January 26, 2012 at 7:00 PM - Board of Education Meeting

Description:  Director Alicia Jepsen, along with staff and parents, will present information about Roosevelt Early Childhood Center, including general school demographics, academic performance, student activities, strengths and challenges. 

Description:  Barclay Carriar, President of the District 742 Local Education & Activities Foundation (LEAF), will present an update of LEAF activities and a preview of the 2012 LEAF Night of the Stars event, scheduled for February 24th and 25th.

Description:  Dr. Pat Welter, Co-Chair, will present an update of the work of the Partners for Student Success campaign.  The Leadership Team and three Action Teams, which are part of this campaign, include over 75 community and school district volunteers.  Information is attached.

Description:  Bruce Mohs, Chair of the Board Community Linkages Committee, will present an overview of the presentation that will be used in conducting a series of community linkage citizen forum events in the outlying communities of the District beginning in late January and continuing through March/April.

Description:  Sebastian Witherspoon, Director of Equity Services, will present an update regarding the Equity and Integration Budget planning.  The District's Integration Budget is due to the Minnesota Department of Education by March 15, 2012.

Description:  Superintendent Bruce Watkins will present information and a recommendation to reduce the space dilemma at Madison Elementary School due to the growth in numbers of families with children in the Madison geographical residential area.  

The Administration recommends approval to close in-District and out-of-District open enrollment to Madison Elementary School, with the exception of the Chinese Immersion Program, effective with the 2012-2013 school year.

Description:  Superintendent Bruce Watkins will review the proposed 2012-2013 School Calendar.  A copy is attached.

The Administration recommends approval of the 2012-2013 School Calendar.

Description:  Cindy Harner, Chair of the Board Personnel & Negotiations Committee, will review the proposed contract extension for Superintendent Bruce Watkins.  A copy is attached.

The Board Personnel & Negotiations Committee recommends approval of the amended contract between Bruce Watkins, Superintendent, and St. Cloud Area School District 742.

Description:  Superintendent Bruce Watkins may present information on current activities in District 742.

Description:  Standing Committee Reports will be presented as follows:

      Board Development Committee (Jerry Von Korff, Chair)
      Community Linkages Committee (Bruce Mohs, Chair)
      Finance and Audit Committee (Jerry Von Korff, Chair)
      Integration and Equity Committee (Les Green, Chair)
      Legislative Committee (Bruce Hentges, Chair)
      Personnel & Negotiations Committee (Cindy Harner, Chair)

Description:  Board of Education members may suggest items/topics for future Board Meeting agendas.  Items brought forth should have been previously discussed with the Board Chair or Vice Chair, Board Standing Committee, or at a prior Board Work Session/Meeting.

Work Session topics for February, 2012, will include:
        Integration Budget
        Decision-Making Process
        South Pool
        North Tennis Courts
        Review of Upcoming Deferred Maintenance Projects
        Review of Upcoming Health & Safety Projects

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the Monthly Treasurer's Reports for November and December, 2011.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the payment of bills and other financial transactions in the amount of $7,816,309.67 (Check Numbers 198519-199313 and ACH 111200546-111200770, Wire 201102076-201102526), and P Card Totals in the amount of $473,055.39, for a grand total of $8,289,365.06.

Description:  The Administration recommends acceptance of the Monthly Financial Report for November, 2011. 

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the following personnel changes pursuant to relevant laws and appropriate provisions of negotiated agreements between the Board of Education and exclusive representatives.  For new hires, the indicated rates are consistent with current negotiated agreements and Board approved rates of pay.  All rates/salaries listed do not include fringe benefits.

Description: 

New Hire
 
Stephen Browning, Fifth Grade Teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, effective January 9, 2012, Lane BA, Pay Level 2 (full time contract for 104.5 days).  Mr. Browning’s salary for this assignment will be $18,563.76.
 
Leave of Absence (Rescind)
 
Mary Cornell, Assistant Elementary Administrator, action effective June 29, 2012 to rescind previous Board approval from April 28, 2011 Board meeting where 2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 leave was granted. 
 
Retirement
 
Nona Lauer, Special Education Teacher, Westwood Elementary School, last day of service June 7, 2012 after almost 33 years of service in District 742.

Marianne Nimchuk, Language Arts/Read 180 Teacher, South Junior High School, last day of service June 7, 2012 after almost 34 years of service in District 742.
 
Sandra Smith, Special Education Teacher, Oak Hill Community School, last day of service June 7, 2012 after almost 21 years of service in District 742.

Description:  Deceased
 
Andrew Neu, Custodian, Westwood Elementary School, passed away on January 12, 2012 after almost 12 years of service in District 742.
 
Health Leave
 
Tara Hutchins, Special Education Paraprofessional, South Junior High School, effective January 30, 2012 through June 6, 2012.

Michele Torgerson, Special Education Paraprofessional, Madison Elementary School, effective January 6, 2012 through June 7, 2012.
 
New Hire
 
Susan Kuzma, Kitchen Helper, Westwood Elementary School, effective January 11, 2012 at an hourly rate of $10.27 per hour.

Jenna Perske, Special Education Paraprofessional (Temporary), Kelly Inn Step Program, effective January 18, 2012 through March 2, 2012 at an hourly rate of $10.47 per hour.  This is a replacement position.
 
Leif Stinson, Bus Driver, District Services Building, effective December 30, 2011 at an hourly rate of $12.30 per hour.
 
