The School Board of North Star Public School District #10 met in regular session on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, in North Star Room 101.
PRESENT: Chris Doehler, Jeremiah Halley, Vickie Jacksen, Jeana Jorde, Brooks Larson, Paul Wagenman; Administration: Jeff Hagler, Jessica Gunderson, Nancy Reiser, Cathy Johnson. ABSENT: Michelle Gibbens. VISITORS: Lindsay Bundermann - NS staff.
Board President Jacksen called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. No changes were made to the agenda.
MOTION made by Chris Doehler, seconded by Paul Wagenman, to approve the minutes of the January 18, 2023, regular meeting. MOTION CARRIED-all voting aye.
MOTION by Jeana Jorde, seconded by Brooks Larson, to approve the February bills presented for payment. MOTION CARRIED-all voting aye. Monthly financial reports for January 2023 were reviewed.
Principals’ Reports:
Elementary Principal’s report by Mrs. Gunderson: PK-6 enrollment 183, attendance 94.8%; resignation letter from Jessica Edwards (Elementary Special Education) was presented for board approval: Lake Region Special Education will advertise the open position; upcoming events include the state spelling bee and preschool screening. MOTION made by Paul Wagenman, seconded by Jeana Jorde, to accept Jessica Edwards’s resignation as of the
end of her 2022/23 contract. MOTION CARRIED on a roll call vote: Doehler-yes, Halley-yes, Jorde-yes, Larson-yes, Wagenman-yes, Jacksen-yes (Gibbens absent).
High School Principal’s report by Mrs. Reiser: JH/HS enrollment of 115, attendance 95%; quote for 2-year renewal of 7-12 digital reading curriculum ($7,510.50 for 7/2023-6/2025) provided for board review; requested board approval to bring a drug dog into the school as part of a planned presentation by a Lake Region Narcotics Task Force member and North Star’s SRO; provided information about COVID-driven changes to the Silver Cord student recognition requirements for 2023 and 2024 graduates and other upcoming staff/student events including State Speech and FCCLA STAR Events, Book Fair, ACT test, and ND State Legislature tour.
MOTION made by Chris Doehler, seconded by Jeana Jorde, to allow drug dog presence/use in school for drug education presentation. MOTION CARRIED on a roll call vote: Doehler-yes, Halley-yes, Jorde-yes, Larson-yes, Wagenman-yes, Jacksen-yes (Gibbens absent).
Superintendent’s Report by Mr. Hagler: Date change to NESC Inservice date on 2023/24 school calendar requires board approval. and open enrollment application
MOTION made by Paul Wagenman, seconded by Jeremiah Halley, to approve change to NESC Inservice date from 8/18/23 to 8/15/23 on the 2023-2024 NS school calendar. MOTION CARRIED on a roll call vote: Doehler-yes, Halley-yes, Jorde-yes, Larson-yes, Wagenman-yes, Jacksen-yes (Gibbens absent).Open enrollment application for JH student currently attending North Star under a no-cost tuition agreement was presented for board approval.
MOTION made by Brooks Larson, seconded by Jeana Jorde, to approve open enrollment beginning in FY24 for student from Leeds School District to attend North Star. MOTION CARRIED on a roll call vote: Doehler-yes, Halleyyes, Jorde-yes, Larson-yes, Wagenman-yes, Jacksen-yes (Gibbens absent). Reported current unpaid lunch bills (current year charges) of $8,476; NESC and TLC memberships will be continued in FY24 at $2,000 and $2,400 respectively; State Health Dept supplied (free) 41 air purifiers and a 3-yr supply of filters to
NS; outdated water circulation pump for HS heat supply w/b replaced this summer (cost proposal $11,620); provided reports from the Fire Marshall building inspection and Johnson Controls smoke/fire detector inspection for reviewand a brief update on current legislative session bills.
Old Business: Petition with teacher signatures from North Star #67 Education Association was submitted to request recognition of the Association as the representative organization for teacher contract negotiations (step #3 in the negotiations process). MOTION made by Paul Wagenman, seconded by Jeremiah Halley, to post the representative organization
petition from the North Star #67 Education Association and the submitted signatures on February 26, 2023, and to meet on March 15, 2023, to consider the petition to determine the question of representation. MOTION CARRIED on a roll call vote: Doehler-yes, Halley-yes, Jorde-yes, Larson-yes, Wagenman-yes, Jacksen-yes (Gibbens absent).
Discussion/update on the investment of idle savings in higher yield CD’s. Superintendent position currently listed with ND Job Service and EDJOBS; Activity Director position will be offered to NS staff. Search Committee members are: Nancy Reiser, Jessica Gunderson (Administration), Sara Walsh (Elementary), Bryan Haugen (High School), Kirstin
Ahlberg, Tyler Olsen (Community Stakeholders), Chris Doehler, Michelle Gibbens, Vickie Jacksen (NS School Board). Superintendent evaluation is due by and will be reviewed at March 15 meeting.
New Business: School board seats held by Vickie Jacksen and Jeana Jorde are up for election in June 2023. Candidacy deadline notice is to be published on March 11.
Activities Director Report by Mr. Hagler: Update/discussion re: purchase of new outdoor scoreboard: American Legion group will fund the purchase 100% with payment t/b made in installments. MOTION made by Jeana Jorde, seconded by Brooks Larson, to give authority to American Legion group to decide which scoreboard to purchase between the two options presented (Daktronics and Nevco). MOTION CARRIED on a roll call vote: Doehler-yes, Halley-yes, Jorde-yes, Larson-yes, Wagenman-yes, Jacksen-yes (Gibbens absent).
The high school basketball three-class system has been approved: new districts/regions will be effective next school year; schedules are nearing completion.
Next meeting set for Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 7:00 a.m. in the Shop Room. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.