MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 777, Benson, Minnesota Monday, June 21, 2021 – 5:30 p.m. Northside Elementary School Cafeteria

The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. by Chair Brian Samuelson.  Members present:  Mary KW Langan, Brian Samuelson, Bill McGeary, Eric Peterson, Gary Williams and James Berens.  Members absent:  Paul Carruth.  Also present: Dennis Laumeyer, Mike Knutson, Garrett Schmidt, Katie Foley, Lori Eix, Jeanine Bowman, Karen Jacobson, Peggy Knutson (virtual).
No additions to the agenda.
Agenda approved.
No Citizens Comments.
Consent Agenda approved.
Progress Reports presented by the administrators.
No Board Committee Reports.
The board will revisit the District Strategic Plan at the August 2nd Board Work Session.
Preliminary FY22 Budget approved.
Chair Brian Samuelson presented the 2020-2021 year-end superintendent evaluation form.  The board will review the evaluations at the July 12th board meeting.
808 – Covid-19 Face Covering Policy rescinded.
Resolution 2021-01 Approving School District No. 777 Long Term Facilities Maintenance Plan adopted.
MRVED Flexible Learning Year (FLY) Application was presented.  Three public hearings will be held after the June 21st School Board Meeting, July 12th School Board Meeting and the August 2nd Board Work Session.
ESSER III School Plan Public Report:  Approved the 2021-2022 Return to School Plan.
Free-Reduced Price (FRP) Proposal:  Since breakfast and lunch are free again for the 2021-2022 school year, families may not fill out the Free-Reduced Price (FRP) forms.  Compensatory funding, food service programs, and MSHSL classifications, among other opportunities are tied to FRP percentages.  For those reasons the district benefits from higher FRP percentages, as do families.  To encourage families to fill out the FRP form the board approved offering a $20 incentive for each student of a family that completely fills out the FRP form for the 2021-2022 school year to be used toward activity fees, milk break, snack break, Community Ed. registration or other school fees.
Awarded the 2021-2022 milk bid to the low bidder, Prairie Farms in the amount of $38,503.12 escalating.
BHS Open Lunch:  A discussion was held regarding the pros and cons of closing school lunch.
Northside Elementary Room Units:  The board approved moving forward with ductless split heating/cooling classroom units at Northside.
Donations Approved:  BEA Scholarship: $292.16 Benson Education Association; Mary Lou Abner Terwilliger Scholarship: $1,800 Bayer Company; Jerry Ellingson Scholarship: $100 Marilyn Anderson; Barry Jungwirth Scholarships: $750 Mary Jungwirth; Summer Rec Sponsorship: $200 O’Leary Farm; Summer Rec Sponsorship: $200 I & M Landscaping; Summer Marching Band: $500 Benson Lions.
Future Meetings:
Regular School Board Meeting – Monday, July 12, 2021, 5:30 p.m., Northside Elementary Cafeteria
Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
MRVED Flexible Learning Year (FLY) Public Hearing:
MRVED Districts have agreed to pursue a Flexible Learning Year (FLY) application.  To apply for the next three-year FLY Waiver, districts who are proposing to start before Labor Day must hold three public hearings on the proposed FLY calendar.  Three public hearings will be held after the June 21st School Board Meeting, July 12th School Board Meeting and the August 2nd Board Work Session.  This is the first public hearing.
Mary KW Langan, Clerk