RHS Site Council Minutes
April 7, 2014
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Members Present
John Wollersheim – Principal
Becky Busho – President
Jeanine Ryan – Vice President
Mary Swanson - Treasurer
Gary Dion
Tracy Monro-Moran
Marcia Herron
Diane Moeller
Brandon Menne – 10th Grade Representative
Jim Norris - Teacher
REPORTS
Introductions
Approval of March Minutes – Jeanine motioned to approve. Tracy seconded. March minutes approved.
Benefit Fund Account Review (future of Rose Parade Account) – Mary reported a current balance of
$46,969.65. Group discussed the continuation of the Rose Parade Account. The band currently does not
have their own booster club with a separate account (they use different volunteer committees).
Because of this, they have been using the Rosemount High School Benefit Fund to deposit money they
have been fund raising. They are not collecting the money on behalf of the school. John explained that
the school has revenue accounts (district budget accounts with revenue from fees or donations
associated with activities, courses departments, programs or the school in general) and student activity
accounts (school budget accounts, with revenue raised by students and to be spent on students). The
band parents are currently raising money to pay for half of the band uniforms, which needs to be paid
over three years. The group raised additional questions about the account and being accountable for the
oversight of this money, so John will ask for additional explanations and report back in May. Jim noted
another reason the Arts Account is high is that monies from the Film Festival is located here.
Parent Leaders Meeting Report – The group met on March 18th. Nandi Rieck presented the 2013 MN
Student Survey Results. Students in grades 5, 8, 9 and 11 were asked questions covering many topics
(85% participation rate in our district). Responses are anonymous and confidential, and students can opt
out of completing the survey. Questions about bullying changed significantly in 2013, reporting a
decrease since 2010. Tracy reported an anti-bullying bill recently cleared the Senate Education
Committee, which used some of the language used in District 196 curricula. Of other importance is the
use of alcohol continues to decline, this follows state trends, and 99% of student drivers report wearing
a seatbelt. Results are shared with community members through various committees and councils, and
counselors will use the results to determine the focus of future educational efforts. John will present
stats specific to RHS at the May meeting. John also noted that one of the enrichments on Flex Day is
talking about cyber bullying. The group also received updates on pending state legislation and the
updated District 196 Integration Plan.
Student Council Report – No report.
ADVISORY
FTTH Donation – Not discussed.
Rank Discussion – John still needs to discuss this topic with the Department chairs. All discussion still
informal; district has not set any formal discussion dates. After reviewing the various information John
gathered, different members gave their opinion on the topic. Reasons to eliminate class rank: inevitable
trend appears to be to eliminate as its importance diminishes with colleges; other area schools have
already eliminated class rank; it discourages students (example is a current RHS senior who has a 3.43
GPA but falls in the bottom 50 percentile, so this student no longer wants to attend college); students
may not qualify for financial aid (example is a student had to write a letter to the college requesting a
reconsideration and did win); more colleges evaluate students holistically. Reason to keep class rank:
certain schools offer no academic scholarships. Also raised the possibility of a preferred hybrid plan:
eliminate class rank from transcripts, but make it available upon request, and graduate high school
students by groups (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude).
Expansion of Irish Flex Days – The program began to help students who can’t meet with teachers before
or after school (remediation takes place during the school day). Other District 196 high schools have
requested the expansion from two to three per trimester. At the end of the first year, both teachers and
students polled said to continue flex days. However, should flex days continue, could we rotate through
the year extending different hours (Hour 1 the first time, Hour 2 the next time, etc.) and move week 3 to
a later time? One concern is creating more enrichment classes for students to take. The Site Council
recommended keeping the same format for next year.
EXCHANGE
Makeup date for 2/21 Snow Day – There is no makeup date scheduled.
Scholarship Tea Presentation and Email from Guidance (5/23) – Lori Martinson said they will simply use
a random drawing from a pool of students (with the criteria they have no other scholarship). Becky will
present the scholarships.
Personnel Updates – Michael Schaaf was hired as the new Technical Assistant. John mentioned the nine
available positions currently posted for internal candidates only on the district website (.4 Math, .8
Social Studies, .4 Earth Science, .8 Biology, .8 Guidance Counselor, .2 Mandarin Chinese, and the 1.0
Library). Mandarin has grown over the years that a second teacher is now needed.
Scheduling Update (LADR Update) – John continues to work with Drew Storley on schedules, and reports
they should be done in about two weeks. Regarding the LADR program, the Inver Hills Community
College teachers union expressed concern over the LADR program costing their school teaching jobs.
RHS is now checking interest with other schools in case they can’t work things out with Inver Hills.
District Technology 1 to 1 Initiative Update – Not discussed.
Bus Article in Paper on Traffic – Not discussed.
FUNDRAISING
Potential Fundraising – Not discussed.
PROJECTS ASSIGNED
Other Donations of Money – Not discussed.
Need Someone to Oversee FPI Program Next Year – Not discussed.
Next Year’s Officers – Not discussed.
OPEN DIALOGUE
Nothing
NEXT MEETING
Monday, May 5th