders like you said in the morning. Then we have a session of 11th and 12th graders. Then we have a session of 9th and 10th graders. So throughout the day um so that'll be fun. Looking good looking forward to that. That's in the pack. Uh
the 18th on Wednesday, we got a lot of different kids coming into our school as well. Um we have a student council summit which will involve about 200 people from various schools around the region. Uh they'll be using uh the gyms, a few different classrooms, this room,
whatever. Uh so and then they'll be having some lunch. So it's a big big deal that the student council has for all the reps of all the different schools of all the different areas. So um like I said, 200 people or so. And in addition, so we're having a solo and ensemble contest in the morning. Uh and maybe Eastston was going to talk about
that too, but um so um band on the band side, we had the solo ensemble contest for the choir last week, a couple weeks ago. Um so again, that'll be about 100 different kids coming in. So um we'll have a lot of different faces in addition to our 640 that we got here. So
we'll see how that day goes. Um ironically, uh the original date for this Lion Heart thing was Wednesday the 18th as well. So um we moved that one and then found out there were still two things going on. So anyway, um we have parent teacher conferences the 26th of
March. Uh that's a Thursday. Um we have uh English learning testing uh happening this week. EL testing the access they call it. Um so that's happening this week. We'll pull kids out of classes, test them during their some of their hours. Um obviously our MCA testing is
is coming up in April. For us it's not as extensive as the other groups. We have 10th grade that gets to do reading and science and 11th grade that does math. That's it. Um, we do have the ACT test coming up on March 24th. Uh, that's voluntary. Kids can do it if they want to. Juniors
obviously, um, they sign up for it, they pay for it, unless they're on free and reduced lunch, then they get it for free. We get reimbursed for that. So, it's 55 bucks, I believe. Um, and then on the 25th, we have the preac. We have
every sophomore do that. um just because we get results and and it helps us planning for things that they might as far as our academy model is concerned, what things they might be good at, what things they might have good aptitudes or or uh skills for. So, um so that's the
25th. That's all taking place in the new gym and we shut off the bells, shut off the no speakers, no nothing so it's quiet and so they can concentrate, get their test done. Um and then we're in the process of registration for next year already. All kids register online.
They pick their classes. They go in and Miss Tpster and Miss Cleven go in and say, "Here, here's the here's the choices. Here's the things." You um pick your classes as to what you want. And then if you, you know, pick pick your eight and then you pick three or four alternatives and if then we throw them
all up in the air and then they see how they go, see how they see how see how it works out. So they're not guaranteed their classes ones that they that they request, but um that's why we make them pick three or four alternates as well, just in case. So, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. So, that'll
work. That's all I got. Anything for me? Okay. >> Thank you. >> Did you want to go? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh, winter sports have officially ended with the exception of basketball. So, thank you everyone for a great season. Our last sport competing is
basketball. The team plays our second section game on Wednesday. If they were to advance, they will play in the final game on Friday at Concordia. Um, spring sports are starting up. Uh, the track meeting was today and practice begins tomorrow. Softball and baseball
have their first practice today and golf will have its first practices Monday through Wednesday next week. Thank you to everyone attended the spacular, also known as the potato feed. We served over 500 potatoes and more than a thousand people attended throughout the night. We
raised a large a large amount of money and thank you to all the administration members who attended. You received a free potato, I hope. Um um of course on the 18th we have the band um soul ensemble festival. And then
lastly, our national honor society signup essay is due March 20th. This is an opportunity for 10th through 12th grade students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher to be recognized for their academic work and their achievements. >> Awesome.
