The ISD 166 school board was happy with its new auditing firm after a presentation of the Fiscal Year 2012/2013 audit by Deb Medlin of Wipfli at the school board meeting on November 21, 2013. The school’s fund balance as of June 30 was $1,340,833, well over the minimum balance of 35 days of operating costs set by the board several years ago. Expenditures totaled $7,244,000.
Superintendent Beth Schwarz commended Food Service Director Linda Bockovich for excellent management of the food service budget. The budget had shown an expected deficit of $14,127, but because expenditures were kept down, revenues outpaced expenditures by $10,334, bringing the fund balance to $24,065 by the end of June.
Several deficiencies were noted in the audit. One was that several employees have access to both physical assets and related accounting records. Auditor Medlin said she realizes that the budget limits the number of staff handling finances. Board members Jeanne Anderson and Sissy Lunde said they oversee the financial operations of the district.
Another deficiency was that the staff, which understands the district the best, does not prepare the financial statements but relies on the auditor, which does not have the same comprehensive understanding of the district. Medlin said other districts are in this situation as well.
Auditors spent seven days gathering information at the school. Medlin said that in noting deficiencies, Wipfli’s goal is to help the district improve its accounting practices.
Adding office staff to create more checks and balances could cost the school a “discretionary” position such as the school counselor or social worker, Superintendent Schwarz said. Board members Anderson and Lunde said they could provide closer scrutiny and oversight. Anderson asked District Finance Assistant Lori Backlund for a report in a couple of months on how the deficiencies were being addressed.
Academic and Career Guidance
Academic and Career Guidance Coordinator Amanda Burggraff reported that she had compiled a school profile students can use on college applications. The profile is on the “Common App,” an application form accepted by numerous colleges, eliminating the need for students to fill out separate application forms for different colleges.
Burggraff attends several out of town meetings which take her out of the school about once every other week. These include school counselor, College in the Schools, and financial aid meetings.
Burggraff is working on finding funding for 5-7 upper level Spanish students to attend Concordia Language Village, a language camp near Bemidji. School board member Mary Sanders and volunteer Pat Campanaro, who are on the Cook County Education Foundation board, expressed optimism about being able to help with the cost of the trip. “It’s a terrific opportunity,” said Campanaro. Jeanne Anderson recommended the language camp, saying she had attended it when she was a student.
Testing scores update
Data Coordinator Erika Ternes reported on the results of academic testing that has been done throughout the district. The high school students don’t seem to be taking some of the testing seriously, she said. Superintendent Schwarz saidThethey are considering puttingMinnesotatest scores on transcripts as an incentive for students to do their best. Sissy Lunde said a drawing for students whose scores had improved was an effective incentive for students in herDisplayson’s grade.Ad
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Principal’s report
Principal Adam Nelson said they are considering adding a 25-minute advisory period for middle and high school students next year. Homeroom teachers would help students figure out what assignments they needed to complete, and students could get help or make up work or tests in other classrooms.
Superintendent’s report
Superintendent Schwarz reported that a canine law enforcement unit had been in the school that day. Students were kept in their classrooms until the search was over. No illegal substances were located. The dogs are trained to sniff out seven of the most commonly used illegal drugs other than alcohol or tobacco. This was a routine test that they try to conduct every other year, she said. It is done at no cost to the school.
Schwarz reported that district enrollment has dropped by 168 students since 2005. She said they may need to have two thirdgrade classrooms next year, because they are expecting 32 students in that grade.
The district is working on improving school culture, the superintendent said. Staff trainings have included sessions on socioeconomic, cultural, and gender issues.
The district has received $200,000 in philanthropic donations in the last three years, Superintendent Schwarz said.
The superintendent reported that she is getting involved in a regional collaborative called Educational Innovative Partners that will focus on technology, online learning opportunities, and teacher training. It is being funded by the state legislature, the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board, and district dues. Schwarz said attending the meetings will take “a fair amount of time” but she believed it was important for her to be at the table to represent the district’s interests. The state is mandating each district to come up with a plan by October 2014 to foster the “world’s best work force.”
Meeting needs of American Indian students
The board approved a letter addressing the concerns expressed by the Grand Portage Local Indian Education Committee earlier this fall. Steps being taken include teachers setting goals related to improving school culture and bringing in special speakers for both staff and students. Attempts are being made to incorporate elements of American Indian culture throughout the school via posters, bulletin boards and display cases. “We would welcome suggestions on how to enrich our American Indian presence in the school atmosphere,” the letter states.
The letter said help is needed from a neutral outside source to conduct an assessment of the school’s impact on American Indian students. The district will attempt to be more proactive in making improvements, according to the letter, and is considering creating a designated Indian education budget.
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