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   The regular board meeting held Wednesday, July 17 was a typical summer meeting with light attendance and routine readings and adoptions of school policies and acceptance of bids and donations. A donation from the Outing Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $1,000 for boys basketball summer tournaments, $500 from Northland Lions for junior high baseball equipment and $1,000 for junior high baseball program from VFW Post #772.

   High School Principal/Superintendent Mary Yakibchuk provided updates regarding the possibility of course sharing, radios for buses, funds remaining after the multi-use court construction and post-secondary options. In efforts prevent students from moving to an on-line class option due to lack of classes offered, Yakibchuk stated she is looking into offering course sharing with other schools. One of the challenges with this would be the additional work required for teachers and negotiating with the union.

   Yakibchuk also informed the board new radios will be installed in the buses which will allow for better communication between the drivers and the school. When Yakibchuk mentioned there was still money left from the multi-use court construction, board chair Marc Ruyak gave a quick update on the progress. Ruyak was told the concrete would not be warranted if it was not allowed to cure for 28 days. After the 28 day curing period, fencing with doors will be installed, the court will be surfaced/sealed and finally basketball goals and tennis/pickleball nets will be installed. It is anticipated the court will be completed the middle of August.

   Board member Tyler Seifert asked Yakibchuk for information regarding the post-secondary education opportunity that is currently offered to high school juniors and seniors. Yakibchuk mentioned in talking with a counselor at Central Lakes College (CLC), students don’t have to follow the traditional 2-year Associates of Arts degree path, they could choose to take courses associated with a specific trade and graduate high school with a certificate in that trade. There are a few trades that would not be possible for a student to complete as they have to be eighteen years old to achieve that certificate. CLC is planning on composing a flyer with the trade options for the guidance counselor to share with any students interested in going into a trade.

   In other Board action:

   • Approved the contract between Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital for athletic training services free of charge.

   • Approved the hire of Stephaney Williamson as building sub for 2024-2025 school year.

   • Accepted the resignation of Kevin Miley as Dean of Students, effective July 2.

   • Approved the hire of Trevor Green as 12-month custodian, effective July 9.

   • Approved posting for a .50 FTE Dean of Students/.50 FTE Behavioral Interventionist after discussion of reducing both positions and combining them.

   • Discussed the future of the Longville Bus garage due to the expense of snow removal for a location that is only used for storage and no bus being actively parked at the location. 

   The board has scheduled the following meetings: a work session, Wed., Aug. 7 at 5:30 and the regular meeting, Wed., Aug. 21 at 5:30 p.m. All meetings are held at Northland High School.

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