Board OKs adding games

Athletes in the Brainerd School District will be competing in more games this year.

The Brainerd School Board approved Monday a 2-1 ratio of practice time to scheduled contests. For every week of training, a team is allowed two games, excluding initial conditioning and tournament time at the end of the season.

This ratio was recommended by the Minnesota State High School League. Basketball will go from 22 to 26 contests, wrestling from 15 to 18 meets and from 30-36 matches and hockey from 22 to 25 contests.

The following teachers were hired: David Borash, social studies; Kate Davis, elementary music specialist for the 2000-01 school year and as a substitute teacher from Aug. 29 to Feb. 9, 2001; Jana Johnson, Chapter 1; Shane Jordan, substitute from Sept. 4 to June 1, 2001; Jill Marohn, kindergarten; Alison Ohe, substitute from Aug. 29 to Oct. 24; Christine Palmer, high school career center coordinator effective Aug. 21 for $12 an hour for 10 months; Jeanette Smith, 21st Century Community Learning Center grant coordinator; and Stephanie Sustercich, special education for one year.

Board members accepted the resignation of Bill Heitkamp, physical education teacher, effective Feb. 2.

The board approved various field trips and overnight trips.

The board authorized hiring a health, safety and facility assistant due to the state's additional requirements in the health and safety management area. This candidate would earn between $30,000 to $35,000 depending on qualifications.

The district plans to stick with State Fund for its workers' compensation insurance. The net premium will range from $73,807 to $230,016 depending on loss ratio. Last year the district's net premium was $146,372 with the company. State Fund has been with the district for the past four years and it has decreased the number of claims against the school district.

The board agreed to pay up to $5,000 for its legal council services for the work that has taken place on the claims against the school district by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The EEOC is going after 300 school districts in the state to compensate employees who accepted less money for retiring at an older age.

There are 19 Brainerd teachers who are affected by this claim and the district could be out $300,000.