The Crookston School Board met Monday evening in the Crookston High School Choir and Orchestra room.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
The featured program was on student attendance and presented by Crookston High School Principal Matt Torgerson. Crookston School District is well below the state average in the number of consistent attendance. In 2023, the latest numbers available, the state average was 74.49% and Crookston was at 64.9 percent. Consistent attendance is attending more than 90% of the school days in a school year. ““Really, all I want people to know is the importance of coming to school and attending regularly. I don’t think anybody would disagree that coming to school isn’t important, I don’t know if everyone understands how important it is and how much we do miss,” said Torgerson. “About one-third of our students in 2023 miss more than 18 days of school in the year. That is a lot. It is more than one every other week. When you put it into perspective, we are missing a lot of school, missing a lot of learning, and missing a lot of opportunities for our future.”
Chronic absenteeism has been linked to the following-
-Lower academic achievement
-More likely to take part in criminal activity
-More likely to have violent tendencies
-More likely to be ill
-Have negative mental health and more likely to attempt suicide
-More likely to participate in substance abuse
-More likely to become pregnant as a teen
-More likely to drop out of school
-More likely to have a lower income in adulthood
“I think everybody understands that coming to school is important, but we don’t always remember how big of a deal it is,” said Torgerson. “It is for their well-being, and it’s not just to learn math and reading. We are looking to partner with the parents to try to break down any barriers that might prevent students from attending school. Whether it is the transportation barrier, a mental health barrier, or an illness barrier, we have ways to manage all those different situations, so if you are a parent of a student, but you don’t know what to do about it , reach out to one of the principals and we will do our best to help you out.“
RESOLUTION DIRECTING ADMIN TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCTIONS
The board approved the annual resolution directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions and the reasons for them. “School districts do this every year, usually in January. It doesn’t mean the school district will make any cuts, but it is a standard resolution and is something that has to be done,” said Superintendent Randy Bergquist. “We have to look at everything and rightsize our district, and if we have to add something, that is a possibility too.”
BOARD COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
The school board decided to combine some committees and they are down to the Finance, Negotiations, Policy, Achievement, and Community Relations committees. “We had to many committees in this district,” said Superintendent Bergquist. “We set up the committee structure and we will have two or three school board members on every committee.”
Finance Committee (Tim Dufault – Chair, Mike Theis, and Lori Capistran)
Negotiations Committee (Mike Theis – Chair, Tim Dufault, Jaclyn Martin)
Policy Committee (Marcia Meine-Chair, Jaclyn Martin)
Achievement Committee (Lori Capistran-Chair, Mike Theis, Marcia Meine)
Community Relations (Patty Dillabough-Chair, Marcia Meine, Jaclyn Martin)
CONSENT AGENDA
The board approved resignations from Nate Lubarski as head football coach, Kayla Brekken and Izabella Hyde as paraprofessionals, Lenny Fuller as mechanic and bus driver, Dave and Cindy Tyler as bus drivers, and Kelsey Grunewald as payroll specialist.
The board approved the employment of LaQuetta Cobbs and Frittney Deitz as paraprofessionals and leave of absence for Matt Torgerson for four to six weeks, and Cayley Kruckerberg for up to 12 weeks.
The board approved a $1,000 donation from the United Way for the PATCH program, a $2,500 donation from the United Way for the Eat United Food program, a $500.92 from Central Harvest States (CHS) for the Highland School Inclusive playground, a $10,000 donation from KeyBank National Association Trust Division for the Highland School Inclusive playground, $200 from Jordan and Kayse Thompson for the Highland Inclusive playground, $2,000 from Halstad Telephone Company for student scholarships, $100 from Todd Torgerson for the Woods Class, and $500 from Hart Travel for the Athletics department.
The next school board meeting will be Monday, February 24 at 5:00 p.m. at the Crookston High School Choir/Orchestra room.
