Hear facilities planning presentation by MLA/Kraus-Anderson
At their Monday, August 21 regular meeting, members of the Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) School Board began the process to adopt a levy proposal and certification schedule for payable 2018.
Each year, school districts are required to begin a process to collect property taxes that are used to operate the school. This process involves three steps:
- Certify the proposed property tax levies for payable 2018.
- Hold a meeting to discuss the proposed levy payable 2018 with the public – the Truth In Taxation meeting. According to state law, this public information meeting must take place no earlier than 6 pm.
- Adopt the final levy for payable 2018.
The calendar of events approved to begin and complete the levy process were as follows:
- Monday, September 18, 5:30 p.m., Certify the Proposed Levy for Payable 2018 during the regular school board meeting.
- Monday, December 18, 6 p.m., Hold a public information meeting (Truth In Taxation) for the Proposed Levy for Payable 2018 inside of the regular board meeting, and Adopt the Final Levy for Payable 2018 later in the meeting.
Discussion with architect, construction managers
After taking a tour of the school campus, Mark Lenz, architect of MLA, along with a mechanical engineer and electrical engineer from the firm’s Mankato office, as well as Gary Benson and Tony Sjolander from construction managers Kraus-Anderson (KA), met with the board to discuss the next steps in the facilities planning process.
Stated Benson, “The process flow chart we are presenting is specific, focused on MLPS to consider for the planning process. The biggest takeaway from the chart is the definition of the key responsibilities for the different players (with the school board, administration, building committee and MLA/KA comprising those the four components) and the lines of communication.”
Those key roles were identified as:
- School Board – direction (to the building committee), discuss and decide.
- Administration – resource for information on school operations (current and projected enrollment, financial data, operational costs) and educational needs.
- Building Committee – study the needs, develop options and present recommendations.
- MLA/KA – facilitate, provide concepts and costs and record meeting discussions in order to document the planning process.
As presented, the main things the architect and construction managers intend to focus on are the school board’s perspective and expectations.
Themes for consideration by the board include:
- Physical needs – building condition, safety, capacity and operation (the money it takes to operate the facility).
- Educational needs – what is needed for educational adequacy; teachers, students, staff – and learning.
- Community needs – accessibility for community use, activities and partnerships with corporations and companies.
Options to consider include repurpose/reuse of existing buildings and/or replacement and additions.
Also to take into consideration are the costs, funding options and the impact.
“And, are you looking long-term; 10 years and beyond?,” questioned Benson.
He added, “A short Survey Monkey questionnaire for staff to answer would allow them to share what they see as the most important needs.”
“We already have a lot of information from work done in 2012,” explained Lenz. “But, we want to start off on the right tangent. Maybe we do a Master Plan, with the public aware that the board might be coming back for continuing smaller dollar amount referendums. The priorities would revolve around security, maintenance – and the Master Plan.”
“The ‘Three Rs’ – repurpose, repair and remodel,” said MLPS School Board Clerk Julie Brugman.
Inserted Benson, “It is important that there is very clear tracking on the ‘whys’ – the pros and cons – for all of the possible options presented.”
For the board members, the initial needs to be addressed before being able to move ahead concern the former indoor swimming pool, the 1904 building and the red seats in the auditorium.
In working with the former architectural firm, ARY, the building committee had been under the understanding that the 1904 building had been condemned, when it had not been. And had actually been brought up to code following the earlier referendum defeat.
Lenz noted that once LS Engineers of Le Sueur, architectural and structural specialists with whom he works, inspect the oldest building on the school’s campus an honest opinion on the feasibility of the building’s continued use, or not, will be given to the board members.
“We (MLA and KA) can move fast in the facilities planning process, but we want the board to feel comfortable with that. Weekly meetings – four or five – will be needed with the building committee. And the board will probably need to hold special meetings as well.”
“As a way to show deference to the community – the taxpayers – is to involve them in the process in a way,” stated Sjolander. “When the building committee comes forward with options, and before the board votes, take a community survey to see how they feel. That shows respect to your community.”
