Murray County Central School Board met on Monday, November 8th. The Board was provided an update on the minutes from the previous month’s meeting, as well as the financials for the month. Superintendent Joe Meyer presented the Board with his personnel recommendations. They include: Suzanne Bau Knowledge Bowl – Head, Timothy Bobeldyk Boys Basketball – Junior High Coach, Timothy Cariveau Boys Basketball – Head Coach, Tyson Crosby Wrestling – Assistant Varsity, Davina Ethridge Knowledge Bowl – Junior High, Lucas Freeman Girls Basketball – Head Coach, Patrick Freeman Mock Trial Advisor, Isaac Harms One Act Play Director, Christina Walker Speech Director, Nathan Wieneke Boys Basketball – Junior High Coach, Tammy Aanenson Assistant Speech Director, Paul Counter Boys Basketball – Assistant Varsity Coach, Chad Larson Girls Basketball – Junior High Coach, Joan Miller Girls Basketball – Junior High Coach. The Board approved these and also hired Jeffrey Powers Girls Basketball – Assistant Varsity Coach and approved April Burch Paraeducators resignation. They next approved the senority lists for ECFE/LR Licensed Staff, Para Professionals and EA Licensed Staff.
Todd Burlingame wasn’t present, but his update was presented to the Board by Secondary Principal Jacob Scandrett. Elementary enrollment is up 3 students since last month. The afterschool care is averaging 11 students a day and the afterschool homework help is between 5-7 students a day. The Orton Gillingham Training continues with 6 more staff members starting the training on November 3rd. They have started to interview for Della’s position. He reported a feeling of “Normal” returning with holiday events happening (pumpkin carving, muffins for moms, pep fests etc.). Report cards will be emailed home on November 17th. Parent/Teacher conferences are November 22nd and 23rd.
Scandrett provided his update to the Board. The High School held fall conferences this year with a 44% attendance rate, this is down over years past. The communication between parents and teachers being more instantaneous now, they wonder if that is why attendance was low. The Veterans Day program is scheduled for November 11th. The American Education Celebration is November 18th. United Day was October 27th and the students were treated to speaker Derek Francis who spoke about biases, differences and inclusion. The second year of Life Skills Training SEL Implementation is coming up. This class is part of a grant received 2 years ago that MCC is partaking in. Plans for the MCA Celebration Day which will happen on the ½ day before Christmas are underway.
Meyer also provided a district update to the Board. He touched on this next week being American Education Week and thanked the Board Members for their years of service. Chairman – Dan Woldt – finishing his 19th year of service, Vice Chairman – Tony Clarke – finishing his 11th year of service, Treasurer – Sue Streff – finishing her 13th year of service, Clerk – Lauren Biegler – finishing her 5th year of service, Director – Robin Gilbertson – finishing her 5th year of service, Director – Maddy Robinson – finishing her 3rd year of service. Thank you for all you do for the district. The audit report will be presented at the December meeting. The annual food and beverage inspection was done at central with no negative findings. The COVID cases for district are low right now. The annual Roof inspection was done on both Buildings. As expected, the roof over the competition gym, which is 29 years old, is in need of replacement. Later in the meeting he has a bid/proposal for the replacement. This is something that can be budgeted for ESSER III funds. Union negotiations continue with the Para Union requesting more info and still not having heard back from the EA or Cooks/Custodians.
James Wajer, Athletic Director also provided an update to the Board. Congrats to the football team on their 3A Conference win. The play schedule has been adjusted to accommodate the Football Team’s next game in their run for State. Also congrats to the Girls Cross Country Team for their 6th place finish at state. And to Amanda Overgaauw, 1st place and Ashley Overgaauw, 6th place. GBB practice will start on Monday, November 15th and BBB will start on the following Monday, November 22nd. Jr. High Knowledge Bowl had their first meet this week.
Moving on to old business; the Board rescinded a motion they made last month for a fund transfer. This is not needed per the auditors. The Board also received a quote/bid from Terry Engelkes for snow removal this winter. He has a Bobcat, bucket and blower. This would replace the motion they made last month to utilize Kevin Nelson’s equipment for snow removal. Meyer did reach out to Nelson who is ok with this decision. The Board accepted Engelkes’s bid for snow removal for the 2021-22 winter season.
The first item of new business was the SW/WC Co-op Board ballots. Each Board member can vote for whomever they feel best. They also reviewed the Community Education annual report which needs to be submitted to the MN Department of Education each year. They then reviewed the Compulsory Report that is done each year. This looks at the numbers of students who are home schooled and attend a nonpublic school in our district. The Board next reviewed the gym roof proposal. The estimated cost is $124,680 and Meyer was informed that its best to order as soon as possible as items are taking up to a year to come in. The Board agreed this needs to be done and approved the project. Dominick Damm requested an out of state trip to SDSU for the Anatomy and Physiology Classes. They will tour the anatomy lab at SDSU. This request was approved. The last item of new business was the annual resolution for the MNHSL Foundation. This is required for the district to apply for the foundation grant each year. The Board approved this.
They approved the donations for the month. Thank you! Donations for the month: Nobles Murray Rural Electric Trust 740.00 Kindergarten, Sports Boosters 3722.00 Signs and Concessions Cards, Richard Morin 120.00 Activity Passes, Sherry Robinson 70.00 Drama, SHS Class of ‘66 500.00 Scholarship, Richard Morin 500.00 Scholarship, MCC Staff 75.00 Scholarship, Currie State Bank 250.00 Scholarship, Various 5906.58 FFA Corn Drive.
The meeting was adjourned, and the next school board meeting will be December 13th at 6pm. The Truth in Taxation meeting will also happen this night.
