Board accepts monthly financial statement; withholds payment to Lamers Bus Lines pending follow-up

The Arvon Township School Board on Nov. 10 reviewed and accepted the monthly financial statement and authorized payment of bills except for one bus vendor pending additional follow-up.

Staff member Diane Paulsen presented the finance report, saying total liabilities and equity equaled $472,144.93 and noting net income is expected to increase with receipt of winter real estate taxes. The board moved, on a motion recorded as made by Nancy Soli and seconded by Linda Griffith, to accept the monthly statement and pay bills with the exception of Lamers Bus Lines. The minutes record all voting members—Sue Bollech, Linda Griffith, Nancy Soli, Mary DeLine and Heather Stiebe—as voting in favor; no nays were recorded.

Paulsen also said the auditors' report from Rukkila/Negro will be available in December. In old-business items the committee of Mary DeLine, Nancy Soli and Heather Stiebe finalized a letter to Lamers Bus Lines that the board approved to be mailed; the payment exception in the bills is linked to that follow-up. The scholarship committee (Soli, Griffith and Bollech) reported a draft for board consideration and placed the item on the December agenda. Board member Sue Bollech said she will contact Northland Basement Systems about whether heat tape is required to prevent freeze-up of lines; staff noted that the sump pump may run once or twice a day depending on temperature.

During public comment, visitor Rebecca Huttema said she was "absolutely 100% pleased with everything the school has done" and added that "the teachers are with the kids all day long." Visitor Kyle Wiseman questioned whether the board and staff knew the cleaning protocols for reopening and asked about money saved from not bussing; board member Mary DeLine responded that cleaning procedures are clearly documented and Paulsen said bussing dollars are returned to the general fund. Paulsen also read a letter in praise of the teachers.

The board scheduled its next meeting for Dec. 8, 2020, and adjourned at 8:02 p.m. by motion of Nancy Soli and Mary DeLine.