Chair Pedersen questioned Lenz on the possibility of the board to have the ability to “pull projects from Plan A, Plan B and put them into Plan C.” Lenz affirmed that his firm is flexible to the decisions of the board.
By consensus, board members agreed to move forward with MLA and KA to organize an early September meeting with the MLPS Building Committee, and determine how a process timeline works from there. The earliest possible referendum dates to be considered are in April and May of 2018.
At the close of the presentation, Brugman asserted that the process flow chart “makes for a cleaner process, clearer roles.” Building Committee member (and Mountain Lake Public High School social studies teacher and coach) Shawn Naas acknowledged that the identification of the roles for all parties involved was “exactly what the building committee wanted.”
In other business
+ Hired Daviana Winger as a part-time English Language Learner (ELL) instructor for 3.5 hours per day at an hourly rate of $24, pending approval by the Minnesota Board of Teaching, as she is not licensed. The hours may change depending on need. The amount paid per hour is the rate of pay used for a variety of positions in the district; some that union positions, some are not. Since June 1, 2017, the school district has been searching to fill a part-time ELL position, with only two applicants, each not licensed. This past year, Jean Haberman had been hired on a part-time basis to assist Kay Swoboda, who serves ELL students for part of her school day. Haberman is no longer able to do these duties. Winger, who is not licensed, will be only be allowed to teach with special permission granted by the Board of Teaching via the Community Expert status. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and is learning Chinese. She also has experience as a language tutor. Her position would be considered 63% time if she belonged to the teachers’ union. Administration has calculated the post to be at 44% of an eight-hour day. Since Winger is hired as a Community Expert, she is not a part of the teachers’ union. This allows the school board the ability to create employment criteria for the position. The union was required to give an opinion on the position, but that opinion had no bearing on whether or not the application is approved by the Board of Teaching. Strom has reviewed the matter with the local teachers’ union president, along with two negotiators, including the rate of pay, qualifications, effort to secure a licensed candidate and future practice regarding community experts and their employment in the district. The union officially indicated in writing that it holds “no position” on the matter.
+ Hired Mary Lopez as an ELL paraprofessional.
+ Hired Samantha Spiker as a high school paraprofessional.
+ Hired Laura Penner as assistant cross country coach.
+ Approved the shared nursing contract with Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) for the 2017-2018 school year. MLPS holds the contract for Lana Sander, school nurse, with one of the five days of the week being used by B-OPS (Wednesday). Her salary will be $43,600, with the B-OPS share 20%, or $10,264.50. Discussion was held on the need for a full-time nurse in the district. The issue will be readdressed at the next board meeting.
+ Approved adult breakfast and lunch prices. These prices are determined by the State of Minnesota. That minimum adult lunch rate is $3.65 per meal and adult breakfast rate is $1.85 per meal. The 2017-2018 prices are each up 5¢ from last school year.
+ Approved six open enrollments into the school district and two out of the district.
+ Approved the following lane changes:
- Brian Cook from BA to BA+30.
- Mikkala Hup from BA+15 to MA.
- Kurt Jahnke from BA+15 to MA.
- Nicole James from BA+15 to MA.
- Ryan Jans from from BA+15 to MA.
- Stacey Stade from BA+15 to MA.
- Kelli Tucholke from BA+15 to MA.
+ Approved the list of upcoming school board meetings:
- Monday, September 18, 2017, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, October 16, 2017, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, November 20, 2017, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, December 18, 2017, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Tuesday, January 16, 2018, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Tuesday, February 20, 2018, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, March 19, 2018, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, April 16, 2018, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, May 21, 2018, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, June 25, 2018, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
- Monday, July 16, 2018, regular school board meeting, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
+ Approved the Teacher Workshop Days agenda for Monday, August 28 through Thursday, August 31.
