All right. So, it is six o'clock. So, we'll call the meeting to order. All members are present present present including our student representative. So, we will start with the communication items. All right. Uh so, let's start off
with uh Mrs. Akerson and hear what's been happening at the uh elementary school. So, was I supposed to mix up the order? I we were joking that maybe Jesse should go first. >> Oh, well, you should have given me that. I would have had about five seconds.
So, we'll mix it up. Maybe it'll be a roll of the dice. So, you all just have to be ready. All right. So, I'm sorry. So, Cassie, let's hear what's going on at the elementary. >> Good evening. Um January flew by as we
already um are in midFebruary, but I wanted to call out some key highlights that took place in January. We participated in books are fun book blast um new to us this year and we had such
an incredible um turnout and participation rate. And really this is about um getting books into our students home libraries. And so there were no um like fundraising or extra strings
attached. 100% of the money um that came through book blast went right back to our students and to books for them. Uh really exciting that we will have a delivery day where pallets will show up at our school and each kid will have a
package with their name on it to open their very own books um ranging from two books all the way up to 10. And there's different um cohorts of books depending on the age level. Um I learned about Book Blast through the Minnesota
Elementary School Principal Association. um they really spoke highly of this and when this came across my desk I thought what a neat opportunity for us to tap in during I love to read month and so we partnered it with that uh which I love to read month is right now here in
February and also in January we had youth frontier uh kindness retreat for our fifth graders um this is our third year inviting youth frontier out which is funded by our fundraising efforts um and if
get the chance to zoom in on these photos, you can hear the joy and the laughter um and just how that room was filled with our fifth graders. And I just also want to give a shout out to um we had several secondary students um
come and join and lead in a way uh to facilitate some small group activities to really pull together the fifth grade students um in that day. And it was high energy. It was um we had moments of uh
that were sincere and and genuine as well. Um so overall just another great day where um we focus on kindness and we really talked about what kind of school do we want at Payneesville Area Elementary and it was neat to hear our
students articulate the kind of school that they envision for themselves. Um Youth Frontiers has kind of the image of a boomerang. So what we put out is what comes back to us. And so that uh went along with kindness.
Um looking at February highlights, we have winter conferences coming up February 26th and 27th. So that communication went out to families so they can get signed up to meet with their uh child's teacher. I love to read month. Uh we have a lot
of different activities happening. Last week we had our opening book ceremony. We have a um like a winter Olympic theme this year and um all the classrooms made book flags to represent their favorite book. We're doing the stop, drop, and
read. And then new is pass the torch which is a book basket filled with um various books and there's a neat not sure who created it, but a very neat torch that's passed along um as we pass that classroom to classroom. Um, we also
had our first grade music program and that is such a big deal for our first graders. That is their first debut on the big auditorium stage and so that was held last week um for our families. Um, I've got off to the side we've got
the kindergarten registration and open house registration is open. Um, that launched February 1st and that is all online this year. So, we shifted, you know, our our regular enrollment online.
Now, we are including our kindergarten as well. Thursday night, we have our open house um at the elementary school uh starting at six o'clock. So, we're looking forward to seeing the class of 2039. Um
I recently last week um uh participated and attended the Minnesota Elementary School Principles Association Institute conference and such a great opportunity for me to connect with other colleagues and expert presenters. We had a lot of
breakout sessions and keynote speakers. Uh so that was just great for me to participate in. In addition, um they hold the MES fees, which is their award banquet, um where I accepted the school of excellence award on behalf of our
elementary school. Um so that was great and a special experience. Um our committee is planning our celebration for April. So watch for details um as you'll be invited to uh come to that.
