Minutes
Sleepy Eye ISD #84
Board of Education
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
5:30PM
Conference Room
Call to order: Attendance: Sandy Gonzalez, Joleen Dittbenner, Brian Nelson, Darla Remus, Casey Coulson, Adam Barka, Sheila Wurtzberger
Good News Items: The Girls Basketball team are continuing their winning ways and playoffs start next week for them. They are co-champions. Boys Hockey playoffs start tomorrow night and Austin Uecker was the high scorer for Hockey. Congrats Austin!! Board recognition week.
Recognition of visitors: Press and Staff. Mike Hardin and Bob Elston for the city piece.
Approve Agenda M Casey Coulson 2nd Joleen Dittbenner M/C
Approve minutes of January 09, 2024 M Casey Coulson 2nd Sandy Gonzalez M/C
Approve financial transactions and reports M Joleen Dittbenner 2nd Casey Coulson M/C
Reports
Board: Mascot committee met 4 times, the committee was made up of board members, community members, administrative and staff members and 2 students. We began with 55 names that were submitted to us by community members. From there we narrowed it down to 16 names and then voted on the order of those names. From there we went to 8 names, voted again and then took the 4 final names to the staff and students to have them vote, the 4 names were Bison, Bearcats, Phoenix and Storm. The students overwhelmingly voted for the Bearcats while the staff were equally divided by all 4 names, from there it was recommended to only bring the Bearcats to the Board for consideration. Staff Development met and went over Read Act and some of the training coming up. Community Ed met and discussed Drivers Ed and Community Spring offerings. Facilities met and roofing issues are being addressed.
Principal: Finished up teacher evaluations, offerings were made for classes and is working on the master schedule, parent teacher conferences are lacking participants and had presentations on AI and how to use it for staff and students.
Superintendent: February is school board appreciation month: Thank you for all you do for students, staff and the community of Sleepy Eye. Read Act Update . Building and grounds update Andrew Pettit; Personnel Information We are fully staffed Kevin and Amaris are doing a great job on the second floor and science/band wing. Training Conducted February Training is Asbestos refresher. Inspections Monthly fire extinguisher and exit light inspections. Employee monthly audits are completed. Progress on Projects John, Amanda, Tim and I are still working on the Cafeteria roof to figure out the best course of action to get the roof redone and keep the budget in check. Contacted UHL last Friday they are waiting on one piece of equipment for the control update for the Ag wing. Everything is moving along, it seems like we got the boilers working without issues finally. Been working on trying to clean and organize custodial areas as time permits. Legislative update: The 2024 legislative session convened on Monday, February 12. Legislators have until Monday, May 20, 2024, to finish their work. Because the legislature passed, and the Governor signed, a two-year budget during the 2023 legislative session, the focus will be on a capital investment bill, policy issues, technical fixes to last year’s budget bills, and potentially a supplemental budget bill. Note: Minnesota does not have to pass a supplemental budget. Kindergarten Round Up March 5th 3:00PM-6:00PM. Elementary round two goal setting 95% completed. Third round of observations in progress
Presentation
FY 2024 revised budget by Amanda Boomgarden she went over the revised budget due to the amount of students that we have.
Discussion Items
Christensen grant supported positions they will fund the 3rd Ag teacher for us, because due to need we need 3. Thank you!!
Facility addition: The city is requesting a recreation center that would benefit the community and school needs. Looking for additional funding and it is nothing that would happen right now. The Rec Center will be connected to the school by a separate entrance and would not impact school security. We decided that along with the city we would bring this in for a community interest survey to see if there is even a need or support for this venture. Obviously, this is a big funding opportunity and would provide needed space that the school and the community would benefit from. The school could possibly see a new Arts & Entertainment center along with locker rooms for the new United Football team and some classrooms for a possible middle school.
Mascot: Board members had a spirited discussion that saw that not all board members were happy with the process that took place. Some members would like input from MDE or other entities to correct us on the names that we are able to use. We are not voting on this tonight. We made a motion to submit all 4 names to local tribes and MDE for their recommendation to proceed. Some members were not happy that the students were allowed to see and vote on the names before the rest of the board saw the names.
Action items
Approve resignation of Sarah Lendt as 4-8 grade school counselor at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Thank you Sarah!!
Approve FY 2024 revised budget
Approve resignation of Justina Andree as High School media paraprofessional as of 2/5/24
Approve resignation of Riley Huppert as Instrumental Music teacher at the end of the 2023-24 school year
Approve hiring of Deanna Nelson as High School media paraprofessional 6.5hrs a day @$17.10/hr
Approve hiring of Mayda Meyer as Bilingual paraprofessional at 6.5hrs a day @$15.52/hr
Approve hiring of Ramiro Briones as Elementary SPED paraprofessional at 6.75hrs a day @$15.52/hr
Approve hiring of Dawn Gregor as High School paraprofessional 6.5hrs a day @$15.52/hr
Approve resignation of Troy Vangsness as Assistant Varsity Football coach at the end of the 2023-24 school year
Approve hiring of Kaleb Walter as Assistant Golf coach for the 2023-24 golf season @$3,185
Approve hiring of Crystal Dauer as Track Assistant coach for the 2023-24 track season @ $3,185
Approve the 2023-24 spring coaching assignments as presented
M: Approve hiring of Kathy Haala as Concession Stand Coordinator for the 2024-25 school year @ $3,109
Approve fundraising request for the softball program as presented
Approve the following open enrollment request: 1 in from New Ulm
Approve resolution directing administration to make recommendations for reductions in program for 2024-25 and positions and reasons therefore.
