June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Six Northland Community School employees request retirement
Fred Smith, Supervisor of Kego Township and Jocko Kline, Mayor of Longville, were at the meeting asking the school board to set the cost for deeding over the Longville Elementary School property. Smith and Kline have been working together to form a Joint Powers Board (JPB) for a proposed community center in the school building that is now vacant. At the October 2010 meeting, when asked about transferring the property in Longville, the school board asked for a deadline from the JPB to approve taking ownership of the building, however, no cost for the transfer had been decided at that time. There had been mention of a $1 deed transfer fee. The JPB was to report back to the Northland Board on or before May 1, 2011, if they intended to move forward with the project.[[In-content Ad]]
Smith and Kline have been putting together cost analysis for operation and maintenance of a community center in the facility. Before going forward with the cost to legally form the JPB, and set levies for the community center, the men would like a firm price from the board. The Building and Grounds Committee will set the price of the Longville School building for the purpose of the JPB Longville Area Community Center.
District employee, Tom Cobb addressed the board, asking with budget cuts, staff reductions, and no teacher contracts settled, is it a good idea to sell the Longville School for only $1? He reminded the board their job is to run the district as a business. Cobb said, "Businesses don't give away assets," adding, "The district should realize something from this asset. He suggested turning the price deciding over to the building and grounds committee may be seen as a way to slip the $1 transfer through without public knowledge. Board member, Dave Kitchenhoff told Cobb he guaranteed that would not happen.
In other board business, Interim Superintendent, Dr. Ron Bratlie asked the board to hold a work session in which to put in place a three year plan for the district. Dr. Bratlie said the work session would be to determine the district's needs with finances and staff in the next three years. The board will meet in a work session from 5 until 7 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 27, in Remer. Following the work session, the board will hold a special meeting relating to the superintendent search.
Dr. Bratlie presented the board with information that had been requested regarding the number of staff and students in the district.
For the 2010-2011 school year, the district has 2.5 administrators; 4 support staff, 38.41 teachers, and 1 classified as other, for a total of 45.91 licensed staff. Non-licensed staff include: 5 Title 1; 7.25 Special Education; 28.47 other, for a total of 40.72 non-licensed staff. Staff to student ratio is 86.63 staff to 384 students. In comparison, 2009-2010 had 99.63 staff to 417 students; 2008-2009 had 101.38 staff to 420 students; and in 2007-2008 there were 102.27 staff for 440 students.
The board approved the following items:
•Approved Terri Shepard's request for an overnight field trip to Deep Portage, March 2-3, for the fourth grade hooked on fishing not on drugs program.
•Approved resignations from Michael Lyons, Indian Education; and Mary Lou Lutz, Clerical Professional-Special Education.
•Approved the second reading of the School Calendar Policy in which the Monday following the deer hunting opener will not be an instruction day for students. Coaches may hold practice if they so desire.
The next regular meeting of the Northland School Board will be at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 17, in Remer.
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