Board sets April 2 as storm makeup day

Superintendent Steve Razidlo brought up the four-letter word at Monday's board meeting:

Snow.

Last year, the district had to adjust the date of graduation to make up some of its snow days, or days added at the end of the school year because of inclement winter weather.

Instead, Razidlo said school administrators are proposing that, if the district calls a snow day, students will make up that day on April 2, or Good Friday, which they have off.

Razidlo said setting that day now as a possible makeup day allows parents, students and staff to be aware of it in advance.

Board members approved the plan, renaming April 2 as a storm makeup day, if needed.

In other action, the board approved the refinancing of its general obligation school building bonds, which is projected to save taxpayers about $320,000 a year for the remaining 11 years of the bond, or a net savings of about $3.5 million.

The board approved a plan to purchase and start staff training on BoardBook, a Web-based program that allows school districts to go paperless with its board agenda packets, publishing and distributing all information online. The program is anticipated to save the district money on paper as well as reduce the number of hours district office staff put together and compile board meeting packets. Razidlo said the process also could mean that board and committee meetings could be broadcast on the Internet.

The board authorized a quit claim deed for 30 feet of the street in front of the former PORT facility, along with an easement for front access to the building near Riverside School, to clean up a deed issue so the property could be sold to an advertising agency.

The first reading was held of the district's proposed Internet use policy.

Sarah Broton and Joanna Atkins-Collins were appointed to the Early Childhood Learning Center Advisory Council.

The board accepted the resignation of Jennifer Peterson-Cramer, Forestview visual arts teacher, effective Sept. 18.

The board hired the following certified staff: Michelle Blanck, part-time Nisswa special education teacher; Kelly Gubrud, part-time Riverside third-grade teacher; Robert L. Johnson, part-time teacher program; and Melissa Vukelich, Harrison kindergarten teacher.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.