Discussion of a new 10-year long-term facilities maintenance plan, approval of a “maximum” preliminary levy certification, a review of recent test results and approval of transportation vehicle leases were among the items on the agenda at the regular meeting of the Becker Board of Education Monday night.

 

According to documents presented at the meeting, the 2015 Legislature has established a Long Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue Program for Minnesota school districts; an umbrella program which will replace the current health and safety revenue, deferred maintenance revenue and alternative facilities bonding and levy programs.  In order to qualify for the program, school districts, cooperatives and intermediate districts must have a 10-year plan adopted by their respective school boards and approved by the Commissioner of Education.

 

In his report, Supt. Dr. Stephen Malone stated he and Director of Business Services Joe Prom, Director of Buildings and Grounds Thomas Risley and representatives of ICS Consulting have analyzed the long-term maintenance needs of the district, a copy of which was included in the meeting packet documents.

 

The plan can be revised annually, Malone said, but school board approval is required for the district to qualify for state funding under the new program.  The chart provided includes estimates for health and safety, accessibility and deferred capital expenditures and maintenance projects from 2017 to 2026. 

 

Examples shown include a total for all projects of $479,375 in 2017, $1,064,012 in 2021 and $1,151,950 in 2026, the final year of the projection.

 

The complete chart can be seen in the September meeting packet on the district web site.

 

Following a presentation by Prom regarding the payable 2016 levy, the board unanimously approved application of the “maximum preliminary certification”, which the district does each year to ensure the district qualifies for the highest level of funding available.  Malone stated the district expects the pay 16levy to be “comparable” with the pay 15 levy totals.

Prom will present an analysis of the 2015-16 district budget and the payable 2016 levy in the “Truth in Taxation” segment of the regular board meeting on Mon., Dec. 7.  The final levy amount will be approved by the school board at that meeting.

 

Malone informed the board  test results reported in August stated all Becker schools had surpassed the state average in math, reading and science, and first and second grade students had attained a positive “z” score in reading and mathematics last year. Malone also said Becker students had increased their ACT score from 2014 to 2015 in all areas tested (English, math, reading and science).

 

The MMR (Multiple Measurement Rating) scores for Minnesota schools indicated the Intermediate School and High School results were lower than expected, while the Middle School showed an increase.  The test measures areas of proficiency, student growth, achievement gap reduction and graduation rates.

 

Malone stated he was not satisfied with the MMR results, and redress would be a focus in the district in the coming year.

 

The board approved a five-year lease-purchase agreement for two school busses with Santander Bank, NA via Hoglund Bus and Truck Co. at a cost of $185,576 with a down payment of $39,034 and payments of $39,034 from 2016 through 2019 with a total interest cost of $9,594.

 

The board also approved a one-year lease agreement for a wheelchair life van at a cost of $11,447.

 

The board approved moving the November regular meeting to Mon., Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Teaching and Learning Center at BHS.  State regulations require that the Tue., Nov. 3 election results must be canvassed between Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 to become official.

 

New student representative Andrea Molus attended the Monday meeting, and reported on the homecoming activities planned at BHS this week.