Latest news with #BemidjiAreaSchoolsBoardofEducation
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bemidji school board approves increases in student activity fees, admission
May 20—BEMIDJI — As graduation quickly approaches, the final Bemidji Area Schools Board of Education meeting of the 2024-2025 school year saw considerable discussion on increases for fees to participate in sports and fine arts activities, as well as admission fees for the next school year. On the heels of $1.5 million in reductions decided during an April 28 meeting, the board has not only looked at making reductions, but also increasing revenues. "As we look into trying to balance our budget as a goal of the school board, we had to look at increasing our fees because our costs are increasing, as well," Superintendent Jeremy Olson said. "We also wanted to balance that with our strategic goal of making sure that participation in our rich assortment of activities is feasible to parents and that we have avenues for individuals who can't afford it." Generally, changes include a $1 increase for admission fees for certain events. Activity fees for Tier 1 sports — often more costly to deliver — will increase from $190 to $210, while Tier 2 will see an increase from $150 to $170. Additionally, boys and girls golf will be moved from Tier 2 to become a Tier 1 sport. "Not all sports and activities cost the district the same," Olson added. "If you're in a more costly sport and even though it's subsidized by the school district to a great degree, Tier 1 is still going to be a little higher (in out-of-pocket cost) than Tier 2. That's why they're broken up." Fine arts fees will increase from $110 to $120 for Tier 1 fine arts — show choir, La Voce Ballo, speech and debate — and Tier 2 activities will be an increase from $90 to $105, affecting activities such as Knowledge Bowl, Mock Trial and marching band, among others. Middle-schoolers will also see an increase from $110 to $125 per activity. Amid concerns regarding affordability, the board discussed the current policy, which aims to ensure that a student can still participate if unable to pay a fee. "I hate to increase fees, but sports aren't cheap," board clerk Jenny Frenzel said. "If it makes anybody feel better, we have the right to waive any fee if a parent or guardian is unable to pay. I feel a lot better that we're never going to turn anybody away." Policy also states that students who qualify for free and reduced lunches pay a $30 fee for all sports and activities. Moreover, veterans and guests over 65 years of age can obtain a complimentary lifetime activity pass at the district office. After more discussion, the board unanimously approved a first reading of the new policy. Along similar lines, the board also approved its annual membership in the Minnesota State High School League. "This (resolution) is about being a member of the league, not saying that we agree with every single one of its stances," Olson explained. "This is really about participation and making sure that our kids have an opportunity to participate." This renewal is the first following U.S. President Donald Trump's Feb. 5 executive order banning transgender students from competing in girls' and women's sports nationwide. The MSHSL announced thereafter that it would continue to allow transgender participation in girls' sports, arguing that their eligibility is determined by state law, the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the state constitution. Given these developments, board chair Dave Wall expressed support for MSHSL membership despite personal opposition to the MSHSL's stance. "Before any federal executive orders came, I expressed concern about boys playing in girls' sports and I am not ashamed to say that publicly. However, I do not feel that I'd want to inhibit or punish the kids in our school district by voting against membership," Wall said, "because I value the good side of sports and everything they do for kids throughout the state." Board treasurer Ann Long Voelkner noted her support for the MSHSL, adding, "I really appreciate their attention and opportunities for students to learn how to lose a game respectfully and how the winning team treats people. That will help kids moving into the future because we're not always going to win all the time." The board then unanimously approved MSHSL membership for the upcoming school year. District Curriculum Director Colleen Cardenuto presented graduation rate data for the class of 2024, which saw a district-wide decline from 77.6% in 2023 to 74.8% last year. A total of 288 students out of 385 graduated within four years, while 53 dropped out and 23 continued to earn their diplomas beyond a four-year timeline. Students receiving free and reduced lunches came in below the district average and also experienced a decrease from 2023's graduation rate of 61.2% to 60.6%. Male students experienced a sharper decline from 2023 compared to their female counterparts. Males in 2024 graduated at 71.4% compared to 75.6% in 2023, and 2024 females graduated at 78.3% compared to 79.4% in 2023. American Indian graduates experienced a rate increase from 2023, clocking in at 53.1% from 52% respectively. Given a mixed bag of results amid a historic statewide increase, Olson noted certain steps the district is taking to change course, particularly with data collection and reporting. "Sometimes, when a student moves out of state or goes to another school, if we can't identify that with the Minnesota Department of Education, that gets counted against us," Olson said. "We should also look at systematic changes and what those look like. What should alternative education look like? How do we support our students? How do we make sure that student achievement and academics are infused in our entire system?" District Business Director Ashley Eastridge presented an overview of the district's summer capital projects schedule, showing roughly $515,300 in expenses funded by long-term facilities maintenance funds and operating capital. Eastridge noted that LTFM funds are used for deferred capital expenditures and maintenance projects that prevent further erosion of facilities, increasing accessibility of school facilities and health and safety projects. The schedule also serves as a planning document that changes on a regular basis. "The 10-year plan incorporates a district-wide, long-term schedule for roof replacement and parking lot seal coating/overlay, as well as many other items. Then, we reduce the projects to a more current window and assign a budget of approximately $1.3 million each fiscal year," Eastridge said. "In the short term, some projects are deferred and some new ones are added." Specific upcoming projects include LED lighting retrofit at Horace May and J.W. Smith Elementaries as well as the district office, resurfacing the indoor running track at Bemidji High School, and replacing walk-in cooler condensing units in the BHS kitchen. The full meeting can be viewed on the Bemidji Area Schools YouTube channel. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 16, in the district board room.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bemidji school board to review policies at March 17 meeting
Mar. 16—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Area Schools Board of Education will meet in regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 17, in the district office board room. The board is set to review policies that are recommended to be rescinded. District Curriculum Director Colleen Cardenuto will also present the board with priority standards. The public can attend the meeting in person or watch it on the Bemidji Area Schools YouTube channel. An informal listening session will precede the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. at the district office.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bemidji school board to discuss class sizes, school calendar
