Board given a clean audit opinion

The Clearbrook-Gonvick School Board was given a clean audit opinion at their meeting on Monday, November 20. Luke Everson CPA from Eide Bailly presented a video conference with the board. Copies of the audit were available for the meeting. There were two items that were in question: The student activity balance from the 2016 graduating class. That money will have to be transferred out. The second was accrued vacation on one employee.

The District had a general fund balance at the beginning of the year at $664,621 and at the end of the June 30, 2017 year was $936,149. General Fund Revenues included 79% state sources, 15% local levies, 3% Federal sources and 3% other. Expenditures by programs included: 43% regular instruction, 17% Special education instruction, 17% Instructional and pupil support, 10% Sites and buildings, 11% Administration and support and 2% other. The money spent included 76% salaries and benefits, 27% purchased services, 4% supplies and maintenance, 1% capital expenditures and 3% other.

Revenues were under expenditures for the year ended June 30, 2017. Revenues were $5,282,816 with expenditures at $5,005,288. This will be added to the unrestricted fund balance. The Government Finance officers Association (GFOA) recommends at minimum that governments maintain unrestricted fund balance in their general fund of no less than two months (16.7 percent) of regular general fund operating expenditures. This would offer a cushion for unexpected expenditures or revenue shortfalls during the year. This would also provide a source of working capital to meet cash flow needs and produces investment income.

The General Fund Unrestricted Fund Balance had in 2008 - $1,228,991, in 2009 - $1,239,154, in 2010 - $836,253, in 2011 - $689,615, in 2012 - $224,466, in 2013 - $92,967, in 2014 a negative deficit spending (-$151,820), in 2015 $111,390, in 2016 - $554,574 and in 2017 - $770,987. This is at 15% of the balance and the district is making progress in the fund balance over the past three years.

After the presentation the board approved the auditor’s report

Principal report

Principal Jeff Burgess has posted positions in the school for front office work and Native American Support. Until those people can be hired there will be extra duties that will have to be performed by staff in the school.

The Elementary Music for Kindergarten through 3 grade is Tuesday, December 12 and the high school music program is Tuesday, December 19.

The board opened a 1/2 time or full time elementary position to be posted for the numbers in the second and third grades. The numbers are constant but working is not ideal with the small classrooms. Second grade has 28 students and third grade has 26.

Superintendent report

Superintendent Wayne Olson gave the board the projected numbers for the Early Childhood program. Census shows in the 30’s for some and 19 to 20 for other years. They will be planning and they have to keep the numbers in mind.

The MSBA conference is set for January 11 and 12. Board members will have to let him know if they are interested in going so that arrangements can be made.

A new table saw has been purchased for the shop and it much safer. They will advertise for a closed bid for the one that is in the room.

Pine to Prairie will support money to be spent for equipment in the shop that would cover costs.

Committee report

Meet and Confer met on November 8 with several positive comments. They also discussed: classroom furniture budget, how to manage money for purchase of musical instruments, rooms to be painted and the teaching staff would like to be part of the final options for the calendar drafting for next year. 

Consent calendar with bills, electronic transfers and other banking transactions approved. Some of the bills were: Stein’s Bus Services LLC $75,080.77; Marco-Cisco Equipment Lease $55,204.70; Garden Valley Telephone Co. $15,383.98; Clearwater-Polk Electric $10,388.20; Community Oil Co. $7,825.14; Marco $6,724.40; Aim Electronics $2,928.50; Anderson Disposal $1,809.70; Garden Valley Telephone Company $1,779.34; Taylor Publishing Company $1,508.70; Land O Lakes $1,481.71; Region 8A Secretary $1,402.00; Westerman’s Repair $1,149.91.

New Business

The board approved the resignation of LeeAnn Vettleson from the office staff, Misty Larson as para and Verena Pletschett as the Native American Education Coordinator.

The board approved the hiring of Jenetta Mathson as HR Director, Casey Kroulik as the Junior High Boy’s Basketball Coach. 

The Seniority list for both certified and support staff were approved after the staff had checked it as well.

