LPGE School Board Proceedings

SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024

The Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by Chairman Lemke at 6 p.m., Monday, April 15, 2024 in the District Board Room 209. Board members present: Gohman, Lemke, Levin, Lux, Wolf and Wright. Member Hinson excused. Others in attendance were: Superintendent Daniel Ludvigson, Sherri Evenson, Tammy Cebulla, Barton Rud, Brad Evenson, Kelsey Paurus, Mitchell Ganske, Jodi Dixon, Lori Hovey, Jessica Rosenow, Bonnie Middendorf, Jenny Thelen, Chet Hudalla, Chris, Johnson, Melanie Childrey, Ashley Pesta, Jeff Kent, Jen Olson, Kristi Gaida, Heather Luebesmier, Melissa Meagher, Dustin Bleess, Beth Gustafson, Josiah Tonder, Lisa Day , Carissa Bitz, Steve Christians, Alyssa Scheve, Kyle Lamb, Kari Lamb, Vanessa Wielenberg, Nicole Cuchna, Mathew Hammer, Tracy Schultz, Nancy Hillman, Audrey Morrill, Jonathan Young, Kennedy Lemke, Jennifer Jabas and Cindy Dalton.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
It was moved by Wolf and seconded by Lux to adopt the agenda. Motion unanimously carried.
It was moved by Gohman and seconded by Lux to approve the following Consent Agenda:
CA-1. Regular meeting minutes March 18, 2024
Special meeting minutes March 27, 2024
CA-2. Bills
CA-2a. Prewrite checks numbered to and including 21185-21218=$76,562.23
Checks numbered to and including 21219-21305=$279,431.15
CA-2b. Fund Transfers:
Date Type Vendor Amount
2/20/24 WX Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions, Inc -256.03
3/20/24 WX COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE 27917.72
3/20/24 WX ELECTRONIC FED TAX PAY SYSTEM 156044.34
3/20/24 WX PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMT ASSN 34339.73
3/20/24 WX TEACHERS RETIREMENT ACCOUNT 76669.98
3/20/24 WX DELTA DENTAL OF MN 4420.48
3/20/24 WX HEALTH PARTNERS 111950.62
3/20/24 WX EYE MED VISION CARE, LLC 271.35
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 1023.77
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 3317.04
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 750.01
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 15.4
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 3333.38
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 150
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 4735.45
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 3846.73
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 420.01
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 425
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 333.34
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 1716.64
3/15/24 WX AVIBEN 2184.17
3/15/24 WX NATIONAL INSURANCE SVCS OF WI INC 0.01
3/22/24 WX Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions, Inc 256.03
3/22/24 WX Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions, Inc -256.03
CA-2c. Revolving checks numbered to and including – none
CA-2d. P-Card Statement.
CA-3. Financial Report
CA-4 Personnel
A. New Hires
1) Chris Vedbraaten – BA Step 1 – Secondary Social Studies
2) Jino Stoner – BA Step 3 – Secondary English
3) Kaylie Waldvogel – BA+20 Step 7 – Secondary Spec. Ed.
4) Cooper Goerdt – BA Step 1 – Elementary Phy. Ed.
5) Matt Mills – Lane I Secondary Custodian
6) Jessica Rosenow – Elementary Spec. Ed (transfer from Kind.)
7) Mykel Zimmerman – Behavior Intervention Specialist (transfer from 5/6 Science)
B. Accept the following resignations:
1) Greg Van Hoever – Food Service Director
2) Mark Engstrom – Secondary Custodian
C. Coaching
The following appointments are made contingent upon adequate enrollment/participation in the program. The board retains broad discretion to discontinue programs, without notice if enrollment/participation is not adequate.
1) Nathan Hibbs – Volunteer Track
2) Mikayla Jasmer – Volunteer Track
3) Kayla Mathews – Volunteer Track
4) Alex Bailey – Volunteer Track
5) Tim Otremba – Volunteer Track
6) Donovin Nuckols – Volunteer Football
7) Datrick Mitchell – Volunteer Football
CA-5 Resolution of Support for Implementing the United Way Backpack Attack Program to Serve Students in Head Start.
CA-6 Resolution – Deemed Final Certificate of Preliminary Official Statement
CA-7 School Van out on Bid
CA-8 Second Reading – Policies 414, 415, 799
CA-9 Reclaimed Asphalt – put out on blind bid
Motion unanimously carried.
Brad Evenson and Kelsey Paurus gave a presentation on RSchool. They showed how facility rental is currently being done and how the facilities can be viewed online with the RSchool system. The district is looking at updating its rental policy and anyone interested in being a part of that discussion should contact Mr. Evenson
Melissa Meagher and Heather Luebesmier gave a presentation on current nursing staff and the licenses they currently hold, their duties and how the offices are laid out. They shared data regarding office visits and how many kids/staff they see in an average day. They concluded with they are more than band aids and ice packs.
Jennifer Jabas shared information regarding the United Way Backpack Attack program. They supply kids with shelf stable and kid friendly foods that the kids can eat on their own. They are asking for our continued support for the program. They are serving about 150 kids now and want to expand that to 211.
