MURARY COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOOL BOARD HOLDS NOVEMBER MEETING

THANKED STREFF FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE

The Murray County Central School Board met in regular session on October 14, 2024. All members were present. The agenda was approved with no additions. The meeting began with Auditor Blake Klinsing of Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co., PLLP presenting the draft financial report of the fiscal year 2024 audit. The fund balance in the General Fund decreased by $626,492 from $2,700,651 in 2023 to $2,074,159, partly due to some bigger projects lately. The final draft will be ready for formal approval next month. This was followed by the approval of the Community Ed Annual Report as prepared by Elissa Wieneke.

FFA Advisor Paul Haberman was present to submit a number of FFA Field Trip Requests. These are similar to what they have attended in the past. This year, however, the Leadership Development events are being moved to St. Cloud because student participation numbers keep changing. Haberman’s requests were approved. The Canvass Election results resolution was reviewed and approved with the school district clerk authorized to certify the results. With 2998 voters voting, Robin Gilbertson, Lauren Biegler and Kathryn Hoffman were elected to four year terms on the School Board.

Next was the approval of the minutes from the last meeting, the Consent Agenda items, Financial Reports and Claims Paid. The Personnel Recommendations included the Winter Sports and Activities: Tim Cariveau, Head Boys Basketball Coach 2425, Davina Ethridge, Jr. High Knowledge Bowl Coach 24-25, Lucas Freeman, Head Girls Basketball Coach 24-25 and Counseling Center Overload 24-25, Clayton Hartle, Jr High Wrestling Coach 24-25, Lindy Larson, Head Speech Coach 24-25, Jason Wischnak, Mock Trial Advisor 24-25 Jason Wischnak, Knowledge Bowl Head Coach 24-25. Classified Staff: Krista Beek, JH Boys Basketball Coach 24-25, Mersadies Buderus, Cheer Advisor 24-25, Paul Counter, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach 24-25, Sarah Gertsema, Assistant Speech Coach 24-25, Emma Johnson, JH Girls Basketball Coach 2425 New Hire, Chad Larson, JH Girls Basketball Coach 2425, Malory Ludolph, JH Boys Basketball Coach 24-25, Theresa Nysetvold, Fall Musical Accompaniment 24-25, Mike Reemtsma, Assistant Girls Basketball Coach 24-25.Resignations were accepted from Rachel Sheldahl, Secondary Vocal/Classroom Music, effective 12/2/2024. and Kari Mathiowetz, Cheer Advisor, effective 11/12/2024.

Next on the agenda was to verify and approve the teacher and paraprofessional seniority lists. The seniority lists come into consideration should we ever have to make cuts.

Mr. Freeman gave his Elementary Principal’s report. Attendance is down by 5. He had many shout-outs for the people who have been in charge of various activities this past month: Second grade staff and local volunteers – Pioneer Day, Casey Gass – Young Artists Conference, Tim Bobeldyk – Trick or Trot, Kindergarten staff – Donuts for Dads, Isaac Harms for inviting the 4th graders over for a closer look at the Oklahoma production. Mr. Freeman also reported that there is much positive feedback for Mental Health/Social Worker Greg Scheitel, who is teaching the Bullying Awareness Presentation to individual grade levels. He reminded everyone that Parent/Teacher Conferences are coming up on Nov. 25-26. Parents have been sent the link. Nov. 27 - Trimester 1 Ends, and Dec. 6th – Report Cards are sent home.

Literacy Committee met. Third and 4th grades are piloting Wit or Wisdom curriculum. A teacher from each grade level is going to St. James to observe and discuss how it is working for them, since they are fully implementing it now.

Secondary Principal Jake Scandrett gave his report next. Fall conference attendance was slightly down, but similar to the last couple of years. It was good to see all the families. He heard many positive comments from teachers. He thanked everyone who helped in honoring our Veterans on Nov. 11. The results from the Class of 2024 ACTs are in. They are sightly down from last year, following state and national trends. We are slightly lower than the state average and slightly higher than the national average. Test prep has been distributed to this year’s seniors preparing for the next ACT administration in April. As in the elementary, Greg Sheitel presented age appropriate anti-bullying messages to high school students. He is also working to revive the TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More), our anti-bullying group on campus. The Living Green Hydroponic Gardening System started growing again last month in the Grow-Shed. We are anticipating fresh lettuce for our school in a few months. “I have 5 faithful students who work hard each day and are excited to continue learning and experimenting with hydroponic growing. Big shoutout to AJ Kirchner, Tyler Reith, James Dykshorn, Trenton Heard, and Malcom Miller for all their help!”

This being American Education Week, Superintendant Joe Meyer recognized the School Board Members and thanked them for their service. They include: Chair Tony Clarke -14 years of service, Vice Chair Brent Miller – 2 years, Treasurer Sue Streff – 16 years, Clerk Lauren Biegler – 8 years, Director Robin Gilbertson – 8 years, Director Heather Hoekman – 2 years. Streff was also recognized at the American Education Banquet for her many years of service, Supt. Meyer also reported that the first Climate and Culture meeting was held on Mon. Oct. 28. The consensus was that this initial meeting was productive in improved open communication, inclusive feedback, gaining a better understanding of the decision-making process and moving the district forward in a positive way. They will meet again at the end of the 2nd quarter. Members include: Tony Clarke, Robin Gilbertson, Heather Hoekman, Joe Biren, Dominick Damm, Tim Bobeldyk, Tim Cariveau, Joe Meyer, Jake Scandrett and Patrick Freeman. The Mental Health/ Social Worker will soon begin work with the Emily’s Hope curriculum from our Opioid Grant money. The annual MSBA Leadership Conference is January 16-17, 2025 in Minneapolis. Superintendant Meyer and Board Member Katie Hoffman will be attending.

Meyer next gave a report on the recent bomb threat, assuring everyone that the Government Office did their due diligence and kept him very informed on the situation. We were able to send notices to parents and safely do a lockdown until we got the all clear and not have to dismiss. As always, we have re-evaluated and debriefed, and will revisit this with our Health and Safety committee and discuss the feedback we have received from staff and others.

Activity Director James Wajer’s had no report, but Mr. Scandrett summarized that Winter sports practices are starting. The Fall Musical, Oklahoma, went well. We had our Fall Marching Band concert recently. Eligibility meeting was the night of conferences. We had a good crowd at Section Championships on November 1 when we did not have school.

Finally, the Board gratefully accepted the following donations: Pipestone Holdings 1,000.00 Backpack Program; Minnwest Bank 100.00 ECFE; Don Larson Living Trust 500.00 Scholarship; Mather/Jeff Doose 500.00 Scholarship; Murray County Foundation 6,500.00 Scholarships; MCC School Personnel 75.00 Scholarship; Schmitz Grain 7,765.03 FFA Corn Drive.

The next regular meeting is Monday, Dec. 9th. Supt. Meyer noted that with the financial report, we will be calling a Finance Committee meeting coming up in December for preliminary discussion of what direction we want to go in regard to reductions for FY25. Meeting adjourned.