Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

It’s official – DC operating levy vote to take place Nov. 5



DASSEL, COKATO, MN – Residents of the Dassel-Cokato School District will be asked Nov. 5 to pass an operating levy in the amount of $438 per student.

The school board approved a resolution Thursday calling for the election. A portion of the $438 would replace the $271.92 per student levy scheduled to expire after taxes payable 2013.

Superintendent Jeff Powers shared a chart with the board which will be used in the informational packet that will go out to voters closer to the election.

The chart compares the tax effort of residents in area districts and DC.

According to the chart, the tax effort for taxpayers in the DC area is less than surrounding districts, with the exception of Hutchinson.

For instance, the total 2013 school district tax on a $175,000 residential property in the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School District is about $631; it is about $421 in the Annandale School District; and it is about $353 in the Litchfield School District.

The total 2013 school district tax on a $175,000 residential property in the DC School District is about $352; it is about $302 in the Hutchinson School District.

The board also heard an update from Kevin Dahlman, who is heading the campaign to inform local residents about why the levy is needed.

Principal contracts approved

The board approved the two-year Principal Association’s contract, which calls for a 1.85 percent salary increase in year one, and a 1.8 percent salary increase in year two.

The contract also gives an increase to the principals’ health savings accounts in the amount of $1,810 in year one, and $475 in year two.

With this increase, High School Principal Dean Jennissen’s salary will be $112,579 in 2013-14, and will increase to $114,605 in 2014-15.

The salary of Middle School Principal Brian Franklin, who will also receive a step increase for years of experience, will be $107,102 in 2013-14, and $111,301 in 2014-15.

The salary of elementary school principals Debbie Morris and Sandy Arndt will be $109,029 in 2013-14, and $110,991 in 2014-15.

LBC wins bid for vocational house

The board awarded a bid of $24,637 for materials to build the vocational house to Litchfield Building Center.

The district also received a bid from Pro-Build of Cokato for about $2,200 more than LBC’s bid, according to Business Manager Tina Palmer.

Odds and ends

In other business, the board:

• approved several policy changes. School district policies, and the changes made, can be found on the district’s website.

• approved the assignment of Mari Pieti and Kelly Westman to the curriculum advisory committee.

• approved an increase in adult meal prices. Adult breakfasts will increase by 5 cents, to $1.60; lunches will increase by 10 cents, to $3.35.

• approved the transportation roster of school bus drivers for the 2013-14 school year.

• approved the employment of paraeducators Marvel Erickson, Zachary Grewe, Anne Kivisto, Steven Rahkola, Nancy Moy, Bailee Hedtke, Alicia Shields, Andie Whitcomb, Malinda Rannow, and Kendra Konsor.

• approved the re-assignment of paraeducators Sarah Polzin and Tiffani Zinchini.

• approved the employment of Erin Levinski as a middle school sign language interpreter; Wendy Johnson as a Dassel Elementary first grade teacher; Ronald Schultz as a Dassel Elementary first grade teacher; William Berning as a middle school special needs teacher; and Jim Martinson as the meal, mail, and lift bus driver.

• approved the fall 2013 list of community education instructors.

• approved the assignment of Dion Koltes as the head boys basketball coach, Phil Niemela and Tony Dehler as seventh and eighth grade football coaches, Beth Flick as assistant volleyball coach, JoLee Marquette as Cokato Elementary School Patrol advisor, and Wade Powers as assistant varsity football coach.

• approved lane changes for Ryan Tool, Jacob Stang, Laura Bussler, Heidi Little, and Holly Niedzielski.

• approved extended family leave time for Kelly Johnson.

• approved family leave time for Laura Lynk.

• approved increase assignments for Carmen Tschida, Heidi Sickmann, and Megan Hagberg.

• accepted the donation of five pairs of baseball cleats from an anonymous donor.

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