ZUMBRO EDUCATION DISTRICT

GOVERNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 17, 2009

ZED MAIN OFFICE

7:00 PM

The Governing Board of the Zumbro Education District No. 61-6012 met in regular session on December 17, 2009 at the Zumbro Education District Office.  The Chair, Len Oelkers, called the meeting to order.  At the roll call the following members were present:  Duane Bartel, Jan David Fisher, Loretta Ingvalson, Cheryl Root, Gail Hester.  Stephanie Fossum and Carol Anhalt, Executive Director, were absent.  Heidi Kass recorded the minutes.

Darwin Viker, LarsonAllen LLC, was a visitor at the meeting.

Motion by Root, seconded by Fisher to approve the agenda as revised.  Voting for:  Bartel, Fisher, Ingvalson, Root, Hester, and Oelkers.  Voting against: none.

There were no Board member requests.

Motion by Fisher, seconded by Root to approve the consent agenda. Voting for:  Hester, Ingvalson, Root, Fisher, Oelkers, and Bartel.  Voting against: none.

The consent agenda is as follows:

2.1Approval of the November 2009 minutes

2.2Approval of the November 2009 Electronic Fund Transfers

2.3 Approval of the December 2009 Claims and Bills:  Checks numbered 38254-38266 and 38274-38429 for a total of $116,092.45; wire payments of taxes on November 30 , 2009 and December 15, 2009 of $49,786.13.

2.4 Approval of contract with Naomi Olson and Jill Harves to serve as the Early Childhood Professional Development Coordinators until June 30, 2010 at $45/hour for a maximum annual compensation of $20,000 each.

2.5 Approval of contract with the Rochester Public School District to purchase 0.5 FTE teaching position for vision services.

Darwin Viker presented the audit report to the board.  ZED received a clean audit report meaning that the financial statements are fairly stated.  Darwin talked to the Board about some findings that are reported in the financial statements.  Generally they are findings that are quite common for public schools which tend to have a small business office staff.  He also talked to the Board about GASB 45 and the need for ZED to consult with an actuarial firm regarding the recognition of post-retirement benefits.  ZED’s fund balance has increased over last year, however, Darwin pointed out that ZED revenues and expenses have also increased so that fund balance as a percentage of expenses has remained about the same.  He noted that since education districts do not have the legal authority to borrow money to ease cash flow problems, it is important for ZED to maintain a healthy fund balance.

Heidi Kass reported to the Board and answered questions regarding the water damage to the South Campus building.  The clean up work was expected to be completed by Dec. 18^th and the rebuilding was to start immediately.  The contractor has assured ZED staff that the sheetrock work can be completed by the end of the winter break and classroom instruction can resume upon the return of the students in January.  The insurance company has been very cooperative and will cover the full cost of the repairs minus a small deductible. 

Motion by Ingvalson, seconded by Hester to approve the 2008-2009 audit as presented. Voting for:  Hester, Fisher, Ingvalson, Root, Bartel, and Oelkers.  Voting against: none

Len Oelkers acknowledged that Loretta Ingvalson will be leaving the ZED Board and thanked her for her two years of service.

Next meeting:  January 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., ZED Main Office

Len Oelkers adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

Heidi Kass

Recorder

                                    _______________________________________

                                    Gail Hester, Clerk/Treasurer