in the finals. >> Yeah. So, they're staying for the award ceremony to find out. So, they're in the finals. if you find out you could message me and then everybody's just going to look at me while I'm over here going
>> to procedures one >> fear >> well Emily is she's a stand she did the other one or whatever but yeah so >> was one of the tough critiqueers >> I'm just I'm excited
>> she's found so much joy in that. >> All right, we'll go ahead and call the meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Miss >> Engel, if you could do a roll call for us this evening, please. Terry Engel here. Amy
>> here. Kelly >> here. Pat is absent. Phillips is absent. Lauren Shot >> here. >> And Rick Schultz >> here. Thank you. Uh we have an agenda in front
of us. Any corrections or amendments to that? M >> I did um add an item to the consent agenda and I apologize. I know we don't like to do that. And this one's goofy. It I put some a note in a newsletter here. It's the uh request for unpaid
leave, which may not even need board approval. It looks to be uh something that will be approved for paid family and medical leave and then it wouldn't need paid or
unpaid time off. But just to play it safe, I thought we could put that in there real quick and and and still act on it that it might be a mute point, but we won't find that out until after her time has started. So, it just felt like
it was worth putting it through the agenda. >> Yeah, like you said, you mentioned it in the newsletter, too. So, we had information on that. So, appreciate that. And and then the other part um one of our items might be tabled here with
the buildings and grounds meeting the um right to construct. We did not hear back from Bolton Bank on if there's additional >> papers that need to be signed. So >> sure, >> rather than take it off, let's just leave it on. But we'll just probably end
up tableing that until next month >> if that's what you desire to do. >> Absolutely. All right. I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Then >> move second.
>> Motion made by Miss D. L Cruz, seconded by Miss Cerky to approve the agenda as presented. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Either of you two want to be in the public comment section.
>> I'll be commenting. That's right. If if not, I'm assuming there are no people here to speak this evening. So, we will move right into the superintendence report. Mr. Maya, please. >> And I'll pass it along to Mandress and
she is here that uh with the elementary concert. I mentioned that we'd have a pretty thin >> crowd with us, but Mandre is here, so she's got a couple things that to report on. The rest will be in the notes here or in the
presentation. Um the only thing I put on there is that the district assessment coordinator role is really ramping up. Um Capy Reed basics is now finished at the elementary school. I think I have like one and a half tests to finish tomorrow. WEDA the
materials have been ordered. This is the English language learners of our district. There's only three. Um, but those are ordered and that will be administered probably the end of January. We have been chosen for NAPE.
It's a national assessment. Um, been around since like 1969 and it's very rare for a school to get chosen. I did look back. I guess Duck Anderson must have done it with fourth graders probably a good 10 years ago.
Um, Mr. Doier remembers doing it back when he was in Ellenale. So that could have been closer to 15 to 20, the eighth grade. So it's like every 10 years that will be coming up on February 10th. There's a team that comes in and does it. So we have all sorts of background
work that we need to do, but they come in and administer the test. I just help um monitor and facilitate. >> Share with them like some of the requirements. Oh my goodness. Um, >> this is part of the stuff that Vander has to do.
>> I had to come I came in here today and I had to run a test on if their Wi-Fi has enough power to host 25 kids. >> Um, Angie needs to put the platform on the eighth grade computers and we need
to go get 14 computers and run a verification code and the code gets sent back to them to verify. I mean, there's just little nitpicky things. So, I've got a very long list of tasks that I'm just slowly getting through, but that is
on February 10th. Um, and then MCA's, the pre-EST editing window is going to be opening pretty soon. So, I'm learning all things MCA related and um getting that up and running also. Thank you.
