Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting – September 9, 2021
The meeting was called to order by President Cale Rieger in the administrative office on the above date at 7:00 a.m. with everyone present except Danielle McAtee.
Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the agenda as presented; the motion was seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
Items on the Consent Calendar were next considered. Following review of these items, Chris Hingst moved, Troy Hilt seconded, and it carried to approve the consent calendar, including the following items:
- The minutes of theregular board meeting held on August 24, 2021.
- The list of bills being paid on direct deposit slips numbering 0819034-0819044 and on checks numbering 11857-11869 on BANKWEST in the amount of $49,396.79 and checks numbering 15331-15383 on First National Bank totaling $110,325.69 for a grand total of $159,722.48.
- The Cash Summary Report, the Grade School Activity Fund Report, and the High School Activity Fund Report - all as of August 31, 2021. 4) There were no gift offers.
There were no audiences.
There were no committee reports
Under old business, Superintendent Penka had a discussion with the Board regarding COVID 19 procedures. It was the consensus of the Board that we will continue as originally planned, no remote learning; assignments will be sent home and teachers will be available during the day for questions, if a child is sick or is quarantined. In the 6-12 grades if a student is to be out for an extended period of time, arrangements will be made between the family and school for a 504 plan.
Superintendent Penka reminded the Board that USD 297 has a policy in place indicating that teachers must supply the district office official transcripts prior to October 1 st , for the additional hours to count toward advancement on the salary schedule for the current year.
The Board was informed of the new monthly Blue Cross-Blue Shield premium rates for the health-insurance group of school employees, effective with the new plan from November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2022. Information received from BCBS indicates an average decrease of 16% in premiums. The school will continue to pay $470/month toward a single plan and $940/month toward any other type of plan.
Next, the Board was presented with Health Waivers for two of our bus drivers requiring two letters from physicians as to their ability to drive a school bus. Troy Hilt made a motion to approve the waivers; seconded by J.W. Milliken and carried.
Next, under new business, Superintendent Penka discussed the financial ability of the district to increase the salaries of all contracted employees effective with the November 2021 payroll. Further discussion will be held at the October Board meeting.
Next, Superintendent reviewed enrollment numbers with the Board. The official count day will be Monday, September 20, 2021.
Kattie Aldaco will be resigning her position as a paraprofessional through the NKESC effective September 24, 2021. Jennifer Milne has agreed to take that position working for the NKESC. The Board approved the request for the hiring committee to hire someone for the paraprofessional position open at the Grade School. Shawna Blanka made a motion to approve the request; seconded by Dustin Andrist and carried.
Superintendent Penka discussed with the Board the need to replace the Reel Sprinkler on the practice field. The consensus of the Board was to replace it with a new one.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at 7:00 a.m. at 7:59 a.m., Shawna Blanka moved that the meeting adjourn; the motion was seconded by J. W. Milliken and carried.
