Columbia Heights School District — Transcript
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Student Achievement Recognition - Cook Young Scholars Program
Board Member Reports on District Activities and Community Engagement
Superintendent's Report and Strategic Collaborations
American Indian Program Update and Goals
Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Foundation Grants
Board Member Topics and District Initiatives
Votes (8)
Approval of Extracurricular Schedule D
Dissent: Jessica Maderis abstained due to spousal involvement covered by the contract.
Moved by Julie Patway [01:13:30] · Seconded by Michelle Pitt [01:13:35]
The board discussed changes to the Extracurricular Schedule D, which defines stipends for coaches and advisors. A committee formed from teacher negotiations (Local 710) recommended updates, including a 4% increase to the 100% stipend base ($6,240), adjustments based on participation (e.g., adding assistant soccer coaches, boy's volleyball), and removing obsolete positions like 9th/10th grade class advisors. Union representatives suggested starting Schedule D discussions earlier in future negotiations and gathering more comprehensive data on hours worked across all activities to ensure equitable compensation. The cost to the district for this schedule will be higher than the previous one, primarily due to the 4% across-the-board increase.
Approval of Clerical Contract
Moved by Mary Granin [01:22:52] · Seconded by Laura Palmer [01:22:56]
The board approved the ratified clerical contract. Key changes include increased longevity, three days of bereavement leave not deducted from sick leave, Juneteenth as a paid holiday, an increase to the bilingual hourly differential, and a 4% salary increase in year one followed by 2.5% in year two. Additionally, the contract incorporates a memorandum of understanding on earned sick and safe time, aligning with new legal requirements.
Approval of Custodial Contract
Moved by Jessica Maderis [01:24:50] · Seconded by Julie Patway [01:24:52]
The board approved the ratified custodial contract, which includes provisions for increased longevity and bereavement leave not deducted from sick leave. Market adjustments were made to the salary schedule, featuring a 4% increase in year one and 2.5% in year two. The contract also updated uniform allowance language, added licensure and locksmith differentials, and increased personal leave from two to three days to align with year-round staff benefits.
Approval of Food Service Contract
Moved by Laura Palmer [01:26:33] · Seconded by Michelle Pitt [01:26:35]
The board approved the ratified food service contract, incorporating increased longevity and bereavement leave not deducted from sick leave. Market adjustments were made to the salary schedule, with a 4% increase in year one and 2.5% in year two. The contract also revised language for staff who substitute in different classes and increased stipends for level two, three, and four certifications, enhancing compensation and flexibility for food service employees.
Approval of Teachers on Call Rates for 2024-2025 School Year
Moved by Julie Patway [01:28:16] · Seconded by Mary Granin [01:28:19]
The board approved updated substitute teacher rates for the 2024-2025 school year. This action finalizes an approved document with specific rates, necessitated by market changes and the impact of COVID. A key revision was made to increase the daily rate for retired teachers to restore an incentive for their return, acknowledging their value and previous feedback.
Authorization to Publish Bid for Columbia Academy Roof Replacement
Moved by Laura Palmer [01:32:05] · Seconded by Julie Patway [01:32:07]
The board authorized the publishing of a legal notice to solicit bids for the replacement of three sections of the Columbia Academy roof. Originally, this building was not identified for replacement five to six years ago, but recent evaluations revealed significant wet insulation in these sections, deeming them critical and beyond repair. Concerns were raised regarding potential cost increases and supply chain issues due to recent natural disasters on the East Coast; however, proceeding now was seen as beneficial. The bids will be brought back as an information item before final project approval.
Approval of American Indian Education Program Overnight Field Trip
Moved by Laura Palmer [01:35:55] · Seconded by Mary Granin [01:35:57]
The board approved an overnight field trip for the American Indian education program. The trip, scheduled for October 18th-20th (MEA weekend), will take up to ten American Indian high school students to the Maax Band of Ojibway in Onamia. The costs associated with this field trip will be fully covered by American Indian education funding, ensuring no financial burden on participating students.
Building Capacity and Open Enrollment Adjustments
Moved by Julie Patway [01:38:35] · Seconded by Michelle Pitt [01:38:37]
Based on ongoing discussions about enrollment numbers and patterns, the board approved two adjustments to open enrollment policies. Highland Elementary's third grade will be reopened to open enrollment, while Columbia Heights High School will be closed to open enrollment for all grades due to current capacity limitations. These changes are effective for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year, with the possibility of further adjustments if enrollment numbers shift. This decision reflects the district's growth, with the high school being closed to open enrollment for the first time in many years.
Notable Quotes (8)
I think we in the future, coming up to our next round, we'd like to start the discussions on Schedule D earlier. We'd like to have those start almost right with all the other negotiations, having this afterwards I think was not the best process.
Every time we get the scheduled D it's like pulling teeth to get a few bucks to support our coaches and our programs. I think we we talked earlier in the process, I thought we figured about 15 to $20,000 increase in that budget area would have covered new coaches...
So one of the activities or activity stipends that's eliminated in the new schedule is around ninth and tenth grade class advisors... I'm curious how those advising activities will be impacted or have been absorbed.
I just want to thank you for making that revision to the schedule for retired teachers. I think it's important to restore that incentive and that was our intention, so thank you for that.
So we obviously have had a major disaster out on the East Coast and I'm concerned about our pricing for this. Are we going to I mean this could be a 50% increase in materials and um it could be more than that who knows but my biggest concern is if we don't get it done this year because that pricing is going to be too high for us um what is I mean our our roof isn't falling apart right?
I would say that you know yes there's there's you know a hurricane coming into Florida again Category 5 right now and um yes that's going to be a major impact to that area and yes there's going to be a lot um of hit to um you know supply of of product uh for all sorts of things I'm sure in construction world um you know I think the fact that we're we're moving now is to our benefit um and getting out as fast as we can get out...
Does this mean Colombia Heights is growing from a internally perspective? I mean isn't that what that says is that we're get getting more and more students from inside our district which I that seems to be a really good thing...
I mean I would say it's not necessarily from inside our district because any grade that isn't closed to open enrollment is accepting open enrollment, but as a whole our enrollment is in is higher than it has been in the past. We we have not for the last eight years that I've been on the board, we have not closed this many grades um to open enrollment so and we've never closed the high school in the entire time I've been on here.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Second reading policy related to student attendance.
Second reading policy concerning fixed asset management and accounting.
First reading policy including a new section on providing space for secondary students to receive mental health telehealth appointments.
First reading policy covering non-discrimination for students with disabilities.
First reading policy addressing the presence and use of service animals in schools.
First reading policy related to instructional services.
First reading policy on the transportation of public school students.
First reading policy on the transportation of non-public school students.
First reading policy regarding general student transportation.
First reading policy for the disposal of obsolete equipment and materials.
First reading policy outlining crisis management procedures.