Special Board of Education Meeting

(January 19, 2007) 8905

School Board Proceedings

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING

BOARD OF EDUCATION,

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 347

Willmar, Minnesota -- December 19, 2006

A special meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District No. 347 of Willmar, Minnesota, was called to order on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at 12:00 pm, at the Willmar Education and Arts Center, Chair Dion Warne, presiding.

Members Present: Mike Carlson, Wayne Lenzmeier, Eric Roberts Brad Schmidt, Sandi Unger, Dion Warne

Members Absent: Shawn Mueske

Others Present: Kathy Leedom, Super-intendent; Bob Haines, Director of Business and Finance; Mark Miley, Junior High School Principal; Paul Schmitz, Senior High School Assistant Principal

The Board began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Wayne Lenzmeier, seconded by Sandi Unger, to approve the Agenda. Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER EXPULSIONS OF A JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT AND A SENIOR HIGH STUDENT - Dion Warne, Board Chair, stated that the Board would move into a closed session to consider the expulsions of a Junior High student and a Senior High student. Motion by Sandi Unger, seconded by Mike Carlson to close the Board Meeting for the expulsion consideration session. Motion carried.

Dion Warne, Board Chair, stated the Board would open the Board meeting after the closed session. Motion by Mike Carlson, seconded by Brad Schmidt to open the Board meeting following the closed session to consider the expulsions of a Junior High student and a Senior High student. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION TO EXPEL JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT

Member, Mike Carlson, introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION EXPELLING A STUDENT

WHEREAS, written notice of intent to expel a student was served upon the student and the student's parents, and the stated factual basis for expulsion was assaulting a police liaison officer;

WHEREAS, the notice of intent to expel the student complied with the provisions of the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. § 121A.47, subd. 2;

WHEREAS, a hearing on the proposed expulsion was held on December 15, 2006, before an Independent Hearing Officer;

WHEREAS, the Independent Hearing Officer has made Findings of Fact, Conclusions and a Recommendation;

WHEREAS, the School Board has reviewed the Hearing Officer's Findings of Fact, Conclusions and Recommendation;

WHEREAS, under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Recommendation of the Hearing Officer and the name of the student proposed for expulsion are private data;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:

1. The School Board hereby adopts the Independent Hearing Officer's Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Recommendation regarding the proposed expulsion of the student.

2. The School Board hereby expels the student from the schools of Independent School District No. 347, Willmar Schools, until the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The student will be eligible to return to school at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year.

3. The Superintendent, or her designee, is directed to mail a copy of this Resolution to the student and the student's parent.

4. The Superintendent, or her designee, is directed to notify the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education of this expulsion within thirty (30) calendar days, as required by Minn. Stat. §121A.53.

Member, Wayne Lenzmeier, seconded the foregoing Resolution and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Mike Carlson, Wayne Lenzmeier, Eric Roberts, Brad Schmidt, Sandi Unger, and Dion Warne

and the following voted against the same: None

Whereupon such Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

RESOLUTION TO EXPEL SENIOR HIGH STUDENT

Member, Mike Carlson, introduced the following Resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION EXPELLING A STUDENT

WHEREAS, written notice of intent to expel a student was served upon the student and the student's parents, and the stated factual basis for expulsion was possession of three knives;

WHEREAS, the notice of intent to expel the student complied with the provisions of the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Minn. Stat. § 121A.47, subd. 2;

WHEREAS, the student and the student's parents voluntarily waived the right to demand an expulsion hearing and the right to appeal the School Board's decision when they both signed a Waiver of Right to an Expulsion Hearing;

WHEREAS, the School Board has reviewed the Waiver of Right to an Expulsion Hearing; and

WHEREAS, under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the Waiver of Right to an Expulsion Hearing and the name of the student proposed for expulsion are private data;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:

1. The School Board hereby expressly accepts the Waiver of Right to an Expulsion Hearing regarding the proposed expulsion of the student.

2. The School Board hereby expels the student from the schools of Independent School District No. 347, Willmar Schools, for one calendar year.

3. The Superintendent, or her designee, is directed to mail a copy of this Resolution to the student and the student's parent.

4. The Superintendent, or her designee, is directed to notify the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education of this expulsion within thirty (30) calendar days, as required by Minn. Stat. §121A.53.

Member Eric Roberts, seconded the foregoing Resolution and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Mike Carlson, Wayne Lenzmeier, Eric Roberts, Brad Schmidt, Sandi Unger, and Dion Warne

and the following voted against the same: None

Whereupon such Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

ADJOURN MEETING - There being no further business, motion by Mike Carlson, seconded by Eric Roberts, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.