March 29, 2021 at 7:30 PM - Special Meeting

Description:  Roll Call (School Board):  Shane Kilen, Brandon Kuznia, Carrie Jo Howard, Joe Melby, Allison Harder, Bradon Ignaszewski

School Administration:  Larry Guggisberg, Sharon Schultz

Description:  All speakers are asked to complete the Listening Session Sign-in Form including as much detail as possible and including a printed / written copy of your presentation if one is available. This is an opportunity for the Board to listen, the Board will not engage in dialogue. As a general rule, the Board will not comment on or respond to any comments made by speakers. Please do not include names of Greenbush Middle River employees or representatives, their title, or location in your remarks for your own legal protection and the legal rights of staff.

Each speaker will have five (5) minutes to speak: speakers may not roll their time to another speaker. Speakers will be timed and are asked to complete their comments in this time frame. Board members may ask questions if needed.  Please begin your presentation by stating your name and topic only.
In the spirit of fairness to all participants, we request that you respect the format above. Thank you for taking the time today to attend this meeting and share your concerns and suggestions.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, members of the public may wish to email Board communication(s) to <info@greenbush.k12.mn.us>

Description:  Motion by Board member _______________ and seconded by _____________ to approve the resignation of Mr. Andrew Rood effective the end of the work day on April 6, 2021.

Description:  Historically the GMR School District had its group health and hospital ( H & H)  insurance for all eligible employees through the NW Service Cooperative.

Approximately four years ago, eligible teachers switched (with statutory permission/option) from the NW Service Cooperative to the Public Employees Insurance Program (PIEP).       https://mn.gov/mmb/segip/peip/ 
Other eligble H & H GMR employees remained with the NW Service Cooperative.

In mid-February 2021, the Greenbush Public School District sent out Request for Proposals (RFP) for group health and hospitalization (H & H) insurance coverage for eligible employees.

                       Group H & H insurance renewal timeline 

1. The renewal date for a group health plan is July 1, 2021. 
2. 1. February 16, 2021. RFP release.
3. 2. March 30, 2021. Deadline for submitting sealed bids to the District.  
4. 3. April 1, 2021 @ 7:30 am.  Bid opening with GMR-EA representatives invited.
   4. May 3, 2021 shall be the latest date on which the District may make a final decision, based on written criteria for evaluation.  
5. 5. Coverage is effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023

Description:  see attached as per February 24, March 4 and March 15, 2021 School Board Meeting Agendas:

There is a specific (statutory) process, protocol and timelines for budget reductions in a public school.  Simplified (as per MN School Boards Association) as follows:

1. Administration report on general need for staff reductions.
2. Board directive to administration for recommended reductions. (January 20, 2021)
3. Review master agreement (eg:  seniority)
4. Administrative recommendations to board for reductions in positions and programs.  (Jan., Feb,, and Mar. Board meetings)
5. Board resolution for reductions of positions and programs
6. The placement of teacher on unrequested leave is consistent with the board’s resolution reducing staff (eg:  financial and/or declining enrollment)
7. Adoption of individual board resolution proposing to place a teacher on unrequested leave of absence (ULA).
8. Preparation of notice
9. Service of notice and copy of resolution served on teacher (personaly, certified mail)
10. Written request of teacher for hearing or acquiescence
11. If written request is made - set hearing date and place
12. Board resolution of unrequested leave placement by acquiescence of teacher and no hearing requested

Board Discussion (Steps 1-4 completed)----> Board Action towards
implementing Steps 5-12 (in chronological order)   

Description:  Member ____________________________________ introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
 
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent School District No. 2683 adopted a resolution on January 20, 2021, directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions, and

WHEREAS, said recommendations have been received and considered by the school board,

BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2683, as follows:

That the following programs and positions, or portions thereof, be discontinued:

