By Jenny Kirk The Murray County School Board approved the eight items part of the consent agenda and then listened to concerns from Jeff and Trish Grieme during the public forum.
The Griemes wanted to address reasons why the district chose to hire an unlicensed school nurse for the upcoming academic year. Superintendent Joe Meyer explained that the district does not need a licensed school nurse for a school their size. Under current Minnesota law — Statute 121A.21 — a licensed school nurse is only required if a school district has 1,000 or more students enrolled.
Jeff Grieme, who suggested that the statute hadn’t been revised since 2003, then asked if any registered nurses or licensed practical nurses had applied for the position. Meyer said he felt it was not appropriate to discuss personnel items in an open forum but did clarify that it was a board issue that was discussed and approved prior to the hiring. Grieme questioned whether or not the position was downgraded to save money and Meyer replied that it was a result but that it wasn’t the sole reason for the decision.
Trish Grieme asked what is going to happen when a licensed medical person is needed for an individual education plan (IEP), adding that she’s talked to multiple parents and staff members in different community settings who say they are not comfortable with the situation. “We understand that the board, and you, Joe, have to make decisions for the school district, but we disagree with not having a licensed nurse in a school setting,” Jeff Grieme said. Meyer then stated, “I can assure you that the person that we have is experienced and has a lot of knowledge and is very capable of filling this position.”
In new business, the board approved the 2023-24 high school activities handbook and the 23-24 employee handbook. Athletic Director James Wajer clarified that there was a freeze on the uniform purchasing rotation last year, that the girls basketball program was up this year and that the other groups were all moved back a year. Wajer also noted that ticket prices were increasing by $1 for non-pass holders. He said the raise is in line with what most Red Rock Conference schools are charging. Meyer said the majority of changes to the employee handbook had to do with district and legislative policy updates.
The board also reviewed and approved the 2023-24 meal prices. “Even though all meals for breakfast and lunch are free, if students want a milk only, it is 40 cents,” Meyer said. “A second meal is $3.95, along with an adult meal. Breakfast is $2.40 for adults and a second breakfast is the same amount.” Meyer also encouraged parents to still fill out the free-andreduced lunch forms because the district’s federal compensation, including potential grants they might receive, is based on free-and-reduced numbers.
The board’s approval of all eight consent agenda items started with the routine designation of Meyer as a purchasing agent, followed by approval of the minutes, payment of claims and trial balance summary. Business Director Lisa Rademacher noted that the new preliminary cash flow projection showed a decrease of about $300,000 from last year, though a few federal funds were still left to report.
The superintendent’s personnel recommendations were then approved. Resignations included Tammy Aanenson (speech coach), Amanda Gillette (licensed school nurse), Elissa Wieneke (student council advisor) and Desiree Haupert (paraprofessional), though Haupert is reassigned to school health coordinator, one of 12 classified staff on the approved list. In addition to new hire/replacement Edgar Ibarra (paraprofessional), there were contract renewals for Debra Bleyenberg (superintendent’s secretary), Nichole Cheskie (mental health resource officer), Nichole Johnson (secondary principal’s secretary), Theresa Nysetvold (non-certified library/media specialist), Kerry Peterson (food service manager), Lauren Risacher (elementary principal’s secretary), Charlotte Seager (human resources/payroll), Makenzie Sweetman (speech-language pathology assistant), Wajer (athletic director) and Wieneke (community education director). For certified staff, Rebekah DeWeerd (elementary teacher) was approved as a long-term sub.
The board approved the finalized Ludolph busing contract through 2025, with the understanding that an extension of the contract will continue through 2027, with rates negotiated after June 30, 2025. Meyer said he, chairman Tony Clarke and councilman Brent Miller previously met with Ludolph representatives. “Most of the language stayed the same,” Meyer said. “There was a decrease in the nine routes, to 8.5 regular routes, then a two-year increase of about 7%.” The other change highlighted how Ludolph’s would refund the district for fuel on potential days when the buses didn’t run, such as for snow days. The total number of actual miles traveled on the regular routes will be divided by the actual number of days traveled, with the result determining an average number of miles per contract day. This number will then be multiplied by the number of days the buses did not travel and then multiplied by 7 miles per gallon.