talked about kindergarten registration upcoming dates. We have packs uh going out to our students uh this Friday to have over the long weekend. No school on Monday with President's Day. And then we do have a scheduled two-hour late start
on that Tuesday uh where our staff will spend time in our PLC's learning um about student achievement and growth and then some uh professional development opportunities. >> Any questions for Mrs. Akerson
Elementary? >> All right, Cassie. Thank you very much. All right, Mr. Rasmmanson, let's hear what's happening at the secondary level. >> Good evening, everybody. Um, just uh a
little wrap up from January. At the end of January, we had our midwinter activity day. And so, our students got to choose between three activities. They got to either go bowling, downhill skiing, or skating. And so all the middle schoolers loaded up on buses that day and went to went to different
activities and just had a great community building day here. And um it was awesome. I learned that we have a couple really exceptional bowlers. Um we have pretty impressive scores whereas I'm bumper bowling basically. They're very good. So you know it's kind of fun
to see kids doing things that they love to do and uh and and seeing them outside in the school day. So uh just a neat opportunity. Uh if we look ahead, I wanted to talk a little bit about registration and conferences this year because we are making a change. So I do want to kind of inform families and I
sent out information about that today in in our in the Bulldog update. And so typically last year we we tend to register later in the year kind of um April May time is when we had students fill out the registration forms. Well, this year we're going to we're going to
do it in in accordance with our February conferences. And so last week we met with all of the students here and handed out our registration information so that they can go home and start having conversations with their family about what classes they should be taking next year. And then what we're going to do is
we're going to have families come in at conferences, meet with their advisor. Their adviser will have a time to actually go over their registration to look through it and then they will online register with their advisor during conferences. And so, um, that way, you know, parents have somebody
they can talk to about what classes should they take and we can, uh, make sure that students are registered for the right classes every year. So, just kind of a change to how we're doing conferences, but I did want to inform uh, families. And so, look at the Bulldog update. It has all of our registration information. It has all the
links for all of our registration guides in there. And so, all that information is up to families. Um, coming up here, something I'm always really excited about, Student Reach reached out to me again, uh, kind of in the middle of last month and they said, "Hey, would you like us to come to
Payneesville again?" Where I said, "Absolutely. How soon can he get here?" And so, um, every year, Student Reach has a has a grant-f funed opportunity where they bring in live bands and really cool speakers. And so, this year they're bringing in Eric, Samuel, Tim. And that's going to be on February 25th.
We'll have uh two presentations, one in the morning for middle school and one in the morning for high school. Uh Eric Samuel Tim is a his little bio here says is a part-time artist, part-time speaker, part author, and all passion. Uh uniquely engaging today's students through powerful school assemblies that
brand truth, humor, and live art. Uh he does live paintings uh through his assemblies. Um the his titles are that he's going to be speaking on is the power of the mind and the power of words. So, I'm really excited that um Student Reach kind of brings these really cool opportunities
here to Payneesville and I'm excited to see that and and get to have our students be part of that. Couple of uh little thank yous here at the end. Uh we we had school counseling week February uh 2nd through the 6th and I just want to say a big thank you to our our school counselor here, Jackie Campbell. Jackie
Campbell uh for all the care and commitment that she shows Painville students every day and the the countless meetings she has of students to um help guide them in their in their lives. I also want to take a moment to thank our bus drivers. We have school bus driver appreciation day is February 22nd. Uh
when I think about it, our school bus drivers are the very first people that our students interact with every day and they're usually the very last people our our um students interact with. So, they have such a huge role here, not only getting our kids safely, but they really set the tone for the day for students.
And so, I'm just really thankful for the wonderful bus drivers that we have um that our students get to interact with. Upcoming dates, uh we have winter camp. Our students leave on the buses tomorrow at 8:30. I got a chance to talk to them today as they were leaving the school
and they are so excited and I'm just excited for them and their experience up there. So, they leave for winter camp tomorrow. Uh Cassie mentioned, but no school February 16th, a two-hour late start February 17th, midquarter then right after February 18th, and then just
a reminder of parent teacher conferences February 26th and 27th. And then I have my goals up there again. So >> great. Any questions for Mr. Rasmusen? >> That um speaker that you have, is that
done in the gym or is that done in the theater? It's done in the auditorium. >> Auditorium? >> Yeah. They actually, it's so student reach. They come, they say, "We need to be there at so and so time." And usually they set up the day before, but they bring in a live band and they bring in all the speakers, all the sound equipment, all the lighting equipment.
We don't have to do anything. They come and they set it all up and then our kids come down there and they usually have this live band playing music and then the speaker gets up and talks and then the speaker usually sticks around for a while afterwards so kids can kind of interact. It's just a they just do a really a really cool thing for our
students. >> Is that a couple hours or >> I think it's like about an hour presentation. I think it speaks for about >> we record that. >> I don't know if we haven't in the past and I can reach out to see if that's something >> I'm not sure if they if they would allow >> Oh, they would allow it. Okay.
