Minnesota law requires a principal and teacher evaluation platform be implemented in all school districts. The principal portion by the 2013-14 school year and teachers the following year.

If the school board does not do so by that time, the state will supply an evaluation platform they will be required to follow.

The United South Central School Board has looked into a program called iObservation.

“If we would move ahead with this, we could start doing the principals. They will start learning the model as we go and then we can start working with teachers,” says Superintendent Dr. Jerry Jensen. “It’s research based. It’s been proven over time that it’s very effective in helping increase student achievement.”

With this program, training will be needed at a cost of $3,575 with the software costing an additional $2,150 if the board agrees on purchasing training as part of a package deal, with a lower cost of the software in the second year.

“I think it would be a great system,” says Jensen. “Very manageable. It’s a huge undertaking.”

The School Board voted to purchase the iObservation software and training.

In other business;

The board accepted donations to the district in the amount of $7,302.19;

A resolution was passed to discontinue and reduce educational programs and positions;

Bread and milk bids will be requested for the 2013-14 school year;

The Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance renewal for the 2013-14 school year was approved at an increase of 5.4 percent;

A contract for three years with the Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Services was approved;

The board approved the proposal presented for the band and choir trip to New York City for the next school year;

The purchase of a data warehousing program called Viewpoint, A K-12 Data Solution, was tabled until the next regular board meeting in June.

The School Board approved changes to the student handbook as presented with a few possible changes to be made in June, as well; and

Newly appointed board member Dale Stevermer was appointed to the Personnel Committee.