by Editor MHA Times | Apr 2, 2021
Special School Board Meeting
School Lunch Room
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
Meeting called to order by President Bradfield at 4.06pm
Roll Call: Members in attendance: Kelly Bradfield, Brad Sage and Rose Ann Johnson
Absent Members: Sherry Turner-Lone Fight and Ted Lone-Fight
Superintendent: Tara Thomas
Others: Abiodun Obidinma and Gregory Sherwood.
Adoption of the agenda
Sage moved to adopt the agenda and Johnson seconded.
Vote: Johnson, Sage, and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Recognition of Representative organization: NDCC 15.1-16-11
Sage moved pursuant to NDCC Section 15.1-16-11, that the Board recognize Mandaree Education Association as the representative organization for all full time and part time licensed teachers employed as classroom Teachers, Counselors, and Librarian for the purpose of negotiations. Johnson seconded
Discussion: Vote: Johnson, Sage, and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
School Reopening
Superintendent Thomas presented the second addendum to the Health and Safety Restart Plan. The plan is to go back to face to face learning but distance education still remains an option. She went through the plan and emphasized that CDC guidelines will be followed to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
The Board asked questions and discussed the plan. President Bradfield suggested including explanations about the isolation area in the plan. Mr. Sherwood explained the student drop off process.
Superintendent Thomas said there is a need to utilize part time pool to implement the plan.
Johnson moved to accept the Health and Safety Smart Restart Plan Addendum II with suggested additions and clarifications, for the school to go back to face to face starting March 15. And the use of part time pool to help support getting this off the ground and going, at the maximum hours of 25 hours per individual. Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Johnson, Sage, and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Facilities Manager job description
Superintendent Thomas presented the updated Facilities Manager job description and pointed out the changes.
The Board reviewed the job description and suggested some additions.
Sage moved to approve the new job description for the Facilities Manager, with the additions. Johnson seconded. No discussion. Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Policies
o Second reading
• DBAA: Recruitment, hiring & background checks for classified personnel
Johnson moved to approve policy DBAA: Recruitment, hiring & background checks for classified personnel and Sage seconded.
Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
• DBAC: Recruitment, hiring & background checks for Instructional personnel
Johnson moved to approve policy DBAC: Recruitment, hiring & background checks for Instructional personnel and Sage seconded.
Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
o First reading
• BA-BR1: School Board Ethics Regulation
Johnson moved to approve policy BA-BR1: School Board Ethics Regulation and Sage seconded.
Discussion: President Bradfield gave Obidinma a directive to present it at next Board meeting with a signature line on it. Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
• BA-BR2: Board Member Internet and social media use
Johnson moved to approve policy BA-BR2: Board Member Internet and social media use and Sage seconded. Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
• HDD: Gifts & Bequests
Sage moved to approve policy HDD: Gifts & Bequests with revisions and Bradfield seconded. Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
• HDD-E: IRS Receipt for Charitable Contributions
Reviewed.
• HDD-AR: Donated Playground Equipment
Reviewed.
• JC: Naming/Renaming School Facilities
Johnson moved to approve policy JC: Naming/Renaming School Facilities and Sage seconded.
Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
Johnson moved to recommend bringing back policies DBAA, DBAA-AR, DBAA-E, DBAA-E2, DBAC, DBAC-E and DBAC-E2 to the Regular Board meeting on March 10th. Sage seconded.
Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Adjournment
Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 5.59pm and Bradfield seconded.
Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Signed by
Kelly Bradfield, Board President
Abiodun Obidinma, Business Manager
Special School Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Wednesday February 17th, 2021
Meeting called to order by President Bradfield at 4pm
Roll Call: Members in attendance: Brad Sage, Rose Ann Johnson and Kelly Bradfield
Absent Members: Sherry Turner-Lone Fight and Ted Lone-Fight
Superintendent: Tara Thomas
Others: Abiodun Obidinma, Robert Kreiser and Dawn Stroh
Adoption of Agenda
Johnson moved to adopt the agenda and Sage seconded.
Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
2019-20 Audit Report
Robert Kreiser, the Audit manager from RSM gave a presentation on the 2019-20 Audit report.
Johnson moved to accept the 2019-20 Audit report and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
(Robert Kreiser left the meeting at 4.18pm)
Recognition of appropriate Negotiating Unit: NDCC 15.1-16-10
Johnson moved to recognize as the appropriate negotiating unit all full and part time licensed teachers employed by the School Board as classroom Teachers, including Counselors and Librarian. Sage seconded.
Discussion: The Board will meet on March 3rd to review the petition to recognize the representative organization.
Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
(Ted Lone Fight joined the meeting at 4.23pm)
Adjournment
Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 4.23pm and Sage seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
Signed by
Kelly Bradfield, Board President
Abiodun Obidinma, Business Manager
Special School Board Meeting
School Lunch Room
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Meeting called to order by President Bradfield at 5.19pm
Roll Call: Members in attendance: Brad Sage, Rose Ann Johnson, Kelly Bradfield Sherry Turner-Lone Fight and Ted Lone-Fight
Superintendent: Tara Thomas
Others: Josephine Espino, Dawn Stroh, John Mahoney, Ray Jacobson, Katherine Turner, Alex Moreno, Bree Henderson, Kevin Burke and Rosie White Owl
Adoption of Agenda
Sage moved to adopt the agenda and Lone Fight seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Turner-Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson, and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
New School Construction
Jacobson and Henderson gave an update on the new school construction.
