The Devils Lake School Board Held the regularly scheduled meeting Monday, September 11, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The room settled and the meeting was called to order.
First on the agenda was the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting.
Visitors were welcomed by Superintendent Clooten. The Financial Report was approved. There was the approval of the bills. Under Communications, enrollment reports and admin meeting were good.
There was discussion of a new proposed Ag building and program for 2.4 million dollars. There is a grant available through the State/CTE for 1.2 dollars available in grant money, but the district would need to come up with the other half through local funds and donated corporate dollars.
The board expressed excitement in adding an ag program to the curriculum and agreed that it is needed, being we are in largely a farming community. There was also a little apprehension as the search for an ag instructor in the past was difficult.
The North Dakota School Board Convention is coming up in October. It will be held in Bismarck the 26th and 27th and each district is allowed up to four delegates. Volunteering first was board member Sheri Olson, Emily, Leann and Cory quickly volunteered as well.
Upcoming Dates to remember: School Board Meetings to be held September 25, and October 9.
The board discussed at length ND Be Legendary Leadership Institute. This is basically a new model for how a school board meeting is conducted. It is more focused on student outcomes, “ we all ran for school board for the kids. I’m excited” Sheri Olson said. Emily Foss pointed out “and there is research behind it, we’re not the Guinea pigs.” Jason Hodus said he “likes that the public has previous notification of agenda items.” Cory Myer agreed with Jason “any questions can be posed before the meeting so it can be addressed in the meeting.”
Superintendent Clooten reiterated the public notification of issues before the meeting and added “right now our student outcomes are not where we want them to be.”
Emily Foss also added “and we have coaches lined up” it was the consensus of the board, that moving forward without a coach would not be a good idea.
Rick Smith, Four Winds Athletic Director, has requested consideration of a wrestling co-op with Four Winds. Superintendent Clooten shared with the group that after discussing the subject with Devils Lake’s Athletic Director Jason Weiberg, that Mr. Weiberg recommends this arrangement. “as of right now there is one boy interested and maybe one girl. Who knows, once this gets going there may be a few more kids that say, ‘Hey I might like to try that.’”
The board approved the co-op unanimously.
The District Compliance Reports were discussed and approved. Each school principal is required to complete compliance report showing compliance with district policies. These are submitted to the superintendent for review and approval by the board on a yearly basis.
The approval of the Lake Area Career and Technology project has been tabled until the details of the purchase are finalized with the buyer.
Tuition waivers, Clooten said “are winding down” with only one kindergarten student coming from Fort Totten and that was approved.
