(Published in the Brainerd Dispatch, October 25, 2020, 1t.

(Published in the Brainerd Dispatch, October 25, 2020, 1t.)
Pillager Public Schools - ISD #116
Pillager Board of Education Minutes
Regular School Board Meeting
September 21, 2020
Chairman Scott Mudgett called the regular monthly meeting of the Pillager Board of Education to order on Monday, September 21, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. in the school media center. Other members present were Becky Bennett, Brian Grimsley, Shawn Hunstad, Sara Nagel and Steve Uban. Also present was Superintendent Michael Malmberg, School Board Secretary Lori Blumke and interest staff.
First order of business was the Pledge of Allegiance
Cell Phone/Electronic Devices
Scott Mudgett began by asking if there are any additions/deletions/changes to the agenda.
Superintendent Malmberg requested to add VI. Student Council Homecoming Activities presentation before Special Reports. Sara Nagel moved; Becky Bennett seconded to accept the agenda with this addition. The motion passed unanimously.
Visitor Comments: NONE
Brian Grimsley moved; Steve Uban seconded to accept the Consent Agenda with the following items:
A.Minutes of the August 17, 2020 Meeting
B. Monthly Cash Flow Including Investments
C.Monthly Bill Paid - number 79590 through 79711 and the electronic transfers
D.Donations
Cory and Megan Litzau - $225.00 for the Library
Karen and Lanny Scearcy - $100.00 for Use of Building
Eileen Spillman - school supplies valued at $30.00
Pine River State Bank and Lions Club - school supplies valued at $2,000.00
E.Personnel
Hires
Kayla Thompson, JV Volleyball Coach, effective 9/14/2020
Ashley Watzke, Elementary Long Term Substitute, effective 8/31/2020
David Peterson, Secondary Long Term Substitute, effective 8/31/2020
Dan Johnson, Weight Room Supervisor, effective 9/1/2020
Ben Horn, JH Football Coach, effective 9/21/2020
Rebecca Christensen, Part Time Nurse, effective 8/31/2020
Resignations
Dan Johnson, Junior High Football Coach, effective 8/21/2020
The motion passed unanimously.
Ehlers Presentation of Proposal for Purchase of Bonds
Shelby McQuay with Ehlers reviewed with members the Pre-Sale Report for refinancing of the General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011A. Based on current market conditions, estimated savings could be 1.63% or about $1.7 million over the remaining 10 years. The lower interest rate will reduce debt service levies for district residents for taxes payable 2021 through 2031. Actual results will be determined based on market conditions on the day of sale in early October.
Member Sara Nagel introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BUILDING REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2020A; AND COVENANTING AND OBLIGATING THE DISTRICT TO BE BOUND BY AND TO USE THE PROVISIONS OF MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 126C.55 TO GUARANTEE THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THESE BONDS
The motion for adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Steve Uban and whereupon the resolution was unanimously approved and adopted.
Budget Committee met Thursday, September 17, 2020
Committee Chair Shawn Hunstad reviewed that discussed at this meeting was the Preliminary Certification of 2020 Payable 2021 Levy which represents the maximum amounts and will result in a reduction of about 4.1%.
Member Shawn Hunstad introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
CERTIFICATION OF PROPOSED TAX LEVY
RESOLUTION ADOPTING 2020 PAYABLE 2021 PROPERTY TAX LEVY
Minnesota Statute requires each school district to certify its proposed levy to the county auditor(s) and MDE by September 30, 2020. Adoption of the proposed levy requires School Board action.
The recommended proposed levy represents the MAXIUM amounts that the District is permitted to certify since our final certified levy may be lower but cannot be higher than the certified proposed levy. This gives us the most flexibility in levy planning.
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No.116 that the proposed 2020 Payable 2021 property tax levy be adopted for the MAXIMUM amount, and further, that the School Board Clerk is authorized to sign the document used to certify the proposed property tax levy to the county auditors and the Minnesota Department of Education.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Steve Uban and whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Also discussed was the 1st 2020-2021 Budget revision. Budget revision approval was tabled until after approval of the extension of the Nurse's contract in the Personnel committee report. Superintendent Malmberg stated he reviewed with Budget and Personnel committees the need to extend the nurse's contract by an additional 20 days due to COVID-19 planning and additional responsibilities as COVID Coordinator.
Mr. Hunstad continued by reviewing other increases in expenses as well as increase in revenue for a net budget change of minus $208,000. COVID funding of $450,000 has already been built in to this increase. The annual Audit and refunding of Bonds was also discussed at this meeting.
Facilities Committee met Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Committee Chair Brian Grimsley reported items discussed at this meeting was an update on the building project budget, walk through of remodeled areas which are now completed, projected to be one month behind schedule on new construction, and paving of Early Childhood parking lot will be put on hold.
Activities Committee met Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Committee Chair Steve Uban reported items discussed at this meeting were that volleyball and football seasons will resume. Activities Director Matt Moen detailed that varsity volleyball will play a 14 game season and football 6 games. Spring sports that were scheduled to begin in July will now move back to spring. Volleyball games will not be open to the public but will be live streamed and football because it is outside can have up to 250 people in attendance. Both seasons will begin on September 28th.
Curriculum Committee met Monday, September 21, 2020
Committee Chair Sara Nagel reported items discussed at this meeting was the Elementary 1 to1 Chromebook plan change which will now allow students to take them home in case there is a snow day so that day could then become an E-Learning day. Technology Support process is going well with a daily staff email being sent for updates and information. The last item discussed was adjusting the school calendar for grades 6-12 for distance learning. The plan for elementary grades K-4 is to have 2 teachers work with just distance learners so that classroom teachers can work only with in person students. Fifth grade will have a similar plan. Grades 6-12 will move to distance learning on Wednesdays of a full, regular week beginning October 7th through the 1st semester.
Sara Nagel moved; Steve Uban seconded to adjust the school calendar to have Wednesdays as Distance Learning days starting October 7th for secondary grades 6-12. The motion passed unanimously.
Director of Teaching and Learning Report
Dave Olson informed members that he has worked with two special education teachers to write a grant through the Minnesota Department of Education to do a pilot reading program in the elementary to enhance efforts already in place using the Hillrath Reading program. Holly Thom and Johanna Rudbeck have been awarded this grant.
Personnel Committee met Monday, September 21, 2020
Committee Chair Scott Mudgett reviewed that discussed at this meeting was the change to Schedule C for coach's salaries due to the possibilities that their seasons would be canceled or shortened.
Scott Mudgett moved; Shawn Hunstad seconded to approve Schedule C as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Scott Mudgett moved; Shawn Hunstad seconded to approve to extend the contract for the school nurse 20 days for COVID coordination. The motion passed unanimously.
Shawn Hunstad moved; Becky Bennett seconded to approve the 1st revision to the 2020-2021 Budget. The motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Malmberg reviewed with board members a concerned he received about out of state or overseas school sponsored trips planned for 2020-2021 school year and the fundraising efforts in place or already planned. The school board will resume discussion on this matter in the future.
Superintendent Malmberg's report:
•Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students through December. Distance Learners can pick up a five-day meal pack every Monday
•10 hotspots have been given to families to help out with internet issues
•Decision Tree from the Minnesota Department of Health
•County COVID numbers have risen over 10% in Crow Wing County and to 8% in Cass County
•Meet the school board candidates will be virtual in October
•District newsletter will be out to residents the last week of October
With no further business to come before this meeting Sara Nagel moved; Steve Uban seconded to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, School Board Secretary Lori Blumke