President Bradfield stated that the Construction Team met with the Tribal Chairman to discuss how much is needed to finish the school including the Sports fields. The total project is for $51million, the Tribe approved $40 million so the Council will be approached for the remaining $11 million. She stated that the Chairman suggested breaking down the building project into phases.
Johnson asked Moreno about his fundraising efforts. Moreno recommended that the Board hire someone to help with fundraising. He also mentioned that he did not have any luck with the oil companies. The Board discussed the need to raise funds.
President Bradfield explained that she had discussions with the Construction Attorney, John Mahoney, about a loan from the Bureau that can be applied for. John Mahoney will investigate the loan opportunity.
Recognition of appropriate Negotiating Unit: NDCC 15.1-16-10
Superintendent Thomas explained that Obidinma found poor language in the petition that would not work for the school. So the petition will be reworded and brought back to the next meeting.
Discussion on Recruitment, Hiring and Background checks
Superintendent Thomas went through the Recruitment, Hiring and Background checks policy. She explained that Human Resource duties are split between she and Josephine Espino.
Espino explained how the process is divided between she and Superintendent Thomas. The Board asked questions and discussed the recruitment process.
President Bradfield recommended that Superintendent Thomas creates a chart of what she does and what Espino does, and bring back. Espino presented Carolyn Bluestone’s recommendation on the separation of duties. President Bradfield said it will eliminate confusion to have it clearly defined.
Policies:
• DBAA: Recruitment, hiring & Background checks for classified personnel.
President Bradfield recommended including under “Hiring Authority”: The candidate screening committee shall not make recommendations to the Board until the background check is fully completed along with the drug test.
Turner-Lone Fight moved to approve the additions to policy DBAA: Recruitment, hiring & Background checks for classified personnel and Johnson seconded. Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Turner-Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson, and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
(Brad Sage steps out at 6:04pm)
• DBAC: Recruitment, hiring & Background checks for Instructional personnel.
(Brad Sage rejoins the meeting at 6:12pm)
President Bradfield recommended including under “Hiring Authority”: The applicant screening committee shall not make recommendations to the Board until the background check is fully completed along with the drug test.
Turner-Lone Fight moved to approve the additions to policy DBAC: Recruitment, hiring & Background checks for Instructional personnel and Johnson seconded. Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Turner-Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson, and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
• BA-BR1: School Board Ethics Regulations
Tabled to the meeting holding on March 3rd.
• BA-BR2: Board Member Internet and Social Media use
Tabled to the meeting holding on March 3rd.
Adjournment
Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:23pm and Lone Fight seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Turner-Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
Signed by
Kelly Bradfield, Board President
Abiodun Obidinma, Business Manager
Regular School Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Meeting called to order by President Bradfield at 4.03pm
Roll Call: Members in attendance: Brad Sage, Rose Ann Johnson, and Kelly Bradfield
Absent Members: Sherry Turner-Lone Fight and Ted Lone-Fight
Superintendent: Tara Thomas
Others: Abiodun Obidinma, Candace Sherwood, Gregory Sherwood, Acorn Holds the Enemy, Alfred Taylor, Chandler Worley, Donovan Abbey and Roberta Baker
Adoption of the agenda
Johnson moved to approve the agenda with item #11-Facilities Manager job description tabled to another meeting and Sage seconded.
Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
Approval of minutes
Johnson moved to approve the minutes of January 20th 2021 and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
(Ted Lone Fight joined the meeting at 4.14pm)
Johnson moved to approve the minutes of January 13th 2021 and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Approval of bills
Lone Fight moved to approve the bills in the amount of $127,680.45 and Johnson seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
New school construction update:
President Bradfield gave an update on construction. She explained that RSP wants to set up a meeting with the Cultural Team. She also stated that she and the Construction Team will be meeting with the Tribal Chairman on February 16th at 1.30pm. The objective of the meeting is to let the Chairman know how the building is coming along and request for the $11million overage.
She requested having a Board meeting on February 16th at 5pm so that the Board can have the opportunity to ask questions from the Construction Team.
Kacey Murdock informed the Board that Pay Apps are being entered and paid out, and that Braun Intertec is nearing the end of their contract.
Approval of invoices towards new school construction
Lone Fight moved to approve Burke Construction Group’s invoice ND-01822 in the amount of $1,382,131.06 and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Lone Fight moved to approve Braun Intertec Corporation’s invoice B241268 in the amount of $1,001.50 and Sage seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Written Department Head Reports presented at the meeting
• High School-Alfred Taylor
Dr. Taylor presented the soft re-opening plan and explained the process for screening students. The plan was discussed.
• Elementary School-Gregory Sherwood
Mr. Sherwood requested a three-week extension for the soft opening.
