School District 166 update from superintendent

The School District 166 board meet on Thursday, April 18 for a meeting that included discussion of financial goals and some personnel matters.

The board approved the hiring of several paraprofessionals, Michael Garry, Erin Petz and Rachel Haaverson, as well as Tim Young as a special education paraprofessional. Nicole Bockovich was hired to serve as the long-term substitute for the Early Childhood Special Education program. 

The board approved the non-renewal of the contract for language arts teacher, Samantha Savoie.

The board looked at regular school finance reports and discussed financial goals. It is recommended by the Minnesota School Board Association to have two to three months of typical expenses held in reserve as a fund balance. The ISD 166 school board agreed to maintain a three-month fund balance, about $1.6 million. Superintendent Bill Crandall said the school district is meeting that goal. 

There was a closed session at the end of the school board meeting for discussion of negotiations with the employee bargaining groups. The groups are the teacher group, the paraprofessionals and then non-certified staff, which includes bus drivers, custodial, clerical, and food service workers. The school board will also be negotiating with the two principals, Megan Myers and Assistant Principal Mitch Dorr. 

No citizens took the opportunity to speak during the public comment period at the start of the meeting. 

WTIP's Rhonda Silence checked in with Superintendent Bill Crandall to learn more about the conversations at the school board meeting.