School Board gets first look at 2018-19 budget

Superintendent Jill Louters and Business Manager Janet Heskin gave NR-S school board members their first look at the preliminary budget for the 2018-19 school year at their meeting on Monday, March 12.

They developed a set of planning assumptions to guide the budget work over the next several months. Under revenue assumptions, Louters noted that the district is expecting a reduction in state foundation aid due to smaller enrollment.Overall, they see a continued shift in funding from state to local sources. Louters said that at first look the district expects an overall reduction in revenue that totals around $100,000, based on current tax rates. 

On the expense side, Heskin anticipates that the district will end the current fiscal year under budget. Any remaining funds could be put towards replenishing the carryover fund balance to 30 percent of annual revenue. They spent down to 24 percent to complete the energy efficiency project this summer.

The 2018-19 year is another story, however. Initial projections are showing that expenses will be ahead of revenue by $115,000 based on current tax rates, mostly due to the expected reduction in revenue. There is a lot of work to do to balance the budget.

Louters asked that the board consider adding an elementary counselor position to help mitigate some of the behavioral and mental health needs of students. The focus is on creating and fostering an environment where students are supported. With the implementation of the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) choice- ready model, more of counselor Rita Anderson’s time will be spent advising students on their future. That means that she will have less time to address the everyday social and emotional needs of students.

Carissa and Jon Johnson, co-advisors for SADD, approached the board. This year seven students want to attend national conference in Washington, D.C. on June 24-27. They have opportunities to meet with the state’s congressional delegation while there, so it is a good experience. Logan Munson was selected to participate in the Students for Policy Education, Advocacy and Knowledge (SPEAK) program this year, so his trip is paid in full. SPEAK teaches students how to be better advocates locally and statewide. The board approved to pay $1,692 for Jon Johnson’s trip as chaperone, as Logan Munson earned the trip.

Curriculum meetings were held during the last month. At the high school curriculum meeting on Feb. 28, members discussed the curriculum guide. They added language about the new 5.0 point scale and how it affects a student’s GPA. They also considered alternative ways to offer CTE engineering classes if a certified instructor is not procured. Mark Huber and Elliott Belquist have agreed to attend intensive training this summer through the Project Lead the Way program. At the conclusion of the two-week training program, they will be certified to teach engineering classes. 

Alyson Myhre attended elementary curriculum meeting, where the group discussed a new format for spring conferences with an open house and student showcase. They also reviewed MyOn, as some students were running out of books that interest them in Lexia.

Jamie Risovi delivered the teacher report, which focused on the school’s archery team. Read more about the archery team’s successes on page A7.  

The third quarter ends March 25. Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, March 22.

Principal Avolt Baumbach is at work planning for 2018-19 school year. The new online blended curriculum has been loosely labeled “Personalized Learning Academy”or PLA. Through an opt-in system, students in grades 7 and 8 will be able to take social studies, science, English and math in the new format. Families can choose if they want the student to participate. There will be a vetting process, but the program is open to any students in grades 7-8. Lynnae Lies will be the Academy facilitator.

The administrators prepared a rather lengthy grant application. If selected the district will participate in an extensive professional development program with KnowledgeWorks and DPI. According to Louters, the grant covers resources to be provided over a five-year period. Basically, KnowledgeWorks provides training and support to staff to bolster competency-based personalized learning in the district. Personalized experiences and continuous improvements are the goals.

Student board member Nick Hovey was present, and he reported that the school had its best attended Snowball dance in recent years. Wilson Howard and Shayla Thumb were crowned king and queen.

Four music students qualified for All-State Music this year, to be held March 22-24 at the Bismarck Event Center. This is Nick Hovey’s third year qualifying. Pieter Louters is in his second year. Micah Nicolai is participating for the first time, and Jared Hartl will receive an honorary four-year award, as he has played tuba at All-State every year of his high school career.  

The first action item was the first reading of a proposed revision to Policy GCBB- Reporting Process to Parents. The language had been revised as a result of discussion at the last meeting. The policy stresses that quarterly report cards will not be mailed. Parents may request a printed copy to be mailed if they so choose. The administrators noted that the purpose of the change is to encourage parents to use the online progress tool, PowerSchool more frequently.

Principal Natalie Becker said that as an administrative team, they have learned that the majority of school districts who use PowerSchool have not sent out written reports for several years. They find it is more efficient to update grades and progress online, and allowing parents to access it as soon as it’s posted. The new reports show parents what skills the students are learning, not just a letter grade. Baumbach said the school will send out an Instant Alert to let parents know when final quarter grades have been stored.

The first reading was approved.  Eric Myhre- consider offering a short PowerSchool training during Parent Teacher Conferences or look at other resources that might be available. First reading approved.

The board ended the meeting by finalizing Superintendent Louters’ formal evaluation. John Grann and John McKnight had reviewed the aggregate results of the online assessement with Louters earlier that day. She had scored enough points to receive a satisfactory rating in all six categories.

After conducting roll call votes on each of the six categories, Grann made a motion to accept the evaluation as overall satisfactory. Eric Myhre seconded, and the evaluation was accepted on a 6 - 1 vote, with Duda the lone dissentor. A copy of the superintendent’s evaluation is available upon request.

McKnight made a suggestion that the board members solicit feedback from staff when conducting the superintendent’s evaluation in the future.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, April 9 at 7 p.m. The deadline to apply for an open board position is Monday, April 2 at 4 p.m. School will be in session that day, as the March 5 storm day needs to be made up.