The November 15 school board meeting of I.S.D. 166 was, as usual, packed with business over three hours.
The volleyball team and boys’ and girls’ cross country teams were introduced and given a warm welcome by the school board. Both were talented enough to represent Cook County at state this fall.
“Congratulations on your outstanding season(s),” said school superintendent Dr. William Crandall.
During public discussion, several community members spoke to the racial bullying incident that led one family to leave the school district this fall.
Pat Campanaro and Denny Fitzpatrick, both co-founders of Arrowhead Indivisible, took turns addressing the school board. Campanaro asked about a document her group had given previously to the board with questions asking how the district would address future incidents of bullying.
School board chair Sissy Lune informed Campanaro the document would be discussed later in the meeting.
Fitzpatrick expressed appreciation to the staff, board and the teachers for their work with the kids. But on the topic of bullying Fitzpatrick said he felt a “sense of urgency. I can see this is a matter of life and death. One (former CCHS) student attempted suicide eight times,” said Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick called for zero tolerance for sexual, racial or any bullying. He urged the board to adopt and follow policies and procedures that had some “teeth” in them to keep the kids in school safe.
Following public discussion Principal Adam Nelson said two CCHS students each earned college scholarships totaling about $104,000 each. Nelson said the school’s work to help kids get high ACT scores helped students receive college scholarships.
Dr. Crandall reported that John Morrin was recognized as the Outstanding American Tribal Official by the Minnesota Indian Education Association at the conference banquet held Nov. 16.
Next, the board talked about the document it was given by Arrowhead Indivisible. A subcommittee diversity team was looking at ways to strengthen policy and education surrounding the concepts of bullying. Crandall went through the list of goals and objectives and questions posed by Arrowhead Indivisible with the board and assured the group that the work was ongoing and would not be forgotten.
Work is nearly finished on the bus garage, said Crandall. The buses should be moved in by the end of November.
There will be some work to do after the buses will come into the garage, Dr. Crandall said, adding, “The last payment won’t be made until we go through our punch list, which probably won’t be done until next spring.”
In other business
. A discussion was held about the school’s discipline policy, grievances, suspensions, reasons for expulsions, exclusion, and in-school, out-of-school detention.
Expulsion and exclusion are almost the same, but not the same thing, said Crandall when asked what differentiated the two terms.
A student may be excluded from attending one school in a district, but not all of the schools in the district. An expelled student is barred from attending any of the schools located within the district where he/she was discharged.
. The school board accepted the resignation of middle school math teacher Rachel Sjodin, who on the advice of her doctor, has to leave teaching because of concerns for her health. A substitute teacher will pick up her classes, said Crandall.
. Ashley Deschampe and Erin Petz were hired as paraprofessionals. Ashley will work with the Head Start program, and Erin will work in the middle school. Both have bachelor’s degrees and both highly qualified, said DeWitt.
. A discussion was held about naming the gym in honor of Pam Taylor, who will retire this year after 35 years of teaching and coaching.
Board chair Sissy Lunde said she was warned that it’s best to name something after someone after they have died, that way you know that they lived an honorable life until they passed away. The board discussed various other ways that Taylor could be honored once she has retired, and they will continue with that discussion at future meetings.
. Judy Schmidt was hired as an Early Childhood Family Education teacher. She is currently enrolled in early childhood classes now, said Dr. Bill DeWitt, so until she completes her degree she will work under a variance.
. Mitch Dorr was hired as activities director for the 2018- 2019 year.
. Roland Baird was hired as an evening custodian for the school. Crandall said Pam Pulaska, Laurie Backlund, and Judy Nelson all pitched in to clean the school while another janitor was sought to fill the opening.
. The board approved several assistant and junior basketball and ski coaches’ contracts.
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