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Monday, May 20th, 2013
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28
Should the Vikings be able to use the University of Minnesota’s TCF Bank Stadium?
Pine Island Board hears State of the School report
Mon, Nov 26th, 2012
Posted in Pine Island Education
Posted in Pine Island Education
Comments
“It is our goal at Pine Island Schools to simply be one of the best,” Superintendent Tammy Berg-Beniak wrote in her 2011-2012 state of the school report. “We are proud of our enclosed results, but certainly not complacent.”
She distributed copies to board members at their Nov. 19 meeting, and the report, which covers curriculum, instruction and student performance, is available at the school’s website. The state requires an annual report from every school district.
“And just what is the state of the school?” asked Board Chairman Jeff Leland.
“Academically in a very good place,” Berg-Beniak said, “that we’re planning to improve on.”
State of finances
Business Manager Carol Hebl also reported on a report, District Revenues and Expenditures Budget for Fiscal Year 2012 and Fiscal Year 2013, prepared by the Minnesota Department of Education.
On June 30, 2012, the district’s fund balances totaled $3,552,485. The projected June 30, 2013, total of $3,722,102 was calculated “before the teachers’ new contract and other factors,” Hebl said, and the updated amounts should be available next month.
“And the state of finances is?” said Chairman Leland.
“We’re in good shape,” Hebl said, “and hopefully won’t have any surprises – no floods or anything.”
Tech department “cruising forward”
Technology Director Taylor Bauman told the board the state of the technology department is good, and getting better.
For example, 30 new desktop computers and LCD monitors recently replaced 30 outdated counterparts in the K-5 computer lab, and at a bargain price of $12,200.
School website improvements also continue.
“We’re cruising forward,” Bauman said.
Transportation department also cruising
Transportation Director Beau Twaddle gave the state of transportation briefing. The district’s fleet consists of 15 buses, four vans and two Suburbans, and its tradition of fastidious upkeep continues. “We take good care of our vehicles,” he said.
Meticulous maintenance means less frequent replacement, and his recommendations for purchase of new vehicles in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 are “way below budget – $60,000 to $80,000 below. My goal is a year or two with no purchases.”
News from the athletic department
Activities Director Craig Anderson summarized the fall sports season and listed several highlights, among which were the boys’ cross country team’s first-place finish at the Blooming Prairie Invitational meet and the junior high girls’ soccer squad’s 11-0-2 record.
Turning to winter sports, Anderson recommended the board approve the coaching slate for basketball, gymnastics, wrestling and strength training. The board agreed, 5-0.
Plans are underway to honor members of the 2002-2003 wrestling squad, which placed second at the 2003 state tournament. The team will be recognized before the Dec. 14 varsity match with Kenyon-Wanamingo, and afterwards a reception will take place at the Pine Island American Legion Club.
Gymnasts from the 1988 team, the first from Pine Island to qualify for the state tourney, will take a bow on January 18. “We will introduce the team before the meet and then follow that up with a get-together at a location yet to be determined,” said the current gymnastics coach Chris Templeton.
Superintendent evaluation timeline
The board unanimously approved Chairman Leland’s proposed timeline for evaluating the superintendent’s job performance. The process will start Nov. 26 with board members receiving evaluation forms, to be completed and returned to Leland by Dec. 7.
He’ll compile the results and in a Dec. 12 closed session, discuss them with the board and Superintendent Berg-Beniak. Then at the Dec. 17 meeting, he’ll give a summary of the evaluation.
The board named Berg-Beniak interim superintendent in August after the former superintendent, Chris Bates, accepted the superintendent post for the Crookston, Minn., school district.
Community Planning Team update
Board member John Champa reported on the new Community Planning Team’s second meeting (Nov. 14) at which the group intensified its focus on getting a new school approved.
Team members will “gather input from stakeholders and citizens within the community and identify with the school how its facilities are used,” he said. “We’re taking pictures and documentation of what we do with the facilities today.”
The team will meet again at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the EDA office, 106 2nd St. S.W.