>> Yeah, that that's the only hangup. I'm not sure if um the speaker allows him. >> It's a question we can ask. >> It's a great question. interested to and then we could probably share that with uh >> community.
>> But like I say, you gotta get their permission. So >> no, we can ask. Yep, we can ask. >> Just a way of us advertising. I mean, we just had a very productive meeting. >> Yes. >> Cool to share. At the very least, we can get it out ahead of time and then have
some followup after about maybe student experience or Yeah. So, but we definitely, like I say, got to have their permission. So, >> all right. Anything else for Mr. Rasmusen? All right. Thanks, Jesse. Thank you. >> Okay.
>> Uh Chris, community ed. >> What do we have going in the world of community education? >> Yes. Well, January's done. We're busy planning the summer. So, we have up for preschool is we're getting ready. We'll
have a preschool information night and then on the 16th we'll open it up for registration. We will do an early bird registrations for our current families so they can help them get registered. Um early childhood playground, we're going to be
setting up a dedication um event uh for May 13th at the elementary school. And I'm going to also put it in conjunction with our big truck night. So, we're in the process of finishing up the last few things. We have a couple memorials to get and then we want our signage to be
on the on the fence um for that event. And so, working on what's going to be there and and uh you know, if we're going to have food and but it should be a a large event. And then we'll be inviting all of our donors, sponsors, supporters, board members. So, everyone
will be welcome to attend. So, we'll cross our fingers for a good sunny night. So, yes. Um, I just got all the summer concerts booked. I got the bands and the sponsors of all committed uh for
the most part. Um, we're doing all the Thursdays in July and we'll end with a like a family fun night. Don't have a title yet, so that's what it is right now. family fund night for the um August 6. That will be our last to end the
series. Um the uh community foundation uh is sponsoring that night. So they have uh contracted two bands. The teddy bear band will perform first and then a second band, the Resistors. So that'll
be a whole evening of family fun at the that will end the end the concert series for 2006. So, we're work we're working together to just put that put that whole event together and get ready to start um promoting it. So, uh our sponsors this
year are the Chamber of Commerce, Magnified Banual, uh Perennial Bank, Great Rivers Regional Library here in Paysville, um the American Legion for Paysville, and then the Paysville Community Foundation. So,
um we couldn't do these concerts without them. So, I'm I'm grateful that we have people that want to keep the music playing. So, that's great. And then we're just continuing to get ready for our summer spring summer catalog, which will come out for sure by the beginning
of April, but I'm shooting for mid-March. Let's see. Pause. Registration also for summer opens March 1st. And I think I just said before, we're the great outdoors. We have a lot of cool uh um
speakers coming in and field trips that we're putting together. So, it's we'll be finalizing that really soon. Uh things that are coming at the pack, we have uh actually I think Sweetfest end up moving, but I think it's Oh, no. It
is at the pack. So, on the 20th of this week, we have a volleyball tournament coming up, another wrestling tournament on the 22nd, and then March 26, we got a unique opportunity. Um, Paul Bugby had been talking to the St. John's men's
choir, men's chorus, and asked them if they'd be willing to come here and do a concert, and they said yes. And he came and talked to me about the date and how would we make this happen. So, we're going to partner with the with the St. John's Men's Chorus and offer a free
concert on the 26th. So, uh we'll be getting some uh advertisements and things out for that. But, uh that was a just a opportunity that kind of literally walked in the door. So, um that was exciting. They walked in the
door and said, "Can we do it?" And and it worked out. And then the 28th, the Arts Council has their talent show. So, the first half of it will be some local talent. The second half they actually have a band. So, it's a little different than it has been in the past. So,
they'll have um they'll have uh a full array of items going on. So, if you like to the on the 26th through the 28th, they'll be full of music and art. So, make sure you come out. And along with the talent show, I believe the that they
also do um our our uh students have their art out on in the lobby of the pack. I believe that. So it's it's also an art crawl and a talent show. And then finally our um our child care
initiative program. Um I have we have finished up the goals. So those are linked in we will be working on those um goals now over the next 12 to 18 months. Uh so you I put them I connected them so
you could review them. But just we've just are in the beginning part of our goal our goals and um setting our little short-term um goals that go underneath those. But um yeah, you can take a look at those
and if you have any questions uh regarding the child care, you can ask myself or Janelle else on the council. >> Any questions for Chris? All right. Thanks. >> All right,
Ken. Buildings and grounds. What do you got for us? >> Yeah, she's staying in. >> So, most you probably know we had a little issue at the elementary school and uh you know, I I miss Cassy's thing. It was coming in hot. So, my brother has
a gift to Gab. It's not me. It's definitely him. But anyway, you know, I throw wrenches at Cassie and I just bounce off and she goes on with her day as with a smile and helps out and stuff. But we had a steam leak line break at the elementary in between the
two bathrooms in the fourth and fifth corridor. Steam was pumping up through the wall with the cold temps. It was still cold out the ceiling and it basically started raining. Um, probably been leaking a while. We don't know for sure when it started because there was a
lot of mold on top of the ceiling above the ceiling. So, that corridor was shut down for a little over a week. Um, I thought it went really well. Clean up uh the water pipe that takes the water back to the boiler after we started fixing.
