Extensive Budget Discussion

McKinstry reported that the Energy Service Projects are 75% complete and the district saw a savings of approximately $30,000 in energy costs in three months. This is on track with the annual projected savings of $108,000.

President Susan Fox indicated that the Board would discuss the 4K-8 Grade Configuration Study, but would not take action on it at this meeting. It will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

Superintendent Gerlach presented a process for the Board and administrators to rank budget reduction items based on impact to district goals. The Board had extensive discussion on the details of each item included in the list of potential reductions.

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.

A Long "To Do List"

McKinstry performance energy conservation projects. The District locked in at 0 percent interest on financing the Qualified School Construction Promissory Notes, and with an average interest rate of 3.24% for the General Obligation Promissory Notes. Culmination of both of these financing options will result in a $345,000 savings in interest payments. This would significantly reduce the project cost of this energy improvement.

Board Policy #411.1 – Student Harassment and Policy #512 – Employee Harassment. Changes to both policies were approved.

Board Policy #114 – Harassment – School Board Members, Volunteers, and Other Community Members of the MGSD. Needs more work and will be discussed at a later date.

Preliminary budget shows a deficit of slightly more than $604,000.

Future Agenda Items -- essentially, the Board's "To Do List":

1. Status of athletic fields in district and of grading of fields at Glacial Drumlin
2. Response to Intervention
3. Baldrige Continuous Improvement Process
4. List of policies that need revision
5. Scheduling of “Big Ideas” meetings and/or listening sessions
6. Open Enrollment process
7. Suggestions for others
8. Limiting the amount of non-academic issues per meeting;
9. Gifted and Talented update
10. Disproportionality
11. School Climate, discipline, study halls, school suspensions
12. Budget Session – what we need to do to move forward
13. Financial support for academic groups within the school

The Board conducted a variety of other board business, which can be found in the minutes on the district website.