Any questions for Brian or Houston? >> Okay. Thank you. >> I think we're Hello. Uh, we had early childhood screenings on February 23rd and 24th and we have them coming up again on March 23rd and 24th. Those are for kids ages 3
to five that have not been screened yet before kindergarten. All of the kids that are currently in our preschool program have been screened. So sometimes that's a confusion for parents, but um only kids that have not been in our program and are getting ready for kindergarten can be screened. Community
ed is hopping as we speak. There are 43 um first and second graders doing some interural basketball at South Point. So that's fun. And there's also a group of committed parent coaches. So that's pretty cool. Excuse me. Pretty cool, too. We also have an interural basketball group of high school kids. We
have about 15 kids um in from high school. Um, Hunter Safety registration just came out today and the last time I looked there were just a few spots left. So, that's filling up fast. Um, I'm coordinating with the LiveWell Grand Cities to do some cooking classes both
for adults and for middle school youth. So, be on the lookout for those. And we're going to have another slime and Play-Doh class for the New Heights kids coming up um in April. Summerwave registration is out and at capacity. So, we're looking at adding some more spots
to that. We have 62 right now. Um, so we're looking at what we can add to that. So, lots going on. Any questions? >> Questions for Lauren? One thing I just thought of and um as we
were talking um and and Josh, I don't want to steal your thunder if you were going to say something or not, but the um the East Grand Forks uh sports boosters has their big event in a basketball and um they're still looking for help. Um if if anyone and it's not
just us, communitywide or whatever um is looking um reach out. we can get them connected on how you can sign up and work. Um, so I just thought we should throw it >> this weekend. >> It's this weekend the 13th through the 15th. Obviously, if basketball when
basketball advances on Friday, that even makes the demand more because a chunk of people can't be around and I think I think it's 100 teams or Yep. coming in three buildings. So, it it takes a lot and it's so I just
>> What kind of help they're looking for? They're looking for either tables or or uh the entry table. Two people a session or concession >> scoreboard and and clock, you know, basically clock and and book. It's really simple. >> Well, or or concession stands or even
tickets. I I signed up for a concession stand. I'll learn what I need to do when I get there. >> That they're doing that, too. So, like they need two ticket takers and two concession workers at each of the three schools. >> Yeah. So, so again, if someone has I mean there's a link we can get it to where you can go on and um you know
click and look through and different times and sign up and I would say if they're with some adults you know >> usually usually for that depending on what it is it's usually like upper middle school to high school kids. A lot of the high school kids help out with this event and then you get you do get some you know some middle school kids
that will >> I'm thinking if my daughter wants to go I'll bring her and she can help you know and then >> I'm doing one with Sid. Yeah. >> Yeah. So anyway, sorry. I just thought of it as people were speaking and I thought >> for us, we would have got an email just
before we >> I sent one to all families. Um, but it's communitywide. They're looking for support and help. So, and again, it's it's it's a basketball event, but it's for all sports activity boosters. So, >> their biggest fundraiser for the year. Yep. Yep.
>> There's three youth hockey teams playing at state this weekend, too. So, that's more people that won't be able Yes. Yes, there is. Okay, let's move on to the consent agenda 6.0. I'm going to move to approve. >> I'll second.
>> Okay. Any questions or discussion on the consent agenda? >> I would just um Beth Veter is retiring and many years and so thank you for service. Obviously, Steve is is leaving us. Thank you. But Beth has I forget how many you got a letter. Um a lot of years
of service. So, thank you. All right. All those in favor of approving the consent agenda say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. 7.0 is opportunities for citizens to speak on items not on the agenda. So, Mr. P, you
want to come to the mic? Um, we'll have you state your name and your address and then uh usually >> just just name. We don't need address. Okay. Well, no. What happened with CO and this that they don't recommend that anymore because of people who did. >> Don't tell us where you live. Yeah,
>> I want to know. >> Sorry, Lyn. I just >> Ross, do you want to push that button? >> Yeah, push. And then usually we limit it to three minutes. >> Three minutes. >> Yeah, >> I've got just cut me off. >> But so my name is Ross Pap. I do live north of East Grand Forks about 10
miles. I'll just leave it at that. But I'm here to talk about rule busing and winter weather mainly and the option and hopefully bring back the option to not run rule buses when weather is pretty
bad out in the country but it's fine in town or maybe it's just bad in one area outside of town. But thank you for letting me speak and thank you all for serving on these boards. It takes times out of your lives and I appreciate it. Um Mr. Grover and I have been in
correspondence and I want to thank him for getting back to me very promptly and with very thorough responses. He's been great about that. I think I've contacted him a few times about it, but I just wrote down some notes and I'm going to share them with you and then hopefully afterwards there could be questions for me or whatever. But I want to be very
clear that I am a parent of kids in rural East Grand Forks District. We live out of town. Our kids ride the rural buses. But there are instances when rule buses should not operate due to weather and hazardous conditions and school can
stay in session. There might be visibility outside of town that is terrible and in town is fine. Um our school district stretches upwards of 25 miles north of here. I know for sure or the buses run that far north anyways and
weather could be terrible in those areas but fine closer to town vice versa. It works all over the all over the board. Um, I just want to say as parents who have chosen to live in rural areas, we understand and accept the inherent risks
and this includes occasions when we must assume personal responsibility for transporting transporting our children to school or accepting their absence for that day. However, we do not expect the entire district to close operations
solely because specific rural areas are impacted, particularly when conditions in town and other regions are safe. Mr. Grover has informed me that this has been a legal issue in the past and leading the district to discontinue
those independent halts of rule buses and when school was open in the past like I would say when we were kids or something like that. But I am confident in this board's ability to navigate and resolve that matter. Ideas that I have are implementing a waiver or agreement
or an agreement for parents to sign upon enrolling in bus services. Clearly stating that buses may not operate due to inclement weather even if school is in session. I would like to adopt a common sense approach to balance safety and efficiency without unnecessary
disruptions. Additionally, Mr. Grover did suggest that alternate pickup locations have been suggested and I think that's a great option, especially when there's uh spring flooding and overland flooding happening and some of these gravel roads out in the country are unsafe.