So, boss was out yesterday to fix the lines going underneath the cement through the steam line. And then when he got in there, I couldn't can't fit in there. Don't know why. Um, you know, he he's in there with a flashlight and he's like, "What's this
other water line for?" And I'm like, "Well, that takes the water back to the boiler." He's like, "Well, that ain't going back to the boiler." And he basically reached down and grabbed the elbow and it was rusted right off. Handed me the elbow. So, it ended up being two lines down there. So, full day
project getting them all out, replaced back in and stuff. uh feel good about it. Went and checked on them all today. No leaks, so it went pretty well. Um you know, and I got to give a big shout out to Cassie and Janelle. You know, Cassie actually when
we were up there, I was on the roof trying to figure out where the water was coming from and she stuck her head up in the hole that I had made in the full ceiling and she I come down and she's like, "Well, there's steam up here." I'm like, "Run play."
and Janelle helping out, you know, that night already. We had a pretty good game plan what was going on. That was late Thursday, you know, fell over. So, it was I thought it went together really well. So, water pipes were fixed yesterday. Actually, the fall ceiling got put in this morning. So, the hallway
doesn't even look like it's been back to normal. So, >> one thing I do want to add is that service masters did a great job mitigating the mold. You know, I know that's always a big concern whenever I hear mold in a building >> and it came back. Yes. and they test they test our air quality and um they
did a really nice job sealing it off and it was I know the elementary staff it was not ideal but gosh they they were really responsive and and really made sure that that we could just get things fixed and corrected in the right way. So that was
>> were those pipes the old black pipe or or they Yeah, they're now they're new black pipe. black iron pipe. >> So, yep. So, and then uh over here, I know I think I've shown a couple of you
guys that I've ran into. I have another coil leak and the coil was shot and it's been fixed. The whole half the coil was cut out already with things. And when it was leaking, we cut more out, you know, and we finally pulled that panel off because I was losing condensate. I'm
like, where's it going? And found the air handler that had water around it. Well, here it's going. Finally looked in there. It's bad. I actually didn't think it was terrible. I got the quote and told him to go ahead and get the coil built. It actually came in just under $3,000. That's just for the coil. Now,
we do have to install that. But so, um, I think that's all I have >> questions for Ken. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> Moving forward, we'll do the strategic
planning update. Uh so I just really wanted to update the community on uh where we're at in the strategic planning process. Um the board actually met just before this with uh with the facilitator and uh he shared that there have been 19
different uh sessions uh facilitated with 60 different students. I think you were within that group. So thank you. Um uh so we had students, we've had community members, we've had staff, um the board. Uh so I'm I'm really looking
forward to the next steps of that. Um early March, um first couple weeks of March, uh he's we'll get them back together and start pulling the themes and the data and um see where that goes next. But I just really wanted to take a second to say thank you to our community
members who have come in and uh shared uh really in the same process that you as board members participated in just uh earlier today. So um it's it's important work and I think it's good feedback for us to have as a district and um we're
going to move in in a solid direction. So just wanted to update real quickly on where that's at. >> Right. Uh moving on to beginning budget consideration. >> Hey um so this is really just a a highle
kind of summary for you as board members about um what's been happening since uh since the resolution to really direct administration to look at um programming staffing uh to develop budget
considerations for the upcoming year. So, couple of things just to walk through in here. I'm going to make this a little bit bigger. Um, so first and foremost, uh, we really start taking a look at student enrollment. I know Cassie just talked about um the kindergarten registration
and um that really is our first our first point of knowing how many students actually do plan to attend um in uh the fall of next year and then how many compared to how many graduate and so that we know what are our cumulative in
and out. Okay. Um so that's that's taking place. Um, we also really take a look at uh our student data with the special education needs um from West Central Ed. They really help us analyze our student flow of who's in each
building, elementary to secondary. Again, we kind of look comprehensively at student enrollment to make sure that we're making database decisions. In regards to um funding, uh we have heard that the uh formula increase for
next year is going to be 2.7% increase over 2526. So you see that the um the state aid per pupil is going to be $7,480. Um but I think it's really important to remind people that that does not mean that our budget revenue was going to
