JAMESTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL Regular Meeting

JAMESTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL Regular Meeting Official Minutes School board meeting on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 5:15 pm in the Thompson Community room at the Middle School, 203 2nd Ave SE, Jamestown, ND. Present: Mrs. Larson, President, Dan Tweten, Vice President, Melissa Gleason, Diane Hanson, Gayle Nelson, Jason Rohr, Aaron Roberts, Steve Veldkamp, Robert Lech, Superintendent and Kristi Grounds, Business Manager. Guests: Darby Heinert, Tara Steinberger, Alyssa Favel, Braelon Geerdes, and Tara Geerdes. President Larson called the meeting to order and welcomed the audience, Jason Linz, Bluejay Channel and Amy Neustel, Administrative Assistant. Mr. Roberts declared a conflict of interest due to spouse is a teacher at Jamestown Public Schools and stated he could be fair in executive session. Mrs. Nelson declared a conflict of interest due to family member is a teacher at Jamestown Public Schools and stated she could be fair in executive session. Mr. Tweten moved, seconded by Mrs. Nelson to approve the consent agenda which consisted of January 16, 2023 regular board meeting minutes, January 18, 2023 enrollment and facility task force committee minutes, January 23, 2023 special board meeting minutes, payment of bills, open enrollment applications for 10th grade Jamestown student to attend Medina Public School and 9th grade Jamestown student to attend Valley City Public School for the 2022-2023 school year. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. President Larson recognized Jamestown High School students in fall sports for being Western Dakota Academic All-Conference. President Larson read a letter from Jamestown Dollars for Scholars. Dollars for Scholars would appreciate support during the Giving Hearts Day on February 9th. President Larson read correspondence to the Board for acts of kindness and support. Mr. Rohr attended the Negotiations Seminar. He reported the seminar had reminder session regarding negotiations. The seminar included how to avoid impasse and explained the new timeline passed in legislation last session. Mr. Tweten attended the negotiations seminar. He appreciated the timeline Dr. Lech had prepared for the board and it matched what was brought forth in the session. Superintendent Lech reported on the options for the board to move forward on the board vacancy. There are three methods to choose from: election, appointment or selection process. The board would like to move forward on selection process. Superintendent Lech will provide an outline for the process at next board meeting. Mr. Darby Heinert, Career and Technology Center Assistant Director, reported on work based learning. Mr. Jerry Waagen, Work Based Learning Coordinator, reported he has been working the community to have coops for students to work in businesses in the field of their choice. Mr. Waagen reported that both the students and businesses benefit and have opportunities for growth. Superintendent Lech reported for awareness to the school board of the January 31st basketball game incident. He explained the process of investigation into the incident through many interviews with students, employees, and attendees of the game. The interviews did verify the harassing language and discrimination. This behavior violated the district’s anti-harassment and discrimination ACC policy and appropriate consequences were administered. People must remember that Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) outlines identifying information is not to be made public. The district is now moving the investigation to understanding and handling of the issues both during and after the game. The district has reached out to Bismarck Public Schools to facilitate healing. Mr. Gehlhar is engaging with student leaders to facilitate greater awareness. There has been discussion with Bismarck Public School’s Indian Education Coordinator, Sashay Schettler and also Dr. Tamara Uselman, Equity and Inclusion Director at Fargo Public Schools. The District is working on addressing how to grow and move forward to educate students and employees. Jamestown Public Schools is working with Jamestown Park and Recreation to address our literacy grant in the area of birth to 5 years old. The fund will be used to create a literacy walk in Solien-Denault Park. A series of stations along a ½ mile walk will have pages from a book for families to read along the way. Superintendent’s evaluation timeline to meet the deadline of March 15th. Superintendent Lech reported the new courses offerings at the high school would only move forward if there are enough students wanting the courses. Teachers would be able to handle these courses if it meets the need. Superintendent Lech reported the Fiber contract with Dakota Central is to formalize an existing contract. Superintendent Lech reported he has a google doc to keep board members current on legislative bills. Mrs. Nelson moved, seconded by Mrs. Gleason to approve the new courses at the high school for the 2023-2024 school year. Discussion by board members had concern on number of courses in our curriculum and if there is redundancy in courses. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. Mr. Roberts moved, seconded by Mrs. Hanson to approve the budget revisions. Budget Revisions - February 2023 Program Current Budget Budget Change Revised Budget Behavioral Health Line items only Homeless Line items only Choice Ready $0.00 $60,000.00 $60,000.00 Building Tomorrow’s Leaders $0.00 $11,020.00 $11,020.00 Total $71,020.00 Current General Fund Budget $37,577,056.12 General Fund Budget Revision $71,020.00 Revised General Fund Fund Budget $37,648,076.12 REVENUE Choice Ready $0.00 $60,000.00 $60,000.00 BTL $0.00 $11,020.00 $11,020.00 Current Revenue General $34,051,375.40 Additional Revenue $71,020.00 Revised Revenue General $34,122,395.40 Roll call vote with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. Mr. Tweten moved, seconded by Mr. Veldkamp to approve the Dakota Central Fiber Optics Service Agreement in the amount of $400.00 per the 7 locations for 5 years starting July 1, 2023. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. Mr. Roberts moved, seconded by Mrs. Nelson to approve the Literacy Lane Project with Jamestown Park & Recreation and Jamestown Public Schools in the amount of $57,000.00. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. Mr. Tweten moved, seconded by Mr. Veldkamp to approve the sale of computer at depreciation value of $300.00. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. President Larson reminded board members to read through the Superintendent’s Evaluation timeline and complete steps as necessary for March 6th board meeting. Mrs. Hanson moved, seconded by Mrs. Nelson to approve the determination of appropriate negotiating unit for Administrators. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. Mrs. Veldkamp moved, seconded by Mrs. Nelson to approve the determination of appropriate negotiating unit for Teachers. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. Mr. Roberts moved, seconded by Mr. Tweten to approve the second reading of GAAE Critical Race Theory Policy. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. Mr. Roberts moved, seconded by Mr. Veldkamp to approve the amended FDH Students in Foster Care Policy, reviewed FDH-E2 Foster Care Student Transportation Plan. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. Mr. Roberts moved, seconded by Mr. Rohr to approve the amended FDB Education of the Homeless Student Policy and FDB-BR Education of the Homeless Dispute Resolution Procedure. Review of FDB-E2 District Level Dispute Resolution Form. Roll call with unanimous “yes” vote. Motion carried. President Larson asked if anyone had a motion for executive session to discuss negotiation strategies. No motion was made. No further business, President Larson adjourned the meeting. (April 1, 2023) 208684