Local donations cover cost of bringing smoke detection up to code for small businesses operating at L/W School.

At their March 25th meeting the Lake of the Woods School Board received an update from Administrative Assistant Jill Olson on bringing up to code the smoke detection in the areas of the school in which four daycare businesses are located. A Fire Marshal's inspection late last year noted that smoke detector coverage in those areas occupied by the daycare businesses was not up to code, and it was determined that modifying the smoke detection system to bring it up to code would cost around $10,000. As the school in January was determined to be operating with a negative General Fund Balance, and the four small businesses together couldn't cover the costs, a call went out to the community for assistance. "We got donations which covered the cost," Olson told the board, "the entire invoice is covered."

Local organizations and the amounts contributed were: $1,000 from the American Legion, $500 from the Rotary Club, $500 from the Women of Today, $4,000 from CHI Lake Wood, $500 from the Lake of the Woods Salvation Army, and $3,472 from Lake of the Woods County.

The donations were unanimously accepted with expressions of thanks from the board members and Superintendent Jeff Nelson.

Nelson went on to talk about community support, saying, "During the incident, we had two weeks ago, the first people to show up to help were from county Social Services. We had local crisis teams, Northland Counselling came in from International Falls, we had numerous calls and visits from local ministries and a representative from Marvin Windows called and offered what services they could provide. When things happen in this community, people show up. We support and take care of each other."

In other school-related business the board:

• Heard from Superintendent Nelson that the student population is down one from February at 428. Nelson also talked about the school calendar for 2024-25, telling the board that there was one planned three-day weekend in March of 2025, and since "there's not a lot of wiggle room" in creating the schedule, there will be no "Deer Monday" holiday in November this year.

Whether to advertise for an in-house business manager or continue to have SMS provide business management was also discussed, and a consensus was reached to schedule a Finance Committee meeting to discuss it. Nelson also told about the upcoming work session on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 8:30 a.m. in the ITV room and a meeting with custodians in the Superintendent's office on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 3:00 p.m.

The public listening sessions were briefly discussed with attendance estimated at 20-30 people at each one. Nelson explained about the shifting of responsibilities and how he was taking on learning some of the duties and procedures performed by the school's custodial staff.

• Were informed about upcoming MCA testing to be held from April 9 through May 3rd, and upcoming ATC testing by PreK-12 Principal Mary Merchant. Merchant also talked about upcoming course registration for the 2024-25 school year, Career Fairs to be held at Northland Technical and Community College in East Grand Forks, and another half-day fair to be held at Bemidji Trade School.

Parent Teacher Conferences are to be held on April 4th from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., and the Prom will be on April 27th with the Grand March in the Auditorium and the dance to be held in the Commons.

• Unanimously approved the PreK-12 Principal Contract.

• Heard about on-going reductions in paper use by Administrative Assistant Jill Olson. Olson also talked about the in-process Staff Climate Survey explaining that it is only to be for current staff, and totally anonymous.

• Heard about the school's financial situation from Business Manager Shena Brandt who mentioned that in February, the school's income exceeded expenses telling the board, "We have not had to use the line of credit."

Discussion followed about upcoming insurance expenses which are set to increase on an average of 13% for schools statewide.

"These kinds of increases are not sustainable," commented Superintendent Nelson.

• Heard about Spring Sports from Activities Director/Community Ed. Coordinator Samantha Lyon who told the board that in spite of the mild winter, and having the spring coaching staff in place, early spring sports were "just not happening yet."

• After some discussion about exit interviews, the board approved the resignations of Paraprofessional Aspen Jaros, Special Education Teacher Emily Pearson, Food Service Coordinator Harley Poppitz, and IT Help Desk Assistant Zachary Ernesti. The retirement of Maintenance/Paraprofessional Dawn Olson was also approved.

• Appointed Kirby Borgen as Special Education Teacher.

• Approved the Achievement and Integration Budget for the 2024/25 school year, the 2023/24 staff seniority list, and the 2024/25 school calendar.

• Accepted with thanks a donation of $100 from the American Legion for the Lake of the Woods Back Pack Program.

• Accepted with thanks a donation of $50.00 from the American Legion to the Lake of the Woods School Ticket to Read Program.

The meeting was closed at 7:27 p.m. per Minnesota statute 13D.05 Subd 3(a) to discuss the Superintendent's evaluation, with evaluation detail to be discussed at the next public school board meeting on April 22nd.