Certified list included name, date of hire and position. Frankie Scalzo, 9-1-89 Elementary PE; Lori Beard, 9-1-91, Elementary Teacher; Robyn Johnson 9-1-91, Elementary Teacher; Pamela Bagaason, 10-28-96, Elementary Teacher; Catherine Dickey, 5-26-98, Jr. High Science, .71 FTE; Theresa Porter, 8-31-98, Elementary Teacher; Jolee Hjort, 7-17-00, 7-12 Social Studies; Brenda Faldet, 11-13-00, Elementary Teacher; Mary Springer, 8-16-04, ECSE/Early Intervention; Sarah Goudge, 5-15-06, Sr. High Science; Casey Kroulik, 6-19-06, 7-12 Social Studies; Laura Dahl, 7-17-06, Elementary Teacher; Ross Faldet, 6-18-07, 7-12 Industrial Arts; Jamie Hamnes, 8-22-07, Elementary Teacher; Julie Johnson, 8-20-08, Elementary Teacher; Willow Christen, 7-20-09, Kindergarten; Marina Balcer, 9-12-11, Elementary Teacher; Kyle Christianson, 4-25-12, High School PE/Health/AD; Kim Anderson, 4-25-12, Sr. High Ag.; Jenny Bakke, 9-17-12, Elementary Teacher; Michelle DeVries, 6-18-13, English Teacher; John Lavin, 6-18-13, Math; Katie Bardwell, 8-15-13, Elementary LD Spec. Ed.; Kendall Nordlund, 3-20-14, Elementary Teacher; Katrina Steward, 7-21-14, K-12 Band/Music; Chesley Ehlers, 5-18-15, Elementary Teacher; James Bettin, 7-20-15, Math; Marianne Trcka, 7-20-15, High School LD Spec. Ed.; Tamra Ragan, 3-21-16, Elementary Vocal Music Instructor; Megan Godtland, 5-16-16, Counselor; Linda Brown, 2-23-17, Art Teacher; Jesse Eck, 4-17-17, Elementary Physical Ed.; Alisha Rude, 5-15-17, Elementary Teacher; Darcy Hegg, 6-14-17, Elementary Teacher; Andrew Kaucher, 8-26-17, English Teacher; Shelby Dukek, 8-10-17, Math.  

Support Staff included name, date of hire and position. Linda Titera, 9-5-92, Para; Darlene Bergman, 12-19-95, Para; Kathy Bergman, 11-24-97, Cook; Elsie Pond, 12-5-05, Para; Jean Naastad, 12-15-05, Custodian; Virgil Tronnes, 6-5-06, Custodian; Peggy Arlaud, 10-23-06, Para; Misty Larson, 9-22-08, Para; Rachel Nelson, 9-22-08, Para; Michael Lindgren, 9-1-09, Cook; Joanne Lavin, 9-17-12, Para; Kip Hanson, 9-15-14, Custodian; Ron Bjerke, 9-15-14, Custodian; Jamie Weems, 8-17-15, Para; Donna Rude, 1-7-16, Para; Amy Berg, 6-20-16, Para; Lori Lundell, 8-11-16, Cook; Carrie Haugen, 8-16-16. Para; Jennifer Zurhorst, 8-23-16, Para; Mary Mohr, 2-13-17, Para; Sheree Hoie, 3-24-17, Para; Jalina Gerlofs, 7-1-17, Para; Jalina Mathison, 8-22-17, Para. 

The board approved the World’s Best Workforce Report and Curt Philion as the New York Life approved vendor for 403b and HAS Investments. They also changed the January and February meeting dates from the official holidays to January 25 at 7:00 p.m. and February 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Kyle Christianson asked the board about a coop with Red Lake County Central for wrestling. The season has started and the board would like more information on transportation and other items and what it would do for the numbers in basketball and other programs.

He informed the board that there were 22 boys out for junior high basketball and 20 girls. 

Board members would like to have a clarification on the hiring process that is done for the school. Consistent procedures are needed to be followed for each opening that happens. This will be brought up at another meeting.