Pepin Board of Education hears updates

    In a regular meeting held March 21, the Pepin Area Schools Board of Education heard updates on the end of the year.
    Minutes from the February 29 regular Board meeting were approved as read. District Administrator Quinton recognized the winter sports teams and coaches.
    Buildings and Grounds Committee member Tim Stajkowski updated the board on HVAC bids, along with inside painting, field lighting bids, and discussed getting bids for the bathrooms on the athletic fields.
    Elementary lead teacher Jill Riesgraf updated the board on elementary happenings. She thanked Mrs. Ingli for organizing the fun-filled Read Across America week. Riesgraf also reported the spring student-led conferences were well attended. She thanked Mrs. Ingli for organizing Battle of the Books.
    Riesgraf noted the upcoming Kids in the Kitchen program will focus on exercise and nutrition. She also reported 3-year-old screening will be held April 7 in the pre-K room.
    Riesgraf presented information regarding students’ achievement progress and how important intervention and small groups are to student learning. Riesgraf thanked the Board for their support of the Achievement Gap Coordinator position and restated the positive impact it is having on students.
    Quinton presented a list of students requesting youth options classes for 2016-17. Quinton recommended the Board approve the schedule with the understanding that the final schedule will need to be approved by the district administrator, and follow the guidelines for the district’s youth options policy. The Board approved.
    Quinton presented the 2016-17 CESA #11 shared services contract. The Board approved.
    Quinton presented a letter of resignation from special ed teacher Ashleigh Seifert. The Board approved.
    Quinton presented a notice of layoff for Jackie Loock. The position will be reduced to 75 percent for 2016-17 due to the reduced number of pre-K students expected. The Board approved issuing a 20 percent layoff notice to Jackie Loock for the 2016-17 school year.
    Quinton presented the list of teaching staff for the 2016-17 school year. The Board approved.
    Quinton presented a list of support staff assignments for the 2016-17 school year. The Board approved.
    Quinton stated the District is on track to have the last day of school with students be Wednesday, June 1. It will be a full day of school with students. The last day of work for this contract year for the teaching staff will be Friday, June 3.
    Quinton reported the junior class students completed the ACT exam the first week of March. Students in grades 4, 8, and 10 will complete the “Forward” exam for science and social studies in the spring. Grades 3-8 will take the Forward exam in ELA and math in the spring. Freshmen and sophomores will take the ACT aspire exam this spring, as well.
    Quinton updated the Board with the latest on legislative news, particularly Senator Vinehout’s bill.
    The Board approved vouchers totaling $190,309.98. The next regular Board meeting will be April 25 at 7 p.m.