Approve the following donations: $250 by Paul and Julie Andersen charitable fund to the SEU football program; $500 anonymous donation to the River Valley Wildcat track program; $1001 by Kim Patel (JANU-4 LLC) to the Elementary Fundraiser account; $1000 by the Leavenworth Baseball Association to the SEPS Athletic Department Thank you for all your donations they are greatly appreciated.
Addendum
Sleepy Eye, ISD #84
Board of Education
February 21, 2024
Action Items continued
Approve hire of Brianna Peitso for Instrumental Music for the 2024-2025 school year at
$45,488 plus her band stipend at $4,160. Total of $49,648.
M Joleen Dittbenner 2nd Brian Nelson M/C
Next meeting is Wednesday, March 13, 5:30PM
Adjourn. Time 7:23 p.m. M Adam Barka 2nd Sandy Gonzalez M/C
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Wurtzberger/clerk
Minutes
Sleepy Eye ISD #84
Board of Education
January 9, 2024, 5:30 PM
Conference Room
Call to order: Attendance: Sandy Gonzalez (virtual), Joleen Dittbenner (virtual) Brian Nelson, Darla Remus, Casey Coulson, Adam Barka, Sheila Wurtzberger
Good News Items: Both Basketball teams are doing phenominal!! Holidays were nice
Recognition of visitors: Staff and Press
Approve Agenda M Brian Nelson 2nd Casey Coulson M/C
Election of Officers:
Chairperson: Darla Remus
Vice Chair: Casey Coulson
Clerk: Sheila Wurtzberger
Treasurer: Joleen Dittbenner
M Casey Coulson 2nd Brian Nelson M/C
Approve Committee Assignments
Riverbend: Darla Remus
CED: Sheila Wurtzberger
Br. Co. Advisory Board: Sandy Gonzalez
Vocational Programs:
Graphic Arts
Construction Trades
Agriculture: Brian Nelson
Meet and Confer 1. Sheila Wurtzberger 2. Brian Nelson 3. Casey Coulson
Negotiations 1. Darla Remus 2. Brian Nelson 3. Casey Coulson
Transportation 1. Adam Barka 2. Sheila Wurtzberger 3. Darla Remus
MNSHSL Darla Remus
Policy 1. Brian Nelson 2. Joleen Dittbenner 3. Sheila Wurtzberger
SE Schools 1. Adam Barka 2. Casey Coulson 3. Sheila Wurtzberger
Legislative Liaison Darla Remus
Staff Development Adam Barka
Food Service 1. Sheila Wurtzberger 2. Darla Remus 3. Sandy Gonzalez
CAT 1. Brian Nelson 2. Joleen Dittbenner 3. Sandy Gonzalez
Facilities 1. Brian Nelson 2. Casey Coulson 3. Adam Barka
Mascot 1. Sheila Wurtzberger 2. Joleen Dittbenner 3. Darla Remus
Approve minutes of December 13, 2023 M Casey Coulson 2nd Adam Barka M/C
Approve financial transactions and reports M Casey Coulson 2nd Brian Nelson M/C
Reports
Board: Negotiations the teachers and principal’s contract were finalized
Principal: Band and choir concert. Finished 2nd round of evaluations with non-tenured
Held department meetings in preparations of January 15th SD day. Working on a master schedule that includes every day band/choir
Superintendent: Enrollment update: Now: El: 284 HS: 243, total 527; 8/9/23: elementary: 303, HS: 259: total 562; big shift hoping some of the numbers pick up. Scheduling midterm goal setting meetings with elementary staff. Meeting with SE Mayor Pelzel: Discussion about facilities needs that potentially the city and the school could work cooperatively. Mascot Committee meetings set up 17 members are involved. Teacher contracts were finalized insurance and wages and 403B contributions were increased. Principal wages and 403B contributions were increased.
Action items
Approve the 2023-2025 SEEA Master Agreement
Approve the High School principal’s contract for the 2023-2025 school year
Accept resignation of Christi Gemmill as Concession Coordinator effective at the end of the winter sports season.
Approve Mindy Berkner as Senior HS Knowledge Bowl Coach at $802.00.
Approve Troy Vangsness as Assistant Senior HS Knowledge Bowl Coach at $715.00.
Approve open enrollment from St. Peter to Sleepy Eye. (2)
Approve the following donations: $416.36 by the SE Basketball Boosters for concession stand popcorn; $300 by the SE Basketball Boosters for the basketball coaches clinic costs. Thank you for your donations and we are greatly appreciative.
M Brian Nelson 2nd Adam Barka M/C
Next meeting is Wednesday, February 21st, 5:30PM
Adjourn. Time: 6:01 pm M Brian Nelson 2nd Casey Coulson M/C
