FULDA PUBLIC SCHOOL
BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK SESSION
Thursday, January 25, 2018 – 7:30 P.M.
High School Library
The Special Board of Education meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Chair Don Tiesler.
Members present were Stan Kramer, Don Tiesler, Kayla Clarke, Brian VanderBeek, Theane Pagel, Jason Appel and Phil Kramer. Others present were Superintendent Ann Wendorff, High School Principal Tyson Walker, Athletic Director Colby Pack, Denise Reith, Doug Lubben, Candice Ommen, Kelli Johnson, William Bell, Jill Madison, Laurie Hermeling, Tim Hermeling, Mike Landgren, John Klein, Lori Klein, Brittney Kramer, Aaron Cheadle, Sheila Crowley and Neil Frodermann.
Motion by Phil Kramer, seconded by Theane Pagel to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Open Forum:
Denise Reith brought up ideas and questions on pairing such as cost and possible open enrollment.
Candice Ommen questioned the pairing survey with kids and gave her thoughts. She asked what time practices would be.
Phil Kramer and Don Tiesler discussed that the pairing committee met and came up with options on pairing. The committee was close to agreement but not quite. They disagreed on football pairing.
Colby Pack highlighted the timeline with the MN High School League for pairing. He also gave the numbers of the surveys done with the Fulda kids. Deadline is February 9th to pair with spring sports.
Brian VanderBeek asked about the MCC meeting. Were there any “Yes” or “No” answers? MCC is willing to talk more. Kayla Clarke felt that MCC was more open to Track and Football.
Tyson Walker asked MCC about their numbers in each sport. MCC has enough students where they really don’t need any others to fill their needs. MCC is concerned about what it best for their students as well.
Colby Pack questioned whether going up a class would be the best for our students or not. Pairing with MCC would move them and us up a class.
Don Tiesler mentioned that we have talked with HL-O since August and was worried about losing the pairing option with them if we don’t continue.
Parents discussed some of the numbers of students in our teams as well as on other schools’ teams.
Brian VanderBeek questioned if we pair with MCC if we would have any home games here. The home games bring a lot to the school and community.
Kayla Clarke pointed out that pairing should be about the students and parents. We should look at MCC options to see if it would be possible for football. Phil Kramer and Kayla Clarke feel that MCC is a possibility for Football.
Practice times were questioned. How much time would there be for practice and how would practice be divided?
Ann Wendorff mentioned that we are looking at all possible ways to make a good decision that is best for our kids.
Parents asked about coaches. The thought on Football if paired with HL-O would be a head coach from each team and an assistant from each team. Possibly a JV coach from each for the first year.
Aaron Cheadle shared what he has heard for student opinions for the pairing. Football wants to pair with HL-O, older girls want to pair with HL-O for Basketball, and younger girls don’t want to pair at all.
A parent asked if the kids were persuaded to vote one way or another before the vote. Mr. Pack said that no one knew of the vote taking place, so that shouldn’t have happened.
A parent mentioned that working for a position on a team is a good thing. Having low numbers in track is not good, speaking from previous experience.
Several questions were asked: Why weren’t parents notified sooner? Why are we so strongly considering HL-O over others? Stated kids will adapt quickly. What if we pair with HL-O in football and still don’t have enough kids combined to make a team?
A parent talked about economics of pairing with a school where a lot of parents work. Would parents move to that town?
Spring sports for this season would be possible with HL-O, but not with MCC.
New Business
Motion by Phil Kramer, seconded by Kayla Clarke to pair with HL-O for all spring sports – Boys and Girls Golf, Boys and Girls Track, Girls Softball, Boys Baseball. As well as Girls Basketball in the winter. Voting in favor: Don Tiesler, Phil Kramer, Kayla Clarke, Brian VanderBeek and Stan Kramer
Opposed: Theane Pagel and Jason Appel
Motion carried.
Motion by Brian VanderBeek, seconded by Theane Pagel to pair with HL-O for Football.
Voting in favor: Brian VanderBeek, Theane Pagel, Jason Appel and Don Tiesler.
Opposed: Phil Kramer, Kayla Clarke and Stan Kramer
Motion carried.
Motion to adjourn by Brian VanderBeek, seconded by Stan Kramer.
Adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Jason Appel, Clerk
