Stephanie Amberg

The meeting included a closed session held under Attorney Client Privilege to discuss personnel matters. Key new business items involved significant restructuring of grades and positions at Ponemah Elementary School, including closing 4th, 5th, and 6th grades and opening 5th and 7th grades, as well as approving the opening of five Title I classroom tutors and several teaching and specialist positions across the district. The action items primarily consisted of approving multiple resolutions (2007-02 through 2007-23) related to the termination and non-renewal of teaching contracts for numerous probationary teachers.

The primary discussions during this meeting involved the approval of the agenda for the August 11, 2016 session. A significant action taken was the adoption of resolution 2016-10, which concerned the canvassing of returns of votes from the School District Primary Election.

The meeting commenced with an opening ceremony, followed by the approval of the agenda. Key actions included the election of School Board Officers for the positions of Chairman, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, and Clerk. The Board approved significant financial bills totaling over $1.79 million. Action items comprised the approval of the 2016-17 school calendar, authorization for board members to attend the NAFIS Spring Conference in Washington D.C., approval of a Joint District-Union TED Plan Memorandum of Understanding, affirmation of Board Policy 616.1 regarding students residing on Indian Lands, and the approval of an expulsion for Student "A". Discussions also covered department and project reports for various schools and district functions. The Board entered and exited a closed session to discuss expulsion and boys basketball matters. Miscellaneous items included second readings for several policies (e.g., System Accountability, Assessment of Student Achievement, Staff Development) and a first reading for Online Learning Options.

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of the agenda and finance bills totaling $1,526,737.01. Under public comment, the Board directed Administration to draft a facility use agreement with Chief Cornerstone Church that includes reimbursement for staff costs related to facility use. An overview of the upcoming Red Lake Youth Conference was presented, and a report from the National School Board Association conference was shared. Department reports were submitted covering various areas, including the need to remove diseased spruce trees at the secondary complex. The Board reviewed the 2016-17 health insurance renewal, which showed a 19% premium increase effective July 1, 2016. Action items included accepting the bid for the Ponemah Elementary School Roof Replacement, approving a resolution for the MDE External User Assess Recertification System, ratifying the contract with the Red Lake Principals' Association, and amending several administrative and financial policies (Policies 701, 704, 705, 710, 712, 713, and 720). The Board also approved the hiring of Dustin Hinckley as Assistant Superintendent for Special Services after an initial motion failed to gain a second.

The meeting addressed public comments, including a statement regarding the head cook position. Key personnel actions included granting a request to transfer an individual to the open Head Cook position at Red Lake Elementary School and hiring Dawn Whitefeather as Head Cook at the Secondary complex, contingent upon obtaining a Food Managers Certificate within 90 days. The board also hired a substitute Junior High Volleyball coach for the 2016-17 school year and hired one Para-professional. Furthermore, the board approved additions to both the licensed and non-licensed substitute lists for 2016-17 and approved Board Resolution 2016-11 concerning the acceptance of a teacher's resignation after July 15th.