RHS Site Council Minutes
September 8, 2014
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Members Present
John Wollersheim – Principal
Becky Busho – President
Mary Swanson – Treasurer
Gary Dion
Heidi Kraemer
Brandon Menne – 11th Grade Representative
Liz Erickson – Teacher
Maureen Kelly-Carroll - Teacher
Jim Norris – Teacher
Dr. Conboy – Administrator (Guest Speaker)
Kim Budde – Administrator (Guest Speaker)
Andrea Brokl
Patty Zellmann
Lisa Buesing
Diane Moeller
Mark Engdahl
Stacy Richards
Laurie Papaleo
Michelle Cloutier
Kate Molitor
Jacki Regalado
REPORTS
Welcome and Introductions – Several new members attending for the first time this evening. Welcome
to all those returning and new to the Site Council.
Approval of May Minutes – A few minor edits. Becky motioned to approve. Gary seconded. May minutes
approved.
Benefit Fund Account Review – Mary reported monthly summer balances and the current balance.
May’s balance $75,007.56. June’s balance $68,798.11. July’s balance $57,798.39. The current balance as
of August 31 is $57,476.75. The review includes different categories: Academics (the Site Council
oversees this area), Arts (Kim Budde and a separate committee manage this account), Athletics (a small
account as sports have their own booster clubs that handle funds), and Scholarships (the account donors
deposit their funds and then given to different academic institutions, high in the spring and gradually
decreases throughout the school year). The Tournament of Roses (TOR) account is still listed, but will be
moving under the Arts as a sub-account. This account remains as the new band uniforms have not been
paid in full yet. For those new to the Council, it was explained that the band uses this account as the
band boosters are not a 501 (c)(3) organization.
Parent Leaders Meeting Report – No September meeting, no report. Position open for this year. Group
meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 9:30am. Lisa Buesing volunteered to be the RHS
Representative.
Student Council Report – Brandon reported they are reviewing freshmen applications. The group is
preparing for Homecoming, and exploring a winter dance rather than a Sadie’s dance. The reps for this
year are: senior Grace Herron (Student Council President), junior Brandon Menne, and sophomore
Isabel Edgar. The freshman rep will be announced later.
ADVISORY
Year End Evaluation Summary – John did not get much feedback, so he’ll resend the survey tomorrow to
council members and report the results at the October meeting.
Goals and Expectations – John distributed a handout outlining the purpose of the Site Council, council
membership, the decision making process, and reporting. This handout and other information related to
Site Council can be located on the RHS website under the Site Council link. John explained that Site
Council is one of several groups that advise him in his decision making (the others being his
administrative staff, department chairs and the Student Council).
November 8th Ideas – RHS is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Saturday, November 8th. Please send
John any ideas you may have for this event or bring to the next meeting. John and Kim have discussed
giving tours of the high school to the public. They are going to look at the original program to see what
they did 50 years ago at the opening of the school for other ideas. John is not sure of any major
opposing school events on the 8th. It was suggested to have the pep band play, have the choir perform,
or sponsor a community pep rally.
Summer Mailing, 9th Grade Orientation, Open House, First Day of School Feedback – Becky noted
improved communication regarding school pictures as she had no complaints during 9th grade open
house. There are parents having issues with the online emergency card process. After completion of the
card, the system prompts for internet permission. Also, when users note they have more than one
student to complete data for, the system only allows one student to be completed during the session.
Another parent noted it was nice to receive school pictures the first day of school. School parking
remains to be a huge concern. Entry into the school parking lot at the start of the school day is always
slow. John has been making announcements to students to arrive early. John noted that redoing
Highway 3 is on the list for MNDoT projects, but it is not a priority. Open House attendance seemed low
this year, but freshmen classes were full. In order to reduce congestion at the main doors, it was
suggested that parents receive student schedules at homeroom. We would have to post homeroom
assignments and roll them on the TV screen so parents would know where to go. For 9th grade
orientation, parents should report directly to the gym. Finally, we need to better communicate the
importance of the open house and what parents can gain from attending.
EXCHANGE
Summer School Report – Dr. Conboy presented his report on the 2014 Summer Academic Programs.
Those programs include: Irish Readiness/Honors Academy (Veda Kanitz), Credit Recovery Summer
School (Dr. Conboy), Summer Enrichment Geometry (Tim Wahl), Freshman Academy (Maureen KellyCarroll), SPED ESY Summer School (Ann Bonquet), and the Tree Trust Program (Mary Hautman and
Ashley Iaquinto). It was a very successful summer with 540 participating students. He credits the success
to our quality teachers.
School Goal Report 2013-2014 – Kim reported that she works with a Site Team to set goals for the
school. The goal focused on reading and it was not met. In the 2012-2013 school year, the MCA passing
rate was 72%. The goal was set to a passing rate of 74% for 2013-2014, but the results were a 70%
passing rate.
Changes to State Testing 2014-2015 – The current testing system is not well received by educators as it
does not measure the growth of each student. Not all students take MCA testing seriously, and students
get tired during the two days of testing. Beginning next spring, the ACT will be given to all 11th grade
students online in Math, Science, Reading and Writing. However, the MDE decided the ACT does not
meet all Minnesota education standards, so the MCA will still be administered. The cost of the ACT ($56
per test with Writing) will be paid for by the state. The ACT includes a career readiness piece; not all
students go on to attend a 4-year college, so this aspect benefits all students on their future plans
(college, military, work).
What is New (Teachers and Programs) – Not discussed, postpone to October meeting.
Strategic Planning Facilities and Equipment Task Force - Not discussed, postpone to October meeting.
FUNDRAISING
Potential Fundraising – Not discussed, postpone to October meeting.
Site Council Scholarships – Thank you notes from Sarah Bruber and Jessica Weis, last spring’s scholarship
recipients, were shared with the group.
FTTH Fund Expenditure/Modulator Purchase Update - Not discussed, postpone to October meeting.
PROJECTS ASSIGNED
Officers and Member Recruits for This Year – If anyone is interested in assuming any officer position,
please contact John. Becky and Mary are both still available, but this is Mary’s last year as her daughter
is a senior. Lisa Buesing is our new Parent Leaders representative.
OPEN DIALOGUE
Nothing
NEXT MEETING
Monday, October 6th