School Board appoints interim member

Provencher, who is retired after 27 years of working in Community Education, previously served a four-year term on the board, from January 2013 to December 2016.

Provencher will assume the temporary board seat in early August.

DISTRICT NIXES FALL REFERENDUM

Wanting more time to prepare for a referendum and to gain support from constituents, the board agreed not to ask voters for additional money via a per-pupil operating levy this fall.

The district's operating levy proposal was rejected in November, so the board considered trying again this year. After a short discussion, however, members decided to postpone the referendum, possibly until the fall of 2018, to allow additional time to organize a referendum and to educate voters about the district's financial needs.

During a short discussion, Business Manager Jesse Johnson said postponing the proposal would allow the board to present a clearer picture of the district's financial outlook, after the audit is complete and actual fund balances are known.

Ongoing discussion, Anderson said, is a positive thing, even though action is tabled.

Board member Julie Pennertz noted that adequate preparation is needed given the challenge districts around the state have had in passing both bond and per-pupil operating levy proposals.

Had the board decided to ask voters for a per-pupil operating levy in November, a resolution calling the referendum would have needed approval by the end of August.

IN OTHER ACTION:

• The board approved purchasing a new van, an expense of up to $34,000, for student transportation use districtwide.
• The board hired Desiree Helstrom as a second grade teacher at an annual salary of $48,940. Helstrom completed her undergraduate degree at St. Cloud State University and her Masters of Education at St. Mary's University. She taught at Delano Middle School for the past six years. She will replace Heather Eastling, who resigned.
• The board accepted the resignations of Eastling, Middle School paraprofessional Lynne Kalenberg, and seventh grade boys basketball coach Bill King. Eastling accepted a new job in Howard Lake.
• The board appointed Adam Hayes as the assistant varsity football coach, filling a vacant position that was recently reintroduced. Hayes was hired last year as a high school social studies teacher. He played quarterback at Crown College, and, after graduation, took over as the college's offensive coordinator. Last season, he volunteer coached wide receivers and defensive backs at LHS.
• The board appointed Logan Manska as the junior varsity boys basketball coach. Manska was recently hired as a high school physical education/health instructor. He previously served as the varsity assistant boys basketball coach at St. Clair High School, helping take the team to the 2016 Class A state tournament. Manska will replace Justin Wittrock, who moved to varsity assistant coach.
• The board approved hiring the following people as summer custodial cleaners: elementary school — Fred Barnick, Michelle Barus, Tammy Overson, Joseph Russell and Samantha Russel; Wegner Education Building — Brandon Nelson; middle school — Alice Hamann, Taryn Reinke and Susan Reinke; high school — Alexis Barron, Tim Rahkola and Natasha Stubeda; and grounds — Tait Christensen, Doug Neu, Thomas Schumann and Luke Schultz. They will be paid minimum wage ($9.50 per hour or $7.75 per hour for youth).
• The board approved renewing an agreement for participation in the Glacial Lakes Adult Basic Education consortium through which Litchfield partners with 10 other school districts in three counties, including Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City and Dassel-Cokato, to offer courses for adults. Administered through Community Education, these programs serve adult learners who seek a high school diploma or its equivalent and to improve personal skills for the workforce and life in general.
• The board approved holding just one meeting next month, on July 10.