During the April meeting, the Big Lake School Board heard about the success of SEL in the classrooms at Liberty Elementary and the Middle School.

Caryl Gordy, principal of Liberty Elementary, gave her update to the board. She started by describing what academic conversations and response writings look like in the classroom. She proceeded to describe how teachers were implementing “Fundations” into the classroom lessons. As for SEL (social/emotional learning), Principal Gordy reported that all students take a “safe keeper” pledge daily. This pledge states that the students know that the adults in the school are there to keep them safe, and that it is their job to help the adults to keep them safe. Some other programs include: one book, one school; caring schools community, and adult SEL. 

Mark Ernst, middle school principal, followed with his presentation. At the middle school, SEL is implemented throughout the day in routine ways, in WIN time, hallway passing, and focus lunch, to name a few. Teachers and staff help the students to increase self and social awareness. Daily writing prompts in classrooms have given introverted students the ability to work on expressing themselves before a group. Some teachers have had success in getting students to act out lessons. An example given in the presentation was an eighth grade history class during which each student acted as a country during the cold war, and worked to make negotiations with each other. 

Financial Report

Enrollment continues to trend upwards, increasing by eight students over the last month. The average daily membership is now up to 3,075.55, which exceeds the school’s budgeted enrollment by 12 students. 

The board made a few revisions to next year’s budget, as it was found that the schools owed less funding to the special education cooperative than previously thought, and also to properly budget for staffing, utilities, and other items. 

In March, the board had considered adding English Learner staffing to help those students who spoke a language other than English. It was found that adding such a position would not be necessary for the 2022-23 school year, but if the school were to gain any new students learning English as a second language, it would be necessary for the 2023-24 for school year. A new special education teacher may be needed at Liberty Elementary to work with an increased number of special education students. The board decided to go ahead and post a listing for this position, as it is difficult to find teacher candidates in the current job market, especially those specializing in special education. 

Food Service Contract

As required, the school district opened up bidding for food service. Although one company bid lower that the current food service provider (Chartwell), the board decided to continue with their current service, as the other company did not offer the same benefits package, and it was not certain whether their food director had any experience with Minnesota Schools Food Service. Also, Chartwell offered a financial guarantee that would protect the school district. 

The board should have the opportunity to approve a contract with Chartwell later this summer, after it is approved by the MDE. 

Conflict of Interest Affidavit

Board Member Derek Nelson is the owner of Guardian Garments, which occasionally does business with the schools to create custom school apparel. The board approved Nelson’s affidavit of conflict of interest in the name of transparency, so his company may continue to offer services to the school while he is serving as a board member.

Student Meals

The board reviewed a policy about student meals when the student has a negative lunch balance. Currently, students with a negative balance may not purchase any ala carte items, but can get a regular lunch meal. State statute does allow the school to give students a different meal from their classmates, but several board members expressed strong concerns over this idea, voicing fears of shaming the student or not allowing an impoverished student to have a filling meal. 

There is an “Angel Fund” where community members may donate money to help pay off school lunch debt, which does go to collections if not paid for one year. Funds are used to help families who accrued charges before becoming eligible for free or reduced lunch price. It can also go towards helping families experiencing financial hardship who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch. 

Due to COVID-19, all lunches were provided to students free of charge for the 2021-22 school year. It is uncertain if this will be the case next year, but board members and staff were not counting on that to be the case. 

Student Rep. Report

Student Representative Preity Persuad reported that she is helping in the search for the next student liaison to the board. This position changes yearly. Persuad said interested students are welcome to contact her via email, which was provided over a “Hornet Blast.” 

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Tim Truebenbach noted that Big Lake Online has really grown since its implementation, and is really becoming a school unto itself. He was planning to sit down with the program directors and discuss the future of the program. 

Four students received “students of excellence awards” in April, including Ella Dotzler, Bryn Johnson, Kylie Knettle, and Olivia Stockholm (spelling of names is uncertain.) Two of the students were able to attend a dinner honoring their achievements along with their families and the teacher of their choice.