Brandon Valley School District: March 23, 2020 Meeting Minutes
_________ Minutes _________
The regular meeting of the Brandon Valley Board of Education, Brandon, SD was held at 6:30 p.m. on the 23rd of March, 2020 at the Brandon Valley High School Community Room with the following members present: Renee Ullom, Gregg Ode, Ellie Saxer, and Dan Klumper; via phone: Gregg Talcott; absent: none. Also present were Superintendent Jarod Larson, Business Manager Paul Lundberg, and Intermediate School Principal Nick Skibsted.
Renee Ullom called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Ode to approve the agenda as presented. On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Ode, Klumper, Talcott, Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
The “Good News” report tonight was presented by Brandon Valley Intermediate School Principal Nick Skibsted on Authentic Experiences Program that has begun at the Intermediate School. The purpose of this program is to provide purposeful engagement and an authentic experience through STEM exploration, to develop working partnerships with local businesses, and to develop student interest in careers that are related to South Dakota. A big thank you to our local business, POET, for working with our teachers and students on this most valuable project.
Administrative reports were presented by Superintendent Larson. The Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) is seeking an Executive Board position and has set a Declaration of Candidacy date of 2/19/2020. We would like to wish our own Board Member Ellie Saxer good luck in running for this position.
Larson outlined the Sparta Elementary School construction timeline as follows:
Fall 2019/Winter 2020: Construction planning meetings with Administration, Buildings and Grounds Committee, and Architect
February 20, 2020: Bid opening for the construction project
Peska Construction - $14,675,000 ~ Board Approved at the March 9, 2020 BOE meeting
Spring 2020: Construction begins
Fall 2020: Elementary boundary line committee meets
2020-21 School year: Construction continues
2020-21 Title I Budget. The BVSD has received notification from the South Dakota Department of Education-Office of the Grants Management on February 18, 2020 of the following:
- BVSD Poverty Rate has decreased - Census Poverty Data now 3.89% (down from 5.2%)
- 2020-21 Title I Allocation will be significantly reduced - $180,914 (57.62% reduction)
- Estimated 2020-21 Title I Allocation estimated to be $133,061 (that estimate supports two (2) Title I Tutors)
- Title I Tutor Staff reduction is necessary
Staff reduction action on 3/9/2020 includes one (1) retirement (Roxie Rauk) and three (3) current Title I staff reductions ~ Jody Lambert (BE), Sara Tiffany (BE) and Janna Kloth (BVIS)
The US Department of Education visit at the Brandon Valley High School that was scheduled on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 by Mr. Frank Brogan, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education was cancelled.
The 2020-21 negotiations time-line/wage recommendations has begun with a pre-negotiations meeting between the BVSD Admin and the Brandon Valley Education Association (BVEA) on March 11, 2020. The Personnel Welfare and BVEA then began negotiations Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The Administration/School Board will enter into Executive Session at the regular Board of Education meeting tonight, Monday, March 23, 2020 for negotiations preparation. Mid-March to early April (as needed) we will hold Negotiation(s) meeting with the Personnel Welfare committee and BVEA as follows: Wednesday April 1, 2020, and Wednesday, April 15, 2020 (if necessary). At the April 14, 2020 Board of Education regular meeting we will plan to ratify the 2020-21 Master Contract, approve Classified wage recommendations/approve Administration Salary recommendations and enter into Superintendent contract negotiations.
The 2020-21 Budget process is underway and will proceed in May 2020, when we will hold a preliminary budget presentation and in July 2020, when we will hold the public budget hearing for potential action.
The Child Nutrition Services Department has been very busy with the “Grab and Go” lunch process and we thank all those involved in providing this important part of our COVID-19 plan at the present time. CNS is also planning a “Lynx Lunch Express”. This is a mobile feeding unit and a bus is currently being outfitted with a generator and air conditioner for this purpose. The plan is for the “Lynx Lunch Express” to visit portions of our School District which have been identified by census data for eligibility for summer lunch programs. Child Nutrition Director Gay Anderson is reviewing an Innovative Programmatic Grant Opportunity. It includes some shared services and would include additional staff at no additional cost to our district. More information regarding this grant opportunity will be forthcoming.
In April, a Good News Reports will be shared at the second BOE meeting from the Elementary schools.
COVID-19 Update. Superintendent Larson discussed the various steps that have taken place quickly in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the BVSD COVID-19 Website. Larson reiterated that the COVID-19 Website is the first area to be updated with important information as we move forward during this time and will be the source for all BVSD updates during the pandemic. The BVSD Distance Learning Plans and Website were launched during the week of March 16th and these plans continue to be upgraded and enhanced as we work into the second week and moving forward. The “Grab and Go” lunches are being distributed in four locations that are also listed on the COVID-19 website. The response plan continues to prevent, prepare, mitigate, and respond to this pandemic threat with two strateic goals: reduce the spread and sustain education functions/operations. Larson thanked all the many “hands on deck” that have made this operation begin and run smoothly as we move forward.
