Replacing the roofs on all buildings in the Brainerd School District is one of the top priorities the district has in the next 10 years.
The Brainerd School Board Monday, July 16, approved its 10-year long-term facilities maintenance plan after hearing from Earl Wolleat and Jeff Flaten of the district's buildings and grounds department. Wolleat said the district is doing well at balancing its funding for maintenance projects. He said with the building referendum passing, the district will have to be more careful starting in 2020 to make sure the district has the appropriate funds for the projects.
The district uses money-which is state approved-in its long-term facilities fund to pay for maintenance projects, which includes roofing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems repairs. The revenue the district earns for the projects is based on student enrollment.
A spreadsheet compiled by the buildings and grounds department shows the district has a projected $3.83 million in expenditures in 2019 and $2.76 million in revenue; and by Year 10, or 2028, there is a projected $1.44 million in expenditures and $3.64 million in revenue.
Health and safety projects are separate from the district's maintenance plan. The district has a total health and safety capital projects budget of $273,123 in 2018 and $278,586 in 2019. Items for these projects include asbestos removal and encapsulation, fire safety and indoor air quality.
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In other business, the school board:
Approved the hiring of Tahnee Flowers as the assistant community education director at the Brainerd Learning Center; Stephanie Chamtcheu, a half-time English as a second language teacher; Tanika Nguyen, fourth-grade teacher at Nisswa Elementary School; and Ashley Rutman, school counselor at Forestview Middle School.
Approved the resignation of Christine Tangen as lead special education teacher at Riverside Elementary School.
Approved three donations totaling $1,180.40 to be used for summer reading at Brainerd Community Education, a field trip for the FMS Animal Club and student activities at Garfield Elementary School.
Approved the 2018-19 student handbooks for all the schools.
Approved an agreement with Roger Worner Associates, Inc., of Cedar, to conduct an organizational analysis study to be initiated Aug. 1 and conclude on Dec. 1. The study is to assess the school district's enrollment, enrollment trends, finances, programs, services, staffing, facilities and other operational components for the purpose of enhancing organizational effectiveness, efficiency and cost/effectiveness. The study will not cost the district any money, but it will be charged with $5 per page of the final study document.
Reauthorized the board's approval of its referendum authority of $300 per adjusted pupil unit by state law. The authority expires after taxes payable in 2018 and the reauthorization allows the district to continue the $300 per pupil unit for five years.
Approved a lease agreement with ICS Consulting Inc. for a building next to Riverside on Third Street West in Brainerd. The district will be paid $1,000 per month on the four-year agreement to cover rent and utilities.
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Approved a contract with the city of Baxter for a school resource officer at Forestview Middle School. A full-time duly certified police officer will work eight hours per school day for the 2018-19 school year, for up to 173 days. The officer will promote the development of effective communication between the school and legal authorities, and coordinate the provision of police services to the school. The officer will be paid $55.91 per hour or $79,317 for the school year.
Heard about a change wanted in the educational assistant bargaining unit in creating a separate bargaining unit and have a separate contract for a group of nine employees, when four split their time between nurse and EA responsibilities. Both parties are willing to address the differences in the positions and negotiate the language to address the concerns. No action was taken Monday.
