A “stakeholder meeting” with Becker students was held in the BHS media center one hour before the 3 p.m. board meeting, at which board members met with students in a “round-table” format to gain their opinions on issues relating to the future of the school.

 

 

BHS social studies teacher Heather Abrahamson read a prepared statement which she began by stating that recent comments in regard to the contract being negotiated indicate that Becker teachers are “above average” but “in a negative way”.

 

Abrahamson also said that Becker teachers have mastered technology to extend learning “beyond the four walls of the classroom”, teaching and facilitating on-line discussions with groups of students after school hours “above and beyond” the confines of their contracts.  

 

She also cited on-going accomplishments such as the Intermediate School having achieved “celebration school” status in state rankings, the Middle School ranking second in the state of 225 middle schools and Becker High School being in the top third of the state’s high schools, and being named an Apple® Distinguished School for technological achievement.

 

She also cited the “above average” commitment of time and personal money teachers contribute to ensure a quality experience for all of their students.  “We don’t mind because our prior contracts have been competitive and have attracted above average teachers to our community,” she said.

 

Abrahamson concluded her statement by saying that what the teachers are asking for now is “a contract that is both reasonable and competitive so that we can continue being an above average district that graduates above average students.”

 

A “Negotiations Update” sheet distributed by the Becker Education Association (BEA) listed contract settlements with six area school districts that included increases from one percent to three per cent in 2013-14 and from one to 3.38 percent for 2014-15, contrasted with zero per cent for Becker in both those years.  State average increases for 2013-24 were 1.86 percent, and 2.14 per cent in 2014-15, according to the BEA document. It also stated that Becker teachers had accepted below average settlements in six of the past eight years.

 

During the committee reports, Board Member Bryan Olson stated that no progress had been achieved in the most recent round of contract talks, and a further mediation session will be held in April.

 

 

Supt. Dr. Stephen Malone informed the board that the district calendar committee will meet Thurs., March 20 to formulate recommendations to the superintendent, who will submit his recommendations to the board at the April 7 regular meeting.

 

Future calendars will include designated “snow make-up days” in the event that an excessive number of instructional days are lost to inclement weather in the future.

 

 

Board Member Mark Swanson informed the board that the on-going construction projects on the BHS campus are “either on schedule or slightly ahead of schedule” at this point.  He reported the pools have already been poured, and  the roof on the new auditorium is in place, which will allow the structure to be heated so that interior work can get underway shortly.  

 

“On budget and ahead of schedule” is how Swanson characterized the project at this point, and he also said that planned maintenance projects are now moving forward as well.

 

The board voted unanimously to approved Policy 902-1, dealing with the use of recreational facilities on campus by staff members, and also unanimously approved the acceptance of two gifts from the Clear Lake Lion’s Club, a $2,500 bequest to the BHS robotics program and a $1,000 donation for track and cross-country team uniforms.

 

Student Council representative Kendra Buesgens reported the student government is planning a number of “movie night” programs, and is in the process of selecting films to be shown.