II. TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

III. PREVIEW OF AGENDA - Dr. James Hess

IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to approve the agenda.

V. REQUEST TO REMOVE TOPIC(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA

VI. CONSENT AGENDA
The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (     ) to approve the following Consent items:

VI.A. Minutes from the November 16, 2015 School Board Meeting

VI.B. Current Bills and Special Checks Totaling:  $3,378,135.03

VI.C. Noncertified Staff Resignations

VI.D. Teacher Seniority List

VI.E. Request to Submit Grant Application - Team Foundation

VI.F. Request to Submit Grant Application - Grade 6 Language Arts & Social Studies Historical Fiction Writing Project

VI.G. Request to Accept Grant - Grade 6 Language Arts & Social Studies Historical Fiction Writing Project

VI.H. Request to Accept Grant Application - Beltrami Area Service Collaborative

VII. SPECIAL TOPICS

VIII. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

IX. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

X. LISTENING SESSION REVIEW

XI. DONATIONS

XI.A. Donations

The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to accept the donation of $4,273.00 from an anonymous donor in honor of a Bemidji High School graduate, $1,000.00 from the Sertoma Club, and advertising from Paul Bunyan Broadcasting with a value of $10,262.

XII. NEW SCHOOL PLANNING

XII.A. Gene Dillon Elementary Site Discussion and Related Meetings with Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board and Planning Commission

XII.B. Purchase Agreement

The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to direct administration to develop a proposal to negotiate a return of the Gordon Property to the Beltrami County HRA and enter into a purchase agreement with the owners of the Grant Valley Township property.

XIII. EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT OPERATIONS

XIII.A. First Reading of Revised SBR 700-40-2:  School Discipline Policy

The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to approve the first reading of revised SBR 700-40-2:  School Discipline Policy.

XIII.B. American Indian Education Transmittal of Resolution and Parent Committee Roster

____ introduced the following resolution and urged its adoption:

AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION TRANSMITTAL OF RESOLUTION AND PARENT COMMITTEE ROSTER  

WHEREAS, the Bemidji Local Indian Education Committee, Bemidji Area Schools, Independent School District No. 31 provides an opportunity for all of its citizens to participate in district program communities, and  

WHEREAS, the Indian Education Parent Committee of the Bemidji Area Schools, Independent School District No. 31 is the duly elected and established Parent Committee comprised of  parents of children eligible to be enrolled in American Indian programs, secondary students, representatives from community groups, school administrators, and  

WHEREAS, the Parent Committee’s current responsibilities are addressed in adopted by-laws and apply to programs specifically designed for American Indian learners implemented through Indian Education Programs, and  

WHEREAS, the Parent Committee responsibilities have been expanded to include involvement in and advertisement of all educational programs, programs for elementary and secondary grades, special education programs and support services, and  

WHEREAS, the Indian Education Parent Committee of Bemidji Area Schools, Independent School District No. 31 did meet on November 17, 2015 to review, recommend and approve this Resolution, and  

WHEREAS, the Parent Committee has found most of the district’s educational programs to be adequate in meeting the needs of American Indian students.  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Parent Committee of Bemidji Area Schools does concur that the district’s programs meet American Indian student needs.  

The motion for the foregoing resolution was seconded by ____, and a tabulation of votes is as follows:  

AYES:                                    
NOES:                       
ABSENT:                    

WHEREUPON, the foregoing resolution was duly passed and adopted.  

XIII.C. 2015 Payable 2016 Levy Limit Certification

The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to certified the 2015 Pay 2016 Levy at $9,865,532.60.

XIII.D. Potential Reduction in Programs and Positions

____ introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCTIONS IN PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS AND REASONS THEREFORE  

WHEREAS, the financial condition of the school district may dictate that the School Board must consider a possible reduction in expenditures, and  

WHEREAS, shifts in elementary and secondary student participation might cause discontinuance of positions and/or curtailment of programs, and  

WHEREAS, a determination must be made concerning which teachers’ contracts must be terminated and not renewed, and which teachers may be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits;  

BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 31:  That the School Board hereby directs the Superintendent of Schools and administration to consider the discontinuance of programs or positions to effectuate economies in the school district and reduce expenditures; and make recommendations to the School Board for discontinuance of programs, curtailment of programs, discontinuance of positions or curtailment of positions.  

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by ____ and a tabulation of votes is as follows:  

AYES:  
NOES:  
ABSENT:  

WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

XIII.E. Resolution Promoting the Paul Bunyan Expressway

____ introduced the following resolution and urged its adoption:

RESOLUTION PROMOTING THE PAUL BUNYAN EXPRESSWAY  

WHEREAS, the completion of the Paul Bunyan Expressway will provide safer and improved road conditions on Minnesota Highway 371 and provide access to three of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota (Hubbard, Cass, and Beltrami).  