increase by two 2.7% across the board because um when you look at according to our most recent levy report 65.6% 6% of our revenue comes from the state but um only
the the s of that um 69 >> 188% um is the per pupil formula. The other 30.2% are things that are just fixed from the state like compensatory
revenue, special education aid. So those don't have a a a set increase every year as the formula does. And I think that that's important because if you sometimes I think community members might hear that, oh there's a 2.7%
increase across the board. It's just not quite that simple. And so I wanted to make sure that we could kind of show a visual of like our state aid that per pupil formula that blue portion it's 69% but there's another 30% that doesn't have an automatic increase. Okay. And
then the other piece that I think is really important to remember is that um when you account for all of our dollars we also get federal and local dollars. So, our levy money and our our federal money that comes um through uh title and
special and special education, those are do not receive an automatic 2.7% increase either. Okay? They're much less predictable. And so, it's just really important to remember that while we we count on that 2.7% increase, that doesn't mean that we just blanket apply
it to um a 2.7% blanket increase in revenue for the upcoming year. Okay? Um this is also the time of year where we take a look at our obligations with lure. Um we are obligated to review out of field permissions. So an out of field
permission means that a teacher has a teaching license but they have we have applied through the department through Pelby to um have them teach in a different area. And we do that when we aren't able to fill positions is historically how that works. But Pelsby
and the Department of Ed tells us that we have to um we have to look at that annually and um they've become much more consistent about the process that we use to ensure that we're having licensed staff in the in the uh in the classrooms.
Um we also have a couple of staff members who are on tier 2 licenses. Um so if you remember last month we reviewed um the seniority list and we have had some uh tier 2 discussions. Again, we are obligated to just look at that annually. And so those are some of
the things that are happening right now um as we look at lure. And then uh what we'll do is we'll take a look at any staffing reductions or revisions um due to if there's um any if we don't have if we have to post for a license or if we
don't have um if we're not eligible to apply for another license or type of variance. Those are all the things that are happening at this time of year. Okay, we al also are taking a look at services and efficiencies. Um, one of the things
I think that's really important and we've really done tried to do administratively is kind of keep track of over the course of the last year where have we had stress points and uh and are there things that we can really look at to evaluate efficiencies um and
and take a look at process. So, we're doing that at this time of year. Um so whether we've gone through audits or um we're just reviewing different programs we might come across inefficiencies and if we have those inefficiencies those will be uh recommendations that will
come to the board as we consider our budget for 2627. Um we also have to take a look at as positions continue to remain open um are are there ways that we can realign or restructure to ensure the needs of the district are met. Okay. Um, one of the
areas that we've consistently um, not been able to fill is, uh, we had a mass ads position. Um, so what can we do and how can we look at that? So those will be some things that we take a look at for next year. And then um, we'll also review prior year contracts to determine
effectiveness and efficiency. you know, re recommendations are come come to the board about memberships and about um and and as we build budgets, we're going to take a look at are we really maximizing our dollars and getting and in the best
business terms a good ROI? What's our return on investment? Okay. Um we're also taking a look at the upcoming building projects. So, the South Ball Field renovation has been a a a very um active discussion. Our
facilities committee has been talking about that. If you've been paying attention to our long-term facilities maintenance plan, we have the softball money that's set aside on the softball project. Um what we are looking at is um we've been in contact with the Minnesota
Department of Education to ensure that uh we can really access the funding that's been set aside and what we're what we're concerned about is that um the long-term facility maintenance plan is pretty restrictive. Um, so our
softball project, we're going to have to get creative on how we can um do some fundraising and how we because that's a uh we're hearing that's a priority and continuing to move that project forward. But we are going to really take a look at are there things that that could be
covered under under our long-term facility maintenance plan um that maybe we have been covering out of the general fund in years past and and so that we can really maximize the opportunity to get that softball complex moving. Okay.
