School Board Minutes - January 13

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 777,
Benson, Minnesota
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 – 5:00 p.m.
Benson High School Media Center
The organizational meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m. by Chair Chad Payne.  
Members present:  Andy Abner, Bill McGeary, Jason Madden, Chad Payne and Gary Williams. Al Pagel arrived at 5:10 p.m.
Members absent:  Jodi DeJong-Hughes         
Also present:  Dennis Laumeyer, Brad Johnson, Mike Knutson, Dave Benson, Pam Anderson, Karen Jacobson, Paul Youngquist, Dan Connolly, Lori Klose, Jeanie Rittenour and John Fragodt.
Additions to the Agenda:  None.
Citizens Comments:  None.  
Organization:
Supt. Laumeyer delivered the Oath of Office to newly elected board members Chad Payne and Jason Madden for 4 year terms and Andy Abner for a 2 year term.  Jodi DeJong-Hughes was absent and will be sworn in at the next school board meeting.
Chad Payne was elected Chairperson.  
Gary Williams was elected Vice-Chair.    
Andy Abner was elected Clerk/Treasurer.
Meetings will be held the 3rd Monday of each month and two extra meetings at 5:30 p.m. January-April and November-December and at 6:00 p.m. May-October, held in the Benson High School Media Center or as determined at appropriate locations by administration.  Swift County Monitor-News designated as the official newspaper.  
All Minnesota Depositories plus PMA Financial and Minnesota Liquid Asset Fund and Edward Jones be designated the Depositories.  Business Manager to make electronic funds transfers.  
The Superintendent and Business Manager are authorized to apply for Federal, State and other programs.  
Affiliated Community Medical Center named as the official school physicians on call.  
Ratwick, Roszak & Maloney designated as legal counsel.  
School Board members’ salaries and expenses set as follows:  Directors $1,000/year; Chairperson $1,200/year; Clerk/Treasurer $1,000/year; Special Meetings $50; Special Meetings longer than 4 hours $100; and mileage at IRS rate.  
Committee assignments accepted as designated by the Chair and Superintendent.  
Routine consent agenda items were approved.
Administrative reports were presented.
Karen Jacobson presented data from 12 focus groups and 109 survey responses on Benson’s Strategic Planning.  She highlighted information and stated the abundance of opportunities for students in electives and extra-curricular activities including sports, music, BPA and FFA are leading assets in the District from both students and adults. The teaching staff is friendly, caring, involved in the community and they want students to succeed.  Dennis presented an overview of the facilities improvements discussion since 2012, two focus meetings last week with approximately 80 community members in attendance giving valuable input, timeline for a May, June or November vote and he recommends taking the pool off the table for now to move forward with the education facilities improvement plan. Andy Abner will conduct a meeting following this meeting to see what people want in a community center.  He introduced Architect Paul Youngquist who reviewed the latest plans and explained the main changes and the timeline.  Discussion took place regarding the community center, non-traditional classrooms, gymnasium size/uses/options, meeting room space, etc.  
Donations/Grants:
$100 from Lew and Joyce Nokleby, Benson Sidekicks Tai Kwon Do Scholarship
$20,000 from Jennings Larson for the Arthur, Pearl & Wayne Larson Family Memorial Scholarships
$100 from Toni Lindstrom for the Kevin Lindstrom Memorial Scholarship
Future Meetings:
Special School Board Meeting - Monday, January 26, 5:30 p.m., Benson High School Media Center - Facilities Meeting
Regular School Board Meeting - Tuesday, February 17, 5:30 p.m., Benson High School Media Center
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Business and Report Items:  Document Reference (filed with original minutes)
Copies of documents presented for action and report purposes are located in the district office as prepared for permanent record and posted on the school website at www.benson.k12.mn.us.
            Andy Abner, Clerk
2-4-1c
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