Board certifies final 2007 levy
BRAINERD SCHOOL BOARD
The Brainerd School Board on Monday certified its final 2007 levy for $13.9 million.
The district held its truth in taxation hearing Nov. 30. One resident attending the hearing.
On a similar note, the board approved its 2005-06 audit report. The June 30, 2006, unreserved fund balance amount was 4.65 percent of total general fund expenditures. The previous year, the unreserved fund balance was $5.26 million, or 8.37 percent of total general fund expenditures.
Brainerd Superintendent Jerry Walseth reported that MnCOLA, the new high school online learning consortium made up of six area districts, including Brainerd, is considering a merger with VITAL, the online learning consortium in Itasca County, and possibly one other similar program made up of 10 school districts. He said there are about 70-100 students taking online courses through MnCOLA, which began this fall.
School attorney Tom Fitzpatrick said he is working out the details of the purchase agreement between Artspace and the district involving the sale of Franklin Arts Center. Fitzpatrick said he and other school officials are still working on the special arrangements with Artspace involving the leaseback agreement so the district may use portions of the former school building after the sale. The district will continue to retain ownership of the athletic field area at Franklin.
The board accepted the resignations of Kathryn Carlson, Forestview eighth-grade English teacher, effective Dec. 22, and Paulette Buck, fifth-grade teacher, effective May 31.
Board member Bob Nystrom reported the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation Board has received a $40,000 scholarship in memory of Clem and Vi Koering from their daughter, Marilyn Koering, for college scholarships. Marilyn Koering is one of 23 inductees in the Brainerd High School Hall of Fame, receiving the honor in 2005. Criteria to receive the scholarship includes having attended St. Francis School and graduated from Brainerd High School.
JODIE TWEED can be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.