During the August Big Lake School Board meeting, Activities Director Mark Kuisle gave his fall update.
He started by congratulating two students who went to the state championships last spring, Tayla Gassman for girls track, and Jack Leuer for boys track. Kuisle reported that he was working with Premier Sport Psychology. Money was raised for the partnership through Spud Fest and other avenues, and the company will help with “team culture/chemistry, confidence, and mental readiness,” as per Kuisle’s presentation, with specific teams. He also talked about having a head coach who oversees all levels of play for each sport, from seventh grade through 12th.
Kuisle revealed the number of students who qualified for free and reduced lunch, which also entitles them to a 50% reduction in activity fees, as well as those qualifying for activities scholarships (those who didn’t make the mark for the free or reduced lunch, but who still needed assistance to participate). In all, 123 students received some assistance to participate in activities. Kuisle also asked for coaches to keep an eye on students who may need help in other ways - those missing equipment, not getting enough food, etc.
Kuisle said he has asked that coaches no longer text with parents or students, as a means of protecting professional boundaries. Instead, he advised coaches to use their school district emails to communicate. This way, all messages can be accessed by the school if needed. Kuisle said the change has been well received so far, although there have been a couple of slip-ups.
Finally, Kuisle went over changes to the student athlete handbooks.
Financial Report
Business Director Angie Manuel shared her concerns about enrollment during her budget report. She said that her team had budgeted for 222 new kindergartners this year, but only 213 were enrolled at the time of the meeting, and through all grades enrollment was 20-25 students short of budget. She did say the enrollment usually increased through the course of the school year as students joined the online program, and some still had time to join towards the beginning of the year.
Audit work is underway, with the last week of work to take place around the end of September.
The property tax levy will be approved at the September 24th meeting.
Special Election
There will be a special election on November 4th. Voters will be asked two questions. The first will be to increase the district’s operating levy by $640 per student, and the second will be to approve a $36.23 million bond for improving campus facilities. The board approved the election judges for the event.
In Other Business, the Board:
• Received a letter of approval for their athletic complex construction projects from the Minnesota Department of Education;
• Approved an agreement with the Big Lake Food Shelf, which still awaits approval by the Food Shelf;
• Reviewed the employee handbook;
• Approved a water management plan;
• Set the time for the September 24 meeting to 7 p.m. to allow members of the board to attend the Big Lake City Council meeting beforehand;
• Heard committee reports and the superintendent’s report.
