-LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT- MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS MAY 18, 2020 The regular meeting of the Board of Education, Bemidji Area Schools, Bemidji, Beltrami/Hubbard Counties, Minnesota, was held on Monday, May 18, 2020, at 6:30 p.

Published June 24, 2020 at 3:01 AM

-LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT-
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS
MAY 18, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Education, Bemidji Area Schools, Bemidji, Beltrami/Hubbard Counties, Minnesota, was held on Monday, May 18, 2020, at 6:30 p.m., in the District Office Board Room.
MEMBERS PRESENT:Jeff Lind, Jeff Haack, Ann Long Voelkner, Sarah Young, John Gonzalez, Carol L. Johnson, and Superintendent Tim Lutz
Joel Roberts, Student Representative
Taylor Gish, Student Representative
MEMBERS ABSENT:
CALL TO ORDER: (Time: 6:30 p.m.)
ATTENDANCE
OPENING STATEMENT BY BOARD CHAIR
Chair John Gonzalez read a statement indicating the meeting was being conducted in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 13D.021 – Meetings by Telephone or Other Electric Means.
PREVIEW OF AGENDA: SUPERINTENDENT TIM LUTZ
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The motion was offered by Ann Long Voelkner, seconded by Carol L. Johnson, and carried by all in attendance to approve the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
The motion was offered by Sarah Young, seconded by Jeff Haack, and carried by consent to approve the following items:
A. Minutes from the April 20, 2020 School Board Meeting
B. Current Bills and Special Checks Totaling: $3,081,238.91
C. Certified Staff Appointments
D. Noncertified Staff Resignation
E. Request for Extended Leave: Holter
SPECIAL TOPICS
Spotlight Presentation: Bemidji High School Graduation
Kyle Resler, Assistant Principal, presented the plan for high school graduation which follows the Minnesota Department of Health and Governor’s directives. Senior students will begin a Commencement Procession at the Sanford Center and proceed through town to Bemidji High School where they will drive up and receive their diplomas.
Spotlight Presentation: Technology Update
Dana Woods, Technology Integration Specialist, presented on the mobile device pilot, which presented ways to increase student access to technology to enhance the learning process.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
Joel Roberts and Taylor Gish reported on Bemidji High School activities including: National Honor Society induction ceremony, Show Choir auditions, Student Council election, and online AP testing.
2020 OPERATING REFERENDUM
Referendum Updates
Superintendent Lutz indicated a presentation is being prepared to be used as talking points for the Referendum. There are plans in process for virtual conversations and virtual townhall meetings.
EQUITABLE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Grading Update
Colleen Cardenuto, Director of Curriculum and Administrative Services, presented the plan for grading during distance learning. She indicated the high school will issue letter grades unless families opt in for a pass or no pass grade. At the middle school, pass or no pass grades will be given. Families will need to opt in for letter grades. For grades kindergarten-5, pass or ungraded grades will be given. Students will be offered an opportunity to improve their grades. No action was taken.
Equitable Distance Learning Update
Colleen Cardenuto, Director of Curriculum and Administrative Services, indicated the district followed the Minnesota Department of Education’s recommendations for distance learning. Internet access and devices were provided to families who needed them. Contact with every family in the district is attempted by district staff. No action was taken.
Summer School Update
Colleen Cardenuto, Director of Curriculum and Administrative Services, indicated that we will not be offering a grades kindergarten-8 Targeted Services summer school as we did in the past. A grades 9-12 credit recovery summer program will be offered through distance learning. No action was taken.Colleen Cardenuto, Director of Curriculum and Administrative Services, indicated that we will not be offering a grades kindergarten-8 Targeted Services summer school as we did in the past. A grades 9-12 credit recovery summer program will be offered through distance learning. No action was taken.
Homework Helpline
Superintendent Tim Lutz provided an update on the Homework Helpline. The helpline has been available for a couple of weeks. Families can call, text or click a link to access homework help. The helpline is staffed by volunteers from Bemidji State University staff and students, district staff, and community members and is working very well. No action was taken.