Matthew Hammer shared the bond sales day report. The district is receiving a 3.6062% interest rate and continues to qualify for an AA3 rating. The district had seven bidders on the bonds. Steady enrollment growth and good financial health helped secure good rates. Member Lux made the motion to accept the Resolution Awarding the sale of general obligation facilities maintenance and refunding bonds, series 2024A, in the original aggregate principal amount of $14,060,000; Fixing their form and specifications; directing their execution and delivery; and providing for their payment; providing for the escrowing and investment of the proceeds thereof; and providing for the refunding of bonds refunded thereby. Member Wolf seconded the motion. Upon a roll call vote motion passed unanimously. Full copy of resolution available upon request.
Kelsey Paurus and Josiah Tonder presented information regarding the soccer program. The current CoOp with Little Falls ends after this season. The decision to have a soccer team likely needs to occur by September in order to get on the schedule for the 2025 season. Questions were asked about Title IX and the hope is to eventually have both a boys and a girls team was shared.
Jodi Dixon addressed the board and provided her perspective on the boards special meeting that was held on March 27th.
Brad Evenson shared a thank you to everyone involved with the career fair that was held for the students through the achievement and integration grant. It was a huge success with 35 different people presenting and 4 sessions available for the kids.
Tammy Cebulla commented the United Way backpack packing event will be held on May 9th.
Board reported they are approaching the conclusion of negotiations. Tentative agreements with unions have all been achieved with some individual contracts still being negotiated.
Superintendent Ludvigson gave his report which included revenue projections out to 2028-2029 based on the legislature’s market adjustment addition to the school funding formula. He is working with Ehler’s on projections and will have expense projections in the near future.
Board minute was regarding grievances and handling complaints.
Board Highlight – Good luck to Kyle Lamb with songs and scenes coming up on April 25-26 and the growing theatre program. Also, congratulations on receiving superior ratings at state. Congratulations to Chuck Speer on another year of receiving a superior at the state level. Thank you to Nancy Hillman and Tyler Cebulla for being full-time substitutes this year and helping keep teachers in front of students.
Unfinished Business –
Solar Grant project -There was discussion held about the project and board members have heard good things about the program from other districts. There is a possibility of installing the panels on top of the thermal field at the secondary building versus being installed on the roof. Member Wolf made a motion we move forward with the investigation to see if our facilities can support the solar grant project. Member Levin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Evaluation Process – a model was chosen based on the MN State School Board Association model.
New Business –
The donation resolution was moved by Wolf and seconded by Levin:
Complete resolution available upon request.
Donor /Item /Designated Purpose (if any)
Central Minn. Whitetails Inc. $500 Trap Team
Home Town Abstract & Title, LLC $100 Post Prom
East-West Realty, Inc.$100 Post Prom
Long Prairie Rotary Club $200 Post Prom
Stearns Electric Association $200 Post Prom
ARC Electric Service Inc. $250 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Comfort Chiropractic $100 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Breitenfeldt Group $100 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
LP Lumber LLC $100 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Central MN Realty LP $125 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
MN National Bank, SC $50 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
LifeSteps Counseling PLLC $100 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Central Bi-Products $250 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Sellnow Law Office, P.A. $25 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Northern Star Cooperative$100 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
North Star Plumbing Heating & Air LLC $100 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Long Prairie Packing Co $100 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Little Rose Custom Creations $100 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Grey Eagle Electric Inc $250 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Hormel Financial Services Corp $250 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Mediqwest Ins Services, Inc $250 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Long Prairie Tarp Inc $375 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
Hillig Auto Center & The Trailer Center $500 ‘24 Elementary Color Run
David & Lynell Blanchard in Memory of Erin Blanchard $2,000 Dollars for Scholars
Mary Ann Woeste $25 Girls Softball
Larry & Dorothy Bromenshenkel $100 Girls Softball
Catherine & John Walburn $25 Girls Softball
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
Aye: Gohman, Lemke, Levin, Lux, Wolf and Wright
Nay: 0
Absent: Hinson
Whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly adopted.
Girls Softball
Member Gohman made a motion to adopt a MOU for the creation of a full-time in-house substitute position. The position would be added to the teacher master agreement and would be restricted to the 1st BA lane and 1-10 years of experience. Member Lux seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Member Lux moved to accept the extended day contract MOU’s for the activities director and the band director. Member Gohman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion was held about additional contract days for the community ed secretary, attendance secretary, district office positions, and school secretarial positions. Mr. Ludvigson is to gather financial data and provide to the board for further discussion in May. The impact of unemployment and the possible need for additional days in some of the contracts was discussed.
Member Gohman made a motion to approve the master contracts for the clerical unit, paraprofessional/support unit, and the principals. Member Wolf seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Live streaming of the board meetings was discussed. Lux moved that the meetings be live streamed with audio only starting with the next (May) meeting and a recording/link be given upon request only. Member Gohman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
The board talked about a potential retreat offered through MSBA for board development. Mr. Ludvigson will gather more information on what topics this would cover and what it would entail. Decision to be held at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. by Chairman Lemke.
/Tanja Levin, Clerk
M29C
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