---

The three R's have changed, according to Northland Community Schools Interim Superintendent, Dr. Ron Bratlie. At the board's work session Thursday, Dr. Bratlie said to avoid draining the General Fund, the board must use the new threes R's - reserve, restructure and referendum, to overcome a proposed $800,000 shortfall to the district's general fund.

Board member Bill Hansen spoke of how the board has spent the better part of two years making cuts. Those cuts fall short of where they financially need to be at the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

During the working session, board members discussed possible options to work towards alleviating the spending that's taking down the General Fund. Options include: Revisiting the four day week, staff cuts, getting back students the district loss after the closing of Longville Elementary, and the need for a referendum in the next few years. Dave Kitchenhoff was opposed to staff cuts According to Kitchenhoff, Northland was the only school in the area that has succeeded in making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Kitchenhoff said if there are staff cuts the students wouldn't get the same education, affecting future AYP achievement. He felt not making AYP would deter attracting students into the district.[[In-content Ad]]

The Board discussed operating referendums. Board Chair, Terry Gross said he didn't believe a referendum could be passed any time soon. Kitchenhoff disagreed, saying his constituents had told him they wouldn't vote for a referendum until Longville Elementary was closed. Kitchenhoff suggested since the board did what the people in the district asked of them, he thinks a referendum would pass.

In the end, the board directed Dr. Bratlie to examine all possible options and bring his recommendations to the board.



Superintendent Search

Following the board's work session, representatives from the Minnesota School Board Association (MBA) were present to give the board information on candidates for the superintendent seat vacated by former Superintendent Theresa Meyers.

Chairman Gross asked Sandy Gundlach and Amy Taylor, with MSBA, if the board has found the next superintendent, would the cost of the MSBA search be lowered? Dan Switzer expressed his desire to have Gundlach and Taylor proceed with applicant information they brought for board review.

Gundlach told the board there were nine applications, seven of which were complete. Of the seven, five best matched the criteria set forth by the board. Of the five, four had superintendent experience, and one lives out of state.

The board approved four of the candidates for the first round of interviews. Interviews will take place at 6 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 3; and Friday, Feb. 4, also at 6 p.m. A second round of interviews will be held during the week of Feb. 14.

Following candidate interviews Thursday, Northland's Buildings and Grounds Committee will meet, at 8 p.m., for the purpose of discussing the Longville School Property.

---