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VIRGINIA - Tower-Soudan and Northeast Range may soon be seeing changes to their administrative structure. At a working session Tuesday night, Superintendent Reggie Engebritson presented a proposal to …
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VIRGINIA - Tower-Soudan and Northeast Range may soon be seeing changes to their administrative structure. At a working session Tuesday night, Superintendent Reggie Engebritson presented a proposal to establish an assistant principal in Tower-Soudan after receiving feedback from staff who expressed concerns over mental health and establishing solid relationships with the students.
Currently, Northeast Range shares their principal with Tower-Soudan one day per week. The addition of an assistant principal would eliminate this need and result in a more consistent administrative presence at both schools. Tower-Soudan also currently has a half-time dean, though this position would be eliminated should the assistant principal proposal be adopted. Ultimately, Tower-Soudan would gain an individual who was present every day, making it easier for them to establish working relationships with staff, students, and parents, she said.
Northeast Range would also benefit from this proposal. At this time, they have a 0.6 dean and a 0.4 counselor. The proposal would eliminate the dean position and up the counselor position to 0.8, resulting in more time dedicated to working with students. Northeast Range would also get their principal back full-time.
“I see this as a win-win,” says Board Member Chris Koviosto.
He was not the only one who strongly supported the idea. The entire board appeared to believe it would be beneficial, with only Board Member Christine Taylor speaking up to say she wanted to make sure the job description was crystal clear prior to it being posted. Engebritson concurred, telling the board she would bring the matter before the board, complete with a detailed job description, at their next meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. at the district office in Virginia.
Prior to the working session, the board held a short organizational meeting to elect officials for 2020. Current Chair Dan Manick, current Vice Chair Lynette Zupetz, current Clerk Pat Christensen, and current Treasurer Christine Taylor will all maintain their positions for an additional year. The board also voted to establish the salaries and reimbursement rates for members. Those serving on the board will receive $400 per month for regular working sessions and meetings, plus a rate of $12 per hour for special meetings, conferences, workshops, and committee meetings. They will also receive reimbursement for mileage and a meal per diem.
In other business, the board:
Heard from ICS Project Manager Nathan Norton regarding the Cherry remodel/expansion. According to him, things are moving along at a good pace. Several portions will be complete prior to the end of the school year, including the new fitness center. The company is in the process of receiving a wetland permit from the county and has received verbal confirmation that there should be no issues moving forward.
Designated the Cook News Herald as the district’s official newspaper for 2020. Board Member Christine Taylor abstained from this vote.
Designated Colosimo, Patchin & Kearney, Ltd. as the district’s legal counsel for 2020. Taylor abstained from this vote as well.
Designated Frandsen Bank, North Star Credit Union, and Ely Area Credit Union as the district’s depositories for 2020.
Heard from Engebritson regarding the results of the staff and student surveys. The numbers indicated overall satisfaction with how the district functions, particularly when it came to maintaining small class sizes and providing a variety of opportunities to the students. There was a handful of areas where staff believed improvements could be made, as well, including communication, meeting the social and emotional needs of the students, and training for technology utilization.
Designated school board representatives for several committees, including human resources, health insurance, MSHSL, marketing, curriculum, negotiations, and collaboration with MIB.Assistant principals considered for T-S and NER schools