Murray County Central received a positive review and comment statement from the Minnesota Department of Education regarding the educational and economic advisability of the district’s proposed capital projects levy, school board members learned at the Monday, March 13 meeting.
Publishing the findings in the local newspapers and setting a date for a public hearing to discuss the review and comment prior to the May 9 special election are the next steps. Superintendent Joe Meyer reminded the board that the projects included school bus replacement (two vans and two cars), technology upgrades, deferred maintenance projects, textbooks and instructional equipment and safety and security related capital improvements. “All of those, again, are things that we currently are doing, year to year, but when we don’t have enough money, which we don’t have enough money in our long-term facility maintenance, then it comes out of our general fund,” Meyer said. “So the capital project levy is going to strengthen the district’s fiscal stability by providing limited but also much needed financial relief from the district general fund which is used for the day to day operation expenses.” The board set the public hearing for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12.
At the start of the meeting, the minutes were approved. On financials, Lisa Rademacher shared that cash flow rates were going up again, with a 4.36%, adding that she was hoping to get more CDs for the scholarship account because rates are really good right now for that. Rademacher then noted that the revised ’23 budget included a decrease in the deficit, from $600,000 down to $297,000 compared to the original budget approved in June.
Expenditures, as far as salaries and benefits, are also down about $101,000 from the original budget. The one question mark is special education funding, which won’t be known until October.
After approving the revised ’23 budget and other financials, the board then approved personnel items. Meyer said two of four positions recently open had been filled. A third individual who is still working on her license will also be continuing her contract, but moved to special ed. Meyer added that they’d received a notice to negotiate from the cooks and custodians agreement group.
Patrick Freeman shared elementary school updates. The 5th/6th grade activity night had a great turnout, with over 100 students in attendance. Ten parent volunteers helped the event run smoothly.
Staff dueling piano was also well attended, with 56. A bullying assembly called “Bulldoze the Bully” will be held on March 23 for students in grades K-6. Twin Cities speaker will present a positive message about pulling people up instead of pushing people down.
Internet safety/social media training is slated for March 29. Freeman also presented the idea of LETRS training to the board. LETRS is the science of reading. MCA testing is rapidly approaching.
In the high school update, Jacob Scandrett gave a shout-out to student council, Elissa Wieneke and others for the successful Coaches vs. Cancer event. Grades 7-12 will also have internet safety/social media awareness training. Luke Isder from the Sheriff’s Office will discuss safety issues from a law enforcement perspective. Scandrett said many people have stepped up to take on additional responsibilities to fill the counseling void. Reassigned duties include social emotional counseling, testing coordination, registration for Fall ’23 and the scholarship program. Freeman will attend a handbook review seminar on April 3. The ACT will be offered at MCC on April 4 for any juniors registered. MCC testing will start on April 5. Two students have signed up but more are needed for the CEO program.
Meyer shared that the Minnesota Management and Budget released the February forecast, showing that the $17.6 billion surplus predicted in November shrunk slightly to $17.5 billion. Many bills being considered include unfunded mandates, which could cost the district up to $1,238,255, are still “alive” at the legislative level. New required courses for graduation could also lead districts to cut electives such as band, choir, ag or art, if the bill passes. Outstate administrators are leading a push to try to get that stopped, Meyer said.
The negotiating committee met with EA on Feb. 28 to finalize language to the master agreement regarding the length of the days and to gain an additional five days of flexibility in the calendar. Recent voting showed it failed by 58%. Rep Isaac Harms said the concept of the time shift is very favorable but that the constituents preferred the shift to be earlier in the day. Concerns over putting kids on the buses even earlier than the 6:35 to 6:40 time frame were discussed. Snow days and missed hours due to weather are piling up. State statute says districts must have 165 days and the certain hour requirements per age level. Districts are allowed up to five e-learning days per year. Since the last board meeting, MCC has had three two-hour late starts, two full snow days and an early out due to weather. Meyer said the last day of school is now scheduled for May 31 (half day), with a teacher inservice day on June 1. Interviews are taking place this week for a part-time technology support position.
James Wajer gave an activities update, including preliminary numbers for spring sports participation. Baseball has 31 (9-12) and 20 (junior high), while softball has 27 (9-12) and 12 (junior high). There are 28 girls (7-12) and 27 boys (7-12) in track, while golf has 21 boys and nine girls. “Those are some pretty good participation numbers, I would say,” Wajer said.
In old business, a motion to approve the 2023-2024 school calendar carried, as did the naming rights agreement with Ken and Marlys Knuth from Woodstock Communications.
In new business, the board approved seven items, including the 2023-2024 contract with Southwest West Central Service Cooperative. Meyer noted an increase of about $35,000 from a year ago and that $32,000 of that amount falls under the special ed ser-
