The Crookston School Board recently completed their year=-end evaluation of the Crookston Superintendent of Schools, Chris Bates, and discussed the review at their meeting on Monday evening. The board used a form recommended by the Minnesota School Boards Association which is goal
based.
There were four goals that Superintendent Bates was evaluated on:
1. School Climate – Enhancing communications between the District Office and the staff at the three buildings in the school district.
2. Mentoring Program
3. Long Term Maintenance of the District Buildings
4. Raising the test scores in the District.
These goals were evaluated by each board member who graded each goal as follows:
4 – Distinguished (Exceeded School Board expectations)
3 – Accomplished (Exceeded School Board expectations)
2 – Satisfactory (Exceeded School Board expectations)
1 – Unsatisfactory (Did not meet School Board expectations)
After collecting the six board members responses, the board gave Bates a rating of 2.7 out of four. “The Superintendent’s strong point according to the board members was 3.5 for the long term maintenance of the District buildings. Even with a new bus garage failing in a referendum, the board has been extremely happy in this department,” said Crookston School Board Chair Frank Fee. “The school board was disappointed that a new mentoring program for new teachers and other staff that could benefit from a mentorship was not introduced during the past school year. The total accumulation for the mentoring program was 1.9. The Superintendent has acknowledged to the board that it will go into effect the first month of the 2017-2018 school year. The other two goals, school climate and test scores were near the satisfactory level with both being an ongoing process. All-in-all, he came out pretty good in the evaluation.”
The school board reluctantly accepted the retirement of Pirate Boys Tennis Coach Mike Geffre after his 32 years of service as head coach. “I think Mr. Geffre has put in his time to say the least,” said Fee. “32 years of coaching boys tennis, all the records he has accomplished as a head coach and all the players and state champions with the doubles teams of Jake Olson and Troy Kleven twice, and Liz Ames and Katie Hunt. He has improved kids, not only as tennis players, but human beings. He will be missed.”
The board approved the hire of Gina Gunderson as ECFE Parent Educator at Washington Elementary School. They also approved a grant of $1,700 from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, which will go towards the salary of Gunderson.
The board approved a two year leave of absence from Amber Sannes after waiving the 12 week notification required according to the contract.
The board approved all the financial designations, including the Official Financial Institutions:
Payroll Account – Northern Sky Bank, Financial and Lock Box Account – Bremer Bank.
The investment authority will be Superintendent Chris Bates, Business Manager Laura Lyczewski, and Fiscal Services Director Nancy Nottestad.
The official signatories for financial operations are School Board Chair Frank Fee, School Board Clerk Adrianne Winger, School Board Treasurer Tim Dufault, Chris Bates, Laura Lyczewski and Nancy Nottestad.
The official signatories for the Crookston High School Activity fund – Principal Eric Bubna, CHS Administrative Assistant Robin Reitmeier, Nancy Nottestad, and Laura Lyczewski.
The official signatories for the Highland Elementary School Activity Fund – Principal Chris Trostad, Highland School Administrative Assistant Jana Hodgson, Nancy Nottestad, and Laura Lyczewski.
The last piece of approval was to designate Chris Bates and Laura Lyczewski to lease, purchase, and contract for budgeted goods and services.
The next Crookston School Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 14 at 5:00 p.m. at the Crookston High School Choir/Orchestra room.
The board will hold a working session tonight (Wednesday) at 5:00 p.m. at the Bob Prudhomme residence at 1720 South Front Street in Crookston to discuss possible bus garage options. No action will be taken at the meeting.
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