WHEREAS, the completion of the Paul Bunyan Expressway would provide tourist, development, retail, and other economic opportunities leading to stabilization and security in our community, as well as the whole Highway 371 corridor.  

WHEREAS, this concept not only provides opportunity in our community, but will contribute to economic opportunity for points north of Highway 371, namely Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Koochiching, Itasca, and Northern Beltrami Counties.   

WHEREAS, travel is a major factor in our “lakes and pines” region and Minnesota Highway 371 is a major artery for goods and services into and from the seven county metro area.   

WHEREAS, completion of this road is considered one of the most strategic investments for the state to provide increased property values, tax revenues, employment, better access to education institutions, and the stimulation of business development.  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Bemidji Area Schools supports the completion of the Paul Bunyan Expressway and encourages the completion of Minnesota Highway 371 as a four lane expressway and as a main artery route into the “lakes and pines” region.  It is our conclusion that this concept is positive for our area and that our organization will participate in the meetings to make plans to complete the Paul Bunyan Expressway.   

The motion for the foregoing resolution was seconded by ____, and a tabulation of votes is as follows:  

AYES:                   
NOES:                   
ABSENT:                

WHEREUPON, the foregoing resolution was duly passed and adopted.

XIII.F. Resolution Supporting Bemidji Area Tennis Association

____ introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE BEMIDJI AREA TENNIS ASSOCIATION’S PLAN FOR AN INDOOR TENNIS FACILITY. 

 ____, ISD #31 Board Member seconded the resolution in support of the Bemidji Area Tennis Association’s plan for an indoor tennis facility and a tabulation of votes is as follows:  

Ayes:                                                                          
Nays:                                                  
Abstain:  

WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

XIV. HIGHEST LEVEL OF STUDENT SUCCESS

XIV.A. Bemidji High School JROTC Marksmanship Briefing

XIV.B. Fall 2015 State Competition Participant Recognition

XIV.C. Overview of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

XV. SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

XVI. UPCOMING EVENTS

XVI.A. Special School Board Work Session, Monday, January 11, 2016, 6:30 p.m., in the District Office Board Room

XVI.B. Minnesota School Boards Association Leadership Conference - January 14-15, 2016

XVI.C. January School Board Meeting - Monday, January 25, 2016, 6:30 p.m.  (Date change due to Martin Luther King Jr Holiday Observance)

XVII. OTHER

XVII.A. Once Around the Table

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT

XIX. CALL TO ORDER

XX. TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

XXI. PREVIEW OF AGENDA - Dr. James Hess

XXII. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to approve the agenda.

XXIII. REQUEST TO REMOVE TOPIC(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA

XXIV. CONSENT AGENDA
The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (     ) to approve the following Consent items:

XXIV.A. Minutes from the November 16, 2015 School Board Meeting

XXIV.B. Current Bills and Special Checks Totaling:  $3,378,135.03

XXIV.C. Noncertified Staff Resignations

XXIV.D. Teacher Seniority List

XXIV.E. Request to Submit Grant Application - Team Foundation

XXIV.F. Request to Submit Grant Application - Grade 6 Language Arts & Social Studies Historical Fiction Writing Project

XXIV.G. Request to Accept Grant - Grade 6 Language Arts & Social Studies Historical Fiction Writing Project

XXIV.H. Request to Accept Grant Application - Beltrami Area Service Collaborative

XXV. SPECIAL TOPICS

XXVI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

XXVII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

XXVIII. LISTENING SESSION REVIEW

XXIX. DONATIONS

XXIX.A. Donations

The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to accept the donation of $4,273.00 from an anonymous donor in honor of a Bemidji High School graduate, $1,000.00 from the Sertoma Club, and advertising from Paul Bunyan Broadcasting with a value of $10,262.

XXX. NEW SCHOOL PLANNING

XXX.A. Gene Dillon Elementary Site Discussion and Related Meetings with Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board and Planning Commission

XXX.B. Purchase Agreement

The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to direct administration to develop a proposal to negotiate a return of the Gordon Property to the Beltrami County HRA and enter into a purchase agreement with the owners of the Grant Valley Township property.

XXXI. EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT OPERATIONS

XXXI.A. First Reading of Revised SBR 700-40-2:  School Discipline Policy

The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to approve the first reading of revised SBR 700-40-2:  School Discipline Policy.

