January 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Discussion:  School Attorney Karen Haase called the Annual Organization of the Board meeting at 5:00.  She called for nominations for Board President.
Don Pike nominated Steve Moose for President
Steve Moose nominated Don Pike for Vice-President
Steve Moose nominated Dewayne Wabasha for Treasurer
Don Pike nominated LindaRae Starlin as Secretary

Discussion:  Report was given by Mrs. Nagel:
Congratulations on School Board Appreciation Month.
At this time there are no virtual learners.
We have a few new students plus we lost a few students so we are at the amount of students.
79 students had 90% attendance in the month of December and having the incentive party next week.
There were 15 students who earned a free pizza in December.
Dr. Mausbach was in the building today and this afternoon the Elementary staff started creating the Math Curriculum as we finished the Language this past summer. 

Discussion:  Mr. Baker gave a report to the Board:
We have had an interesting fall and the reflection between the two buildings have moved forward culturally and achievement wise.
On Wednesday this week will begin our Wednesday early out at 2:06.  Students will have three weeks of getting extra help from teachers and one week will be for Teacher Profession Days.
This semester High School and Middle School has a change in the start and end times of a school day, it will be 8:20-3:40. This is in hopes that students can get extra help at the end of each day.  With this being said we were able to squeeze in six additional minutes of instructional time.
We had 98% attendance rate in December
L. Redowl will hold a pizza party for High School and gifts to Elementary this month.  She has been a great asset having her work with the school through the Truancy Department.
Graduation Rate goal when started was at 33% and last year we were at 50%.  Right now all 12 seniors are on track and we are looking to have a 90% graduation rate at this time.  This is thanks to all staff and especially to Mary Snowdon and Leah Thomas.
2 students are doing virtual and Leah Thomas has been running work to them every day if not multiply times throughout the day.  

Discussion:  Brought up by President Moose of getting Marty School back on the schedule.
Mr. Baker stated he has talked to Jay Bellar/NSAA regarding our schedule with Marty and have some outside things to work on and hope to have back on our schedule of playing here and then Santee goes there every year. It is in the works of putting a 2 day tournament together to include 5 other native schools to also include handgames and quiz bowl.  Would like to have a Ceremony on the Friday night before the games begin.
Also looking into being a part of the Corn Palace - Sacred Hoops Tournament next year in Mitchell along with LNI and DOC.
Plans are to add more JV and Freshman Basketball games for next year as of right now for the boys team we only have one senior and many 8th graders coming up.  This is the reason for getting more games on the schedule to allow all to have a chance to play and not get discouraged. 
Steve Moose also asked why we can't have concession stand and reason by Mr. Baker was not mixing and creating a gathering place . Possibility of being able to make and give popcorn away at games is an option and will look into it.  
South Door as an entrance and old locker room bathrooms for Santee fans is more reasonable than having oppenants as Santee understands where to go. This would decrease the mixing of fans. 

Discussion:  Report was given from Ms. Stewart for the Infant/Early Toddlers.  We were recently evaluated and on a 7.0 scale we received a 4.0
Talked to L. Redowl regarding an incentive for the 4 year olds and this will start on February 1, 2021 with a gift and we hope to continue to this partnership.
Preschool had 2 virtual learners last semester and now we are at zero.  All students are coming to school. 
The Sixpence grant is due Feb 5th. 

Discussion:  Steve Moose introduced Todd Chessmore as the candidate for Interim Superintendent. Mr. Chessmore gave a brief description of the schools he has been with before and has worked 9 years as Administration on reservations. Major items on the list is meeting with the Business Department and Impact Aid.  Also very proud of how the school has kept all negativity away from the kids. He also wants to visit each BOE member to see what they want as well as visit with Administration and each individual staff member.  Stated he would do a 3 day work contract per week. Mr. Chessmore will be starting out Wednesday to Friday until first part of February and then will do Monday through Wednesday to end of contract.  Mr. Chessmore also stated that he will be checking his emails for sure every morning and night, gave cell phone number 308-325-4211 and if at all possible to please send a text first till he recognizes our numbers. 

Steve Moose stated Contract would be for 18 months and would include the rest of this year and next school year.  

Discussion:  President Steve Moose brought up that he would like to see the name changed for Santee Community School to Isanti Community School.  Mr. Baker stated he spoke with Redwing Thomas who gathered students to discuss the possibility of the name change.  This would be a traction to reclaim and embrace at a deep angle.  The student body is wanting to embrace the change per Mr. Baker.  
It is known it will take some time to get everything changed but the long term goal is everything for the school will be known as Isanti.
Linda Richards had spoke and stated she has talked to NDE and the school has their full support. 

Discussion:  Mr. Baker reported not much different news than from their reports earlier.  
Elementary and Middle School have stayed the same and the High School is now eating in the lunch room due to behavior issues arising and hoping this helps.
There are still a couple of High School students doing virtual learning and Leah Thomas is helping with getting each student their needed assignments and picking up completed work.
The extra week has helped being off from school as many were quarantined and off in time to come back when school started.  
Spring break we have a week off and possibility it may not happen as the school has used all banked snow days for Covid and may need for snow days.