By Jolene Farley
It was an evening of firsts at the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board meeting Monday. It was the first meeting for new board members Tim Baker and Matt Larson and the first meeting for Superintendent Dave Deragisch since his return to H-BC.
"When I graduated in 1979 I had no thoughts of ever being back," said Deragisch. "It's an awesome school with a lot of teamwork and cooperation. ItÕs the kind of school I want to work at."
Deragisch quickly dove into business at hand by informing the School Board he had adjusted the class lengths to 48 minutes per period and he had worked up a schedule for all classes to meet if school started late because of bad weather.
The meeting continued with the election of School Board officers for the 2002-2003 school year. Al Harnack was elected chairperson; Gary Esselink, vice-chair; Ann Boeve, clerk; and Lloyd DeBoer, treasurer.
Committee assignments were:
Gary Esselink, Alan Harnack and Ann Boeve for the Personnel, Negotiations, and Budget Committee;
Lloyd DeBoer, Ann Boeve, Matt Larson for the Building and Grounds Committee;
Gary Esselink, Tim Baker and Lois Leuthold for the Transportation Committee;
Alan Harnack and Tim Baker for the Minnesota State High School League;
Lois Leuthold, Gary Esselink and Matt Larson for the Policy Committee;
Ann Boeve, Lois Leuthold and Alan Harnack for the Curriculum Committee;
Lloyd DeBoer and Matt Larson for the Safety Committee;
Ann Boeve for the Grad Standards, Staff Development and Continuing Education Committee;
Lois Leuthold for the Community Club;
Tim Baker for the Gifted and Talented Committee; Gary Esselink for the Legislation Committee;
Ann Boeve and Matt Larson for the Teachers, Administration and Board Committee;
Lloyd DeBoer for the Drug Education Committee; and
Lois Leuthold for the Community Education and ECFE Committee.
In other board business:
Deragisch advised the board he approached Cunningham Communications, Pipestone, for a bid on a communication system (PA, telephone, computer and TV) for the high school.
"For health and safety reasons we need an intercom in our school," said Deragisch.
"If we had an emergency it would be nice to be able to contact all the rooms at one time," said Chairman Alan Harnack.
The district could be reimbursed for the cost of the system by e-rate but would likely not receive the reimbursement until the 2003-04 school year.
The board discussed a wiring problem in the elementary computer lab. For more than a year, some outlets haven't worked at all and some outlets have worked sporadically.
Students and teachers shied away from using computers plugged into the outlets because they didn't want to be in the middle of a project and lose their work if the terminal shut down.
The ParentLink phone system also has been working only sporadically for more than a year. ParentLink allows parents to call in for automated information concerning student absences, homework assignments or to leave a message with teachers.
The board questioned if the electronic difficulties at the elementary school could be attributed to lightning strikes on the building. Superintendent Deragisch will continue to investigate the matter.
Newly-elected chairman Harnack advised new board members Larson and Baker to "call ahead of time (about concerns, questions or issues) so we don't have any surprises at the School Board meetings."
oDeragisch stressed the importance of the districtÕs participation in the Rock County Collaborative.
"There is money out there that could be tapped into that we've been missing out on," he said.
Deragisch said he would continue to meet with the Collaborative to utilize any funds available.
"I will take any help, programs and options for our elementary students," said Deragisch. "I am willing to put the time in ..."
The board congratulated Gregg Ebert and his students on the stained glass bench project which raised $1,500 for area fire departments. The bench will eventually be displayed at the Tuff Village, according to Deragisch.
Deragisch recommended bleacher railings be installed on the end of the bleachers at H-BC High School. The railings would bring the bleachers up to current state code.
"We need something we can put in place to keep the students and people from falling off the ends of the bleachers," said Deragisch.
The board voted to accept a $2,998 bid from Cor-Tech, Luverne, to complete the work.