Superintendents’ Executive Council
March 26, 2013 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Marshall District Office, Marshall MN
Meeting Summary
Present: Luther Heller, Chair, Montevideo
Keith Kottke, Past-Chair, Springfield
Rick Clark, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart
Luther Onken, Fulda & Murray County Central
Chris Sonju, Glencoe-Silver Lake
Chris Fenske, Lakeview
Greg Schmidt, MACCRAY
Robert Windel, Mountain Lake Christian
Michael Van Keulen, MN West
Paul Carlson, New London/Spicer
Jim Lentz, Pipestone
John Brennan, Red Rock Central
Sharon Kabes, SMSU
Ann Wendorff, Southwest Star Concept
Loy Woelber, Westbrook/Walnut Grove & Tracy Area
Jerry Kjergaard, Willmar
Absent: Klint Willert, Marshall
Bill Strom, Mountain Lake
John Landgaard, Worthington
Al Stoeckman, Yellow Medicine East
Staff: Cliff Carmody, Executive Director
Doug Deragisch, Senior Director of Risk Management
Darin Jensen, Senior Director of Administrative Services
Bob Braun, Senior Director of Teaching & Learning Services
Shelly Maes, Manager of Member Services
Deecy Jesse, Executive Assistant
1. Call to Order: Chair, Luther Heller, called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. at the Marshall Public School District Office in Marshall, MN.
2. Agenda Review/Approval: The agenda was reviewed. Paul Carlson requested a discussion on Robotics. Motion made by Low Woelber, seconded by Rick Clark, to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Previous Meeting Summary Review: The minutes from the January 8, 2013 Superintendents’ Executive Council meeting were reviewed. Motion by Jerry Kjergaard, seconded by John Brennan, to approve the minutes from the January 8, 2013 meeting as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
4. MN Tele-Media Update:
Rick Clark updated the Council on the discussions being held to determine the MN Tele-Media fund balance usage to best serve the largest number of schools.
5. Legislative Update:
a. Mandatory State Health Insurance Bill-SF 446/HF 573 – Cliff provided an update on the status of the Mandatory State Health Insurance Bill. Discussion followed.
6. Insurance Update:
Doug Deragisch provided the Council with the following handouts and highlighted information as he went through each document: “The Case for a Voluntary Insurance School Pool”, “School Insurance Pool 3-Year Average Rate Increase Non-Reform Groups” and “Affordable Care Act (ACA)”. Doug highlighted three main points, what we currently have now that will change with the current ACA language: Open-Market Place, Local Control, and Cost. Discussion followed.
a. FY 14 School Renewal Timeline
i. Advisory Committee – The meeting was held on 3/25/13. The renewal calculated higher this year. Utilization was less than projected over the past two years and is currently trending higher.
ii. Membership meeting – The meeting will be held on 4/11/13 at the Ramada Marshall; 10:00 a.m. start time.
7. Robotics:
Paul Carlson mentioned that New London/ Spicer Public Schools will be a Hub for the BEST Robotics Competition www.bestinc.org . Information will be emailed. Discussion followed.
8. Teaching & Learning Services Update:
Bob Braun provided the Council with the following information:
a. Teacher Evaluation - handout provided.
Bob mentioned that eight districts sent teams to Day 1 of the Educator Growth & Evaluation Training. The Day 2 training will be held on 4/23/13. The goal of these trainings is to help districts develop their own plan based on what works for them, as well as, following the statutes. The training is being done in conjunction with Lakes Country Service Cooperative and the Northwest Service Cooperative. If more districts are interested, another cohort could be established.
b. Summer Principal Summit – handout provided.
Bob mentioned that the July 29-30th Summer Principal Summit will be held at the SW/WC Service Cooperative and that several Superintendents will be presenting.
9. Executive Director’s Report:
a. Low Incidence Budget - We received notice from MDE that we can expect another 5% reduction in the Low Incidence grant for next year. This is in addition to a 10% reduction we received this year. We will need to make appropriate decisions regarding managing this reduction- additional revenues and expenditure reductions.
b. MSC Next Generation – This is a redesign effort of how MSC can provide better service to our membership. Hope to take exemplary initiatives work and offer to membership throughout the network.
c. April Administrator Forum – The April 10, 2013 Admin Forum was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
d. Bullying – The Legislature is looking at a 27 page bill on bullying; do your districts have a need for services or can this be addressed when the bill passes? Discussion followed.
e. Eide Bailly Health Care Reform Service – The Lakes Country Service Cooperative and SWSC have had communications with Eide Bailly to determine if they are a good fit.
10. Sumer Superintendent’s Leadership Conference Update:
Shelly Maes updated the Council on conference details.
· July 17-19, 2013 – Arrowwood Resort, Alexandria
· Richard DeLorenzo will be with us all day;
· Friday Focus will be on technology integration and a session on health care reform.
· Please be thinking about school leaders to bring along;
11. Open Forum:
a. Belview Learning Center update: After reviewing the cost to demolish a portion of the old building with the cost of insurance, it was determined the demolition would save significant dollars. The SC will continue to pursue the demolition of a portion of the Belview site.
12. The Meeting Adjourned at 12:05 p.m.