MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS MAY 17, 2021 The regular meeting of the Board of Education, Bemidji Area Schools, Bemidji, Beltrami/Hubbard Counties, Minnesota, was held on Monday, May 17, 2021, at 6:30 p.

Published June 26, 2021 at 3:01 AM

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
BEMIDJI AREA SCHOOLS
MAY 17, 2021
The regular meeting of the Board of Education, Bemidji Area Schools, Bemidji, Beltrami/Hubbard Counties, Minnesota, was held on Monday, May 17, 2021, at
6:30 p.m., in the District Office Board Room.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol L. Johnson, Gabriel Warren, Jeff Lind, Jeff Haack, Sarah Young, Ann Long Voelkner, and Superintendent Tim Lutz
Joel Roberts & Abigail Enquist, Student Representatives
MEMBERS ABSENT:
CALL TO ORDER: (Time: 6:30 p.m.)
PREVIEW OF AGENDA - SUPERINTENDENT TIM LUTZ
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The motion was offered by Jeff Lind, 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 19, 2021 School Board Meeting
B. Current Bills & Special Checks
Totaling: $3,214.647.60
C. Noncertified Staff Resignations
D. Release from Contract Requests
E. Field Trip Request - Bemidji High School JROTC
SPECIAL TOPICS
Spotlight Presentation: Beltrami Area Resiliency Team (100 Cups of Coffee) - Wendy Thompson
COVID-19 UPDATES
COVID-19 Updates
Superintendent Tim Lutz provided an update on COVID-19. Last week the Governor ended the statewide mask requirement, following advice from the CDC. The Minnesota Department of Education notified schools stating they must continue to follow the Safe Learning Plan until the end of the school year - masks must be worn and follow social distancing protocols in schools and buses.
Superintendent Lutz stated he was proud of what our district accomplished this year to keep students and staff safe and in school a majority of the time.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT
Joel Roberts and Abigail Enquist reported on Bemidji High School activities including: finals, AP exams, concerts, student council elections, participation in Towards Zero Deaths event, and reminder that masks are to be worn through the last day of the school year.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Kimberly Jannson - Son's events in school.
LISTENING SESSION REVIEW
Sarah Young and Gabriel Warren reported on the following Listening Session topic:
Kimberly Jannson - Full equity in schools.
DONATIONS
The motion was offered by Jeff Haack, seconded by Carol L. Johnson, and carried by all in attendance to accept the donation of $1,000 from Bemidji Chrysler Center/Honda of Bemidji to the Automotive Technology Academy.
EQUITABLE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Online Learning Update
Kyle McMartin provide an update on the exploration of an Online Learning Program. He shared a majority of the online learning application is completed. Pre-registration was launched and a video explaining online learning was sent to all sixth and seventh grade students. The video is posted on the Bemidji Middle School website and on Facebook.
Currently there are fewer than ten students who have completed the preregistration. Staff are now starting to contact all 160 families who are currently distance learning to ask them about their education plans for next year.
The online learning plan will be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education for feedback, adjustments will be made, and Board approval will be sought in July. No action was taken.
Technology Committee Update
Colleen Cardenuto and Dana Woods provided an update on the District Technology Committee and their mission. The committee's vision states: Technology serves to empower every lifelong learner in Bemidji Area Schools to succeed in a connected world by: Creating authentic and engaging curricular experiences to enhance and extend learning goals. Providing professional development to support plan objectives. Implementing a reliable infrastructure that supports teaching and learning. Encouraging adaptable and sustainable planning with all stakeholders. Regularly evaluating plan objectives to meet instructional needs.
RELATIONSHIPS/COLLABORATION
Bemidji Community Survey Update
Superintendent Lutz indicated the district is exploring another operating referendum this year. In order to gauge community support, a survey was sent to the community. On May 3 the survey was emailed to staff members. On May 5 hard copies of the survey were mailed to community members. To date 1900 people have taken the survey online. Hard copy surveys are coming in and will be counted after the survey window closes after May 25. The decision to move forward with an operating referendum will be determined by the survey results.
HIGH QUALITY DISTRICT
Superintendent's Contract
The motion was offered by Carol L. Johnson, seconded by Gabriel Warren, and carried by all in attendance to approve the Superintendent's contract as presented commencing July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2024.
Resolution Declaring Property Surplus
Member Jeff Haack introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION DECLARING PROPERTY SURPLUS
CENTRAL SCHOOL
WHEREAS, the School District property previously used for school purposes and located at 815 Beltrami Ave NW, is no longer needed for school purposes.
WHEREAS, the School Board wishes to lease the school site.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:
1. The school property located at 815 Beltrami Ave NW is hereby declared to be surplus property and available for lease.
The motion for the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Carol L. Johnson, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Jeff Lind, Gabriel Warren, Carol L. Johnson, Jeff Haack, Sarah Young, and Ann Long Voelkner, those voting against: None.
WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared to have passed.
Milk Bids for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023
The motion was offered by Jeff Haack, seconded by Jeff Lind, and carried by all in attendance that the milk bid from Cash Wa Distributing be accepted for the following amounts:
CARTONS:
Half Pint Skim 250,000 approx .24 ea $12.14 $60,500.00
Half Pint 1% 250,000 approx .25 ea $12.54 $62,500.00
Half Pint Choc Skim 400,000 approx .26 ea $13.29 $106,000.00
$229,000.00
First Reading of Revised SBR 600-30-1: Facility and Equipment Use Policy
The motion was offered by Carol L. Johnson, seconded by Sarah Young, and carried by all in attendance to approve the first reading of revised SBR 600-30-1: Facility and Equipment Use Policy.
Financial Update
Krisi Fenner, Director of Business Services, provided an update on the district's financial situation. State education funding has not kept pace with inflation. We were forced to make cuts to balance the budget. Our enrollment dropped due to the global pandemic and were faced with hard decisions to make up for lost revenue. To date the district has made nearly $4 million in reductions.
The district was recently notified that we will receive $11.6 million in Federal ESSER III Funding to address learning loss and ensure that our students have the opportunity to learn in a safe environment. This additional funding is not an answer to budgetary imbalance. It is one time funding - not a continuous revenue stream. It gives the district an opportunity to look at what our students need in support. A steering committee will be developed to gather input and help to determine how to maximize the use of this one-time funding. More information will be coming.
Reductions and Additions in Programs and Positions
Gabriel Warren introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION REDUCING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent School District No. 31 adopted a resolution on December 21, 2020, directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions; and
WHEREAS, said recommendations have been received and considered by the School Board;
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 31, that the following positions be discontinued:
1. 1.00 FTE Reading Interventionist
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Jeff Lind, and upon vote being taken, the following voted in favor: Jeff Haack, Sarah Young, Gabriel Warren, Carol L. Johnson, Jeff Lind, and Ann Long Voelkner, and the following voted against: None.
WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Carol L. Johnson introduced the following resolution and moved is adoption:
RESOLUTION INCREASING POSITIONS
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent School District No. 31 adopted a resolution discontinuing positions, and
WHEREAS, recommendations for a staffing addition has been received and considered by the School Board;
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 31, that the following positions be added:
1. 2.00 FTE Title I Teachers
2. 2.00 FTE Elementary Teachers
3. 0.40 FTE Elementary Music
4. 1.00 FTE Elementary STEAM
5. 1.00 FTE Reading Interventionist
6. 1.00 FTE Medical Careers
7. 1.00 FTE Mathematics
8. 0.50 FTE Science
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Sarah Young, and upon vote being taken, the following voted in favor: Gabriel Warren, Jeff Lind, Sarah Young, Carol L. Johnson, Jeff Haack, and Ann Long Voelkner, and the following voted against: None.
WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Capital Projects Schedule for FY2021-2022
The motion was offered by Jeff Haack, seconded by Jeff Lind, and carried by all in attendance to approve the FY2021-2022 Capital Projects Schedule as presented.
Resolution Relating to Nonrenewal of Contract
Jeff Haack introduced the following resolution and moved is adoption:
RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE TERMINATION AND NONRENEWAL OF THE TEACHING CONTRACT OF SHAWN LUDWIG
WHEREAS, Shawn Ludwig is a Tier 1 or probationary teacher 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 contract of Shawn Ludwig is hereby terminated at the close of the 2020-2021 school year on June 3, 2021.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written notice be sent to said teacher regarding termination and nonrenewal of their contract 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 17, 2021, a resolution was adopted by majority roll call vote to terminate your contract at the end of the current school year on June 3, 2021, and not to renew your contract for the 2021-2022 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 Sarah Young, and upon vote being taken, the following voted in favor: Carol L. Johnson, Jeff Haack, Jeff Lind, Sarah Young, Gabriel Warren, and Ann Long Voelkner, and the following voted against: None.
WHEREUPON, said resolution was declared passed and adopted.
Policy to Rescind - SBR 900-90-1: COVID-19 Face Covering
The motion was offered by Jeff Lind, seconded by Gabriel Warren, and carried by all in attendance to rescind SBR 900-90-1: COVID-19 Face Covering effective June 4, 2021.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 29, 2021 - Bemidji High School Graduation, 9:00 a.m
June Meeting - Monday, June 21, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
OTHER
Student Board Representative Scholarships
Abigail Enquist and Joel Roberts, Student Representatives to the Board, were awarded a Student Board Representative Scholarship for their 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 motion was offered by Sarah Young, seconded by Carol L. Johnson, and carried by all in attendance to adjourn. Time: 8:35 p.m.
/S/ Sarah Young, Clerk
/S/ Ann Long Voelkner, Chair
(June 26, 2021) 2894130