Approval of a contract for a Child Care Coordinator, a new lease for custodial equipment and a resolution to appoint election judges for the Nov. 3 election were among the items on the agenda at the regular meeting of the Becker Board of Education Monday night. The board also viewed a video produced by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).

 

The board unanimously approved a recommendation from Supt. Dr. Stephen Malone for a contract for a School-Aged Child Care Coordinator for the 2015-18 school years.  The position will be filled by Camie Ihrke, who had previously been the coordinator for the Camp Opportunity program in the schools.

 

A lease for custodial equipment for a total of $56,711 was also approved unanimously by the board.  Eight items of equipment will be leased at 0% interest, which meant that no additional quotes for equipment leases were pursued.  The agreement includes a one-time $125 documentation fee, and has a $1 purchase option at the end of the lease.  Payments will be made over 36 months, and the cost is included in the current capital budget for the Buildings and Grounds Dept.

 

A resolution appointing election judges was approved by the board following a discussion in which Clerk Mark Swanson said that a voice vote was required on such a resolution.  The motion passed with Chairman Aaron Jurek, Treasurer Lori Molus, Director Bryan Olson and Swanson all voting in the affirmative.  Board members Jason Kindred and Phil Norgard were not present for the Monday meeting.

 

A video titled “Why We Play” was screened during the meeting, which dealt with the effect participation in sports can have on the educational experience, and the difference between “transactional” (winning only oriented) and “transformative” (life-long lesson-oriented) coaches and the effect they can have on the development of young athletes.  A discussion of coaching evaluation methods followed, but no conclusions were reached.

 

The board also conducted a first reading of Policy 210 Conflict of Interest – School Board Members. Malone stated that all school districts that receive federal funding are required to have such a policy in place beginning in FY 2016.

 

A resolution authorizing an application to the MSHSL Foundation for funding for students who cannot afford to pay activity fees was also approved unanimously.

 

Malone stated that district enrollment as of Oct. 1 was 2,842, compared with 2,815 for the same period last year.