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July 25, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

Agenda (Additional links to documents below are found within the agenda.)

We started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.Board members in attendance included Jon Bakken, Gary Michael, Jay Schneider, Jeff Stangler, and Jon Velishek. Administrators in attendance included Superintendent, Ryan Jensen and Community Education/Athletic Director, Jeff Boran. Additional agenda items included closing the meeting to discuss contract negotiations with the Communications Coordinator position.

The board approved the following with limited discussion:

There were no visitor comments. Comments from visitors should be informational in nature and not exceed 3 minutes per issue. The Board will not engage in a discussion or debate in those 3 minutes but will take the information and find answers if it is appropriate. As part of the protocol, visitors must keep their ideas and opinions related to policy issues. It is unacceptable for any speaker to slander, engage in character assassination, or discuss student or personnel issues (i.e. teacher, coaches, bus drivers, principals, Board Members, etc.) at a public board meeting. The person wishing to address the Board must stand at the provided lectern.

 

The board approved a $100 donation to special education by Barbara Foster made in memory of Cindy Wright.

We read the Joint Principal Report from Bobbie Jo Bastian, Elementary Principal / Jennifer Wilson, 7-12 Principal, which was available in the board packet; however, both principals were unable to attend the meeting.

Jeff Boran, Community Education & Activities Director presented a report to update the board on summer community education activities and start dates for fall activities and athletics. Mr. Boran indicated that Homecoming week may be moved to accommodate a volleyball event which conflicted with homecoming week. This will hopefully be worked out so that the volleyball team will be able to attend homecoming activities.

No board member reports or board committee reports were presented.

Superintendent Ryan Jensen provided an update on his activities since joining the district on July 1. Mr. Jensen has been getting more familiar with the district operations as well as doing some much-needed hiring and taking some school finance training. Superintendent Jensen informed the board of an opportunity to capture our full amount of voter-approved bonds due to a recent state law change. In 2018, voters approved $19.3 million for the betterment of the school; however, by law, the state only allowed the board to approve $18.5 million in bond sales. That law has since changed to allow the sale of bonds in the full, voter-approved amount. This will allow the board to reap an additional $800,000 towards school improvement projects.

The board discussed lease or possibly purchase options for the Holy Trinity Parking Lot Contract. The consensus was to continue with the lease option.

The board heard the second reading of Policy 503 - Student Attendance.

The board approved pursuing bond sales from the 2018 bond levy authority.

The board approved the following contracted services:

The board approved the following memberships:

The board approved the Education Identity and Access Management Resolution to designate Ryan Jensen as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for Education Identity and Access Management.

The board approved the retirement of the long-time noon-hour dishwasher in Waterville, Donna Mae Bruske, effective May 31, 2022.

The board approved the following new hires:

The board approved the following requests for lane change:

The board approved the following contracts:

The board approved the following 2022-2023 coaches:

Football

Volleyball

The board closed the meeting to discuss the Communications Coordinator contract. The meeting was opened back up, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

(No work session in August)

August 22nd, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting

507-330-0500, sba.email@yahoo.com

Note: WEM School Board meetings can be viewed live via Zoom video conferencing, and the recordings for past meetings are available on the website. The agendas and accompanying documents are also available online. 

Preschool through grade 8 school supply lists are found on the WEM website on both the "elementary school" and the "middle school" pages.

High school (grades 9 through 12) supply lists are found on the WEM website on the "high school" page.

Teachers and staff teams have created their wishlists on Amazon. These are items they would like to have for their classrooms or groups. Anyone wishing to purchase items as donations to WEM can quickly and easily see what is needed. These lists may be updated at any time. We thank and greatly appreciate all of our generous donors. Find the wishlists on our website.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown (WEM) Public School District is proud to announce The Minnesota Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) State Leadership Team has recognized WEM elementary and WEM junior high schools as 2022 Sustaining Exemplar Cohort Schools. For this honor, the schools will receive a signed certificate from the Commissioner of Education.

In addition to individual school recognition, WEM received the 2021-2022 Minnesota PBIS District Recognition. This requires that districts "demonstrate capacity for coordination, training, coaching and evaluation to support schools in their district to implement School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS)." Thank you and congratulations to everyone who made this possible.

School Age Child Care (S.A.C.C.) is almost full for the fall. Please contact Ms. Jennifer to inquire about openings.

Little Bucs Preschool is open for registration. There will be an open house on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in our preschool classroom at Waterville Elementary. Stop in to check out our classroom, meet the teacher and assistants, have a treat, and enjoy some fun, hands-on learning activities! This is a great time to ask any questions you might have, and help your preschooler get comfortable with their school. Whether you are exploring your preschool options or already registered, all are welcome to attend! Find all the details on our website.

The "55 Alive" Driver Improvement course for people age 55 and better will occur in person again this fall as follows:

Registration is open for fall athletics. Register on our website.

Students should get their sports physicals as soon as possible if one is due. If you are unsure, contact the Athletics / Community Education office. The following is the form you will need.

Check the Community Education page of our website, the Athletics page, or contact them with any questions. The phone number is 507-362-4403, or e-mail Jeff Boran or Jeannie Morsching.

August 16 - Little Bucs Preschool Open House

August 25 - New teacher workshop

August 25 - School board meeting

August 29-September 1 - Teacher workdays (no school)

August 31 - Grades 9-12 orientation / open house

September 1 - Grades 5-8 open house

September 5 - Labor Day (no school)

September 6 - Grades 5-12 first day of classes and grades K-4 back-to-school conferences

September 7 - Grades K-4 first day of classes

September 24 - Homecoming formal dance

WEM has several job openings, including the following:

Applications are available on the website or by calling the district office at 507-362-4432.