Clearbrook-Gonvick School Board Approves Revised Building Plans
Tue, 12/24/2019 - 9:22am
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By:
Bonnie Kirchman
At the regular meeting of the Clearbrook-Gonvick school board, members approved revised building plans for the new early childhood addition. Other items on the meeting agenda included the school vehicle purchase, plans for prom, approving the tax levy and addressing the school board vacancy.
Luke Selken, the engineer from ICS, was in attendance at the meeting and reviewed the changes to the original plans for the school’s addition. The major modifications were in the plumbing and heating systems. These changes will require a larger mechanical room than originally planned, resulting in a slight decrease to classroom, storage and office spaces. The need for a firewall, identified during a pre-construction inspection, was also addressed in the revised plans.
The schedule for the new construction project will kick off with a walk-through with contractors on January 7, 2020. Bids will be due by January 14, 2020 to allow for approval of contracts at the school board meeting on January 22, 2020. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, 2020 with project completion anticipated by the end of August.
Sarah Goudge presented the “Spotlight on Education” slide show featuring many of the students’ academic and extracurricular activities during the past month. Students from preschool through high school have been preparing musical numbers for holiday programs. Fourth grade students are learning to play chess. Seventh grade STEAM students, with a lesson from Food Service Director Robin Proffit, made pumpkin pies. A trumpeter swan, with an 8-1/2 foot wing span, now hangs in Sarah Goudge’s science classroom. The swan was obtained through Conservation Officer Tim Gray with taxidermy costs covered by an $800 donation from the Clearbrook Community Club. Several Bemidji State University students from the education program have been observing in classrooms to meet field experience requirements.
Principal Carl Dugstad encouraged everyone to attend the basketball games. He emphasized the leadership the athletes bring to the school. He also commented on the student leaders who are members of the school’s growing FFA program. He also addressed the new science standards. Sarah Goudge, high school science teacher, is providing guidance to other teachers as they implement the changes.
The Indian Policies and Procedures were approved by the board members. The changes to these policies included reducing the number of meetings from monthly to quarterly. Jenetta Weems, Human Resources, was also added as an authorized signer. The school has a budget of $41,000 for Success for the Future funding that is used to support a teacher and paraprofessional for the program as well as an after-school activity bus. A survey of parents of students from Red Lake indicate that they are happy with their children’s experiences at Clearbrook-Gonvick school.
School superintendent Jeff Burgess informed the board members that a pig welder and a CNC machine have been added to Ross Faldet’s industrial technology classrooms. Both were purchased with grant money. Burgess also addressed a variety of building issues. The school is pursuing quotes to address gym floor maintenance. Refurbishing will not work with the current epoxy finish on the floor. The floors will be sanded and re-coated with a wax finish that school staff can then maintain with a re-furbisher. Bids are out for the purchase of updated technology equipment including servers and switches. The geothermal system has been tested for leaks everything appears to be running normally. The volleyball nets and standards will need to be replaced.
Burgess reviewed the school district’s current financial status at the meeting. The general fund revenues are up a bit this year. This is due in part to a school population increase two years ago. The population is staying fairly steady. General fund expenditures have increased. The major causes of growth in expenses are insurance, transportation, and curriculum costs.
Teachers were surveyed regarding use of school vehicles. Burgess presented survey results to the board, along with a breakdown of vehicle costs, including insurance and the mechanic’s certification required for continued use of the driver’s education vehicle. He also presented three options for vehicles that could be purchased. The board determined that the purchase of a 10-person van would best meet the needs of students and staff, allowing small classes and other groups to take field trips to the school forest and other community locations. The district’s current car will continue to be used for the driver’s education program. The transportation committee will be involved in the decision-making process for the purchase of the 10-person van.
Stacey Mendick, prom advisor, presented three options under consideration for prom night. A dinner and dance at the Fireside in Bagley with Grand March and after-prom party at the school is one option. Another option would be holding all prom activities at the school, with a dinner catered by Robin Proffit and her staff. In the third option, activities would also take place at school, but would start later, with prom participants eating dinner on their own. Holding the events at school would allow students to enjoy the prom decorating for more than just the Grand March. Prom planners would work with the after-prom party planners to coordinate use of the school space. Board members did not foresee any problems with any of the prom options presented.
Jeff Burgess gave an overview of school property taxes. The board approved an increase of 2.5 % to the tax levy. The levy was certified without using the Q-Comp levy. Board members also designated the school as the polling place in case a special school election is required.
The board made a motion to appoint a member to take the place of Jim Galloway, whose term would have ended in 2022. Superintendent Burgess outlined the board’s possible actions to fill the open seat. The board can leave the seat open, hold a special election, or appoint a new member to fill the term until the November 2020 election. Discussion of costs of special elections and the need to have a quorum at board meeting led the board to choose the option of appointing a new member to the board. The appointment will be approved at the January board meeting. In the meanwhile, a list of responsibilities and roles for the incoming member will be created. The appointment doesn’t become effective for 30 days, so the January board reorganization will be impacted by the vacancy.
In staffing issues, the board approved the hiring of Allison Johnson as a junior high girls’ basketball coach. The technology position is open until December 25th. A part time opening for a support person in Community Education has been posted. The board also approved a FMLA leave for Darby Riley.
Payments made by the district during the past month include $78,646.36 to Stein’s Bus Service, LLC, $60,308.76 and $1,190.66 to BRIC, $13,850.16 to Clearwater County Nursing Service, $8,936.88 to Clearwater-Polk Electric, $8,883.79 to Community Oil Co., $4,206.64 and $2,265.98 to Marco, $3,737.66 to City of Clearbrook, $2,195.86 to Anderson Disposal, $1,954.03 to Garden Valley Telephone Co., $1,904.00 to 2 Loons Letters & Threads, $1,262.25 to Ter-Lee Gardens, and $1,138.72 to Land O’ Lakes.