Murray County Central School Board met on Monday Sept. 9, 2024. The agenda was approved with no additions along with the minutes from the previous meeting and consent agenda items. Personnel recommendations approved, included: Darla Bly - Jr./Sr.Advisor, Kati Bobeldyk – Elem. Yearbook Advisor, Kim DeLong – Secondary Yearbook Advisor, Lucas Freeman – Jr. Sr. Advisor, Christie Gergen – Elementary Vocal Music Director, Isaac Harms – Fall Music Director, Kirsten Harms – Asst. Fall Musical Vocal Director, Caitlyn Harmson – MN Honor Society, Mike Helgeson – Fall Musical Asst. Inst. Director, Mike Helgeson – Instrumental Music Director, Sharon Johnson - SpEd Services and SEAT Team, Christine Larson – Jr./ Sr. Advisor and JH Language Arts Lab, Lindy Larson – SpEd Services, Rachel Sheldahl – Secondary Vocal Music Director, Joanna Vogel - EL Services, Christina Walker – Online Learning Coordinator, Jason Wischnak – Intro to Ed (College Now), Debra Bleyenberg – District Web Mistress, Casey Gass – Elementary Enrichment Coordinator, Mary Homan – Elem. Secretary Long Term Sub, Courtney Rossow – Paraprofessional, James Wajer – Jr./Sr Advisor, Makenzie Sweetman – Speech/Language Pathology Asst., Mandy Berglund – Paraprofessional, Brittany Gorter and Tammi Paulzine requested Lane Changes from BA to BA+15. Christina Walker requested 12 weeks maternity leave. Camille Paulzine resigned from her position as a paraprofessional. After 27 years, Betty Van Peursem will be retiring from her position as a para-educator as of Oct. 31, 2024. All of these requests were approved.
Next, the board reviewed and approved the annual fundraising list. The Elementary Boosterthon will not be held this year. The transportation contracts for individuals or companies who transport students who go to school outside of our district line (ie: Southwest Christian) were approved. These include; Southwest Christian, Chandler Christian Transportation Association, Steve Hoekman, Stan VanIperen, and Jim Mitchell.
No one was present for the public forum. Elementary Principal Patrick Freeman gave his report. Enrollment is up 10 from last year at this time. Attendance was high at the Backto- School conferences with lots of positive feedback from staff and parents. He gave a “shout-out” to Nancy Boerboom and the Paras on the Fastbridge Web Testing. Students in grades K-3 were tested. Classroom teachers are going through the PBIS matrix in their classrooms this month. LETRS Unit 4 was completed by the teachers during workshop and Unit 5 is scheduled in Sept. with Live Training on Oct. 16th. Nancy Boerboom will work with SWWC to host the Live Training. The PBIS theme this year is “Colors of Character”, following a Character Counts program. The first PBIS Assembly will be on Friday, Sept. 27 followed by a Color Run at 2PM to kick off the theme this year. They have some fun activities planned for Homecoming Week.
Secondary Principal Jake Scandrett was next. He thanked the staff for preparing the building to welcome students back. “The building looks great after 100 years of use!” 7th Grade orientation went well. It is good to see students in the hallways again. Opening day enrollment was 329. We added 17 new students and lost 6. 7th grade is a larger class than last years’s graduating class. Workshop week went well, with teachers discussing new goals, participating in trainings, workshops and speakers. He and Mr. Freeman attended the Data Mine in Marshall. They have reviewed goals, student performance on MCAs and shared with staff. They use this information to prepare academic goals for the upcoming year and identify students who need additional support. 9th and 10th graders in the Careers class will attend the Career Expo at Minnesota West in Worthington on Sept. 25th. “This is a great opportunity and something we do each year to give students an idea of the many businesses in the region and what they have to offer as a potential future employer.” Homecoming will kick off with the Powder Puff Football Game on Sat. Sept, 14th at 7:00 followed by many other events throughout the week.
Data Mine results were shared. A couple of points that make us strong is that we have a good graduation trend and attendance. Our scores remain higher than the state average and are in the top 3 in area schools. We were 3rd in math, 2nd in both reading and science in southwest MN. They have set goals for both Elementary and Secondary in reading, math and science.
Mr. Wajer gave his report. Student participation numbers were: 7-12 - Cheer 14, Volleyball 9-12th 36 and 7-8th- 21, Football 9-12th - 44 and 7-8th - 34 Cross Country 7-12th Boys 20, Girls 13 This is 55% percentage rate of total student population. The marching band has 3 contests coming up. This year’s musical will be Oklahoma on Oct. 8,9,and 10th. The Student Athletics Activity Fund purchased a new sound system for the football field. It is a noticeable improvement.
The Superintendent’s report began with Thank yous to Minnwest Bank, The Methodist Church and State Farm/ Kim Holm for the rolls/donuts, breakfast and apples they provided to the staff to start the year. The auditor will be starting on October 2 with the FY24 audit ready at the Nov. board meeting. Katie Will and Mr. Meyer will attend the annual Tax Levy workshop on Sept, 17th in Marshall at SWWC. Three candidates have filed for the open School Board positions: Lauren Biegler, Robin Gilbertson and Katie Hoffmann. Supt. Meyer will be attending a law seminar in Minneapolis on Sept. 20. Fuller Paving’s sub-contractor for curb is not responding so they are searching for another concrete company to finish the curb on the north side of the new parking lot. State statute requirements on the Data Privacy Law will be updated again. A letter to parents will be going out before the end of the month, as required by law, with the vendors listed. A Memorandum of Understanding regarding the READ Act teacher compensation dollars has been discussed and approved by the teacher union. This is required by law and was approved(later in the meeting) by the board as well. Local EA leadership has changed. The new president is Joe Biren and vicepresident is Dominick Damm. Supt. Meyer has met with Mr. Biren and they are working on a climate/culture committee to meet quarterly. This would include Board Reps, Administration and Teacher Reps. The MN School Board Assoc. has moved School Board Recognition month from February to September. “ Thank you for your service to the district and commitment to public school education.” Because of the short notice, we will celebrate with a meal during the December meeting.
The board approved the maximum amount allowable for the Proposed 24 Pay 25 property tax levy, but it will change when it gets closer to the due date. They set the meeting time and location for the public hearing of Truth in Taxation at the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the MCC High School Library, 2420 28th Street, Slayton, MN. Then the board approved the Marching Band to attend the competition in Sioux Falls on Oct. 5th. The 2024-2025 Strategic Plan, as discussed at their recent retreat, was approved.
In old business, the board approved the General Record Retention and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Drone Policies after the 3rd readings. Finally, they gratefully accepted the following donations: Kiwanis Club of Slayton 200.00 Children’s Fund, Tom Pryor 500.00 GBB / BBB, Coborn’s 35.69 HS General Activity.