Teacher of the Year
Superintendent Berg-Beniak and board members congratulated Pine Island’s Teacher of the Year, Shari Ellingsen, who teaches second grade.
The board will hold its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. That evening at 6 p.m., the board will present its required Truth in Taxation meeting, an annual opportunity for taxpayers to learn how their money is being spent.
She distributed copies to board members at their Nov. 19 meeting, and the report, which covers curriculum, instruction and student performance, is available at the school’s website. The state requires an annual report from every school district.
“And just what is the state of the school?” asked Board Chairman Jeff Leland.
“Academically in a very good place,” Berg-Beniak said, “that we’re planning to improve on.”
State of finances
Business Manager Carol Hebl also reported on a report, District Revenues and Expenditures Budget for Fiscal Year 2012 and Fiscal Year 2013, prepared by the Minnesota Department of Education.
On June 30, 2012, the district’s fund balances totaled $3,552,485. The projected June 30, 2013, total of $3,722,102 was calculated “before the teachers’ new contract and other factors,” Hebl said, and the updated amounts should be available next month.
“And the state of finances is?” said Chairman Leland.
“We’re in good shape,” Hebl said, “and hopefully won’t have any surprises – no floods or anything.”
Tech department “cruising forward”
Technology Director Taylor Bauman told the board the state of the technology department is good, and getting better.
For example, 30 new desktop computers and LCD monitors recently replaced 30 outdated counterparts in the K-5 computer lab, and at a bargain price of $12,200.
School website improvements also continue.
“We’re cruising forward,” Bauman said.
Transportation department also cruising
Transportation Director Beau Twaddle gave the state of transportation briefing. The district’s fleet consists of 15 buses, four vans and two Suburbans, and its tradition of fastidious upkeep continues. “We take good care of our vehicles,” he said.
Meticulous maintenance means less frequent replacement, and his recommendations for purchase of new vehicles in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 are “way below budget – $60,000 to $80,000 below. My goal is a year or two with no purchases.”
News from the athletic department
Activities Director Craig Anderson summarized the fall sports season and listed several highlights, among which were the boys’ cross country team’s first-place finish at the Blooming Prairie Invitational meet and the junior high girls’ soccer squad’s 11-0-2 record.
Turning to winter sports, Anderson recommended the board approve the coaching slate for basketball, gymnastics, wrestling and strength training. The board agreed, 5-0.
Plans are underway to honor members of the 2002-2003 wrestling squad, which placed second at the 2003 state tournament. The team will be recognized before the Dec. 14 varsity match with Kenyon-Wanamingo, and afterwards a reception will take place at the Pine Island American Legion Club.
Gymnasts from the 1988 team, the first from Pine Island to qualify for the state tourney, will take a bow on January 18. “We will introduce the team before the meet and then follow that up with a get-together at a location yet to be determined,” said the current gymnastics coach Chris Templeton.
Superintendent evaluation timeline
The board unanimously approved Chairman Leland’s proposed timeline for evaluating the superintendent’s job performance. The process will start Nov. 26 with board members receiving evaluation forms, to be completed and returned to Leland by Dec. 7.
He’ll compile the results and in a Dec. 12 closed session, discuss them with the board and Superintendent Berg-Beniak. Then at the Dec. 17 meeting, he’ll give a summary of the evaluation.
The board named Berg-Beniak interim superintendent in August after the former superintendent, Chris Bates, accepted the superintendent post for the Crookston, Minn., school district.
Community Planning Team update
Board member John Champa reported on the new Community Planning Team’s second meeting (Nov. 14) at which the group intensified its focus on getting a new school approved.
Team members will “gather input from stakeholders and citizens within the community and identify with the school how its facilities are used,” he said. “We’re taking pictures and documentation of what we do with the facilities today.”
The team will meet again at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the EDA office, 106 2nd St. S.W.
Teacher of the Year
Superintendent Berg-Beniak and board members congratulated Pine Island’s Teacher of the Year, Shari Ellingsen, who teaches second grade.
The board will hold its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. That evening at 6 p.m., the board will present its required Truth in Taxation meeting, an annual opportunity for taxpayers to learn how their money is being spent.
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