RELATIONSHIPS/COLLABORATION
Resolution for Membership in the Minnesota State High School League
Carol L. Johnson offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:
2020-2021 RESOLUTION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE MINNESOTA
STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Governing Board of School District #31, Counties of Beltrami and Hubbard, State of Minnesota, delegates the control, supervision and regulation of interscholastic athletic and fine arts events (referred to in Minnesota Statutes, Section 128C.01) to the Minnesota State High School League, and so hereby certifies to the State Commissioner of Education as provided for by Minnesota Statutes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Bemidji High School is authorized by this, the Governing Board of said school district or school to renew its membership in the Minnesota State High School League; and, participate in the approved interschool activities sponsored by said League and its various subdivisions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Governing Board hereby adopts the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of said League and all amendments thereto as the same as are published in the latest edition of the League’s Official Handbook, on file at the office of the school district, or as appears on the League’s website, as the minimum standards governing participation in said League-sponsored activities, and that the administration and responsibility for determining student eligibility and for the supervision of such activities are assigned to the official representative identified by the Governing Board.
Signing the Resolution for Membership affirms that this Governing Board has reviewed the “Why We Play” video which defines the purpose and value of education-based athletic and activity programs and assists school communities in communicating a shared-common language.
Member schools must develop and publicize administrative procedures to address eligibility suspensions related to Code of Student Conduct violations for students participating in activity programs by member schools.
The above Resolution was adopted by the Governing Board of this school district and is recorded in the official minutes of said Board and hereby is certified to the State Commissioner of Education as provided by law.
The motion for the foregoing resolution was seconded by Jeff Haack, and a tabulation of votes is as follows:
AYES: Ann Long Voelkner, Jeff Lind, Carol L. Johnson, Sarah Young, Jeff Haack and John Gonzalez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
WHEREUPON, the foregoing resolution was duly passed and adopted.
United Way Mutual Support
Jordan Hickman, Director of Human Resources, outlined support to and from the United Way. School district staff have helped prepare Backpack Buddy packs and packing boxes for the regional food bank project. The United Way has supplied homemade cloth facemasks for school district staff. No action was taken.
HIGH QUALITY DISTRICT
Resolution Establishing Dates for Filing Affidavits of Candidacy
Ann Long Voelkner introduced the following resolution and urged its adoption:
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING DATES FOR FILING AFFIDAVITS OF CANDIDACY
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 31, State of Minnesota as follows:
1. The period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member of Independent School District No. 31 shall begin on July 28, 2020 and shall close on August 11, 2020. An affidavit of candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk and the $2 filing fee paid prior to 5:00 o’clock p.m. on August 11, 2020.
2. The clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause notice of said filing dates to be published in the official newspaper of the district, at least two (2) weeks prior to the first day to file affidavits of candidacy.
3. The clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause notice of said filing dates to be posted at the administrative offices of the school district at least ten (10) days prior to the first day to file affidavits of candidacy.
4. The notice of said filing dates shall be in substantially the following form:
NOTICE OF FLING DATES FOR ELECTION TO THE SCHOOL BOARD
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 31
BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS
STATE OF MINNESOTA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the period for filing affidavits of candidacy for the office of school board member of Independent School District No. 31 shall begin on July 28, 2020 and shall close at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on August 11, 2020.
The general election shall be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. At that election, three members will be elected to the School Board for terms of four (4) years each.
Affidavits of Candidacy are available from the school district clerk (Superintendent’s Office) 502 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601. The filing fee for this office is $2. A candidate for this office must be an eligible voter, must be 21 years of age or more on assuming office, must have been a resident of the school district from which the candidate seeks election for thirty (30) days before the general election, and must have no other affidavit on file for any office at the same primary or next ensuing general election.