+ Approved the following donations:
- Robert and Helen Remick Charitable Foundation Trust – $13,379 for the Music Department (Instrumental – Kurt Jahnke and Vocal – Andrea Brinkman) to purchase platform risers, back guard rails and a cart to move the equipment. The Music Department has seen significant growth in the past 10 years. Nine years ago, the senior high choir had 63 students; today there are 107 members. In addition, the Vocal Music Department has added additional groups, including Junior High and Senior High Show Choirs and an a capella group, on top of the Junior High Concert Choir and the Senior High Concert Choir. The Instrumental Music Department has seen its numbers grow as well, expanding with additional ensembles and a guitar class. The risers are needed for overall safety of the directors, student performers and to present the best performance experience possible – acoustically, aesthetically and professionally. Approximately 230 students (in grades 5-12) will benefit from the new equipment.
- Southwest Initiative Foundation – $674.95 for alternative classroom seating and devices to make a better learning environment for sixth grade.
- Southwest Initiative Foundation – $106 for button money award to Mountain Lake Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE).
- KULA Foundation – $32.
- Robert and Helen Remick Charitable Foundation Trust – $2,000 to MLPS for an Outreach Project for 420 students in grades 7-12. The project, an intentional outreach to impact student culture and attitudes at Mountain Lake Public High School, is the result of collaboration between three teachers (Lindsey Brockberg, Kim Syverson and Jessica Svehla and Mountain Lake Public High School Principal Michelle Larson) and administration. Other staff involved will include licensed teachers, the school guidance counselor (Jody Lepp) and the school social worker (Amy Hartzler). The theme for the project and for next school year is “UP^3. Show up. Perk up. Step up.” The project has five components – involvement of 40 student leaders in grades 8-12, a motivational guest speaker, visual reminders, including a banner and individual student magnets for their lockers, goal-setting and rewards.
+ MLPS School Board Chair Chad Pedersen raised creating a regular rotation for members to attend the twice-a-month meetings of the Mountain Lake City Council.
+ Approved notice of General Election for Independent School Distsrict #173 for three open board member seats. Five school district residents placed their names in contention. Two of the three incumbents re-filed – Matt Gohr and Tim Swoboda – with Doug Standerwick opting to not run again. Also filing were David Bucklin, who has previously served on the school board, along with new faces Carolyn Karschnik and Audi Nickel. Elections will be held at MLPS on Tuesday, November 7, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
+ MLPS Superintendent Bill Strom’s Summer Review:
- Superintendent Strom along with Mountain Lake Public High School Principal Michelle Larson and Mountain Lake Public Elementary School Principal Jon Schwaegerl have been working on issues for the upcoming school year. Those discussion have been on student test results, student enrollment, curriculum, classroom assignments, teacher licensing, staff development, special education, summer programs, extra-curricular activities, applications for academic programs, professional training for principals, scheduling, college in the classroom, part-time teaching contracts, community expert contracts, PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options), Title I and II funding for non-public schools, sound system operator and elementary students participating in junior high school activities.
- A buyout of Paul Youngquist and ARY (Architects Rego + Younquist) for $20,527 was negotiated.
- Summer breakfast and noon meal program numbers for June and July were – June (breakfast, 1,077 and lunch, 2,331) and July (breakfast, 648 and lunch, 1,377).
- Strom assist MLPS School Board Chair Chad Pedersen in drafting a reply letter on behalf of himself and the MLPS School Board to the Windom Area Public School (WAPS) School Board concerning consolidation discussions.
- Several building projects were completed over the summer. These included – kitchen remodeling, kindergarten room expansion, sixth-grade elementary exit doors, technology updates, air conditioning in elementary library, renovation of storage and repairs. Building and Grounds/Maintenance Supervisor John Carrison sought and received training for his staff on cleaning techniques and this improved efficiency (tiime, effort and finished product).
- This summer also marked steps taken on a project to redesign the school’s website.
- Ongoing and informal discussion continue to be held with Comfrey Public School regarding possible interest in adding activities to the current sports pairing agreement.
- Discussed whether or not to field a Speech Team this upcoming school year. For several years, participation has dropped below 10 students. Pairing options with Mountain Lake Christian (MLC) have been explored. Strom and Principal Larson are in agreement that Speech should not be offered for the 2017-2018 school year.
+ The next regular school board meeting will be Monday, September 18, 5:30 p.m., Room #1.
