Dickinson Public Schools Unapproved Regular School Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 14, 2020; 5:00 p.

Dickinson Public Schools
Unapproved Regular School Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 14, 2020; 5:00 p.m.
Via Zoom Webinar
The Dickinson Public School Board held a regular School Board Meeting on April 14, 2020, via Zoom webinar. Board members present were: President Brent Seaks, Vice President Kim Schwartz, Mrs. Michelle Orton, Mr. Jason Rodakowski, and Mr. David Wilkie. Others present were: Superintendent Shon Hocker, Assistant Superintendent Keith Harris, Business Manager Kent Anderson, Dickinson High School Language Arts Instructor Nathan Amberg, Jefferson Elementary Grade Three Instructor Chantal Heth, Dickinson Middle School Principal Marcus Lewton, Jefferson Elementary Counselor Amanda Fisher, Lincoln Elementary Paraprofessional Jennifer Thompson, Jefferson Elementary Grade Two Instructor Megan Morey, Human Resources Manager Meghan Ziegs, Jefferson Elementary Kindergarten Instructor Sara Steier, Jefferson Elementary Principal Sara Streeter, Dickinson Middle School Assistant Principal Shawn Leiss, Jefferson Elementary Grade Three Instructor Dinah Eslinger, District Gifted and Talented Instructor Sarah Ricks, Director of Student Services Sheri Twist, Partners in Parenting Coordinator Stacy Kilwein, Dickinson High School Principal Kevin Hoherz, Roosevelt Elementary Principal Henry Mack, Prairie Rose Elementary Principal Nicole Weiler, Berg Elementary Principal Tracy Lecoe, Dickinson High School Assistant Principal Tad Schye, Dickinson Middle School Social Studies Instructor Sarah Crossingham, and School Board Secretary Twila Petersen.
Call to Order - Board President Seaks called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Calling of Roll -President Seaks conducted the Calling of the Roll. Board members present via Zoom webinar were Vice President Kim Schwartz, Board Member Michelle Orton, Board Member Jason Rodakowski, and Board Member David Wilkie.
Public Participation - There were no requests for public participation.
Approval of Consent Agenda or Addition/Removal of Consent Agenda Items - Mrs. Schwartz moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Mr. Wilkie seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Schwartz, Orton, Rodakowski, Wilkie, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Agenda - Mrs. Schwartz moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Wilkie seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Rodakowski, Orton, Wilkie, Schwartz, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent's Report - Superintendent Hocker reported there were no Grab-N-Go meals served last week Thursday and Friday due to the Easter holiday. On Wednesday before the holiday, there were 3,701 breakfast and lunch meals served. The community has shared their appreciation for these meals.
Dr. Hocker referenced an online survey recently conducted asking for input from stakeholders and teachers. The survey asked for input regarding the level of satisfaction with communications received during these unprecedented times. The community input shows 84% are satisfied or very satisfied with the communications. The certified staff responded with 95% satisfaction at average, above average, or far above average. Superintendent Hocker shared some examples of how the community is very caring. One example was the Dickinson Rotary donated over $4,000 to help the Amen Food Pantry.
Business Topics - Informational Topics
Principal Reports - Jefferson Elementary Principal Sara Streeter addressed the Board. She said there have been exciting achievements from the Jefferson faculty and staff as they work through the pandemic. Mrs. Streeter thanked the Jefferson employees who have been very supportive of whatever needs to be done for the students. She gave a special shout-out to the technologists assisting with online learning.
Jefferson Second Grade Instructor Meghan Morey addressed the Board. She shared the experiences with moving to an online learning platform. Teachers have had training utilizing Zoom and are using it in the classroom as well as Google Classroom. During the first week of online learning, there was a lot of troubleshooting. Students seem to be more independent now and asking for less assistance from their parents on technology. Mrs. Morey thought the percentage of students completing their homework by the due date was high. Students are doing an amazing job of going online and logging in each day.
Jefferson Elementary Kindergarten Instructor Sara Steier addressed the Board and said the teachers have become pros using Zoom. They have utilized Zoom for the weekly staff meetings, weekly grade-level PLC meetings, and some IEP meetings. Mrs. Steier gave an example of show-and-tell with Zoom in her kindergarten class. Students learned how to mute themselves until it was their turn to present.
Mrs. Dinah Eslinger, Jefferson Elementary's third-grade teacher, coordinated the device pickup for the Jefferson parents. She thanked the police department and street department for blocking off some streets to provide a one-way for the parents to pick up the devices. Parents were given information to become familiar with the devices and the device policy before picking up the devices. It was very efficient and parents were in and out within about five minutes.
