By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
The 2021-2023 Master Agreement between Education Minnesota - NRHEG and Independent School District No. 2168-was approved by the NRHEG Board of Education and signed at and after the September regular meeting Monday evening at Ellendale.
Matching increases
The Principal’s Master Agreement was approved, agreeing to the same total package as the Teachers’ Association agreement.
Bus/Van Drivers also had their salary schedule based on the same percentage increase of the teachers’ and principals’ agreement.
Staff graduated pay rate
The board approved a change to the rates for Substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, food service, custodial, health office and clerical staff for 2021-2022. The new schedule will have a graduated pay rate to increase frequency, to compensate staff who put in more time.
Bills
Board bills in the amount of $611,806.65 were approved for payment.
Donations
Donations were accepted from:
Ellendale United Methodist Church and 6th Graders Mitikie Gushwa, Brynna Ingvaldson, and Bodie Newgard – School Supplies.
Finlys Wing’s at Work, $2,000 for Elementary Classroom Supplies, $1,300 for Preschool Classroom Supplies and $700 for Cookies with Santa..
NR Farm & City Days, $200 for Competitive Cheer.
City of Geneva, $500 for CE Youth RecT-ball.
Total: $4,700. Total to date: $9,325.
Service Agreements
Purchase Service Agreement with South Central Service Cooperative for Vision, Audiology, and Orientation and Mobility for FY22. The total for the Service Agreement is $7,891.86.
Workforce
Resignation was accepted with gratitude for Naomi Knudtson-School Age Care Supervisor.
Employment agreements were approved for: Rachel Powell-School Age Care Supervisor Letter of Assignment, Madeline Phillips-Long Term Substitute Teacher, Carma Pederson—Secondary Paraprofessional, Sheri Miller-Elementary Paraprofessional, Chelsea Czenkus-Elementary Paraprofessional, Alexis Hodapp-School Age Care Aide/Lead & Elementary Paraprofessional.
Contracts were renewed for Sandy Tollefson-Health Office Assistant, and Crystal Studier-Health Office Assistant.
Coaching and Extra Curricular Contracts were approved for Shawn Larson-8th Grade Football Coach, Brad Root~7th Grade Football Coach, Solveig Sundblad-One Act Play Co-Director, and Deb Bently-One Act Play Co-Director.
Governance
For second reading, changes were approved to the following district policy: 419 Tobacco-Free Environment, 516 Student Medication, 601 School District Curriculum and Instruction Goals and 607 Organization of Grade Levels.
Finance
The maximum Levy Authority for 2021 payable 2022 was approved.
The board will be asked later if it decides to set the levy lower.
“We can adjust the levy,” said Karla Christopherson, “but we’ve never chosen to under-levy.”
Chair Rick Schultz agreed. “We believe it’s our responsibility to minimize the district’s tax burden.”
Next meeting
The next Board meeting will be Monday, October 18, 2021 at the Secondary Media Center at 6:30 p.m.
Truth in Taxation
The District’s annual Truth in Taxation Hearing will be held Monday, December 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Secondary Media Room, ahead of the regular Board meeting.