Several policies to be reviewed annually were also approved by the board, including 410 – Family and Medical Leave, 413 – Harassment and Violence, 414 – Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse, 415 – Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults, 506 – Student Discipline, 522 – Student Sex Nondiscrimination, 620 – Credit for Learning and 760 – Policy on Reimbursable Meals. “A very high percentage of the changes are legislative statute changes changed this past year,” Meyer said. “And because it’s an annual policy review, we do not need the three readings. We can approve here in this meeting.”
Informational items included updates from Elementary Principal Patrick Freeman, High School Principal Jake Scandrett, Superintendent Meyer and Athletic Director Wajer. Freeman reported that they were down about 10 students from last year and that eight student completed the extended school year (ESY). He gave a shout out to Claressa, Lisa, Taitum and Jana for all the preparation and helping out this summer. Freeman also reported that both positions for reading corps and math corps are currently open. New teachers include Autumn Mogler (1st), Heidi Mathiason (1st), Kari Carlson (5th) and Rebekah DeWeerd (long-term sub for 2nd). New paras are Mary Hieb (Central/Little Rebels), Kelsey Sturges (West) and Mersadies Buderus (West). Freeman also shared PBIS focuses and noted that he had the opportunity to attend a mentorship program for new principals (1st-3rd year), gaining valuable insight and resources.
Scandrett stated that student enrollment at the high school was down nine from last year, but added a reminder that a big part of it is due to a smaller incoming seventh-grade class and a larger exiting senior class. Fall workshop preparations have taken place over the last month, with workshop week set for Aug. 28-31. The 7th annual MCC Family Reunion all staff picnic is slated for Aug. 31. One of the training sessions for high school teachers is using Securly Classroom. “It’s a software tool teachers can use to monitor student computer screens during class time,” Scandrett said. “They can lock tabs or close out windows that are not relevant to the day’s instruction. We are hoping that this tool will help teachers be able to detect and respond to computer misuse in a more efficient and effective manner.”
With the filling of its last para opening, all of the positions are filled at the high school. Regis-tration opened on Aug. 7 and is online only this year. Families are asked to complete the registration process and fill out all forms by Aug. 21. Thursday, Aug. 24 and Friday, Aug. 25 are schedule change days. Scandrett said he and Freeman will be attending a Data Mine workshop in Marshall to look over student data and their performance on the MCAs.
Meyer reported that auditors are scheduled to start the 2023 audit in September, with a report ready to be presented to the board in November. The updated donation amount is up to $58,120 for the gym floor project. Fair attendees will have an opportunity to donate as there will be a booth available. Meyer added that the fill of the self-leveling concrete material is complete, including behind the bleachers. “We are in the curing stage until the week of Aug. 21,” he said. “They’ll start the installation of the wood subfloor and maple floor system will begin next week with approximately 3-4 weeks before we can use it.”
The district anticipates being able to use the new gym floor on Sept. 25. Roughly three or four home volleyball matches will be affected, so those will take place in the practice gym. Additional portable bleachers are needed to accommodate fans. Depending on the weather, physical education classes could also be affected, as might the large number of junior high volleyball players. Otherwise, building cleaning, painting and preparations for the new year are nearing completion in both school buildings. Meyer said he anticipates upgrading/replacing the current intercom/bell system in both buildings. Currently, the system at West only runs through the phones and is not adequate on a school safety level. Coverage for the gym and hallways is non-existent. “If in an emergency situation, it could get tricky really fast,” Freeman said. Safe Schools and Capital dollars would be used to cover the cost of the project if approved. “If this is a go, or if we get approval from you as a board, it is possible we could do West during Christmas break,” Meyer said.
Wajer reported fall participation numbers, with a total of 167 MCC students in the various activities and sports — cheer team (17 in grades 7-12), volleyball (34 in 9-12 and 27 in grades 7-8), football (36 in 9-12 and 29 in junior high), cross country (24 in grades 7-12).
The board approved a resolution accepting donations, including ones designated to the gym floor project: Chandler Coop $1,000, MCC Sports Boosters $10,000, Trace Hafner $100, Jim & Joan Kluis $1,000, Dierks Oil $1,000, Marilyn & Gary Carlson $1,000, Almich’s Market $2,500, Hub & Marilyn Sandmann $250, Currie State Bank $500, First National Bank of Slayton $5,000, Johnson Auto Body & Glass/Tyler & Nikki Johnson $500 and Corner Salon/Renee Giese $200, as well as MCC Sports Boosters $12,269 for athletic equipment and Murray County Future $1,500 for community education.
The next school board meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 11.
