REGIONAL—The St. Louis County School Board approved a new three-year contract for Superintendent Sallee that provides a $7,000 raise for next year and $4,000 in each of the final two years.

The proposed increase was a bit too rich for board member Nancy Wall-Glowaski, who argued it was higher than most other superintendents in the area had received. But Wall-Glowaski was in the minority. “I don’t see any negatives,” said Board chair Chet Larson. “I think he’s worth the money, and we ought to keep him. The district has improved and when everything improved we gave everyone a big raise up to par.”

The superintendent presently earns a $133,000 annual salary. That will increase to $148,000 by 2020 under the deal.

Sallee’s report included a welcome to the new board members, and acknowledged “Bob, Nancy, and Gary are leaving the board in a better place.” Sallee told the newly elected board members about the district’s organizational meeting in January. Sallee also informed the board that they could consider holding one study session and one regular business meeting a month, rather than two regular business meetings as the board holds now.

Finishing his report, Sallee informed the board that Carolyn Olson had secured another $2,000 grant from Essentia Health in Duluth towards the MSAB Learning Arts Grant. She has obtained nearly $70,000 in grant funding this year.

The Board heard a Building and Grounds Report from Tony Buccanero. He reported on various completed and in-progress projects. At Northeast Range the window/door replacement, asbestos abatement, and pool reroof have been completed. Also the steam to hot water conversion project is still in the design phase with progress being made. South Ridge has the new bleachers installed, and damaged bleachers still need to be removed from site. New lockers are set to be installed upon arrival. The North Woods storage garage project is complete, as well as the propane tank installation. Also, a safety barricade was installed in the traffic area. Half of the new lockers have been installed, with completion sometime during Christmas break. The district will begin “re-vamping” the key card access, allowing for a simplified process and tightened security.

Tower-Soudan School Principal Kelly Engman presented to the board a report outlining three strategic goals for the school: increasing academic achievement; ensuring all students are school, career, or community ready; and, promoting two-way communication. She noted the PTO is new, and is working to provide more evening events for the community and families.

The board was to set approve HR documents pertaining to dress code, which drew a comment from Title I teacher Mary Nemec-Wood. She asked the board to consider adding shirts with a union logo as acceptable attire. Salle noted that the document is “a work in progress,” adding the new policy has been introduced but a work dress code would be enforced more next fall.

In other action, the board:

•Approved full time clerical staff at North Woods. Sallee approved this action “as long as there was no increase in cost. Principal Vukmanich cleaned up the para schedule, adding more clerical duty.”

•Approved HR-related documents pertaining to employee referral program, code of ethics and conduct, performance evaluations, and conflict of interest disclosure.

•Approved Policy 524, internet acceptable use and safety policy.

•Approved terms and conditions of employment for non-contract preschool teachers’ assistants and ECFE teacher aides.

•Accepted teacher retirement for Bernie Kantola.

•Accepted support staff resignation of Jennifer Thomsen.

•Approved unpaid leave of absence for Lisa Squires.

•Accepted the hire of support staff: Computer Systems Technician Vernon Wenberg; Paraprofessionals MyKayla Hoeft (South Ridge), Connie Opdycke (NE Range), Amanda Arntson (NE Range), Indian Education Program Assistant, Alleyce Somerville (Cherry), Custodian Steven Bergquist (South Ridge), Bus Driver Timothy McQueen (Cherry), and Amanda Arntson (ECFE Teacher Aide).

•Hired coaches for 2016-201: Robbie Peterson, Assistant Boys Basketball (South Ridge); Trey Kappinen, Assistant Boys’ Basketball (South Ridge); Stephanie Bergum, Assistant Girls Basketball (South Ridge).