I just I shared with you some enrollment information which I know is is kind of item here, but some information that was just uh the deadline was last week to actually correct different errors or uh
finalize our October 1st information or or October 1 enrollment information. And um so that's the top part, the top graph there, just comparing what our October 1st information this year is
compared to what it was last year. And you can see our numbers are down three as is October 1 of 24 versus October one of 25. So I think that's that that's maybe some silver lining
there that a decrease of three students compared to probably are many of our neighbors. That's a a very small decrease in numbers. Um all then basically it's just a breakdown of free students at the secondary and elementary and the reduced students at the
secondary and elementary compared that overall our free and reduced numbers have decreased which in and of itself is a good thing as far as our social economic factors go in our district. uh the 39% comp last year or free and reduced
percentage compared to the 37% this year isn't uh significant to the fact that it's the the 40% is a an important number. Getting over the 40% um qualifies us for different services. So
unfortunately we're below that but nothing significant uh as compared to 2425 compared to 2526. Then the the bottom sheet and I didn't have time to run this past Carla just
looking at the um our budget was set on um is it 761? I don't have that one in front of me. pass out all the copies, but the the average daily membership when we were looking at the the budget
>> 791 >> 791 >> y >> and then Carla has the admin of the principles of Dr. Meyer and Mr. Berg submit the enrollment numbers monthly or it starts off weekly through September
and then it goes to monthly. And as you can see at the different checkpoints there that our our membership numbers were above the projected the number used in the projected budget and at the the last November 30th date
it just dipped down one student below that. So for the first two months we're just slightly above and those numbers are pretty accurate. >> Okay. >> I you know Yeah. You know, I think what's all the worst prediction is are
those >> PSO >> online classes that you guys have to, >> you know, an hour here and three hours there and a full there and then we'll make a >> deduction, but we use that same across board. Yeah, this is great.
>> So, but again with those numbers being right at or slightly above or now for the first time just slightly below those PSO projections seem to be fairly accurate. >> Yep. >> Um and just as a reference I list down there we have a agreement with Riverland
College where those students count as our students and then they get build based on the number of classes that they take there. So, it's it's it's a it's a nice deal. It's a slight savings for us, but our uh tuition bill for our students
for first semester alone, Carla will write a check for 115,000ish to Riverland Community College alone for first semester. So, that impact is uh is huge. And Grant had shared with me earlier too
that and in his uh networking group I think it was within the Gopher conference that conversation is coming up more and more on what are you doing holy cow other basically other schools are getting hit harder uh more and more
now you know maybe we got hit harder a couple years ago we've been feeling that hit for the last couple of years and now other schools Wing Prairie and Randall for the two that uh Grant had mentioned that they're getting hit harder than expected
and seeing those numbers increase and increase and feeling the impact and probably writing checks similar to that. >> Does that subject ever come up at your like meetings? >> Yeah, >> that lowering them lowering that GPA bar
>> and Not that that decides or dictates how they're going to do in these classes, but I just heard of one of our students, for example, I wouldn't know the kid if you walked in, but um someone had said to the mom, "Hey, I didn't hear from your son or daughter this year with that fundraiser that I always do." Well,
they're pretty tied up with their PSO classes and realizing not for them so hard and they will be done with that and be back to us full time as a result. But and again, maybe their GPA was terrific, but did you ever
hear any talk about them kind of trying to go the other way again? >> Well, first and foremost, if they were going to walk in, they'd probably walk in for truth and taxation. I know a lot since they haven't >> they kept it a secret
>> they won't but uh yeah u as that on that legislative committee that I'm on that is one of the topics that masa is is on and uh there's different um
u what's the word going in front of the legislator legislative >> lobbying, >> lobbying, lobbying and uh presenting in front of the uh uh legislative groups on uh that exact
sort of >> trying to get it stricter to be able to Okay. >> You know, thinking back to the yester year that at one point it was it was kind of an all or nothing that you went to that school, right? And the online
obviously has changed that up so drastically. And the GPA requirements were much more strict >> than they are now at >> 2.5. >> Yes, I know. And that's why our numbers are
>> strictly seniors. Now 10th graders can take it and uh so and actually in my leadership academy that I've talked about several times tomorrow and Wednesday is our last two sessions and um the full day tomorrow oh half the day
tomorrow we'll be meeting with u the deans of all the the minu the college universities all the deans are going to be coming in to meet with us and obviously the the conversation is the topic is PSO so U I think most of the
superintendents are excited to have that conversation. >> I think most of the deans are a little bit worried to have the conversation with the superintendent. Um but uh we were kind of um notified too that you know this this is a hot