XXXI.B. American Indian Education Transmittal of Resolution and Parent Committee Roster

____ introduced the following resolution and urged its adoption:

AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION TRANSMITTAL OF RESOLUTION AND PARENT COMMITTEE ROSTER  

WHEREAS, the Bemidji Local Indian Education Committee, Bemidji Area Schools, Independent School District No. 31 provides an opportunity for all of its citizens to participate in district program communities, and  

WHEREAS, the Indian Education Parent Committee of the Bemidji Area Schools, Independent School District No. 31 is the duly elected and established Parent Committee comprised of  parents of children eligible to be enrolled in American Indian programs, secondary students, representatives from community groups, school administrators, and  

WHEREAS, the Parent Committee’s current responsibilities are addressed in adopted by-laws and apply to programs specifically designed for American Indian learners implemented through Indian Education Programs, and  

WHEREAS, the Parent Committee responsibilities have been expanded to include involvement in and advertisement of all educational programs, programs for elementary and secondary grades, special education programs and support services, and  

WHEREAS, the Indian Education Parent Committee of Bemidji Area Schools, Independent School District No. 31 did meet on November 17, 2015 to review, recommend and approve this Resolution, and  

WHEREAS, the Parent Committee has found most of the district’s educational programs to be adequate in meeting the needs of American Indian students.  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Parent Committee of Bemidji Area Schools does concur that the district’s programs meet American Indian student needs.  

The motion for the foregoing resolution was seconded by ____, and a tabulation of votes is as follows:  

AYES:                                    
NOES:                       
ABSENT:                    

WHEREUPON, the foregoing resolution was duly passed and adopted.  

XXXI.C. 2015 Payable 2016 Levy Limit Certification

The motion was offered by ____, seconded by ____, and carried (    ) to certified the 2015 Pay 2016 Levy at $9,865,532.60.

XXXI.D. Potential Reduction in Programs and Positions

____ introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCTIONS IN PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS AND REASONS THEREFORE  

WHEREAS, the financial condition of the school district may dictate that the School Board must consider a possible reduction in expenditures, and  

WHEREAS, shifts in elementary and secondary student participation might cause discontinuance of positions and/or curtailment of programs, and  

WHEREAS, a determination must be made concerning which teachers’ contracts must be terminated and not renewed, and which teachers may be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits;  

BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 31:  That the School Board hereby directs the Superintendent of Schools and administration to consider the discontinuance of programs or positions to effectuate economies in the school district and reduce expenditures; and make recommendations to the School Board for discontinuance of programs, curtailment of programs, discontinuance of positions or curtailment of positions.  

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by ____ and a tabulation of votes is as follows:  

AYES:  
NOES:  
ABSENT:  

WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

XXXI.E. Resolution Promoting the Paul Bunyan Expressway

____ introduced the following resolution and urged its adoption:

RESOLUTION PROMOTING THE PAUL BUNYAN EXPRESSWAY  

WHEREAS, the completion of the Paul Bunyan Expressway will provide safer and improved road conditions on Minnesota Highway 371 and provide access to three of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota (Hubbard, Cass, and Beltrami).  

WHEREAS, the completion of the Paul Bunyan Expressway would provide tourist, development, retail, and other economic opportunities leading to stabilization and security in our community, as well as the whole Highway 371 corridor.  

WHEREAS, this concept not only provides opportunity in our community, but will contribute to economic opportunity for points north of Highway 371, namely Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Koochiching, Itasca, and Northern Beltrami Counties.   

WHEREAS, travel is a major factor in our “lakes and pines” region and Minnesota Highway 371 is a major artery for goods and services into and from the seven county metro area.   

WHEREAS, completion of this road is considered one of the most strategic investments for the state to provide increased property values, tax revenues, employment, better access to education institutions, and the stimulation of business development.  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Bemidji Area Schools supports the completion of the Paul Bunyan Expressway and encourages the completion of Minnesota Highway 371 as a four lane expressway and as a main artery route into the “lakes and pines” region.  It is our conclusion that this concept is positive for our area and that our organization will participate in the meetings to make plans to complete the Paul Bunyan Expressway.   

The motion for the foregoing resolution was seconded by ____, and a tabulation of votes is as follows:  

AYES:                   
NOES:                   
ABSENT:                

WHEREUPON, the foregoing resolution was duly passed and adopted.

XXXI.F. Resolution Supporting Bemidji Area Tennis Association

____ introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE BEMIDJI AREA TENNIS ASSOCIATION’S PLAN FOR AN INDOOR TENNIS FACILITY. 

 ____, ISD #31 Board Member seconded the resolution in support of the Bemidji Area Tennis Association’s plan for an indoor tennis facility and a tabulation of votes is as follows:  

Ayes:                                                                          
Nays:                                                  
Abstain:  

WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

XXXII. HIGHEST LEVEL OF STUDENT SUCCESS

XXXII.A. Bemidji High School JROTC Marksmanship Briefing

XXXII.B. Fall 2015 State Competition Participant Recognition

XXXII.C. Overview of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

XXXIII. SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

XXXIV. UPCOMING EVENTS

XXXIV.A. Special School Board Work Session, Monday, January 11, 2016, 6:30 p.m., in the District Office Board Room

XXXIV.B. Minnesota School Boards Association Leadership Conference - January 14-15, 2016

XXXIV.C. January School Board Meeting - Monday, January 25, 2016, 6:30 p.m.  (Date change due to Martin Luther King Jr Holiday Observance)

XXXV. OTHER

XXXV.A. Once Around the Table

XXXVI. ADJOURNMENT