NICOLLET — Superintendent Stephen Malone reported at the Wednesday Nicollet Public School Board meeting that NPS is off to a good start for the 2023-24 school year with 335 students enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) test results from last spring showed that out of the seventeen academic areas tested (reading, mathematics, and science) that students improved on seven tests and scored lower on ten tests in comparison to last year.

NPS students scored above the state average on three tests and scored lower than other Minnesota students on fourteen tests.

Malone said this was unacceptable and has asked Principal Robin Courrier to submit an academic improvement plan by October 13.

Malone also encouraged board members to plan to attend the annual Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Conference that will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Jan. 11-12.

• The board was presented with two options for conducting self-evaluations. The MSBA allows for two options for the school board to conduct a self-evaluation. The first option has no cost to receive a one-page summary that will provide an Overview Report for each of the five school standards: 1) Conduct and Ethics; 2) Vision; 3) Structure; 4) Accountability; and 5) Advocacy and Communication.

The second option is to provide the board with a more comprehensive report and an in-service for the board members with a cost of $1,095.

After discussion, the board approved to go with the no cost option, and after the first of the year assess if they want the second option.

• A school climate survey was approved to move forward. Board members believed it was sometimes easier to write concerns down than giving an in-person report. Concerns were raised that different surveys should be used for elementary, middle, and high school students. The board wanted to be sure people would feel heard and will get results from taking the survey.

• The playground project is moving along. Currently, $210,000 has been raised for the project. There are more grants available. If these funds become available, the school can purchase more equipment. There were no public concerns about the environmental impact of the playground.

• The superintendent’s 3-year contract was approved as follows: Jan. 1-June 30 $55,925; July 1-June 30, 2025 $128,000; July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026 $132,000; and July 1-Dec. 31, 2026 $68,000.

• The preliminary pay 2024 levy was approved which was posted by MDE on September 8th. The final calculations will be completed by the end of September. A presentation covering the 2023-24 budget and the Payable 2024 Levy will be provided at the December 13th school board meeting. The final levy amount will be approved by the board at that time.

• To attract more applicants when advertising for positions, the board approved deleting the first five steps from the classified pay schedule, that is set by the district, so that people can start positions at a higher pay. This will increase pay for four current paraprofessionals.

•The Tomahawk and Valley Conferences are discussing a merger beginning with the 2024-25 school year. Superintendent Malone and Activity Director James Burnau support proceeding on a trial basis.