Public Meeting Agenda: January 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

III. DISTRICT POINTS OF PRIDE

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Rick Sansted will share with the board the "206 Points of Pride." The persons being recognized this month are:

Alexandria Area High School has been recognized as a "Best High School" by the Star Tribune’s Minnesota Best publication. This annual contest, winners of which are determined by readers, highlights the top three businesses, organizations or individuals in more than 350 categories.

Ten AAHS students earned the title of Central Lakes Conference Athlete of the Week in their respective sport:

Hadley Thul - basketball: in 3 games, had 62 points to eclipse the 1,000 point milestone
Logan Timm - wrestling: at Melrose invite, defeated #1, #2 and #3 seeds to win the tournament
Gavin Olson - hockey: in 2 games, had 4 points on 2 goals and 2 assists
Kennedy Ellingson - hockey: in 1 game, scored 2 goals
Jersey Severson - hockey: in a Section win, scored 2 goals and had 2 assists
Eric Peterson - swimming: in one meet, took 1^st in the 200 freestyle, the 100 freestyle and the 400 free relay
Kira Johnson - gymnastics: in one meet, took 1^st in vault, bars, beam and all-around
Evan Anderson - hockey: scored 3 goals and had 1 assist in 2 wins
Brady Metcalf - hockey: had 49 saves on 53 shots in 2 wins
Kyler Kavanagh - diving: broke 3 records for 11 dives (pool record, true team meet record and school record)

Junior Lydia Oldenkamp has been selected a 2024 ExCEL Award Winner. The ExCEL Award (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) is awarded to Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

Presenter: Rick Sansted

IV.A. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING ON DECEMBER 18, 2023 AND ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING ON JANUARY 8, 2024

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The following pages provide a copy of the minutes from the December 18, 2023 regular board meeting and the January 8, 2024 organizational meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board approve the minutes as printed.

IV.B. APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS FOR DECEMBER 2023

Presenter: Trevor Peterson

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The listing of bills for payment is the last attachment to this agenda.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board approve the payment of bills for December 2023.

IV.C. APPROVE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR DECEMBER 2023

Presenter: Trevor Peterson

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The following pages provide a summary report of revenue and expenditures for the district as of December 31, 2023.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board approve the revenue and expenditures reports for the month of December 2023.

IV.D. APPROVE PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Presenter: Jessie Hjelle

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Personnel recommendations are made monthly. The conditional offers of employment are subject to successful completion of a criminal background check and I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, and where applicable, the issuance of the required license.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board approve the personnel recommendations as presented on the following pages.

IV.E. APPROVE SUBMISSION OF GRANT APPLICATIONS

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The administration recommends that the school board approve the submission of the following:

Grant application to the American Academy of Dermatology for $8,000 to add a shade structure to the Early Education playground.
Grant application to the Great Start Compensation Programs for $8,800 per month, December 2023 through May 2024, to support Compass staff working directly with students.
Donation request to the Alexandria Sertoma Club for $1,149 to help purchase a new audiometer.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the school board approve the resolution to submit the grant applications and donation requests.

IV.F. ADOPT RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT DONATIONS AND GRANTS

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

As per district policy, the board is required to approve the submission and acceptance of donations and grants to the district that exceed $1,000.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the school board approve the attached resolution accepting grants and donations to the school district.

IV.G. APPROVE EXTENDED FIELD TRIPS

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

As per district policy, the board is required to approve all extended field trips that involve one or more overnight stays.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends that the school board approve the following extended field trips:

The Nordic Ski Team is requesting permission to travel to Biwabik, MN on January 5-6, 2024 to participate in the largest high school cross-country ski meet in the continent.
The FFA Team is requesting permission to travel to Fargo, ND on February 12-13, 2024 to visit an ag business, visit a college of agriculture and complete a community service project.
The HOSA program is requesting permission to travel to Rochester, MN on January 4-5, 2024 to compete in the mid-winter competition.
The Carlos and Garfield Elementary 5^th graders are requesting permission to travel to Deep Portage Learning Center in Hackensack, MN on February 21-23 to participate in classes to foster awareness, curiosity, conservation, sensitivity and stewardship to the environment.
The Girls Golf Team is requesting permission to travel to Bunker Hills Golf Club in Minneapolis, MN on May 17-18 to compete in a 2-day tri-state golf event.
The Wildlife Studies class is requesting permission to travel to Lake Carlos State Park on February 9-10 to learn winter camping skills and understand the basics of winter activities.

