Gilman talks referendum

The Gilman school board met on Monday, June 16 to discuss 2024-2025 budget amendments and hear a presentation on operations planning for a potential referendum. MANDEE ELLIS/ THE STAR NEWS The Gilman school board convened on Monday, June 16 and heard from principal Phil Tallman who reported that graduation went well with 28 seniors graduating. Eighth grade promotion and kindergarten graduation also went smoothly. Summer school began on Monday with Grace Grunseth as the lead summer school teacher. Grunseth has about 50 children signed up this summer. The board approved the financial report and the 2024-2025 budget amendments which district administrator Walter Leipart says is standard at the close of each budget due to fluctuations and cash flow changes throughout the school year. The board heard a presentation from architect Brad Simonson of HSR Associates. Simonson pitched to assist with operations planning for an impending referendum the board plans to seek. The board approved working with HSR Associates and agreed to give them $3,000 for operations planning. HSR Associates hopes to land the contract for the overall design if a referendum passes. Leipart reported that the district has an opportunity to save approximately $15,000 on insurance by switching insurance carriers which the board passed. The board discussed the benefits of a short-term teaching contract with Empowered Partners LLC, a company owned by Leipart who excused himself from the room during this portion of the meeting. This contract would allow the district to hire a retired educator, through Empowered Partners LLC, for only part of the school year which would not otherwise be possible due to contractual obligations and work restrictions involving retired teachers. While Leipart will not receive compensation as a result of the contract, there was discussion of the liability of the district because of state codes that limit spending in this area. Ultimately the board voted unanimously to move forward with the contract. The board heard and accepted that paraprofessional Brittany Young has given her resignation as well as paraprofessional Tiffany Skabroud who is leaving to student-teach. The board also voted, while board treasurer Philip Grunseth abstained, to accept math/science teacher Mikayla Waichulis as the middle school volleyball coach and Grace Grunseth as the junior varsity girls basketball coach. The board met in closed session to discuss a teacher personnel matter but did not take any action upon returning to open session.