Filing open for School board candidates

The Clearbrook-Gonvick School Board met for their regular meeting on Monday, July 18. Filing for the school board office opens on August 2 and will close on August 16.  There will be four members positions open for a term of four years. Up for election are the seats currently held by Richard Hetland, Ben Machlitt, Tom Stenzel and Jeff Westrum.  Affidavits of Candidacy are available from the school district election clerk, Clearbrook-Gonvick School District Office, 16770 Clearwater Lake Road, Clearbrook, MN 56634.  The filing fee is $2 for those wishing to file.  

Principals’ report

Jeff Burgess gave his report on the academic eligibility and 7th and 8th grade retention. A new policy will be going into effect. 

They are in the process of hiring staffing for para-professionals. They won’t know until the school year starts if they will need to hire any more.

There aren’t any major shifts in enrollment. The elementary will be two sections except for the first grade with 22 students and a para will be working in the morning when the core classes are being taught.

The staff leadership team was to meet on July 26th to go over test scores, teacher observation scores and other data. They will be setting staff development priorities and goals and initiatives for the academic year. They will know more when they get the test scores back from the state.

Superintendents’ report

Wayne Olson informed the board that the parking lot was almost done except for the cross walks needed to be painted.

They have put a hold on the spraying the weeds around the school until it is a little drier in the areas. 

Olson informed the board that wages of some non-certified staff will have to change because of the Fair Labor Act. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law which establishes minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments.

The board has been looking for an activities trailer that can be used for hauling football gear and band instruments. The Building Trades class has one that has not been used and is on the school ground. It will have to be checked out and get it DOT approved. This would not be as expensive as getting a new trailer and could be used by the different school groups. 

Board approved the payment of bills, electronic transfers and treasurer’s Report. Bills include: Hillyard $11,321.49; Clearwater-Polk Electric $8,386.53; Narco $6,252.14; Peterson Sheet Metal $3,383.50; Karen Gebhardt $3,137.89; Prairie Fire Theater $2,000; Garden Valley Telephone Company $1,766.24; Macneil Environmental Inc. $1,137.00.

Old Business

The Crosscounty Program for boys and girls was approved It will target students who are not in other programs such as football and volleyball. John Lavin will be the coach.

Three minutes have been added to the school day with the day starting at 8:21 a.m. and ending at 3:14 p.m. That is one minute earlier in the morning and two in the afternoon.

The board accepted the resignation of Chris Bakke as of July 18, 2016.

New business

Motion was made to accept the certified staff salary schedule.

The board approved the athletic coaches for the upcoming season. Football Head Coach Casey Kroulik, Assistant coaches Wes Rogstad, Bob Westrum, Rocky Eck and Reegen Hetland. Volleyball Head Coach Gary Prosser, no assistant coaches were named. Winter sports: boys’ basketball Head Coach Mike Rettinger; Girls Basketball Ross Faldet Head Coach, Assistant coaches Bob Westrum and Rocky Eck. Spring sports: Casey Kroulik Head Coach for Track and John Lavin as the assistant Coach.

The scheduling of listening sessions was discussed. The board thought they would try it during Open House and have a time set aside to hear people’s thoughts.

Lunch fees for breakfast will not be raised. Fees for lunch will be raised five cents. Breakfast if $1.40; Elementary $2,50 and High School $2.80.

The board decided to keep the activity fees the same as last year. Senior Citizens over 65 are free.

The board will have to have a special meeting on the long-term facilities maintenance revenue that the school will be receiving. They expect $42,200 from the state allotment. The program is in regards to health and safety.

The next board meeting will be Monday, August 15.