Jefferson Elementary Counselor Amanda Fisher and Jefferson Third Grade Teacher Chantal Heth also addressed the Board explaining some of the activities of the student council. The student council decided to donate a portion of the funds they had raised to provide Subway platters for all the employees at the local hospital. The students also had a virtual spirit week. President Seaks thanked Mrs. Streeter and the Jefferson teachers. He also expressed his gratitude for all the District teachers and staff and said he is very proud of where the District was at with online learning.
Dickinson Middle School Principal Marcus Lewton addressed the Board. He commended the technology integration specialists that have helped the teachers and administrators through the transition to online learning.
Dickinson Middle School Social Studies Instructor Sarah Crossingham and the District Gifted and Talented Instructor Sarah Ricks have posted on the website a video on the World Peace Game that will begin next year. The World Peace Game will be available for 7th and 8th graders. It is a hands-on module with many components. The students need to make quick and accurate decisions advancing through the simulation. The students learn to cooperate and have compassion.
Dickinson Middle School STEM Instructor Mary Jane Jeske also has a video posted on the website. She was one of six North Dakota educators awarded a fully-funded trip to the Space Exploration Educators Conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Mrs. Jeske explained some of the different sessions at the conference. She had an opportunity to be in a pool with scuba gear to understand weightlessness, have lunch with an astronaut, and wear space uniforms. Mrs. Jeske thanked the District for allowing her to have this opportunity.
President Seaks thanked Dr. Lewton and the Dickinson Middle School teachers for their presentations. This agenda item was informational only. No action was requested.
Budget Input and Development Committee Update - Board representatives on the Budget Input and Development Committee are President Seaks and Board Member Rodakowski. Business Manager Kent Anderson addressed the Board. He referenced the minutes posted on the website from the March 26 Budget Meeting. The minutes reflect three items that require Board action. Due to the low interest rates currently in the bond market, it would be beneficial for the District to consider issuing bonds for a new elementary school. This could be a large cost savings for the District. Mr. Anderson said there was no obligation to issue the bonds. Board Member Rodakowski added it requires a posting of a 60-day notice of intent to issue. The bond resolution is strictly keeping the options open. This agenda item was informational only. No action was requested.
Business Topics - Action Topics
Initial Resolution for General Obligation Building Fund Bonds - Mrs. Schwartz moved to approve the Initial Resolution for General Obligation Building Fund Bonds, as presented. Mr. Wilkie seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Rodakowski, Schwartz, Orton, Wilkie, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
Budget Input and Development Committee Recommendation - Mrs. Schwartz moved the Board approve the recommendations of the Budget Committee presented in the March 26, 2020, meeting minutes that includes a 4% classified salary increase and acceptance of the activity bus bid from Harlow's Bus Sales for $167,865. Mrs. Orton seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Wilkie, Schwartz, Orton, Rodakowski, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
School Board Election - As per Governor Burgum's Executive Order 2020-19, Mrs. Schwartz moved to schedule the Tuesday, June 9, 2020, school board election in conjunction with the county primary election and further approve and authorize all votes for the school board election to be cast by absentee ballot as defined under NDCC § 15.1-09-18. Mr. Wilkie seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Rodakowski, Orton, Schwartz, Wilkie, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
Early Resignation Incentive - Mrs. Schwartz moved to approve the early resignation incentive for Vicki Siefken, a paraprofessional at Heart River Elementary with an effective date of May 20, 2020. Mrs. Orton seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Schwartz, Orton, Wilkie, Rodakowski, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
School Board Policy Revisions, First Reading - Mr. Wilkie moved to approve for first reading the revisions to policy ACBB, Significant Contagious Diseases as presented. Mrs. Schwartz seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Rodakowski, Wilkie, Schwartz, Orton, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
School Board Policy Revisions, Second Reading and Final Adoption - Mr. Wilkie moved to approve for second reading and final adoption the revisions to policy ACEA, Bullying Prevention, policy DDEA, Jury and Witness Duty, policy FAB, School Assignment, as presented. Mrs. Orton seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Orton, Schwartz, Rodakowski, Wilkie, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
Announcements - President Seaks stated the District needed to schedule a State Mandated Planning Meeting before June 30. Mrs. Schwartz moved to schedule a Special School Board Meeting for Wednesday, April 22 at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom to satisfy the requirement for the District's State Mandated Planning. Mrs. Orton seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion: ayes-5 (Wilkie, Schwartz, Rodakowski, Orton, Seaks); nays-0; absent-0. The motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment - At 5:41 p.m., President Seaks declared the meeting adjourned.
Brent Seaks, Board President
Kent Anderson, Business Manager
Twila Petersen, Secretary
(April 29, 2020) 2835883