IV.H. APPROVE FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

As per district policy, the board is required to approve all fundraising activities.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration is recommending that the school board approve the following fundraiser:

The DMS Student Council will host a student dance in the spring to provide a positive, safe and fun way for students to gather outside of the school day. Any proceeds from the sale of food will go to the Student Council Student Activity Fund.
The DMS Student Council will sell Valentine Grams in February to support a positive student environment. Any proceeds will go to the Student Council Student Activity Fund.

IV.I. APPROVE INDEPENDENT PROVIDER APPLICATION

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Alexandria Shooting Park is applying to be the Independent Provider for the Alexandria Area High School Clay Target League during the 2023-2024 school year.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends that the board approve Alexandria Shooting Park as the Independent Provider for the Clay Target League for the 2023-2024 school year.

IV.J. APPROVE FIRST READING OF DISTRICT POLICIES

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The following pages provide suggested policy additions or policy revisions for first reading. Administration will review the policies at the meeting.

- - Policy 533 - Wellness
  - Policy 567 - Student Dress and Appearance
  - Policy 619 - Staff Development for Standards
  - Policy 634 - Student Homework
  - Policy 651 - Athletic, Fine Arts and Activity Eligibility and Chemical Abuse

The Curriculum/Policy Committee reviewed the policies at their committee meeting and supports the additions and revisions.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board approve the first reading of the policies listed above.

IV.K. ADOPT DISTRICT POLICIES

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The following policies received a first reading at the December 2023 board meeting:

- - Policy 416 - Drug and Alcohol Testing
  - Policy 603 - Curriculum Development
  - Policy 611 - Home Schooling
  - Policy 615 - Testing Accommodations, Modifications and Exemptions for IEPs, Section 504 Plan and English Learner Students
  - Policy 616 - School District System Accountability
  - Policy 618 - Assessment of Student Achievement

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board adopt Policies 416, 603, 611, 615, 616 and 618.

IV.L. ADOPT 2024-2025 DMS CURRICULUM COURSES

Presenter: Darcy Josephson

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The 2024-2025 DMS Curriculum and Program Modifications/Course Changes received a first reading at the December 18, 2023 board meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board adopt the 2024-2025 curriculum/program changes as presented.

V. REPORTS/DISCUSSION ITEMS

V.A. WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL UPDATE

Presenter: Stephanie Ruegemer

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Stephanie Ruegemer will share highlights from Woodland Elementary School. A question and answer time will be provided at the meeting.

No formal action is expected.

V.B. MID-YEAR UPDATE ON DISTRICT'S OPERATIONAL PLAN

Presenter: Darcy Josephson

Description: INFORMATION:

Darcy Josephson will provide a mid-year status on activities related to the 2023-2024 Operational Plan. She will provide the school board with an overview and an update of activities, programs and services.

No formal action is expected.

VI. ACTION ITEMS

VI.A. APPROVE FIRST READING OF PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

Presenter: Darcy Josephson, Jessie Hjelle, Michelle Bethke-Kaliher and Trevor Peterson

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Attached are the planning assumptions for the 2024-2025 school year related to:

General Planning
School Improvement and Staff Development Planning
Staffing Planning
Special Education Planning
Budget Planning
- Revenues
- Expenses

The administration will provide an overview of the proposed planning assumptions for 2024-2025. Further discussion will take place at the meeting.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board approve the first reading of the 2024-2025 planning assumptions as presented.

VI.B. APPROVE RESOLUTION DIRECTING ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE REDUCTION AND/OR DISCONTINUANCE OF PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS AND REASONS THEREFOR

Presenter: Jessie Hjelle

Description: BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Annually, the school board is required to approve a resolution for possible reductions in staff. The resolution is available on the following page. With the adoption of this resolution, the administration will move forward with the 2024-2025 budgeting, staffing and goal setting process.

RECOMMENDATION:

The administration recommends the board adopt the Resolution Directing Administration to Make Recommendations Regarding the Reduction and/or Discontinuance of Programs and Positions and Reasons Therefor.

VII. COMMUNICATION ITEMS

Presenter: Rick Sansted

Description: INFORMATION

The district administrative team will provide informational updates to the board at the meeting.

The following pages provide the minutes of recent meetings of the Personnel/Negotiation Committee, Curriculum/Policy Committee and the Budget/Facilities Committee.

Also, school board members will share information and other updates as appropriate.

VII.A. ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

VII.B. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER REPORTS

VII.C. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS

VII.D. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

VIII. DELEGATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

IX. ADJOURNMENT

January 22, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Regular Meeting

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