Jan. 6 was a busy evening for the Big Lake School Board, as they held a special meeting, a reorganizational meeting, and a work session that night. 

Awarding Bids

The board kicked off the special meeting by approving the bond sale. The school received nine bids and got an excellent rate on the debt at 1.9954%. The board was thrilled with the results, as they can be confident they got the best possible rate. 

The low rate does not effect the school or its plans, but the $2.5 million in savings is passed on to the taxpayers, who will not have to pay the full amount approved in last fall’s bond referendum vote.

The board also approved bids for roofing work at the high school, middle school, and Liberty elementary school. The work was awarded to the low bidders on each project. 

Reorganizational 

Meeting

The reorganizational meeting is held annually in January to assign roles on the board and in committees to the members. They also announce official service providers for the schools, such as newspaper,  fund depository, etc. 

Roles on the board are as follows:

Board Chair – Tonya Reasoner;

Clerk – Tony Scales;

Treasurer – Amber Sixberry.

The official newspaper was designated as the Patriot.

The official depository of school funds is Old National Bank of Big Lake.

Official legal council is Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney.

Board member compensation was increased by $10 (previously $65) to $75 per meeting attended. Board chair yearly stipend was increased to $700 and board treasurer yearly stipend increased to $500, an increase of $100 for each. 

Members were also assigned to the various school committees. 

In Other Business, the Board:

• Approved the teaching contract agreement, which includes stipulations about pay raises and teacher leave;

• Approved a fundraising effort for the Big Lake Cheerleaders, who will be cleaning tables, running orders,  and assisting with miscellaneous chores at the Monticello Culver’s on the 20th and the 30th of this month.