Jesse Sheppard

The meeting included updates on the Area Learning Center, special permissions, facility updates, and legislative matters. The board addressed personnel actions, including resignations, retirements, terminations, and new hires. They approved instructional staff sharing agreements, a payroll agreement with Fairmont Area Schools, and budget approvals for 2024-2025 and preliminary 2025-2026. The revised AWAIR Program was approved, along with a resolution for Cooperative 915's Long-Term Facilities Maintenance program budget. Sarah Mittelstadt was appointed as the Identified Official with Authority, and Dawn Becker as the IOWA Proxy. Additionally, the second reading of policies, including 130-Administrative Fees, was approved. Kyle presented the idea of a performance review for Sarah.

The meeting included reports from the Director and Principal of Alternative Programs. The board reviewed and presented check registers and wire transfers for approval. Personnel matters included approving work agreements for various positions such as Accounting Specialist, Alternative Programs Secretary, Business Manager, Technology Coordinator, Early Intervention Facilitator, and Psychometrist, as well as hiring a PALS Teacher. The board also discussed and approved instructional staff sharing agreements, appointed an Identified Official with Authority and an IOWA Proxy, and approved a payroll agreement with Fairmont Area Schools, and an audit agreement with Clifton Larson Allen for Fiscal Year 2021.

The meeting included the election of officers, a guest presentation, and a director's report. The board addressed financial matters such as the presentation of bills and finance, and personnel issues including resignations, terminations, and hirings. New business included approval for signatures on school district checks, access to bank accounts, a resolution to reduce programs/staff, and agreements with Sara Swanson for on-call interpreter services and Braun Intertec for special inspections and testing.

The board meeting addressed several key areas, including the approval of the agenda and contracts for a building project, where bids for certain scopes were rejected due to budgetary concerns and scope questions. An update was provided on legislative changes and tuition billing fluctuations, with discussions on potential solutions. The board also addressed personnel matters, approving leaves of absence, accepting donations for Operation Happy Holidays, approving service agreements for audiology, vision, and orientation & mobility services, and approving a resolution to accept a Walmart grant for student supplies. Additionally, the board discussed Blue Earth Area's consideration for Southern Plains during the sale of the Winnebago building.

The strategic goals for 2015-16 focus on increasing the pool of special education candidates through various outreach efforts, enhancing the effective use of feedback by non-traditional staff via training and resources, and continuing teacher evaluations with a focus on early childhood special education teachers. Additional priorities include developing procedures for fiscal compliance, ensuring accurate and timely completion of due process paperwork, and increasing the use of research-based reading strategies for students in special education.