The new and returning School District 166 school board members—Deb White, Chris Goettl and Jeanne Anderson— posed for a photo after taking the oath of office on Monday, January 12, 2015. Superintendent Beth Schwarz administered the oath and thanked the board members for their willingness to serve the community’s children.
The School District 166 board meeting on Monday, January 12, 2015 started with treats and well wishes for outgoing school board members.
Michael McHugh, speaking on behalf of the Cook County teachers said, “We want to publicly thank Ann [Sullivan] and Ed Bolstad for their dedication to our students and for all of their efforts.”
McHugh also gave a welcome to new School Board Member Chris Goettl.
Jeanne Anderson, who served last year as board chair, then opened the meeting, and she added her thanks to Sullivan and Bolstad. “Thank you very, very, much for contributing to our board last year,” she said.
It was then time to take the oath of office for three board members—Deb White who had been reelected to District 1; Chris Goettl, who was elected to District 3; and Anderson who was reelected to District 5. Superintendent Beth Schwarz asked the board members to stand as she read the school board oath of office, which stated, in part, “It is an honor that you were elected to guide the education of our community’s children…As board members, you serve as education’s key advocate on behalf of students and our community schools to advance the vision of our schools.
“Furthermore, the board must strive to work together with the superintendent and staff to lead the district toward fulfilling the vision the board created, fostering excellence for every student in the areas of academic skills and knowledge, citizenship and personal development.”
After the oaths were taken, the board elected Jeanne Anderson to once again serve as board chair. Sissy Lunde was elected board clerk and Chris Goettl was elected board treasurer.
Because District 2 Board Member Ed Bolstad had to step down for health reasons, the school board decided to wait to make team and committee assignments until it had a full board. Until that time, board members will continue on their existing committees.
School board pay remains the same
The board reviewed a chart showing salaries for school boards in 29 other Minnesota school districts, ranging from an annual salary of $660 in Hill City to $3,600 in Hibbing. Additional pay goes to the board chair in a number of districts, ranging from $138 in Floodwood to $1,080 in Proctor. A few districts do not offer an extra salary for chair. In addition, extra pay per meeting for matters such as union negotiations or architect meetings are paid in a range of $15 per meeting in Aitkin to $100 per ay in McGregor.
After looking at the chart, Board Member White said she was comfortable with leaving the board pay the same, which is $2,300 annually, with an additional $700 for the board chair. Board members are paid $35 for extra meetings.
“We just got a raise last year, I think it should stay the same,” said White. “This is not a position one takes to make money.”
Chair Anderson agreed, noting, “Given where we are financially, I would move to leave it where it is.”
Her colleagues agreed and a motion passed to keep the school board pay the same in 2015.
Collins back on the board
The board discussed how to proceed with filling the vacant District 2 seat. One application for the position had been received, from Terry Collins of Grand Marais. Collins was previously appointed to fill a vacancy when Rod Wannebo resigned from the school board in March 2011. Collins served until the next election. He said he would likely not seek reelection to the position when it is on the ballot in 2016, but he would be willing to serve until then.
Superintendent Schwarz said the board could make an appointment at this time or wait to see if additional applications came in.
The board passed a unanimous motion to appoint Collins to the school board open seat.
School board to seek planning grant for educational facility
Following up on discussion at the last meeting, Superintendent Schwarz asked the board if it wanted to seek a planning grant of $10,000 from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation to study the feasibility of developing an educational facility to meet early childhood education needs in the community.
Schwarz said with the help of the local Early Childhood Coalition and the State of Minnesota’s interest in early childhood education, it should not be a problem to find funding for a facility.
White asked if the grant-funded study would include a cost analysis and Schwarz said yes. She said the funding would be used to get a basic design and cost for the facility.
Anderson asked what other entities were involved. Schwarz said at this time she is working with the Early Childhood Coalition, but she could foresee working with Cook County Public Health and Human Services at some point. White said Grand Portage should also be involved.
Anderson asked if there were other facilities like the one under consideration and Principal Gwen Carman said there are not many stand-alone early childhood education facilities. She said combining early education with level 4 students would be unique.
White said she supported the planning grant and study because, she said, “At this moment in time, we send these children whose needs can’t be met away.”
A unanimous grant passed directing Schwarz to pursue the planning grant.
In other business
.The board considered bids for designation of official newspaper. Superintendent Schwarz presented bids from the Cook County News-Herald and the Northshore Journal. Schwarz stated that the bids were “similar.” The board passed a motion to accept the bid from the News-Herald.
. The board reviewed bids for financial services from the Grand Marais State Bank, North Shore Federal Credit Union and Security State Bank. Schwarz said Grand Marais State Bank had fewer fees than the other entities. A motion passed for the school district to stay with the Grand Marais State Bank, with Board Member Lunde abstaining as she is employed at a financial institution.
. The board passed a motion to approve the hiring of Patrick MacDonnell as a school bus driver at a rate of $18.34 per hour. Superintendent Schwarz shared a bit of historical trivia. She said MacDonnell’s father was the first person to drive the Gunflint bus route.
.The board also approved the hiring of Monica Precord as a long-term paraprofessional substitute at a rate of $12.35 per hour and the hiring of Mark Falk as a paraprofessional also at $12.35 per hour.
Leave a Reply