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NEW ULM — During a light, non-controversial agenda that generated practically no debate, the Board of Education approved the 2006 local tax levy payable in 2007; adopted changes to policies on employee background checks and on graduation requirements; and appointed head football and baseball coaches.

At the end of the meeting, the board honored two outgoing longtime members, with words of acknowledgement, plaques and symbolic gifts.

Levy

The new levy stands at approximately $3.9 million, up 7.96 percent from last year’s levy.

Business Manager Chuck Wattnem recapped the history behind these numbers. The board is choosing to “under-levy” in a category called Health and Safety, to keep taxes lower and because this type of spending can be deferred.

The board is also levying about $20,000 less than it originally anticipated, thanks to the refinancing of a bond issue earlier this fall, to take advantage of favorable market conditions, as well as thanks to better than anticipated interest rates (a cost of 3.84 percent) on new bonds that were sold Dec. 12.

Policies

The policy changes adopted Thursday were discussed during earlier board meetings and were approved without discussion Thursday night.

The policy on employee background checks is being amended to allow the district to commission, if it so wishes, more comprehensive checks than those done by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Checks by that body are still required by law for prospective school employees and will continue to be conducted.

The new policy also sets the amount of the fee for background checks that prospective employees are responsible for reimbursing at “up to $20.”

The policy specifies that employees who have a break in continuous service of nine months or more shall be required to have a background check — and pay their portion of the cost.

The district will pay the background check fee, however, if the break in continuous service is less than nine months.

The policy on graduation requirements was amended to remove references to Minnesota basic skills tests and obsolete state basic standards. Those tests and standards have been, or are being, phased out and replaced by a newer generation of standards and tests.

Other items

In another move, the board approved the hire of Jay Backer as head baseball coach and of Rob Bute as head football coach.

The board also gave approval to the High School band to take a trip to New York City June 17-22, 2007. The band will raise its own funds, and no school money will go toward the trip.

Farewell to Wieland, Wachter

Following the regular agenda, the board acknowledged outgoing members Brian Wieland and Steve Wachter.

Wieland has served on the board for 16 years, some of them as chair and treasurer. His numerous assignments have included stints on committees that had to deal with facilities, transportation, negotiations, community education, etc.

Chair Sue Ullery expressed the board’s appreciation for Wieland’s ability to provide a “historical perspective” during decision-making.

Wachter has served eight years, six of which as vice-chair. He has served on committees dealing with student affairs, insurance, comparative worth, negotiations, etc.

Ullery recalled Wachter’s distinctive ability to think and offer solutions “outside the box.”

In turn, Wieland and Wachter expressed their own appreciation of the chance to serve and the fun they had working with other board members.

In recognition of the fact that they were attending their last meeting, the pair made, or seconded, every board motion made during this meeting.

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