Regular Board Meeting
Independent School District No 561
December 17th, 2024
Community Center
The school board Independent School District #561 met in regular session on Tuesday, December 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the community center. The following members were present: John Lovly, Neil Jensen, Joe Rubischko, Tim Hruby, Rozlynn Johnsrud and Leah Bothum. Also present: Superintendent Loberg, Principal Carlson, Business Manager Kelsie Steiger-Krein, GEA member Miss Amy Reznicek and ICS Members Austin May and Damien Williams.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m by Lovly. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Johnsrud, to approve the December 17, 2024, meeting agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Lovly, to approve the November 14, 2024 regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Johnsrud, to approve payments for checks # 46854-46979 and wire payments as listed in report #3.1 A & B, as listed in report 3.1.1. Motion was carried unanimously.
Financial reports were reviewed. Superintendent Loberg reported the district shows an investment balance of $1,868,914.27 on November 30, 2024. (See reports #3.0 attached to the official board minutes).
Patron Concerns: None
Student Council Reports:
Goodridge Education Association Report:
Ms. Amy Reznicek reported that the 11th Grade class partnered with the Trio group for a field trip to tour NDSU and the Hjemkomst Center. Ms. Reznicek reported that Mrs. Jen Sargent will be going on the Close-up trip in the spring as a chaperone. Ms. Reznicek also invited the school board to the staff Christmas party.
Classified Staff Report: None
Instructional Reports: None
Old Business: None
New Business:
A motion was made by Bothum, seconded by Jensen, to direct the administration to evaluate all programs in terms of possible reductions for 2024-2025 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Johnsrud, to set the 2024 payable 2025 levy at $2,184,434.65. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Jensen, seconded by Bothum, to approve World’s Best Workforce Summary as presented in Report #8.3. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Jensen, seconded by Hruby, to approve the December Safety Committee meeting minutes as presented in Report #8.4. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Jensen, seconded by Rubischko, to approve awarding contracts per the ICS recommendation letter dated, December 17th, 2024, in the grand total amount of $17,556,857.00 as presented in Report #8.5, with the goal of identifying additional value engineered savings.
Personnel: None
Donations:
A motion was made by Hruby, seconded by Bothum, to approve the donations as listed in report #10.1. Motion carried unanimously.
Trustee Reports:
Member Johnsrud gave an update on NWRIC.
Open Forum:
Member Rubischko reported he has heard several positive comments about how the school staff works together as a team.
Member Bothum brought up the idea of having additional signage around the school to assist parents who are not familiar with the building.
Member Hruby thanked Mrs. Kirkeide for a successful and fun Elementary Christmas Program.
Member Jensen thanked Mrs. Kirkeide for doing a great job on the Elementary Christmas Program and high school concert.
Member Hruby and Member Jensen both commented that the elementary and high school students did a great job in their program/conert too.
Administrative Reports:
Principal Carlson reported that the Minnesota Honor Society has been helping Student Services Secretary Cynthia Jensen with the Holiday Week of Giving events this year. She also thanked the staff for being so accommodating for the Week of Giving. Principal Carlson reported the students and staff have been enjoying various activities as school leads up to the holiday break.
Superintendent Loberg gave an update that Member Hruby, Member Jensen along with himself will be attending the MSBA Conference in January. Superintendent Loberg reported on the building project bids and reported on the recent design sessions. Superintendent Loberg reported that Mrs. Jen Sargent was selected to be the Close-Up Trip Chaperone for the upcoming Close-Up Trip this spring. Superintendent Loberg also informed the board that a member of a local non-profit organization had recently approached him about providing funding for a Goodridge Middle School group to attend Deep Portage in the future.
The next regular meeting was set for Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Attest: John Lovly, Chairperson
Leah Bothum, Clerk