BV Booster Club Video Board Update. The process/planning continues to secure a new video/score board at our outside activities complex. The common practice and tax advantage include the BV School District purchasing the video board and the Booster Club reimbursing for the purchase. Superintendent Larson stated that Coke has presented a potential sponsorship for the new video board. Larson has met with Activities Director Randy Marso, the Concessions Manager and the Coke representative who have presented a contract with Coke to have exclusive rights to serve Coke at our concession stands. That contract will be presented to the Board for action tonight.
The upcoming 2019-20 school year current closure schedule remains March 16-27 (days included in the Academic Calendar). Larson stated that this closure could include future days as we look to more announcements this week. Until then, we will direct patrons to the COVID-19 website for the most current and accurate information. Additionally, Larson thanked the Brandon Valley Board of Education for allowing him to navigate the district through this situation and the support that he has been given to lead and manage. We will also continue to promote community learning while supporting our staff and students at the same time.
Ellie Saxer thanked Board President Ullom, Superintendent Larson, and Business Manager Lundberg for their leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She also commented on how thankful she is to see such a successful launch of the Distance Learning Plan that has begun from day one! From the Superintendent, to Administrators, to teaching staff, technology staff, and all others working tirelessly to “make this work”. Thank you! Board President Ullom also thanked Administrators and staff and reminded all to stay well and stay home if you can!
Motion by Ode, seconded by Saxer to approve the following general business items:
1. Approve agreement by and between the Brandon Valley School District #49-2 and Alliance Communications for telecommunication services effective March 6, 2020 for five (5) years, as presented.
2. Approve agreement by and between the Brandon Valley School District/Brandon Valley Booster Club, and Chesterman Company for non-alcoholic beverage distribution and equipment, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2026, as presented.
3. Approve request to purchase two new school buses (Blue Bird T3FE All American Type D Bus), from the Sourcewell Contract, for a total amount of $237,776 ($118,888 each) for the 2020-21 school year.
On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Ode, Saxer, Klumper, Talcott, and Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Ode to approve the resignation of Abigale Klumper, BVIS 5th Grade English Language Arts Teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year. On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Ode, Talcott, and Ullom; abstained: Klumper. Motion carried.
Motion by Talcott, seconded by Saxer to approve the following personnel items:
1. Approve request for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by Paula Huber, RBE Kindergarten teacher, effective on February 3, 2020 for twelve (12) weeks.
2. Approve recommendation to hire Mary Scherb, Child Nutrition Services Substitute, $12.00/hour, effective March 24, 2020.
3. Approve recommendation to hire Megan Bertsch, VSE 2nd Grade Teacher, BA Step 8 ~ $48,680 based on the 2019-20 hiring schedule, effective for the 2020-21 school year.
4. Approve recommendation to hire Lindsey Fiegen, BVHS English Teacher, BA Step 5 ~ $47,637, based on the 2019-20 hiring schedule, and BVHS Yearbook, BA Step Base ~ $3,409, based on the 2019-20 Extra-curricular hiring schedule, for a total salary of $51,046, effective for the 2020-21 school year.
5. Approve recommendation to hire Molly Sundvold, BVHS English Teacher, BA Step Base ~ $46,041 based on the 2019-20 hiring schedule, effective for the 2020-21 school year.
6. Approve recommendation to hire Alison Knutson, BVHS Agriculture Teacher, BA Step Base ~ $46,041, based on the 2019-20 hiring schedule, and BVHS FFA Advisor, BA Step Base ~ $2,606, based on the 2019-20 Extra-curricular hiring schedule, for a total salary of $48,647, effective for the 2020-21 school year.
7. Approve resignation from Tami Grieve, BVIS 6th Grade English/Language Arts Teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.
On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Talcott, Saxer, Klumper, Ode, and Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
Communications received by the Central Office and the Board of Education were reviewed. They included the following items:
1. Thank you from Mariah Koch and family for flowers sent in honor of the birth of their son, Colton.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Ode to go into Executive Session at 6:58 p.m. per SDCL 1-25-2.4 ~ Teacher Negotiations Preparation. On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Ode, Klumper, Talcott, and Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
The Board of Education came out of Executive Session and into Open Session at 7:10 p.m. Board member Klumper did excuse himself from Executive Session at this evening’s meeting.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Ode to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Ode, Talcott, and Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
Signed
Business Manager
Approved by the Board of Education this 14th day of April, 2020.
Signed Chairperson
Published once at the total approximate cost of $108.37
April 1, 2020
