Northland School Board:Principal Yakibchuck highlights advantages of AVID program

   The Northland School Board held a special meeting on Thurs., Dec. 22 with the same agenda from the previous weeks meeting that was to be held, but due to weather was cancelled. With only four board members present and a few reports being presented orally, the meeting went rather quickly. 

   Athletic Director and Elementary Principal Janessa Green gave a brief report on girls and boys basketball records, being 1-3 for girls and 5-1 for boys. Green then told the board there is two junior high teams and one senior high team for Knowledge Bowl, with three meets set for both teams. It was mentioned these meets are held during the school day in Staples so the students can still participate in other sports after school. Finally Green mentioned practice for the Robotics team would begin after the first of the year with the regional competition being held the first part of March.

   During Green’s principal report she highlighted what was happening in first grade and shared elementary referral statistics for the school year stating the majority of referrals were during September and October with a significant decrease during December. Also, Green stated the elementary Christmas program was held during the afternoon on Dec. 21, and was a huge success and well attended. Board Chair Marc Ruyak then commented he was impressed with the program and noted it seemed that all students were singing and participating, where in the past when held in the evening it seemed like only two or three kids would be singing. 

   In other Board action:

   • Heard from Aaron Dahl with BergenKDV on the annual audit report stating there was one internal control issues, but no other issues.

   • Heard from Lori Backlund with Arrowhead Regional Computing Consortium with a budget update and the information for the Truth in Taxation public meeting.

   • Approved the 2022 payable 2023 Levy in the amount of $2,433,376.07.

  • Authorized Julie Erpelding to have access to information on the district bank accounts at First National Bank.

   • Approved the hire of and the memorandum of employment with Tina Anderson, Executive Secretary, effective Dec. 5.

   • Approved the 2022-23 Notice of Assignement for Janessa Green as Athletic Director.

   • Accepted the resignation of Shayne Loverink as custodian, effective Dec. 20 and Tim Hassee as Head Volleyball Coach.

   The board has scheduled the following meetings: The re-organizational meeting, Wed., Jan. 4, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. to be held at Northland High School.