Johnson moved to extend the soft opening plan till the end of the 3rd quarter and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Johnson, and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
• Title I- Tescha Bailly
(Rose Ann Johnson left the meeting at 5.03pm)
• Special Ed- Candace Sherwood
• Information Technology- Roberta Baker
• Kitchen- Chandler Worley
• Transportation-Acorn Holds the Enemy
• Athletic Director-Donovan Abbey
• Business Manager-Abiodun Obidinma
• Superintendent-Tara Thomas
Reopening of teaching positions
Sage moved to reopen the School Nurse, Elementary Teacher, Family and Consumer Science Teacher, Career and Technical Education teacher, Special Education Teacher, Business Education Teacher and School Librarian positions from February 15th till April 2nd and Lone Fight seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Extension of Attendance Recovery Waiver
Superintendent Thomas requested to extend the waiver on attendance recovery to the end of the school year. She explained that a review of High School data revealed that there are only 15 students without attendance issues.
Sage moved to extend the waiver on attendance recovery to the end of the school year and Lone Fight seconded.
Discussion: President Bradfield asked what is being done to help students on the verge of losing credit due to attendance issues. Dr. Taylor said Saturday academy is offered, calls are made to parents and letters are sent as well.
Vote: Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Waiver of language requirement for graduation
Superintendent Thomas requested for the Board to waive the Hidatsa language graduation requirement for a Senior who transferred into the District. The student has three full credits of Lakota and is on track to graduate. Dr. Taylor said the three hours of Lakota will satisfy the foreign language requirement.
Lone Fight moved to waive the Hidatsa language graduation requirement for a Senior who has three hours of Lakota language in place, for the graduation requirement for Mandaree Public school and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
• Superintendent-Tara Thomas– Informational
Superintendent Thomas gave an update on background checks, housing demolition, BINAX testing kit, Space analysis, CTE and SY 21-22 calendar. She also said the Tribal Education Committee has asked MHA schools to coordinate to create a substance abuse prevention initiative.
There was discussion on how to deal with attendance issues. President Bradfield asked the Tribal Education Director, Amy Mossett about helping to support the school district in the fact of referrals for truancy.
Amy Mossett explained the referral process. She also stated that their office is available to support the school and work with parents and students to ensure students reconnect. She further stated that if parents are not responding, referrals need to be sent to their office, and letters need to be sent to the parents as well.
School Board Election
Obidinma said that there are two positions open on the School Board for the term July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.
Lone Fight moved to set the School Board election date for June 8th, 2021 and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
Resignation
Sharon Whiteman’s resignation letter was presented. Superintendent Thomas requested accepting the resignation and waiving liquidated damages.
Lone Fight moved to accept the resignation of Sharon Whiteman and waive liquidated damages and Sage seconded.
Discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
Adjournment
Lone Fight moved to adjourn the meeting at 6.32pm and Sage seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
Signed by
Kelly Bradfield, Board President
Abiodun Obidinma, Business Manager
Special School Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Monday February 8th, 2021
Meeting called to order by President Bradfield at 5.06pm
Roll Call: Members in attendance: Ted Lone-Fight, Brad Sage and Kelly Bradfield
Absent Members: Rose Ann Johnson and Sherry Turner-Lone Fight,
Superintendent: Tara Thomas
Others: Abiodun Obidinma, Angela Ahrens, Christina Caravello, Kacey Murdock, Mark Forsberg, Ray Jacobsen and Bree Henderson
Adoption of the agenda
Lone Fight moved to adopt the agenda and Sage seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Sage and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed
New School Construction: Discussion and possible action on FF&E
(Sherry Turner-Lone Fight joined the meeting at 5.30pm).
Superintendent Thomas presented MJ Gunderson Consulting, the company in charge of designing the FF&E for the new school.
Christina Caravello from MJ Gunderson Consulting gave a presentation on the design for each area of the school building. The Board asked questions and made suggestions.
Gunderson said the scheduled delivery date for the FF&E is the first week in July. The Board agreed on a deadline of March 10th to make decisions on the choices in the design and gather staff input.
President Bradfield stated that there has been savings under the FF&E budget because of Whiteboards being purchased at a different price. She recommended that Burke Construction manage the implementation of the FF&E because they are on site. Henderson said Burke Construction can coordinate the installation to ensure things go smoothly.
Lone Fight moved to approve Burke Construction to work with MJ Gunderson Consulting on the order and management of the install of FF&E not to exceed $100,000 savings from Whiteboards. Sage seconded. No discussion. Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Turner-Lone Fight and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
President Bradfield advised Superintendent Thomas to include staff input in the decision making. Gunderson will put together the email to be sent to staff so that everyone feels like part of the process.
Adjournment
Lone Fight moved to adjourn the meeting at 6.43pm and Turner-Lone Fight seconded.
Vote: Lone Fight, Sage, Turner-Lone Fight and Bradfield voted yes. Motion passed.
Signed by
Kelly Bradfield, Board President
Abiodun Obidinma, Business Manager
