Election of board members will not be the only school issue on the November ballot. The board approved placing an operating levy referendum on the ballot.
The current operating levy of $401.19 per pupil unit expires in 2011. Even though the current levy does not expire in 2010, the board voted to place the referendum on this fall’s ballot. “All we want to do is to extend the current levy once that levy expires in 2011,” said Stoeckman. He explained that the district does not want to increase the current $401.19 per pupil unit, only extend the local tax levy through 2020.
Lee resigns
“It’s hard to let you go,” YME School Board Chair Elmo Volstad said to School Board Treasurer Larry Lee. Lee submitted a letter of resignation to the school board that indicated that Monday night’s meeting would be his last meeting. Volstad continued, “Your ability to analyze information and give good advice will be missed.”
“It’s tough to leave,” was Lee’s response. Lee has accepted a position as financial officer for the United Hospital District in Blue Earth.
Volstad appointed Steve Zumhofe to fill the position as board treasurer until election of officers takes place in January of 2011.
Superintendent Al Stoeckman explained that Lee’s position on the board can remain vacant until the general election on November 2. With Lee’s resignation there will be four positions open for election this fall: the four year positions currently held by Elmo Volstad, Rich Jepson and Grant Velde will be on the November ballot as well as the final two years of Lee’s position.
Action Items
•The board approved the sale of the construction class house. No bids were submitted by the bid date set in July. The district reopened the bidding process with bids opened on Monday, August 9 at 1:00 p.m. With only one bid submitted in the amount of $61,000, the board awarded the bid to Donald and Juanita Meuledroeck of Glenwood.
•The board approved an agreement with PFM Management to be the investment advisor for the district for the QZAB bond dollars that will remain in the district’s control during the ongoing construction. The agreement is expected to yield the district up to $20,000 in interest over the course of the construction project.
•Bert Raney Principal Jodi Kennedy was present at the meeting to explain some basic changes and updates to the elementary handbook. Kennedy explained that the changes were mostly language changes to help simplify the readability of the handbook. The board approved the updated handbook.
•The board approved the preliminary seniority list, awarded the milk and milk product contract to the current vendor Dean Foods, awarded the bread and bread products contract to the current vendor Pan-O-Gold and entered into a contract with MN Valley Cooperative Center for the purchase of Special Education Services for the 2010-2011 school year.
Personnel items
•The board accepted the resignation of Junior High Science teacher Mary Quick. Quick has accepted a position as the Computer Commuter Coordinator for the Lac qui Parle County Economic Development Authority. As coordinator, Quick will be operating a new mobile computer lab to give residents of the county free access to computers, internet services and provide individualized technology training.
•The board approved a contract for Leanne Carmany as Junior High Science teacher for 2010-2011 school year.
•The board approved a leave of absence for Jodee Driggs and approved a long-term substitute teacher agreement to fill in for Driggs with Gene Stukel.
•The board accepted the resignation of Hillary Glady as assistant volleyball coach.