We also are going to take a look at the um the fee schedule analysis and this was um whether it's the activities fee the activity fees that we have um for our activities and our athletics are we comparable to our surrounding
communities are we um increasing commensurately and we haven't looked at those for a while. So that's an area that we have to take a look at as well. It also is important to take a look at our substitute rates for um food service, pair professionals, custodial. Uh a couple years ago, we made some uh
strategic recommendations to increase sub costs for our certified staff or a sub um compensation for certified staff. So again, all of those things are are um areas that we are taking a look at right now that I anticipate coming in for
discussion um as budget recommendations for the 26 27 school year. Um, I'll stand for any questions that you have um about just the budget considerations. >> Another question. Did you know I always
had some type of comment, but uh I really like that you're taking a look at uh the efficiencies and and exercising kind of that lean management for those that are familiar with corporations and the way that they they look at
streamlining things or it doesn't necessarily mean that anything's going to change is just go take a look at a process or you know look at something and just see is it as efficient as it as it should be uh or is there statements there. So I thank you Janelle for taking
that on. >> Moving on to request for information roundt uh staff development meeting uh tomorrow. Uh so so we'll have that and then process uh meeting on the 18th.
at least for >> so I have one I am extremely interested in that CDL thing that you've been talking about. >> Is there any chance I could come to a round table that we can hear about it? >> I I can gather information about it. I don't know a lot about it >> or maybe we just get out to I'd really
like to see how you do that. I mean, you're talking about potentially 17 year old kids driving a semi. I'm not sure how you're gonna >> Yeah, >> that work, but >> that is a big gap in in society right now. And there's this big deal on who
should be driving those trucks, >> right? >> But the issue is 18 or 20 or what is it 180,000 drivers maybe? >> I think million drivers. >> Yeah. kind of in a little bit of of potential
array which means that that could be a huge opportunity for kids. >> I I just that's all that I heard so far. That is very interesting. >> So Bruce, just so you know, most big companies won't even hire an 18y old. I
don't know how they're going to get training. >> Yes. >> But for insurance reasons, they can't. >> Yeah. And that's what they have with a lot of our companies. They got to be 22 years old and have had it for a few times. But I've been reading some ads lately where they're starting to talk
about getting these people at 18 years old because the drivers aren't there >> and are they better off to take those drivers than somebody that may not be as safe? I mean, it's a political event out there, but um that I think that it could
be huge opportunity for for students. I that's a very interesting topic to me. >> Yeah. And and I know Greg well I can ask him you know Greg Greg Johnson is the superintendent in Little Falls and actually I visited him um to see their child care not too long ago. So I have a
I can reach out to Greg and get some information but yeah >> there are lots of places kids can drive semis in the egg at 18 years old. So there is some a good areas that they can learn. They got to
get the basics somewhere so somebody could be interested not have any idea how to do it. But anyway, it came up and I thought I'm going to remember to bring that up here. And then I will say again, I enjoy it when the kids are here tell
us about what they're doing, what's going on in the innovation centers and all that. If we could have little presentations here and there. just say I actually talked to Miss Rasmus said about that. Um I was going to try and get something going. Um my
life has just been extremely busy right now and I was going to try and get it ready for the next meeting. I just didn't get that far this week. >> Connected with Mr. Rasm. >> Okay. >> All right. Did we ever get it set up so
that um our welders can come out certified? Um I don't I can find out um if they are certified through Alex Tech or not. Um I I'll find out at one point that was in
the works and that would be good enough. >> Okay, I will look into that. >> Longer. Okay, we are journed.