topic for them too that obviously their prices and their costs are escalating and going up and this is a nice revenue for them and they do have concerns about losing it. You know no one's ever said this is a cash cow for them but it is a
cash cow for for them. But uh they I think they're they're in the education game with us. They're partners, but uh you know, maybe not on the same team, but they're they're in the same game as we are. But
>> so I'm looking forward to that conversation to just hear their perspective on things. >> Nice. >> Oh, yeah. And as a as a school district, I ask ourselves, I mean, where do where do we fall in
supporting or promoting? We obviously want our student population, you know, in the value of inerson in our buildings. But if we're truly looking at the education of the
student, there's a value in having some of these offerings to promote them along in their education career, >> right? >> So, >> yeah, it's hard not to do balance that >> it's hard not to support the idea, the
premise, the right >> what what it's all about. I think again it's that the online component has really changed how PSO has grown and what it's turned into over the last probably six, seven years. Uh that
that's made a huge difference. The the GPA part of it is a big part of that as well. So there's got to be a I think some of the ideas that are out there is does it need to be what is it $258
at Riverland for a credit? >> You know, can there be some >> Sure. um >> middle ground there, >> right? >> Yeah. >> What what especially when the majority of the classes that are being taken are
online classes, you know, what is the cost to a university? That might be a very ignorant question or statement to make that um there are there are definitely costs to postsecary education but when it's an online course and uh
it's not like you have a professor in front of the students and all that that they're different than an in-person type of a class. And we do pay the same credit that somebody beyond high school would pay. Is that we don't get a the schools
don't get a break per credit, right? We don't get it. >> No, I too. Did I say that right? >> The standard for >> college students versus PSO. I think that's maybe a little bit of a break, but it's not >> it's not half price.
>> No, I didn't. And I didn't mean that. I we're giving and that again probably is an accurate statement but if we're giving them revenue why don't we get a break for >> giving them some more >> money
and that and then too >> it is really hard though because if I'm a junior today and have no intention of ever going to college it's frustrating to me when I hear take >> classes and fail. >> Yes. >> And do it again and fail. But maybe it's
going to be a great experience and it's going to change their outlook, >> right? >> Or in the case of this person I described, maybe they're going to come back, buckle down, finish high school, then tackle it, you know, like we wish they don't. And I and I think that the
bottom line of it all is is we've been forced into allowing options for students and and this is it isn't for everyone. I think some people find it out. Uh but for the right student, it it works great and they it it enhances
their education experience and it >> promotes it and moves them through the system perhaps more rapidly. I think for some it shortens their college years so that they can get into the workforce faster. I think I think it's great >> for
>> for not 100% of the students but for the majority that find value in it. I think it's a good option. >> It's a great option for parents too because >> I think they spend >> because there's some money you know they could shave off a half a year or a year of college. That's huge for a lot of
families too. So >> that's the reality. One of the benefit to us is if if somebody's looking for a a class that we don't offer, they would open they could open enroll and we would lose everything then. So if we could have here part of the time at least that's some value to us.
>> Yeah. And and that's the balance that we do offer some and we're going to be offering more of those concurrent classes that we do offer some of those college obtaining credits in our classrooms in our building, but they're still taking
them online through MSU or Riverland or whomever that if we're offering them here, they should not have, you know, potentially they should not be having this opportunity to take them outside the building. But I think Deb and
Mander, the teachers, the former teachers and teachers here could attest a lot of the conversation comes up to that. Um, you know, the million-dollar question on rigor of the college online course versus an in-person high school
course, an upper level high school course. that that that continues to come up and be asked that the the high school class is more rigorous than often times the college online
courses. College is not going to agree with that but that's a opinionated statement but so >> good conversation. >> Yeah. >> Thank you.
So, anything else in administrative reports? >> No, that's it for now. With Bman doesn't have any information. We'll just hold off on that. >> Just look at this one. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. >> Uh, how about board member comments this
evening? Anyone? >> I enjoyed the choir and band concert at the high school. Thought it was well put together and the students did wonderfully. >> Good. I want to give a little shout out to uh some of the employees throughout the
district that are um how should I put this subject to the weather conditions whether it be bus drivers or janitorial or paras with supervision out on playgrounds. been a rough winter already and and I want to acknowledge uh all
those that put in the extra effort, extra hours and do the extra things to keep the ground safe and uh the children protected. I think some of them probably don't remember where their jackets were from the last two winters.