1. Discontinue one (1) Physical Education Teacher via early retirement incentive - MN Statute 122A.48;
2. Discontinue one (1) Mathematics Teacher via early retirement incentive - MN Statute 122A.48;
3. Discontinue one (1) English/Language Arts Teacher via Unrequested Leave of Absence (ULA);
4. Discontinue one (1) Science Teacher via Unrequested Leave of Absence (ULA) from 1.0 FTE to ~.50 FTE (Actual to be determined);
5.  Discontinue one (1) Administrative Support Office Secretary;
6.  Discontinue one (1) regular Bus Route Driver;
7.  Discontinue part time School Social Worker position (contract held by the Badger School  District);
8. Discontinue one (1) person to teacher re-licensure committee;
9.  Discontinue Elementary Wrestling coaching positions;
10.  Discontinue Elementary Girls Basketball coaching positions;
11.  Discontinue Elementary Boys Basketball coaching positions;
12.  Discontinue Summer Park & Recreation payment and summer ball school bus availability to City of Greenbush;
13.  Discontinue Summer Park & Recreation Payment and summer ball school bus availability to City of Middle River;
14.  Discontinue FCCLA Assistant Advisor;
15.  Discontinue one (1) Football Assistant Coach;
16.  Discontinue one (1) Girls Basketball Assistant Coach;
17.  Discontinue one (1) Wrestling Assistant Coach;
18.  Discontinue one (1) Baseball Assistant Coach;
19.  Discontinue one (1) Golf Assistant Coach;
20.  Discontinue THE VILLAGE employee assistance program.

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member _____________________ and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:

and the following voted against:

whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted on March 29, 2021.

Description:  Member _________________________ introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
 
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2683, as follows:
 

1. lack of pupils
2. financial limitations

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave, together with a copy of this resolution be forwarded to said teacher and that an affidavit of the same be placed in her personnel file with a copy of the notice and resolution.

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member ____________________________________ and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:

and the following voted against the same:

whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted on March, 29, 2021.
 
Dear Mrs. Rhen:

     You are hereby notified that at the meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 2683 held on March 29, 2021, a resolution was adopted by a majority vote of the School Board, proposing your placement on unrequested leave of absence, without pay or fringe benefits, as a teacher of Independent District No. 2683 at the end of the 2020 -21 school year effective June 30, 2021.  Said action of the School Board is taken pursuant to the District Master Agreement and Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10. upon the grounds described in said statute and which are specifically as follows:

1. lack of pupils
2. financial limitations

        Under the provisions of the law, you are entitled to a hearing before the School Board provided that you make a request in writing within fourteen days after receipt of this notice.  If no hearing is requested within such period, it shall be deemed acquiescence by you to the School Board's proposed action. Yours very truly,
SCHOOL BOARD OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2683

_________________________________________
Clerk of the School Board

 

Description:  Member _________________________ introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
  BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2683, as follows:

That it is proposed that Tina M. Taus, a continuing contract/tenured teacher of said district, be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits at the end of the 2020 - 2021 school year effective June 30, 2021.  Said action is taken in accordance with the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10 upon the grounds described in said statute and which are specifically as follows:

1. lack of pupils
2. financial limitations

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave, together with a copy of this resolution be forwarded to said teacher and that an affidavit of the same be placed in her personnel file with a copy of the notice and resolution.

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member _________________________ and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof:

and the following voted against the same:

whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted on March, 29, 2021.
 

---

Dear Mrs. Taus:

     You are hereby notified that at the meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 2683 held on March 29, 2021, a resolution was adopted by a majority vote of the School Board, proposing your placement on unrequested leave of absence, without pay or fringe benefits, as a teacher of Independent District No. 2683 at the end of the 2020 -2021 school year effective June 30, 2021.  Said action of the School Board is taken pursuant to the District Master Agreement and Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10. upon the grounds described in said statute and which are specifically as follows:

1. lack of pupils
2. financial limitations

        Under the provisions of the law, you are entitled to a hearing before the School Board provided that you make a request in writing within fourteen days after receipt of this notice.  If no hearing is requested within such period, it shall be deemed acquiescence by you to the School Board's proposed action.


Yours very truly,
SCHOOL BOARD OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2683

_________________________________________
Clerk of the School Board
 

Description:  Garrett Undeberg  (12)
Ethan Waage (11)
Caleb Vacura (11)
Dominik Vacura (12)

Dominik Vacura placed 1st
Caleb Vacura placed 4th

Description:  Bella Burkel was elected State (FCCLA) President-elect
McKenna Bennett was elected State (FCCLA) Treasurer

Berlyn Burkel and McKenna Bennett advanced to National Competition

Description:  The boys basketball team will be participating in the State Basketball Tournament.

Description: 
Motion by__________________        Second by ____________________ to ADJOURN

Description: 

• Regular April School Board Meeting - April 19, 2020 @ 7:30 p.m. in GMR School Cafeteria