2/9 Board Meeting:

The public portion of tomorrow's meeting starts at 7pm in the Nichols District Office Board room.  Items of note:

X. New Business


A. Presentation and Discussion of the Proposed School of Health and Environmental Sciences, a project-based learning charter middle school serving grades 6-8.- Nancy Gagnon and Stephanie Ramer (10 min)

We will hear a report on the progress being made by the group proposing a charter middle school in the district. 

B. Discussion on Paperless Board Meetings – Jason McCutchin & Bill Herman (20 Min)

At last months WASB convention I talked to one vendor who specializes in software for "Paperless Board Meetings" and has a package available for $2K/year.  Aside from the convienence of not having to deal with all the paper, the main goal would be to reduce the time and effort required by the staff to support board meetings.

D. Discussion and Possible Approval of Final Notice of Nonrenewal of One-Year Administrative Contracts and .5 FTE Diversity Coordinator Position (5 Min)

F. Discussion and Possible Approval of Preliminary Non-Renewal Notices of Teachers (15 min)

Until we finalzie the budget, we can't say who will be employed by the district in the next year.  To accomodate potential reductions we need to provide notice of non-renewal to these employees to prevent their contracts from rolling over for next year.

H. Discussion of Location of Second Grade Students in Cottage Grove Elementary Schools for 2011-12 (15 min)

Taylor Prairie has about 372 K-1 students while Cottage Grove has 485 2-4 students.  Shifting some 2nd graders from Cottage Grove to Taylor Prairie will provide a better balance of space for our elementary students.

XI. Unfinished Business

A. Discussion of Budget Reduction Proposals and Process (20 min)

We should be hearing specific proposals for budget reductions - although without the governor's budget proposal we don't know how much we will have to cut. 

B. Approval of Staff Resignations/Retirements


Barbara Berg, Principal – Cottage Grove School, effective at the conclusion 2010-11 school year.

CG elementary principal Barbara Berg is retiring at the end of the year.  Barb has done a wonderful job running our largest elementary school - she is an important part of the management team and will be missed!