On par for this long winter, the April 24, 2014 ISD 166 school board meeting was once again held on the evening prior to a snow related closure of school on Friday.
Noah Warren, Cook County junior class vice president, addressed the board during the community comments portion of the meeting. Warren spoke to concerns of student drivers speeding during the lunch period stating that it should not be a function of the school board but a function of law enforcement to police such things. “Kids who speed during off campus lunch will speed after school as well.” Warren also acknowledged it is a privilege to have open campus lunch to run errands and similar activities and it does help to teach adult responsibilities.
Principal Adam Nelson read a prepared letter from sophomore Sean MacDonell who was unable to attend the meeting in person. MacDonell echoed Warren’s position that an open campus has similar aspects to those that students will experience in adult life. He also pointed out that the potential illegal activities mentioned at previous meetings are not indicative of Cook County. He summed up, “I believe the current policy (of open campus) works well.”
Local business owner Rob Hackett who employs several high school students spoke in favor of open campus. Adults, as leaders in this community, are there to teach children to grow. “We can’t tell them not to grow until they are 18.” He added, “They feel like they have the responsibility that they will be taking on outside of these walls in a very short time. This is and should be a privilege. If you lose that right it should not be taken away from everyone.”
Board member Ed Bolstad asserted that, as the person who originally brought up this subject, his concern is safety. He alluded to the changing world of high security airports, school lock downs and reinforced classroom doors. Regarding other aspects of the debate such as tardiness he added, “Tardies, I can care less. The issue is safety.”
He moved to adopt a policy for a closed campus. Board member Ann Sullivan voted with Bolstad for the closure. The motion failed to gain a majority with members Jeanne Anderson and Deb White voting against it. Member Sissy Lunde was not present.
Bolstad then moved to adopt a policy that would allow for open campus for just the senior class. That motion also failed with all three of the other members present voting against it.
A third motion was made by Anderson to adopt a policy allowing open campus for both the junior and senior class. White joined her in supporting the motion but it also failed with Sullivan and Bolstad voting against it. The discussion of this policy will be continued at the next meeting.
In other school board news
. Superintendent Beth Schwarz reviewed the revenues and expenditures of the unreserved general fund and the transportation fund. Budgeted figures project that expenditures will exceed revenues by $343,462 in fiscal year 2014 and $236,184 in fiscal year 2015. Schwarz explained that the budgeted figures are conservative numbers and may change for the better before they become actual final totals. Actual audited figures from fiscal years 2007 through 2013 showed that revenues exceeded expenditures by an average of $31,900.
. Principal Nelson informed the board that Cook County High School has become a member of the Arrowhead Manufacturers and Fabrications Association. The membership came at no cost and could be a positive thing for the Industrial Technology area.
. Nelson also reviewed a letter to the parents of students who will be attending prom this year. The letter reminds parents of the consequences involved with the use of alcohol by teens and is co-signed by Sheriff Mark Falk, Principal Nelson and several community leaders.
. Schwarz reported that the school has not yet been able to find anyone to hire for a very part time position with the Early Childhood Family Education program. The position consists of four one-hour shifts.
. Bolstad updated the board regarding the proposed 24-unit housing development near Gofer Cabins in Grand Marais. The infrastructure is coming together and the hopes are to break ground this summer or fall.
. The district continues to ask that parents apply for free and reduced lunch for their children. In addition to being helpful to family budgets, eligible applicants help to bring additional funding to the school. Families do not have to accept the reduction even if they do qualify. The board stressed that there is no stigma attached to free and reduced lunches. Applications go directly to the district office so no other staff or any students have any way of knowing who receives any benefit from the program.
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