MCC SCHOOL BOARD HOLDS NOVEMBER MEETING

By Jenny Kirk Among the many items of business tackled at the Murray County Central School Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 13 was the approval of the fiscal year 2023 audit report and the acceptance of a living green hydroponic gardening system.

Blake Klinsing of Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co., PLLP was in attendance and shared a snapshot of the audit report. Key financial highlights for the 2022-2023 fiscal year include the following: net position increased by $1,023,167 or 33.9% over June 30, 2022, due primarily to the GASB 68 required adjustment for TRA and PERA obligations, fund balance increased by $470,539 or 18% compared to a year prior mainly due to an increase in state revenues, and total governmental revenues increased by $511,772 or 4.6% in comparison to fiscal year 2022, while expenditures decreased by $158,676 or 1.4% compared to fiscal year 2022.

According to Klinsing, “everything was good” with the exception of the segregation of duties in the accounting functions, something every small district ends up being written up for each year because it’s not financially feasible to hire multiple staff members to handle those financial duties.

The district is now the proud owner of a living green hydroponic gardening system, which was acquired through a request for proposal process through Nobles Cooperative Electric. High School Principal Jake Scandrett said MCC was selected to receive the 8x12 grow shed at no cost. The board then approved the donation, which will likely be located near the greenhouse as an educational tool to teach students a variety of concepts. Superintendent Joe Meyer shared that he also believes that the gardening system will be great for continuing to grow plants during the winter and potentially experimenting with transplanting.

Meyer also thanked Business Director Lisa Rademacher, who attended her last meeting. “I want to publicly thank Lisa for her 19 years of service to the district,” Meyer said. “We’re going to miss her.” Rademacher recently took a position at Maple Lake Public Schools. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I have a special place in my heart for MCC,” she said. Her position has already been filled. A few superintendent personnel recommendations were among the consent agenda items approved by the board. Meyer pointed out that Sara Zins had been hired for hourly early childhood special education services due to increased enrollment needs. The district’s health coordinator position was reevaluated after additional students came. As a result, extra assignments were extended to Nichole Johnson and Lauren Risacher. There was also a resignation from HR/payroll clerk Charlotte Seager, with applications being received.

The board also approved the MCC Education Association 2023-25 master agreement and the MCC Custodial/ Food Service 2023-25 agreement, with Meyer explaining the changes. The Rule of 90 language was deleted as that no longer applies. All special education teachers will receive one no-student contact day per quarter, to be used for progress reporting and IEP-required paperwork. For co-curricular, the structure for base pay and percentages changed to better reflect the length of season and overall time required, along with the additional responsibility that goes with those.

A handful of policy updates were also approved, as were the 2023-24 seniority lists. A letter of intent to enter into contract negotiations was also briefly discussed. Meyer is looking to extend his contract for another three years.

In the elementary school report, Principal Patrick Freeman said enrollment is up by six students and that the Little Rebels program is pretty much full, so he’s optimistic about having a good-sized kindergarten class in the future. While that is good news, it also forces the district to navigate some challenges because the numbers are so high, he said. The total profit for the recent fundraiser was $31,670. Pioneer Day for the second graders was also successful, as was the Young Artist Conference, Trick or Trot, and Donuts for Dad (kindergarten), and Veterans Day program. Fourth graders had the opportunity to go backstage and learn about the production of “Grease” and watch the dress rehearsal, along with kindergarten and first grade students. Teacher conferences are Monday and Tuesday.

In the secondary report, Scandrett said fall conference attendance was up from last year, from 56% to 58%. ACT data shows the results from the graduating class of 2023 (21.0) were higher than the state (20.8) and national (19.5) average composite scores. Regarding PBIS, teachers have been documenting their review of behavioral expectations based on Responsible, Respectful and Proud school behavior the district’s framework. MCC has also been utilizing its counseling services more to help meet the requirements of new laws. “The addition of Greg Scheitel has been a huge additional support to our counseling program and we are thankful to have him here as we sort through providing non-exclusionary discipline,” Scandrett said. Four more vape detectors were purchased for the high school. All the academic wings will be covered once those are installed. “We continue to work very hard at keeping our kids safe,” Scandrett said.

In his report, Meyer extended appreciation to the board members as recognition during American Education Week. In September, mental health/social worker Scheitel worked with 19 students in multiple grades and consulted with six teachers with either consultation or resource requests. In October, Meyer said that ticked up to 45 students. “He is very resourceful and has a lot of experience,” Meyer said. “We’re glad to have him here providing additional support.” Luke Isder from the Murray County Sheriff’s Office approached Meyer about possibly using the King Avenue house for some tactical training until it is torn down. Board members should have received a ballot to vote in the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative Board of Directors election. The district is nearing its goal of $100,000 for the gym floor project. Meyer said they are currently at $97,970, which he is really happy with because it shows strong support of the community.

Activities Director James Wajer said fall activities had concluded and people were looking forward to winter sports. Four seniors had their last football season, while volleyball and cross country each had seven seniors. Junior High Knowledge Bowl is on its third meet. Preliminary numbers show boys basketball will have AB and C squads, while the girls will have AB squads. Wrestling will have a full squad and will look to build on the momentum from last year. The cheer team will have two full varsity squads. In new business, the board declined to renew a head baseball contract for Nathan Wieneke, and a resolution non-renewing coaching contract was approved by all board members.

An extended cheer team trip request was approved. Advisor Kari Mathiowetz noted that Black Friday was one of the few dates that didn’t take kids out of school and that the students would receive a backstage tour with professional Timberwolves cheerleaders, perform pre-game, stay for the game, come back to the hotel, and return home the next day.

In old business, the board accepted the lone water heater bid submitted by David Beckmann.

The board also approved a resolution accepting donations, several of which were designated to the gym floor project: Tim & Kati Bobeldyk $150, Dan & Amy Woldt $500, Rosenbrook Construction $200, Tim & Megan Cariveau $100, James & Diane Johnson $100, Dave & Brooke Swart $1,000, Joe & Heather Meyer $500, Travis & Daisy Pierson $5,000, Michael & Karen Sawatzky $500, Marlene Wajer $500, Jill & Brad Engebretson $100, Gary Swart Memorial $3,000, Roger Huyink $500, Duane & Dawn Spartz $1,000 and Apex Clean Energy $10,000.

The resolution accepting donations also included Fun Run designations: Slayton Fireman’s Relief $300, Shetek Dental $300, Slayton Foods $200, Katie Jacobson CPA $200, Smith & Johnson $300, Barbara Bergman $150 and Hospice of Murray County $300, as well as FFA designations: Farmers Agency – Avoca $100, Jerry Moline CPA $100, Nepp Sales & Service $125, Kim Holm Insurance $50, Murray Cattlemen’s Association $100, Zoetis $344.92, Minnesota FFA $330 and Corn Drive $12,927.93.

Other donations included: Murray County Soil & Water $707.62 Environmental Fair Transportation, Doug & Katie Clarke $1,334.08 Cross Country Uniforms, American Legion Auxiliary No. 285 $600 Scholarship, MCC Staff $50 Scholarship and Anonymous $100 Color Guard.

The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11.