I had to look a little bit also and they also shrink over time. Anyway, thank you to all those employees that are kind of getting through this what I would say a little bit tougher than normal winter so far. Maybe the
worst is behind us, but thank you to all those. Anything else? Uh, I think we've covered this before, but our organizational meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 5th at the secondary school media center at 5:30.
Highlight of the year is the MSBA leadership conference in Minneapolis 15th and 16th. And our next regular scheduled meeting will be January 20th and that will be over at Allenale at the media center at 6:30 p.m.
With that, we will move into the consent agenda. And uh Mr. Mak, I would like you to introduce that, please. >> Yeah. A regular statement for the consent agenda reads that for the consent agenda the board has been furnished with background materials on each item or we have discussed the item
at a previous meeting. These will be acted upon with one vote without discussion. If a board member wants to discuss any of these items, we'll remove it from the consent agenda and we'll vote on it separately. Uh but before we do that, we'll recognize the donations
that we received this year or this month, sorry. And those are Sorry, I don't have it up here. >> It's a very rare occasion that we didn't have any. >> Oh, there are them. Yeah, that's why it may find it. >> All right.
All right. With that, then I'd ask for your approval of the consent agenda as it's listed. >> Motion to approve the consent consent agenda items as presented. I'll second. >> Motion made by Miss Herky, seconded by
Mr. Shonrock to approve the consent agenda as presented. All in favor say I. >> Opposed? >> Motion carries. Moving on to recommended actions. Um, we
talked about Bolton Mink. Uh, just to kind of update the rest of the board. Uh, back in June, we uh approved some paperwork. Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Mayock, but in June, we approved some paperwork for we're all
aware of their plan to improve the sidewalks on the state highway 30 and that involves some of our property. So, we're excited to see the improvement. The bad news is I think that's been delayed correct >> to 2027 now which is not
uh a surprise necessarily when you're involved with the state but it anyway uh we thought there perhaps might be paperwork here this evening and we did not hear from >> us though nothing >> so there will be no action on that
particular item but don't be surprised if it does appear on it on an agenda in the future. So with that, the 2728 school calendar, Mr. Mak. >> Yeah. Uh I'd ask you to open that up. Um in a discussion that we had in our
administrative team meeting this morning, um Dr. Meyer had mentioned just about the parent teacher conferences um and that they're typically on the calendar. And um as this year, Mr. Berg had uh
made some changes to the dates and kind of the the setup of the secondary uh conferences. So Dr. Meyer was looking at maybe changing some things up with her conferences as well. Maybe doing a Thursday night and a the following week
a Tuesday night and wondered then if that had to be board approved or if that had to be, you know, noted on the calendar. and and we kind of just said, well, you know, the the the meat and potatoes of the calendar and a start date, the winter break, spring break, or
Easter break, and obviously the end of the year that the uh parent teacher conferences are nice to have noted, but uh families typically don't set their vacation plans or major plans around those uh parent teacher conferences. So,
uh, what we did on this calendar is we just removed those dates and set the the calendar again based on the start date, the the major the major functions or the major um occurrences throughout the
school year. And then when it comes to the summertime and or you know at the probably the August maybe the September school board meeting, the principles would report then when the parent teacher conferences would take place. So um we like to have
that two years of calendars out there just for the convenience of families. So this 2728 calendar has no major obstacles as far as the the uh beginning and the end Christmas break or winter break seems pretty convenient. This is
year the 2728 school year is year two of the two-year provision where we can start on September 1st. And that's probably the biggest factor to consider consider that we do have the start date being September 1st before
uh Labor Day. And uh with that, I'd ask for your approval of the 2728 calendar as it's presented. Um, when Macy typically sends out the fall or
school calendar, this is always like the back page of it. >> And I don't know, I I guess as a parent, a lot of the times it goes right onto my refrigerator because it's colored and then everyone has a copy. Would it be a possibility to send those conference
dates then >> so that >> some parents I mean we have declining conference numbers especially in the high school. So any opportunity we have to put those dates out there, I mean, I know nobody plans their life around them, but like any opportunity as a
district to put those out there so that parents have them, I think is important. >> So even if it's not on the calendar, if there's just a side note within that, the fall >> mailing that goes out to the community.
