Approval of the preliminary payable 2015 levy certification, a report on the status of the new construction at Becker High School and first readings of two policies regarding use of school facilities were among the items discussed at the regular meeting of the Becker Board of Education Monday night.

 

The meeting was an unusual one in that Board Clerk Mark Swanson attended via computer teleconference from his hotel room in Stockholm, Sweden.  The administration had published notification that Swanson would be using the technology to take part in the meeting, and had had conferred with the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) to ensure such participation met state regulations. 

 

It was especially useful since board members Jason Kindred and Sheri Lumley were unable to attend the meeting, leaving Chairman Aaron Jurek and board members Bryan Olson and Lori Molus the only members physically present.

 

Supt. Dr. Stephen Malone reported to the board that he and Business Director Joe Prom anticipate that the 2015 levy will be “comparable to the Pay 14 levy within a few percentage points,” and that he recommended that the board approve the maximum preliminary certification.  The Minnesota Dept. of Education was expected to announce the first run of levy figures for the state this week, a compilation which normally contains a number of errors, Malone said.  Prom will work through with the MDE to complete a proposed levy by the Sept. 30 deadline.

 

Malone also said that it is normal practice for school districts apply for the maximum levy amount at this stage.  District taxpayers will receive notice of a “Truth in Taxation” presentation regarding the 2014-15 budgets and a public hearing on the final payable 2015 levy that will be held before the Monday, Dec. 1 regular board meeting, after which the board will vote on the final levy proposal.

 

The preliminary levy request was approved unanimously.

 

A report from Olson indicated the contractors have moved to the “punch list” stage as the new construction projects wrap up.  Seating is being installed in the new auditorium, and the project is on track for completion in time for a community open house Fri., Sept. 26 from 4-7 p.m.  that will include tours of the new swimming pool and the auditorium.  The open house will coincide with the Homecoming week festivities at BHS.

 

Olson also said that discussions are on-going as to the potential replacement of the flooring in the BHS field house.  Replacement cost would be $400,000, Olson said, though an over-lay now would save the district $100,000 over the cost of replacing both the floor and the base at a later date.

 

Malone reported that every Becker school had surpassed the state average in reading, math and science with the exception of high school math.  Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) test results showed reading scores had increased in six of the seven grade levels tested, math scores increased from last year in four of the seven grades tested, and science scores increased in three of the four grades tested.

 

Resolutions approving Policy 521 – Disability Nondiscrimination, and Policy 709 – Transportation Safety, were approved unanimously.  The board also conducted first readings on two addendums to Policy 902 approved by the Community Education Advisor Committee which deal with school district facilities in regard to concession stand use and pool lifeguards in the first and regulations for the use of the performing arts center in the second.

 

Discussions on modifying school board goals for the 2014-15 school year and district strategic planning were tabled until the October regular meeting.