I just think that we can expand upon this idea and develop adaptable strategies. And thank you again for letting me speak and I would love to take any questions as a parent of kids in rural communities. Are there issues that you
see um in the spring also with bad road conditions, not necessarily the weather >> with with spring flooding? There has been. I know I believe it was last year in particular when the ditch ditches become high and full of water,
you know, and I think that's something that should be taken into consideration, too, is when these ditches are high and full of water, sending them. I know I believe it was 2 weeks ago we had some warm weather and then we had a winter storm and then I believe there were some buses stuck. I don't I wasn't there. I
don't know. But I was just told that there were some buses that got stuck. We chose to not let our kids ride the bus that day. We've done that in the past. That's just a choice we made. But I believe when there's water in the ditches like that in the spring, it adds
a whole another level of safety concern in my opinion. Um, you know, if buses go in the ditches, it happens. But if buses go in ditches full of water, now we have a whole another set of issues. >> Josh and I talked about this a little bit after the last meeting. Um, you know, we were kind of and you mentioned
it too that when we went to school that was it was common for if there's bad weather, they would just cancel rural buses >> or kids or something. Y but to the point like I think you've talked to you know Superintendent Grover about that there
were lawsuits about that about equity and what have you. So I do appreciate you bringing up like the alternatives like let's get creative here. Let's think about this because you know we're probably not going to be able to change the law. So um I think that's wise and I
appreciate your opinions on this. Um I know it's something that >> Yeah, we're working on definitely talking to Yeah. at the last board meeting that that Cody's working with the drivers to find some and we'll put something out in each route it can be different. Yeah. You know, and there are
times um you know the the flooding piece I know um they've talked about certain areas that you know they might not be able to go down as the spring goes on. I guess I'm not and again we can have further discussion if you want. um as far as you know water in the ditch becomes like even today coming in I was
I was telling Amanda I've you know here you know ditches were full of >> I know in the past they've said that the bus director has told us parents that buses will not be going down gravel roads whether it's a gravel driveway whether it's gravel anything I know um I
just know that they were picking up our kids on the highway for a while we we we live right on the highway and um that deemed it a whole other safety issue itself. We live on a highway where the speed limits is 60, so people are doing 90, you know, and it it just a whole
another level. But, um, I do like the alternate pickup site on those situations, you know, when there's water in the ditches and the roads are really soft and there's buses getting stuck on these gravel roads in the spring with frost boils and just everything. I like I love that idea. I think it's a great idea. >> Going to happen staying on what I'm
going to say well-maintained. you know, I'm not gonna >> go completely tar because there may be some decent, you know, better gravel roads um that may, but they're they're working on alternative pickups that could be weather, could be, you know, flooding is a whole another thing. I guess somewhere up north, I think it
floods every year road that gets impossible that yes, >> you know, Cody's already talked to me that they'll pick up and I don't remember if it's in Alvareo or where it was, you know, at that time those families are aware of that. >> With the alternate pickup sites, I know you had mentioned the alternate pickup sites and I'm going over my time. just
tell me. But with the alternate pickup sites um and weather, you know, if we implement that, we're still causing parents to have to transport their kids to those alternate pickup sites during those weather. >> That's your choice that time, you know,
>> because >> that is a choice, but we're still sending the buses out of town is what >> we're going to run into an issue if if we like you say cancel routes is is and again I've had some conversation with go going in. It's an equity thing and all it takes is one person going. So I mean
unfortunately and there's been some days there was a day this year where out of town was better than in town believe it or not. I you know it just shocked me but same thing. Obviously if it's in town we can't get school but we're going to run into an issue if we completely shut down you know out of town busing.