Resignation
 
Hanna Botz, Student Support Paraprofessional, Westwood Elementary School, last day of service December 22, 2011.

Michael Ohmann, Media Technician, District Media Services, last day of service January 27, 2012.
 
Denise Seifermann, Kitchen Helper, Clearview Elementary School, last day of service January 20, 2012.

Nasir Yusuf, Cultural Navigator (Jump Start), Discovery Community School, last day of service December 21, 2011.
 
Termination
 
Eric Steven Johnson, Bus Driver, District Services Building, last day of service January 4, 2012.

James Potter, Intervener, Kennedy Community School, last day of service January 13, 2012.
 
Kadar Ture, Cultural Navigator, Technical High School, last day of service January 5, 2012.

Description:  The Administration recommends acceptance of the following grant awards/donations:

1.   Grant award to St. Cloud Area School District 742 from the Morgan Family Foundation in the amount of $50,000.00 for the Partners For Student Success Campaign.

2.  Grant award to Clearview Elementary School from the Morgan Family Foundation in the amount of $10,000 to work with Apple IPads and apps for students to use in math and science.

3.  Donation in the amount of $50.00 to Lincoln Elementary School from Georgia Fruth to help students.

4.  Donation in the amount of $400.00 to St. Cloud Area School District 742 from Kermit Eastman for scholarship awards at Apollo and Tech High Schools.

5.  Donation in the amount of $1,200.00 to the Tech High School Scholarship Program from the Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association.

6.  Donations to the Minnesota Orchestra-Classics for Kids Program to help pay for ticket and transportation costs to send 5th grade students from District 742 to a Young People's Concert at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, as follows:

        $20.00 - Erik and Mary Langsjoen
        $50.00 - Plaza Park Bank
        $100.00 - Mrs. Warren Hutchens
       
7.  Donation in the amount of $26.00 from Strategic Equipment, Inc., to the South Junior High Backpack Food Shelf Program for Needy Students.

8.  Donation in the amount of $100.00 from Edward and Nancy Johnson to the Tech High School Football Program for supplies.

9.  Donation in the amount of $500.00 to South Junior High School from CentraCare Health Foundation for the Walkin' Wildcat All School Fund Raiser.

10.  Safety grant award in the amount of $2,500.00 from State Fund Mutual Insurance Company to the St. Cloud Area School District 742 Buildings and Grounds Department to reduce winter slips and falls.

11.  Donations to the St. Cloud Area School District 742 Homeless Program to assist homeless families with holiday gifts, clothes and other necessary items, as follows:
  
         $25.00 - Gail and Mitchell Berg
         $100.00 - William Leeper
         $500.00 - Willow Flaherty
         $350.00 - Sandee Kjeseth
         $350.00 - Terri Zastrow
         $200.00 - Mollie Werschay
         $250.00 - Amy Rolf
         $400.00 - Carol Hilger

12.  Donations to Tech High School totaling $100.00 from Stephen and Michele Heller for use as follows:
         $25.00 - Orchestra
         $25.00 - Choir
         $50.00 - Library

13.  Grant award in the amount of $16,883.00 from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to the District 742 College Bound Program to support provision of information on financing options for postsecondary education and activities that promote financial literacy and debt management among low-income students and their families.

14.  Target Corporation Field Trip grants (Scholarship America) as follows:

          $700.00 to Clearview Elementary School to fund a trip to the Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul to look at history from a first grade perspective.
          $700.00 to Apollo High School for the Grade 9/10 Program.
          $600.00 to the District 742 Fine & Performing Arts Program to provide busing for all 4th grade students to attend a special performance by the Minnesota Opera at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud.

15.  Box Tops for Education funds in the amount of $685.00 to South Junior High School to provide educational opportunities for students.

16.  Donation in the amount of $1,000.00 to District 742 K-12 Volunteers Program from the American Association of University Women to cover the cost of volunteer background checks.

17.  Donation in the amount of $200.00 to South Junior High School from Ron Bauer, The Horace Mann Companies, for two bicycles.

18.  Donation in the amount of $345.00 to Lincoln Elementary School from the Lincoln PTA for the library.

19.  Donations to Lincoln Elementary School to be used for milk and juice for students unable to pay for it, as follows:
         $24.00 - Culver's Highway 10
         $108.40 - Knights of Clumbus, Ladies Auxiliary #5548

20.  Donation in the amount of $2,700.00 from St. Cloud Golden Gloves Boxing to the District 742 Special Education Program to support technology needs for students who are visually impaired.

21.  Donation in the amount of $2,000.00 to the Tech High School Boys Swim Program from the Swim With A Tiger Boosters for an additional coach.

22.  Donation in the amount of $750.00 to Oak Hill Community School from the Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., Foundation, Oakland, California for the Literacy Program.

23.  Donation in the amount of $25.00 to Oak Hill Community School from Russell and Joan Bramble for kindergarten classroom needs.

24.  Donations to the Tech High School Orchestra Program, as follows:
            $75.00 - Beverley Williams
            $75.00 - Wendy Kidd, Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra

Description:  The total expenses reimbursed to Board Members from October 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 was $567.21.  A copy of the detailed expenses is attached.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of the resolution for authorization and sale of the Certificates of Participation for the Lease/Purchase of District equipment (District Energy Savings Project).  A copy of the resolution is attached.

Description:  The Administration recommends approval of Change Order #2 with Preusser Construction, Inc. for the above named project in the amount of +$24,901 for foundation change, 3-phase electrical feeder, and sprinkler replacement.