Feb. 21—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Area Schools Board of Education will meet in regular session at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, in the district office board room. Superintendent Jeremy Olson will share class sizes that exceed recommended guidelines. As part of school board policy, Olson is required to give this report in October and February each school year. The board will also review the 2025-2026 school calendar. The public can attend the meeting in person or watch it on the Bemidji Area Schools YouTube channel. An informal listening session will precede the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. at the district office.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bemidji school board approves Pledge of Allegiance with 4-2 vote
Jan. 28—BEMIDJI — Two years after being voted down, the Pledge of Allegiance will have a place in Bemidji Area Schools Board of Education meetings. During its first regular meeting of 2025 on Monday, the board secured a 4-2 vote to add the pledge's recitation to the beginning of each meeting. A similar measure was proposed in January 2023 but was voted down with a 3-3 vote. Board chair Dave Wall presented the proposal, laying out the protocol and reasons behind it. "There was a day in America that the Pledge of Allegiance was recited in many sectors of our society by all citizens. Political affiliation, ethnicity or religious persuasion were not a concern," Wall said. "Citizens of this great country came together with their differences and recited the pledge to show that they were committed in unity to the United States of America. "The unity of our nation is the strength of our nation. Unity guarantees value to each citizen and accommodates diversity." The protocol notes that those who wish to participate in the pledge's recitation would stand and face the flag, place their hand on their hearts and follow the lead of the board chair. Those who don't wish to participate are free to do so without judgement or consternation, Wall added. Following the introduction of the motion by board members Anna Manecke and Jack Aakhus, member Ann Long Voelkner expressed her opposition to adding the pledge to meetings, consistent with her stance from two years ago. "I have sworn, as everybody else has, the oath of office to serve our country and students as a public school board member," Long Voelkner said. "The oath specifically says 'I support the Constitution of the United States and the state of Minnesota.' ... I believe this oath speaks specifically to our role as board members to provide quality education for our students in a safe setting for teachers, staff and students. The Pledge of Allegiance does not speak to that role." Long Voelkner pointed to the addition of "under God" in the pledge in 1954 following Congressional approval. "That addition to the pledge ties religion to civil government matters in opposition to our Constitution," she added. "My choice is not to recite the pledge, which reflects our separation of church and state within the Constitution, and also reflects the oath of office I have sworn to." Board member Jenny Frenzel remained steadfast in her opposition to adding the pledge, a position met with its own opposition in 2023. "I received personal threats on my life. I received personal threats against my children, against my family, against my business," Frenzel said regarding the aftermath of her no vote. "I had to make a police report and a restraining order just because I shared my opinion." Frenzel also shared correspondence with then-non-member Todd Haugen, who confirmed that he would've voted down the pledge when the measure was first proposed. "I admire someone who's willing to take a difficult vote, and I've always been a bit ambivalent about the Pledge of Allegiance," Haugen said, "but I was really impressed, as I ran for the board this past fall, how many people asked me about the pledge. It's an issue to them. ... The message I got loud and clear during the campaign was that people want us to do this." Aakhus condemned all forms of threats and harassment while emphasizing his view that the motion was to allow a choice in whether a board member wants to recite the pledge. "Have many Americans been denied liberty and justice? Yes. Are some still denied it today? Yes. Are liberty and justice still ideals worth honoring and committing ourselves to today? Yes," Aakhus said. "This is why we say the pledge." There is no statutory requirement for school boards to recite the pledge, but many boards add it to meetings if members so choose. Minnesota State Statute 121A.11, subdivision 3a, dictates that all public and charter school students shall recite the Pledge of Allegiance one or more times each week. Subdivision 3b of the same statute allows students to decline the recitation. Student representative Mckenzie Edevold brought up issues related to the pledge in schools particularly for students who decline its recitation. "Kids definitely get made fun of if they sit during the pledge. I've seen teachers say something to them and tell them to get up," Edevold said. "It's kind of robotic the way the pledge is said, and I don't know if it has any meaning saying it during school." After more discussion, the board passed the measure with Aakhus, Haugen, Wall and Manecke voting for it and Frenzel and Long Voelkner voting against. In other business, the board unanimously approved a tentative agreement with the Bemidji Education Support Professionals bargaining group for 2023-2025. The group, which represents secretarial-clerical employees and paraprofessionals, has advocated for a more equitable contract and increased salaries at prior board meetings. The agreement includes a 2% increase in the salary schedule for 2023-2024 and a $1 per hour increase for 2024-2025. District health insurance contributions remain unchanged at $845 a month, but as of July 2024, the district will contribute an additional $165 per month for those with family health insurance coverage. Among other adjustments, the agreement's two-year cost totals roughly $1 million. The full meeting can be viewed on the Bemidji Area Schools YouTube channel. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, in the district board room.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pledge of Allegiance to be reintroduced at Bemidji school board meeting
Jan. 26—BEMIDJI — The Bemidji Area Schools Board of Education will meet for its first regular session of 2025 at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, in the district office board room. The board will vote on possibly adding the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to school board meetings. This item was initially proposed at a January 2023 meeting and was voted down with a 3-3 vote. The board will also review a tentative agreement with the Bemidji Education Support Professionals bargaining unit for 2023-2025. Secretarial-clerical and paraprofessional employees have advocated for a more equitable contract at prior board meetings, noting support for increased salaries. The public can attend the meeting in person or watch it on the Bemidji Area Schools YouTube channel. An informal listening session will precede the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. at the district office.