The affidavit of candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk and the filing fee paid prior to 5:00 o’clock p.m. on August 11, 2020.
Date: ___20___
BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
/s/ _____________________________
School District Clerk
The motion for the foregoing resolution was seconded by Jeff Lind, and a tabulation of votes is as follows:
AYES: Carol L. Johnson, Sarah Young, Ann Long Voelkner, Jeff Haack, Jeff Lind, and John Gonzalez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
WHEREUPON, said resolution declared passed and adopted.
Tentative Agreement with the Bemidji Principals’ Association for 2019-2021
The motion was offered by Carol L. Johnson, seconded by Ann Long Voelkner, and carried by all in attendance to approve the provisions of SBR 200-10-50, the employment agreement between Independent School District No. 31 and the Bemidji Principals’ Association for the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.
Nonlicensed Staff Terms & Conditions of Employment for 2019-2021
The motion was offered by Jeff Lind, seconded by Jeff Haack, and carried by all in attendance to approve the provisions of the terms and conditions of employment for the Nonlicensed Staff for the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.
Support Services Group Terms & Conditions of Employment for 2019-2021
The motion was offered by Ann Long Voelkner, seconded by Carol L. Johnson, and carried by all in attendance to approve the provisions of the terms and conditions of employment for the Support Services group for the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.
District Office Administration Terms & Conditions of Employment for 2019-2021
The motion was offered by Ann Long Voelkner, seconded by Carol L. Johnson, and carried by all in attendance to approve the provisions of the terms and conditions of employment for District Administrators for the period July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021.
Resolution Relating to Terminations and Nonrenewal of Contracts
Jeff Haack introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE TERMINATION AND NONRENEWAL OF THE TEACHING CONTRACTS OF ROBIN BECKETT, GARY NAGLE, SARAH PHELPS,
WHEREAS, Robin Beckett, Gary Nagle, Sarah Phelps are Tier 1, Tier 2, or probationary teachers in Independent School District #31,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 31 that pursuant to M.S. 122A.40, Subdivision 5, the teaching contracts Robin Beckett, Gary Nagle, Sarah Phelps are hereby terminated at the close of the 2019-2020 school year on June 4, 2020.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written notice be sent to said teachers regarding termination and nonrenewal of their contracts as provided by law, and that said notice be substantially in the following form:
NOTICE OF TERMINATION AND NONRENWAL
Dear:
You are hereby notified that at the regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 31, held May 18, 2020, a resolution was adopted by majority roll call vote to terminate your contract at the end of the current school year on June 4, 2020, and not to renew your contract for the 2020-2021 school year. Said action of the Board was taken pursuant to M.S. 122A.40, Subdivision 5.
You may officially request that the School Board give its reasons for the nonrenewal of your teaching contract.
Sincerely,
SCHOOL BOARD OF
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 31
____________________________________
Clerk of the School Board
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Carol L. Johnson, and upon vote being taken, the following voted in favor: Sarah Young, Jeff Lind, Carol L. Johnson, Jeff Haack, Ann Long Voelkner, and John Gonzalez, and the following voted against: None.
WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared passed and adopted.
Tentative Agreement with the Bus Drivers’ Bargaining Unit for 2019-2021
The motion was offered by Carol L. Johnson, seconded by Jeff Lind, and carried by all in attendance to approve the provisions of SBR 200-50-1, the employment agreement between Independent School District No. 31 and the MSEA for Bus Drivers for the period July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bemidji High School Graduation – Saturday, May 23, 2020, 9:00 a.m.
June Meeting – Monday, June 15, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
OTHER
Student Board Representative Scholarship
Taylor Gish, Student Representative to the Board, was awarded a Student Board Representative Scholarship for her dedicated and conscientious participation on the Bemidji School Board.
Once Around the Table
School Board Members shared their observations of events in the district.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
/S/ Carol L. Johnson, Clerk
/S/ John Gonzalez, Chair
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