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Audits, contract changes, science center, food service are main S-O board topids
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When the Sibley-Ocheyedan school board met May 11, one of the agenda items expected to be routine turned out to be something else. Approval of the 2007-2008 audit proved a noteworthy subject for visitors. The district's audit was conducted by King, Reinsch and Prosser of Sioux City.
Superintendent Jeff Herzberg noted in his information packet to board members that "the recommendation is to approve the audit as enclosed in your packet. If you have any questions, we will have them answered at the June meeting with a representative from the King, Reinsch, Prosser firm."
Rochelle Buchman was present at the meeting with various questions regarding the district's audits.
Buchman said she had copies of audits for the past three years, 2007-08, 2008-09 and the recently passed budget for the upcoming 2009-10 year.
According to Buchman, during those three years there were important items that should have been included in the paperwork sent to the auditors, but were not. Buchman queried who was responsible for handling the paperwork and was told that it was the job of board secretary LaDonn Hartzell.
Buchman asked how long it had been since the board had been presented with an "oral summary" by the audit company, and was told not in the past four to five years, at least. She then asked how long Hartzell had been employed by the district and served as board secretary. Hartzell informed Buchman it was 28 years and 26 years, respectively.
Buchman said that audits in the three years she listed, showed no adoption of the budget noted, no budget summary and no report on long-term debt, which she said should have been part of the paperwork sent to the auditors.
Rather than approve the audit, the board tabled it until the June meeting, when a representative of the audit firm will be at the board meeting.
* Discretionary leave
The board approved a one-year discretionary leave of absence for sixth grade math and language arts teacher Jeremy Leusink. Leusink is asking for the year-long sabbatical to assist in the building of his home in the Sibley community. In his letter of request, Leusink said "My wife and I would like to raise our family here and become part of the community."
Leusink also coaches JV girls' basketball and wants to continue doing that job during the year.
Herzberg said it would be no problem finding a replacement for Leusink because a lot of teachers just out of college are looking for positions that will enhance their resumes.
Board member Todd Ackerman had some reservations about granting the leave of absence, but voted for the approval anyway.
* H1N1 virus
Herzberg presented the board members with a copy of a letter that had been sent to all parents in the district regarding the H1N1 virus. The letter offered suggestions that the district was already using to help prevent the spread of the virus. He said that although it has not been necessary to close the school yet, the possibility still exists that if the virus spreads and more students become ill, closing the schools for a period of time may be required. He urged parents to have a family discussion now to consider options in advance of the event of a school closing.
* Contract changes
The board also approved terminating or modifying the extended contracts of three teachers. Laurel Klaassen was cut from one week to zero weeks, Loree Kruger and Debbie Haberkorn were cut from four weeks to two. The vote was 3-1 on each of the teachers with Todd Ackerman casting the dissenting vote each time. (Board member Paul Feldkamp had not yet arrived at the meeting, although he came in shortly after the vote was taken).
* Rename Franklin
The board also voted unanimously to rename Franklin Elementary School to "Sibley-Ocheyedan Elementary". The school, which was named after Ben Franklin, will still make note of that fact, however. The name change takes effect at the beginning of the next school year.
* Insurance
Wade Ellerbroek, of Ellerbroek and Associates, the insurance carrier for the district, spoke to the board about next year's coverage. He said that there has been a significant increase in workman's compensation claims, but after a recent training seminar, thinks the insurance company, Employees Mutual, will probably keep the premiums close to present figures. Ellerbroek stated insurance costs the district between $115,000 and $120,000 per year.
* Ocheyedan softball field
The board also agreed to hold off on approving a 10-year agreement for playing softball in Ocheyedan and to review the agreement at the end of the ninth year. Keith Newman, who was acting as board president in the absence of Kyle Grimes, questioned what the ramifications would be should the decision ever be made to discontinue softball. He said that is probably not going to happen, but thought there should be some wording in the agreement to cover that possibility. They'll look at the matter again during the June meeting.
* Resignations
Three staff resignations were accepted. They were from Brady Baker, fifth grade math and language arts teacher and middle school track and basketball coach. Baker has accepted a teaching position in the MOC-Floyd Valley school district. Other resignations were from Jeff Herzberg middle school football and ninth grade basketball coach, and Bill Mueller, head boys' basketball coach. Mueller stated the job required more time than he had after his other duties in the district. He said "I am hopeful that the district will be able to find a person that will be willing to put in the time, energy and dedication that this job requires to be successful."
* New employees
Four new hires in the district were approved. Lori Bruder for first grade, Kathy Runia for fourth grade, Ryan Wiersma for eighth grade and Carissa Jansen for early childhood special education and middle school special education.
* Ocheyedan Pre-School
Board member Ackerman asked if the pre-school was going to continue to operate at the Ocheyedan campus after the building closes this month. Herzberg said negotiations are still ongoing, and that at the present time the pre-school pays the district $100 per month to use the space. However, Herzberg said, if they stay and the building has to be heated this winter more than just keeping the pipes from freezing, that figure will probably need to be expanded upward.
* Science shelter grant
Elementary school principal Cory Jenness has applied for and received a $10,000 grant from Lowe's to build a rain garden and outdoor science shelter.
Herzberg wanted the matter discussed and said "I am not interested in building anything that appears to be using district funds, and the community needs to understand the truth about this project before moving forward."
Jenness noted that Worthington, Minn., and Spirit Lake both have rain gardens. Board members decided they might make a field trip to check out those projects before deciding on using the grant. Jenness stated the grant is good until next May 1, 2010.
* Food service proposal
Herzberg presented a possible change to the food service program. The superintendent said he had been contacted by Taher, Inc., recently. Taher, Inc., is a business that provides food service to school districts. According to their proposal, Taher would offer healthier choices by introducing made-from-scratch items and would promote fresh, wholesome, local and non-processed foods, and would offer fruit and vegetable bars at all grade levels.
Herzberg said the company will hire "anyone we want them to hire" and in their brochure promised to "retain the entire staff, honor their wages and hours, and offer them a comparable fringe benefit package."
The board requested that Herzberg send out proposals to several food service companies, including Taher, and discuss the matter again at the June meeting.
For the next three months, the board will meet at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting will be held on June 8.
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©Ocheyedan Press 2010
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