School board hears changes to Ely plan

Sue Sitter/PCT Rugby Public School Board members review a drawing of planned construction on Ely Elementary School’s campus at their regular meeting, held Jan. 11 in the Rugby High School library.
The Rugby Public School Board reviewed changes to a project planned for Ely Elementary School at its regular meeting, held in the Rugby High School library Jan. 11.
Superintendent Mike McNeff presented reports detailing the use of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for additions to the Ely Elementary School building and campus. Voters approved a construction bond for the project Dec. 1.
McNeff said the district planned to remove the portable classroom from the Ely Elementary School campus in April to prepare for work needed on a parking lot and pick up and drop off area for cars and buses. Construction on the lot would begin before any other work on the project, McNeff said.
McNeff added officials from the City of Rugby had met with him and recommended granting an easement to owners of properties adjacent to the new area. McNeff said recommendations from the city included closing the alleyway between Second Avenue Southwest and Third Avenue Southwest. However, McNeff said the area would still allow for access to streets for residents living next to the school property. It would also allow for access to underground utilities and emergency vehicles. McNeff added the changes also allow for easier snow removal.
McNeff said representatives planned to meet with homeowners living next to the lot to place a wall or other buffer between the school and their properties.
“We have signatures from property owners who are supportive of this (project) on a petition,” McNeff said, adding the district would schedule a public hearing on the changes to the project.
The plan also called for moving power lines underground. McNeff said the district had not heard any updates from Otter Tail Power Company about the work needed.
Other project changes include work on the school building’s exterior and possibly moving the location of the front office.
McNeff added teachers would have a chance to offer their input at a meeting scheduled for Jan. 17.
McNeff also reported the district’s safety plan needed updating. He said Pierce County Emergency Services Manager Kelsey Siegler had referred the district to representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for help with the updates. The school’s health and safety plan would also be reviewed and updated to meet guidelines for ESSER and other funds related to COVID-19.
District Business Manager Dawn Hauck presented financial reports. Hauck said the district had received one round of ESSER funds in the amount of $200,000 to be earmarked for the Ely construction project. Hauck said the district expected another round of funding later this year. Hauck reported the district’s funds were sufficient to cover expenses, including the district’s hot lunch fund.
Hauck also presented reports from a district audit conducted by accounting firm Brady Martz.
Hauck said the audit found “no internal weaknesses” with the district’s finances and operations, although it pointed out certain duties overlapped for Rugby school administrative staff where they would not in larger districts with more employees. A special audit conducted because the district receives more than $750,000 in federal funds found “no issues,” according to Hauck.
The audit also identified a late tax payment, which Hauck said she made due to the fact she misunderstood the payment’s due date. Hauck said she explained the situation to the Internal Revenue Service, who reviewed the district’s payment records and decided to waive their fine for the late payment.
In other business, the board approved a second reading of the district’s plan for virtual instruction due to weather or other conditions. The board approved a pledge of securities from banks holding district funds.
Board Chair Dustin Hager presented information from a state grant received for participation in a workshop through the Be Legendary School Board Leadership Institute. Hager said he had reached out to other area school boards to ask if they would be interested. Representatives from the Carrington School Board had expressed interest in the training. The board decided to hold the training in early April.
Members listened to reports delivered by Ely Elementary Principal Jason Gullickson and elementary teacher Andee Mattson. Mattson gave updates to the board on this year’s project for the school’s Lego League. Mattson said Ely’s Lego League team, composed of fifth and sixth graders, would tackle the challenge of keeping packages safe from thieves, nicknamed “porch pirates.”
“It’s a really cool project. The kids are excited,” Ely Principal Jason Gullickson said of Lego League.
Gullickson reported he would attend a conference for administrators in Bismarck in February. Gullickson said a spelling bee would be scheduled for Feb. 9. Students in grades 3-6 would participate. Mid-year parent-teacher conferences at Ely have been scheduled for Feb. 15.
Rugby High School Principal Jared Blikre told the board the first semester for the school year wrapped up Jan. 14. Blikre noted students had attended the FFA Winter Leadership Conference in Bismarck Jan. 7. He added he looked forward to the wrestling tournament Rugby High would host Jan. 14-15. Blikre said he expected 26 teams “from all over the state” to compete in the tournament. Also on the high school’s schedule for January were a professional development day for staff and standardized testing for eighth graders.
Blikre said the district’s e-sports program had begun, with 11 students participating. Other activities for the school include a speech competition to be held Jan. 29 and the Snow Ball dance Feb. 5. Junior High students would compete in the Pierce County Spelling Bee Feb. 9. Also on that day, students in grades 7-12 would participate in a math competition in Bottineau. Blikre said basketball, hockey and wrestling activities would be gearing up for end-season competitions in February, with state tournaments scheduled for the end of that month.
The Rugby Public School Board will hold their next regular meeting in the Rugby High School Library Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 7 a.m.