By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
New Superintendent Michael Meihak addressed the NRHEG school board during its regular meeting, and his first with the district, July 19, 2021. All members were present except Board Chair Rick Schultz; acting in his stead was Vice Chair Dan Schmidt.
Meihak reported on the secondary building gym update: Curtain has been removed, support beam plaster removed and painted. A quote is being prepared on how much it will cost to repaint the walls.
Ford Metro is assessing the gym lobby entrance reconstruction, and they are working up some quotes regarding the demolition and the new construction, and the job may happen this fall, but probably around spring break.
Comments
Meihak also informed the board that the rules for Public Comments during the board meeting have been somewhat broadened to include not only “residents,” but family members of open enrolled students.
Donations
Donations were received from:
Compeer Financial, $3,000 for Ag Department; Central Farm Service Foundation, $500 FFA Grant; Land O’Lakes $500 FFA Grant; Delores Hemingway Family, $125 Ellendale Voluntary Readers and $400 Ellendale Readers program. Total: $4,625.00.
Workforce
Contract renewal was approved for Naomi Elmhorst, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. We share Ms. Elmhorst’s service 50/50 with JWP.
Also approved for another year was Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Sue Kulseth.
A new hire was approved for Solveig Sundblad, 6th grade teacher at beginning wages.
K-3 Literacy Plan
The K-3 Literacy Plan is required by the State of Minnesota, and the board approved the terms of the K-3 Literacy Plan for 2021-22. The plan requires that all students are provided reading instruction that is scientifically based, that parents are notified of student progress at least annually. In K-2 students are assessed using the STARS program. Students not reading at grade level are given intervention-based practices to improve. The results are reported annually to the Minnesota Department of Education.
Minnesota State High School League
Activities Director Dan Stork brought attention to the board that members need to be selected for the School Advisory Committee, which consists of the Activities Director, a parent, a student, and a school board member.
JOANN MALONEY: “What is that committee charged with?”
STORK: “You know, to be honest, we’ve never met.”
Laughter ensued.
STORK: “I brought it up because I think we should at least get together to discuss the state of the union regarding activities, and have some open dialog on what we’re going to do and what we need to change. I’ll probably schedule a meeting in September sometime.”
As a requirement of renewal of membership to the MSHSL, the board is required to view the League’s official video, “Why We Play.” After some technical problems, the video was shown.
STORK: “Membership in the MSHSL has increased significantly. Two years ago it was $95 per activity, now it has gone to $225 per activity, along with a per-student charge of $6.57. This year our cost for joining the League is $6,726.
“I’m not sure of the current financial situation of the MSHSL, but I know there’s been a tremendous revenue loss from not holding state tournaments.”
Motion passed.
Student Activity Conduct Code – MSHSL Eligibility Policy 205
MEIHAK: “At this point our activities in the fine arts or athletics are either consistent or spot on for what the MSHSL recommends for eligibility policy. In the Chemical Use category we have double the penalties recommended.”
There were questions about why and when that happened. No one remembered.
It was decided that, since the district is in the business of doing the best for our students, the district should drop that excess penalty and go with the official MSHSL policy.
Activities Handbook
STORK: “We’ve never had a separate Activities Handbook. This is something I’ve been working on, borrowing ideas from other schools and coaches.
“There are many specific things that can’t be found in the Student Handbook. For example, if a student has a season-ending injury the second week of the season, we’re going to refund them their entire athletic fee. We’ve always had that, but I could never find it, when I was coaching.
“It also talks about the purpose of the various activities and our athletic program design. We focus on a fair amount of participation, from junior high on. We don’t encourage tournaments in Junior High. We want participation and development of skill and team honor especially.
“In the past we’ve said a student with a failing grade is ineligible for 3 weeks. We say two weeks. That matches up better with the High School League.
“In attendance, we have that, if a student is not in attendance all day that day, they can’t participate. The handbook says, if they’re not in school by 9 a.m., they’re absent.
“Other things are spelled out clearly, like transportation, squad advancements, lettering.”
Stork asked for approval of the Activities Handbook as a resource for players, coaches, parents, everyone.
MEIHAK: “A couple things I would mention too, are financial hardship, if activity fees become an issue, we would never let that stop us, we could find other ways to cover that cost. Also, the Gopher Conference now has 12 teams. And regarding transportation, we are responsible for the student, and we are dedicated to conflict resolution.”
Handbook approved.
Other
10 Year Long Term Facilities Maintenance Plan was approved, and Resolution authorizing Michael Meihak, Superintendent, as Fiscal Agent.
The next regular meeting of the NRHEG Board of Education will be Monday, August 16, 2021 at the Secondary School Media Center at 6:30 p.m.