by Peg Craig
Contributing Writer
The St. Michael-Albertville School Board discussed the work of the Capital Bond Improvement Task Force, honored retiring Supt. Jim Behle, approved a partial three-tier system for school busing, and accepted the preliminary budget for the 2016-17 school year.
BOND PROJECTS
The Capital Bond Projects Improvement Task Force is composed of community members and school district staff and has been looking at improving athletic facilities, providing increased safety and security for students, improving energy efficiency and replacing outdated technology.
The task force is considering projects that will meet district needs for at least the next five years. They are looking for ways to save general fund dollars and build facilities which can be rented to community groups, particularly youth sports organizations. A second sheet of ice would be added to the hockey arena. The district plans to move all varsity sports to the high school, beginning with new tennis courts. Other facilities will be designed for use by multiple teams.
The task force recommends that entrances to the schools and the Community Education building be rebuilt to enhance security. Funds are included to provide necessary maintenance for the Middle School East pool. Changes to LED lighting in all rooms and enhanced boilers in the schools are expected to pay off in energy savings.
The panel is still considering what technology updates should be included. The board members supported the work of the committee and asked them to develop several alternative proposals for them to consider.
SUPT. BEHLE
In other news, Behle has served as Superintendent of STMA for five years. In 2016 he was named an Administrator of Excellence in Minnesota.
He has succeeded in developing professional and personal relationships with the school board members and has helped them to work by consensus in dealing with issues in the district. The board recognized his lifetime of accomplishments and thanked him for his dedication to STMA. Also recognized was retiring teacher and coach, Darrell Skogen, who has served for 41 years.
3 TIER
In further matters, a partial three-tiered busing system will be used next fall.
In parts of the district senior high students and junior high students will be on separate busses. This will shorten the rides for middle school students, decrease the number of busses and drivers required, and lessen crowding of some busses. The school start times will not be affected.
Parents addressed the school board and asked them to consider more recesses in the elementary schools and better recognition for the championship lacrosse team. These issues will be addressed by the board in future meetings.
Other parents asked the board to agree to participate in discussions with the Elk River School Board and representatives from the cities of Otsego and Albertville regarding a boundary change that will move students from Towne Lakes and Hunter’s Pass into STMA.
The Elk River board is planning to host a work session and prepare a response to the parents’ request.
The STMA Board said it is open to the process but is choosing to wait for the Elk River response. It will decide how to participate at its meeting July 18.
In other action, the board:
PASSSED a preliminary budget for the 2016-17 school year and retroactively approved the calendar for the current school year noting that no snow days had required adjustments to the schedule. The board also set its meeting schedule for next year.