>> That's maybe a nice target date and I think that's fairly close. End of July, beginning of August where we have that submitted and set out. So >> yeah, >> that would coincide fairly simply. >> Good. Any other questions on the
calendar, the 2728? Gosh, it seems strange talking. That seems so far away. >> Yet it isn't. >> I make a motion to approve the 2027 2022 school calendar as presented. Second.
>> Motion made by Miss Herky, seconded by Miss Engel to approve the 2728 school calendar as presented. Is there any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. We are also
familiar about policy 902B, the public use of outdoor facilities. Thank you for the people involved in bringing that to us this evening. And Mr. Maya, could you give us the highlights on that, please? >> Yeah, and again, that was just dealing with our outdoor spaces, especially our
playground and uh fields, ball fields. Uh when we had the first reading at our November meeting, there was a noted there was a typo. So, that typo was corrected. There was no other suggestions or recommendations on or
after that first reading. And so again, the correction was made and I bring it forward again for the second reading as we're required to do and ask for your approval of policy 902B with the corrections made from the first reading.
Anyone care to make that motion? I'll move to accept the second reading of the policy 902B, public use of outdoor facilities. Thank you. Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Shunrock, seconded by Miss Irky to approve the second reading
of policy 902B, public use of outdoor facilities. Is there any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. We also have a revision to our resolution declaring surplus
property and authorizing sale by sealed bids. Mr. May, please. >> Yeah, just to make everything legal and documented just uh on the the resolution that was approved last month, the address was listed incorrectly on the official resolution. So, we're
correcting the address and uh recording that properly that the address should state 302 South Broadway Avenue in New Richland, Minnesota. And just asking for your official vote
of approval so everything is kosher and correct. Make a motion to um accept the revised resolution declaring surplus property and authorizing sale group. Second >> motion made by Miss Engel, seconded by
Miss D. La Cruz to approve the revision for the resolution declaring surplus property and authorizing sale by sealed bid. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries.
And now we are back to what we started earlier in the evening here on the payable uh the 2025 payable 2026 levy certification. Mr. May, please. >> Yeah. had asked uh our board chair to
read the resolution and uh once that resolution has been read. Uh maybe you have it there in front of you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um my recommendation would be to accept and
approve the levy as presented by Carla during our truth and taxation meeting. Whereas pursuant to Minnesota statutes, the school board of niche school district, Minnesota is authorized to make the following proposed tax
levies for general purposes. General 1,13,832.98. Community service $124,348. Debt service 1,274,245.73. Total proposed school tax levy 2,412,382.79. Now therefore, be it resolved by the
school board of NREG School District in Richland, Minnesota, that the levy to be levied in 2025 to be collected in 2026 is set at 2,412,382.79. The clerk of the NRG School Board is
authorized to certify the proposed levy to the county auditor of Wasika County, Minnesota. ask for your approval on that uh that resolution and ask that we you stick around. I believe it's Terry has stick
around. We'll pull that up and click on appropriate boxes and get that submitted then at the end of the meeting. >> I will move to approve resolution as presented. >> Second. >> Moved by Miss D. Cruz seconded by Missy
to approve the resolution as presented. Is there any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Um basketball back stop
quotes. Uh I'm familiar with this based off of being on the buildings and grounds. We've talked about it for perhaps Dan Stark would think years. uh at least a few meetings and he's done a fair amount of work on researching the needs and what what is uh hopefully uh
oh I think probably one of the first updates in that middle school gym the way I understand it from its uh original bill but Mr. May, would you like to add anything to that or? >> Yeah, just uh the basketball hoop system, as Rick was saying, and is
slowly becoming a safety concern. It's currently outdated and an inefficient system. The longer we wait for this fix, the less secure it becomes, not to mention the more expensive it it becomes. I'll ask you to approve the building and ground recommendation to
move forward with this project and select a quote from A and B specialized products. This quote does not include electrical work and we're estimating that cost will be probably $8 to $10,000. So, um, again, we'll we'll
approve I'll ask you to approve the quote of roughly $64,000 and then understand there'll be some additional charges for the electrical work that goes into it. >> Want to ask questions?
