The Becker School Board met Monday night to discuss bullying, mental health, budgets, strategic planning and investments.

 

 

Supt. Stephen Malone said the school district has added significant mental health and emotional support services for students over the past several years.

 

“I am proud of the resources we have in place to promote a comfortable and safe school climate for all students,” Malone said. 

 

Malone mentioned the second annual Big Dog Challenge Celebration was on the calendar for May 29 and school board members are welcome to join in. The event begins at 3:15 p.m. at The Grill at Pebble Creek with presentations starting at 3:30 p.m. 

 

Malone reminded the board that  Tuesday, May 7 was National Teacher Day. 

 

“I would like to say ‘thank you’ to the teachers of the Becker School District,” Malone said. “ This is a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make in the lives of children. It is a time to say ‘thank you’ to the special teachers that you know. Let them know that they are appreciated for all that they do.”

 

Malone also reminded the board that graduation is May 31. He said school board members who would like to participate should meet at 7 p.m. in the hallway behind the gym in room 419. He says they will have chairs reserved in the front row for board members and spouses. Graduation begins at 7:30 p.m.

 

“Board members who would like to hand out roses to the graduates as they exit the stage are welcome to do so,” he said. “If you prefer to watch from your chair, that is fine too.” 

 

Board Chairman Aaron Jurek and Malone will be seated on stage.

 

Malone says MDE randomly selects schools for MCA test compliance monitoring each year. On April 8, MDE staff visited Becker’s Intermediate School to monitor the administration of the MCA Reading assessment for third grade students. MDE reported that “All test security procedures and protocols appeared to be in place. Staff at the school were courteous and the test was administered effectively and efficiently.

 

“I commend Dr. (Christine) Glomski and the Intermediate School Staff for their excellent work,” Malone said.

 

 

Malone mentioned that Glomski has submitted her resignation due to acquiring a principal position at St. John’s Prep. Asst. Principal Mark Graham is also resigning to attain retirement.

 

 

Malone said Policy 224 permits the school board chairperson to appoint up to three school board members to participate in certain interview committees for the open principal position at intermediate school. 

 

Interviews for the Intermediate School Principal will be conducted May 20.

 

 

Malone says the next step in the strategic planning process is for the school board to agree on the assignment of the top stakeholder ideas to exit outcomes and discuss the recently completed stakeholder input process. The school board ranked the top ideas from parents, students, staff members, and community members using pairwise last month.

 

 

David Kreft was hired by the board in April to replace Interim Principal Rick Toso at the high school. Kreft has been part of Belle Plaine High School for 15 years, first as a social studies teacher and five years as the principal.

 

Kreft received his undergraduate degree at St. John's University (Collegeville) and received his masters and administrative degrees from Saint Mary's University.  

 

His hobbies include officiating (volleyball, basketball, baseball), playing baseball, playing cards, and coaching his kids, Evelyn, Saul and Eloise.  His wife’s name is Abby. 

 

 

Malone said one of the superintendent goals, approved by the board last fall, was to review and update the district policies pertinent to fiscal operations. He recommend a first reading of the following policies:

 

• 701 Establishment and Adoption of School District Budget: Updates statutory changes since 2005 including the repeal of MS 126C.23.

 

• 702 Accounting: Requires the school district to publish financial information on the website within one week of the final audit per MS123B.10 instead of October 1;

 

• 703 Audit: Reflects the name change of Department of Education to Minnesota Department of Education (MDE.):

 

• 705 Investments: Adds statutory investment requirement for other post employment benefit (OPEB) trust accounts (Becker does not have OPEB funds). Also, clarifies that statutory requirement for competitive bids and quotes for investment instruments.