It was standing room only at the regular meeting of the Becker Board of Education Monday night as many of the attendees at a rally held by the Becker Education Association earlier in the day to support their position in the on-going contact negotiations stayed on for the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, four Becker teachers and one parent with a student in the district addressed the board to stress the importance of maintaining the tradition of high quality teaching in the Becker schools. Teacher Dan Olson addressed the board to highlight what he said were inaccuracies in materials the board had presented in comparing Becker with other area school districts. The other speakers included teachers Tonja Hansen, Cindy Agnew, Jo Svaren, Amber Einerwold and parent Nicole Denekamp.
Dealing with the agenda items presented, the board voted to approve the 2015-16 academic calendar, approved renewal of membership in the Minnesota State High School league, heard a presentation by Superintendent Dr. Stephen Malone regarding a grant from the Made In Minnesota Solar Program that will see the construction of a $250,000 solar energy system at no cost to the school district. The system will result in a savings of around $1,250 per year in energy costs, Malone said. The board also presented a Certificate of Recognition to BHS senior Kendra Buettner for her “excellent service as the student school board representative during the 2013-14 school year.”
Calendar Vote Split Again
After moving to table the 2015-16 school calendar issue at the April meeting after deadlocking on a 2-to-2 vote, the full board addressed the matter Monday night. The absence of a week-long traditional spring break in the 2015-16 calendar remained the sticking point, with board members Lori Molus and Sheri Lumley again voting against the measure and Chairman Aaron Jurek and board members Jason Kindred, Mark Swanson and Bryan Olson voting “aye” on the question, resulting in a 4-2 vote for approval.
Other Business
The board voted unanimously in favor of renewing membership in the Minnesota State high School League, an annual formality that ensures that the district will adopt the regulations and constitution of the MSHSL for the coming school year.
Olson and Swanson reported that the construction projects remain on schedule and under budget, with the swimming pool nearing completion by June, and the orchestra pit having been completed in the new auditorium.
The board also conducted first readings on Policy 610, student travel, and Policy 710, extracurricular transportation.
The board then moved into closed session to continue to discuss contract negotiation strategies.