Okay. So I mean if it's to the point we can't go up 220 and I'm just using that as an example. we're probably not going to be in session, you know, and so I mean I don't know how else to get around that unless legally we get a law change and going to the capital tomorrow. And I'm not saying I don't know what you
know I mean no southern Minnesota other places have to be in a similar deal. >> I just feel like there's a way the board could implement a waiver system possibly and I would I would highly encourage and I'm sure you would anyways is contact legal counsel about it and see is this an option? Can we do this? because I
feel like some common sense should be brought back into this equation and we shouldn't be shutting down school because you know 20 mi north of town it's zero visibility when you get 5 miles north of town it's fine in town is just another day in Minnesota in January
>> that's just my what I wanted to bring you as a board um >> I think we all appreciate it I think we all hear you >> so thank you very much Okay. 8.0 is district business and there is none so never mind. 9.0 is payment of
claims and accounts. I'll make the motion to approve the payment of K12 bills 131232 through 131319 and the electronic fund transfers in the amount of $1,291,162.118. >> You second.
>> Any questions or discussion on paying the bills? Right. All those in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? Motion carries. 10.0 is board member comments. Amanda, I'll start with you. >> I am gonna say the rural busing that
does make sense and I think it's silly that we have to cancel school. They can't run, but the flooding does get bad. I do know that like the cooling gets really bad and shuts off at 80. So, that was interesting to learn. And that's all I have.
>> Okay. Eastston, do you want to say anything? just like to say good luck to our boys basketball team to speak to Matt. >> Um yeah, I I agree with Amanda and Ross. It it would be I know it's I I
understand the legal part of it. Um I'm just curious if there are any other communities in Minnesota that have found a way around it that maybe you could ask around a little bit. >> Yep. No, I'll do some digging and see what I can can find out. Like I say, I I think an alternative like I say that's
being pro will help, >> you know, um significantly to a certain extent, you know, um that our bad day and again we talked about it. I don't know if it was last board meeting or whatever. Um it it really wasn't visibility. It was a glare type issue
that again, you know, um and I don't know, like I said, originally >> there wasn't a school even Alfredo up in the same area they ran. Yeah. you know, and so it's it just >> when all went south, it went south. >> I think it would make things easier for you making these decisions to to have
>> Oh, correct. I agree. If we >> cancel the buses >> because cuz on the main roads, I'm not saying it was great, but it was definitely doable. >> Yeah. >> And so, yeah, we'll find I'll I'll do some digging. I'll report back to you, see what I can find. Okay.
>> Um and I'll even, you know, legally >> dig, you know, do some more digging with >> time tomorrow. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. That's all we got. >> Okay, Josh. >> Um, help out, you know, boosters if they need help. You can find on their website. Um, they'll always take help.
Uh, especially with with all the other activities that, you know, are going on and hopefully more that are going to be going on this weekend. U take that survey. You know, it's it's your money and and it's it's no big issue for us. We know that that the school needs help. We need help when we've been we haven't
had an operating levy for a long time and we have a lot of things and a lot of needs and we're not asking for everything, but we we see see if we can clean up some things and and that input from that survey that you give us is really going to help us make that those decisions a lot easier. Um and then just thank you to Beth. I think she's been
here for about 40 years. Um thank you to everything you've done. Appreciate everything. >> That was a nice wrap-up. I'm just going to say the same. >> I know. I know. I'm looking through my list. I'm like, "Okay, take the survey." I agree. Take the survey. There are two different, you know, there's the
operating levy and then there's a referendum and there, you know, there's parts of those for both that you want to pay attention to. So, uh, please take the survey. Good luck to the boys basketball team. Good luck to youth hockey. They got three team. I don't know. I know the girls 12, but I don't
know the other twoA and BAM doubleA. >> Okay. Um, so good luck to them. Lots of things going on. conferences at CMS the 11th and 18th, senior high the 26th, early childhood screenings the 23rd and 24th March is crazy. So, thank you to
all of you. >> I wanted to say um with the survey, it's available in other languages too. >> Okay. >> So, for people who >> don't even write English very well, >> you can get it that way, too. >> Perfect. The next board of education meeting is scheduled for March 23rd,
2026 at 5:30 in this room. if needed, but it will be needed because we're going to talk about the budget. So 12.0 is to adjurnn the regular meeting. I'll make a motion. >> I'll second. >> Any questions or discussion on adjourning? All those in favor say I. I.
>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you everybody.