By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
In a relatively brief meeting on April 15, members of the NRHEG school board heard about upcoming events and progress on various annual initiatives. Aside from typical actions such as payment of bills and receipt of donations, the agenda was very short.
Board members decided to have the “policy committee” meet to discuss the elements of a new “unpaid leave administrative regulation” brought forward by superintendent Michael Meihak. Meihak told board members the regulation deserves further consideration because it is meant to apply to school employees who work under any of three different contracts, each with different terms. He made clear this proposed policy pertains only to “unpaid” leave–that is, time beyond what employees have accrued under the terms of their respective contracts.
Meihak said employees have used unpaid time in the past when they wanted to extend time used for “personal” leave. For example, if an employee had three personal days available but hoped to be gone for four days, he or she might simply forgo pay in order to facilitate being gone the extra time. Employees might also consider requesting unpaid leave when their banked time off has been exhausted–for example in the case of an extended illness.
In a conversation after the meeting, leadership of at least one employee organization expressed concerns that certain elements of the proposed policy are in direct conflict with employee contracts.
Reports shared during the meeting revealed that prom is scheduled for May 4.
The City of Ellendale has raised $25,000 and the district Parent Teacher Organization has raised $10,000 toward an Americans with Disabilities compliant playground being planned for the Ellendale location. Elements of the playground can be installed as they become financially viable; the total cost for the intended finished project is about $125,000.
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) testing will continue at various grade levels into the month of May.
About 115 elementary-age students have signed up for summer T-Ball and baseball programs.
A day-long “Credit Union” activity for the junior class gave high-schoolers an increased understanding of the financial responsibilities surrounding home ownership and borrowing money. Board member Loren Schoenrock took part in the activity and recommended that it be continued. The event was made possible through the South Central Service Cooperative.