The Crookston School Board met on Monday in the CHS Orchestra/Choir room.
The first item the board took action on was the request for an absence of leave for Highland Elementary School Teacher Jayne Nesvig. The request included an absence of up to five years (three required), and the board ultimately denied the request due to it not being in the district’s best interest. The board discussed that hiring quality teachers is difficult enough at this time, and this could affect the recruitment of incoming candidates. The board had three in favor of the motion and three not in favor. Those in favor were Chairperson Frank Fee, Dave Davidson, and Tim Dufault. The three members who were not in favor included Patty Dillabough, Mike Theis, and Marcia Meine.
The meeting continued with the resolution relating to the proposed property tax abatement for parking lot construction and reconstruction projects. Crookston High School is now undergoing construction for the Multi-Use Complex and has plans to renovate the parking lot as well. This proposed tax abatement could mitigate costs for both projects. “This is going to help cover the costs of different things,” said Crookston School District Superintendent Randy Bergquist. “The parking lot, maybe other costs associated with the Multi-Use facility. That’s what this could cover.” The board approved the proposal for property tax reduction. It will hold a public hearing for community members to voice their opinions regarding the abatement program at the next school board meeting on Monday, May 20, at 5:00 p.m.
The meeting continued with the board unanimously approving the discontinuation of the Girls Swimming Program in Crookston. The board discussed the struggles the program has faced in previous years and also addressed the fact that the program had only one swimmer compete this school year. “Always tough to cut a program; I’m a firm believer in extracurricular activities; they are a huge part of my life,” said Bergquist. “As a teacher, coach, and principal, I feel bad anytime we have to make cuts in programs for students.” The district will save approximately $40,000 in the 2024-25 academic year by discontinuing the swimming program. A large portion of the savings will come from pool rental.
The board also reviewed the 2024-25 District Calendar. The updated calendar includes the contractual information for teachers and staff. The contract states that teachers will have 183 total days in the year and 171 student-contact days. The additional 12 days in the contract are allocated toward teacher workshops, meetings, and other obligations not aligned with the next year’s student contact days.
The board reviewed and approved the second reading of policies recommended by the MSBA (Minnesota School Board Association). The policies included-
- Harassment and Violence
- Drug, Alcohol, and Cannabis testing
- Student Discipline
- Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint
- Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records
The final item the board approved was the discontinuation of a yearly contract with the childcare business that holds daycare throughout the summer at Washington School. The entity that provides child care services in Washington has an annual renewable contract with the district in which the district decides to extend the contract. The board cut ties with the contract due to low enrollment and the inability to fulfill recent agreements.
The consent agenda included the acceptance of resignations from Washington School Principal Denice Oliver, Head Boy Basketball Coach Greg Garmen, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach Jason Tangquist, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach Lon Boike, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach Austin O’Hare Crookston High School Science Teacher Brett Brenden, Crookston High School Paraprofessional Kathy Borkowski, and Crookston High School Social Studies Teacher and Head Girl’sBasketball Coach Darin Zimmerman.
The consent agenda also included the acceptance of grants and donations, which included-
- A donation from the United Way of Crookston in the amount of $2,500 for the Summer Food Service Program
- A donation from the Crookston Youth Basketball Association (CYBA) in the amount of $4,000 for the BBoy’sand GGirl’sVarsity Basketball Programs
- A donation from Kirk and Amy Luckow in the amount of $1,000 for field trips for the Junior High
- A donation from Kathie Barns in the amount of $300 for field trips for the Junior High
The final items on the consent agenda included the approval of minutes from the March 25 meeting and the approval of bills and disbursement in the amount of $883,194.49. The Crookston School Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, May 20, at 5:00 p.m. in the CHS Orchestra/Choir Room.
