Caledonia Argus

School board hires safety consultant

Posted: 4/9/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

At its meeting Tuesday, April 2, The school board approved a contract with LoveGreen Risk Management for consultation on what safety measures need to be installed on its shop equipment.

Superintendent Percy Lingen said the survey will cost approximately $980.

She also said it may cost about $25,000 to install the safety measures on the equipment.

Joe Nicklay, high school industrial arts teacher, said that right now 95% of the machines do not have the proper safety guarding. ìNo matter how much I test or watch, sooner or later someone makes a mistake,î he said.

The cost of installing the equipment will be covered by health and safety dollars.

Update on BCLO

Board members set May 20, as the date for receiving a recommendation from Lingen on what to do with BCLO (Bluff Country Learning Options).

Lingen reported on a meeting with BCLO and with three other school districts; Spring Grove, Rushford-Peterson and La Crescent/Hokah. The school districts are partners with BCLO.

Students have the option of attending BCLO and funding for that student follows them.

Lingen said, ìThe BCLO serves as a place for students to go who donít fit in (the public school).î

Approximately 10 high school students and two elementary students from ISD #299 attend BCLO.

Lingen reported that in the meeting, it was strongly emphasized that expenditures of BCLO must match revenues. ìIf you run with more expenditures, you need to change your budget,î she said.

Discussions were scheduled after the BCLO asked its four partners to cover some of its expenses.

ISD #299 is opposed to paying more money to the BCLO since it already receives money when students transfer there. ìThe high school compensation should fund itself,î explained Lingen.

Secondary Principal Brian Doty said the district is partners with the BCLO, but in recent years have acted more like participants. He pointed out that the district still has responsibility for the student even though they are attending BCLO.

He said, ìFrankly, it does need to be raised in a public forum.î

Lingen said that Glory Kibble, state contact for the alternative program, facilitated the discussion and said that she felt the BCLO was well run.

On another subject, the board scheduled April 15, as the date to receive a recommendation from Doty on what the district should do about setting up a leadership program in the district. This was suggested as one way to reduce some of the expense of students who are taken to the leadership program in La Crosse.

Activities/athletic director offer rescinded

The school board rescinded an offer to Ken Van Den Boom for a contract for the 2002-2003 school year as athletic/activities director.

Board Chair Cheryl Whitesitt said, ìDue to the fact that Ken had declined the offer, it has been suggested that we rescind.î

She added, ìMy only thing is, this gives us an opportunity to develop a job description. Does the board want to give a time frame for a proposal for athletic director?î

Lingen questioned, ìDoes the board want to create for 2002-2003 a position for activities director?î

Whitesitt noted, ìWe need a recommendation for that.î

Lingen said that the district already has people requesting to use the athletic field next year for spring soccer and someone is needed to coordinate that.

Board member Bruce Bulman pointed out that job descriptions for activities director need to be done soon for next year. Van Den Boomís current contract is for athletic director only .

The question was also raised whether there would be enough money to fund an activities director position.

Board approves letter explaining deficit

The board approved a letter that will be printed in an upcoming edition of The Argus that explains how the district came into statutory operating debt.

Board member Chuck Schulte said he and other board members Suzanne Roesler and Charlie Wray worked on the letter together. ìItís a consortium of all three,î he explained.

Board to renegotiate contract with Gundersen

The board voted 5-2 not to extend a contract with Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine Center for athletic training staff for the 2002 through 2005 school year.

Board member Barb Hurley said she would like to try to renegotiate.

The contract asks for $1,900 a year for services provided.

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