>> I'm just curious when it comes to the buildings and grounds fund, are there certain things that are budgeted for the year and then there's other things that just go up? Yes. Yes. And when that gets when um different things get to that dollar
amount, then it needs the board approval as well. But this one is on the list or this one is in addition to the our spreadsheet. Carl, I don't recall. I apologize. >> No, this was on there. I mean, >> so is an expected
>> purchase kind of budgeted for within the means of the building. Okay. That that was what my question was like did this pop up or did we know and plan to do this >> right >> LTFM funds. >> Okay. >> Yep. Just >> LTFM fun. But in true transparency what
I'm first going to do is code. We still have a little bit of the construction left over about 43,000. So that's going to zero out that fun six construction and then the rest come out of just our annual LTS.
>> But yeah, this one has been on our radar. We've had a couple of these quotes over the years and >> it's just time. >> No, it's good to know because like when the when the stairs popped up, I was like, is this a surprise or is this a So it's good to know that this has been on our radar and we were looking for the
appropriate time. Okay. in moving forward with that. Kelly, I appreciate you bringing that subject up because that is good to be reminded of the budgeting process and in having back to what we've worked on for years of a plan
of what's going to be addressed because then it does make it more palatable when these things >> show up. So that's that's a very valid point of u back to the step situation that kind of presented itself awkwardly
just because we know the story there of timing and >> I was just curious like sometimes it's like this needs to be done now but right but were we planning to >> so yeah Kelly we have an internal LCFM group that doesn't include board members
where we meet periodically and like have this 10year spreadsheet at the approved in July, but just an ongoing like we got to remember when it's time to resurface the track and we can't do that at the same time. Like these skylights, we've
had these on for six years now. You know, we have such old clothes and then instead they ced around the outside and they've gotten darker over the years, but they're not leaking. Um, so they get moved to them the next
year on spreadsheet. But yeah, good question. >> I appreciate that. >> So he asked, Mr. May, back to the recommendation I believe was for H&B. Is that where we were? >> Yep, that's correct. >> Yep.
>> And that is the less expensive of the two. >> Sure. Yep. And you can uh >> And not only that, it's probably the better value of the >> preferred. And it's >> so the electrical work is done by a separate >> correct
>> entity. So it wouldn't matter which one we went with. The electrical is going to be >> the same not by the company. >> Yeah. >> Make a motion to approve the H&B quote
for the basketball stops not to exceed the amount of $74,000. So the HMB portion you can just approve the 64. I mean I know it does list that. >> Okay. But what the auditors want to see in your minutes is that >> they want they want to see the H&B quote
approved not to exceed $64,115. >> Yeah. And then the understanding you guys know that >> there will be more work involved. There will be some more expense to >> along with the understanding that the electrical work will cost roughly and not to exceed $10,000. Is that
>> we won't even we won't even cover the electrical on that because we are not for sure. But what we're trying to do tonight is approve the bid from H&B. >> Okay. >> To move forward. So >> well then I premature we said that. I apologize. >> No, you're fine. You can amend it to
wherever you want to. But it it's >> So this is what we want right now. >> Correct. the H&B quote for 646415. >> I'll make a motion to accept the H&B quote >> for the basketball stocks for the most $64,115.
>> Perfect. Thank you for that, Amy. Is there >> Thank you. U motion made by Missy, seconded by Miss Deera Cruz to approve the H&B specialized products proposal for $61,1500.
>> 64 >> 64 What did I say? 61. >> That's okay. >> Excuse me. >> We're all messed up tonight. >> $64,115 for the basketball hoops in the middle school gym. Is there any other
discussion? All in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Big night full of numbers. >> You guys want to do the PowerPoint again? >> Right. Let's see. I've got I've got a
question now. I takes us to the end of our meeting tonight and I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. I move to >> second. >> Motion made by Mr. Shra, seconded by Missy to adjurnn. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> Opposed. Motion carries. We are ajourned. Thank you everyone for coming. Do you have tactical?