Business Meeting 04/23/2020
Alison has been writing “Need to Know” business meeting summaries since the fall of 2018. These summaries include bookmarks and links to documentation to help all residents stay more easily informed and form their own opinions.
1) COVID-19 Update from Superintendent Pontrelli and Staff -
Topics covered include a discussion of possible senior graduation plans, a free webinar series for families, as well as attendance and budget updates.
https://youtu.be/9OcZUqya3Pc?t=4267
Free Webinar Information:
The district is hosting a series of COVID-19 related free webinars. The first one is Wednesday, April 29th from 6:30-7:30pm. The topic is “How to Avoid Pitfalls of Parenting Shame and Guilt During Distance Learning.” Dr. Jennifer Joseph will present and there will be time allowed for participant Q&A. Space is limited.
Webinar Registration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUP9SPchjFTRQuH7aItiS2_dUUu8KDEoTmajwYfeQyoChPsQ/viewform
Information on Webinar Initiative:
https://stillwaterschools.org/district/district-news-e-news/webinar-series-support-families-through-distance-learning
2) District Hiring Freeze Action Item –
This is a long conversation (about 2 hours), but important for the community to listen to as it impacts rehiring and replacement of existing staff positions for the upcoming school year. The action item was added to the agenda two days before the meeting during peak hiring season. The proposed action was to freeze all hiring until June 1st. After discussion with staff, the school board’s approved action was to freeze all district hiring except teachers and legally mandated paraprofessional positions until May 15th. There are now 23 positions on hold. Some of the positions not being filled include health, behavior and general education paraprofessionals, custodial staff, assistant superintendent, early childhood screening technician and Advanced Placement test coordinator. Again these 23 positions on hold are not newly created positions. They are the replacement of existing positions. Hopefully between now and the next board meeting on May 14th the board will have a work session(s) to discuss their budget and priorities so they can provide staff direction on what to do with hiring after May 15th.
https://youtu.be/9OcZUqya3Pc?t=13887
3) Board Selection of Transportation Provider for the Upcoming School Year –
The current transportation provider’s contract expires July 31st. The district hosted a transportation work session this week to review and discuss the recommendation of the district’s transportation consultant, Jan Vanderwall. His recommendation to the board was to select the lowest cost, and incumbent service provider (MN Central). The board decided to go back to the three most competitive bidders for additional information and costs. The three vendors will bid for the contract with or without a district provided terminal for a contract term of either 1 year or 4 years. Typically, a transportation vendor decision occurs six months in advance of the school year starting. There are now four months before the start of the next school year. The hope is to receive information back as soon as possible so bus service is not impacted in the fall for students. The board may have to call for a special meeting in order to vote on this contract.
https://youtu.be/9OcZUqya3Pc?t=9752
Transportation Provider Board Work Session:
https://youtu.be/DHCDf9j3Flk?t=1244
4) Website Redesign Report –
The district is working on a website redesign project. The current website is 9 years old and will not be supported past 2021. The board will vote to approve the contract at its May 14th meeting.
https://youtu.be/9OcZUqya3Pc?t=7770
5) Open Forum – There were 6 open forum speakers.
https://youtu.be/9OcZUqya3Pc?t=1383
6) Student Board Member Reports –
https://youtu.be/9OcZUqya3Pc?t=892
7) District Materials –
Agenda and Packet: https://stillwaterschools.org/sites/default/files/public/downloads/pages/4.23.20_regboardpacket_final_revised_0.pdf
Entire Meeting Video:
https://youtu.be/9OcZUqya3Pc?t=641
District Meeting Notes: https://stillwaterschools.org/sites/default/files/public/downloads/pages/notes_4.23.20.pdf
Email Feedback to the School Board at:
school-board@stillwaterschools.org
The next school board business meeting is Thursday, May 14th.