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*The board approved the resignation of board member Lowell Haagenson, effective Tuesday, July 5. The board has 90 days to appoint someone for the remainder of his term, which runs through December 2007. Superintendent Todd Burlingame suggested finding a former school board member to fill the position and asked the board for recommendations. Resignation story *The board heard a report from Burlingame regarding the state legislature's progress on the education budget, which had not passed at the time of the board meeting. He recommended waiting to review the final version and determining whether any increases were guaranteed state aid or increased levy authority before revising the district's budget.

*The board approved a two-year agreement with the local hockey cooperative at no cost to the district.

*The board approved meal fees for the 2005-06 school year, which have not been changed from the 2004-05 fee schedule. Meal fees are: $1.50 for lunch at the elementary school, $1.60 for lunch at the middle/high school, $2.50 for lunch for adults, $0.40 for reduced-price lunch, $0.30 for additional milk, $1 for breakfast at the elementary school, and $1.25 for breakfast for adults.

The remainder of the fee schedule was tabled for further discussion. The board will consider increasing extended kindergarten fees, increasing mileage reimbursement (to $0.35 per mile from $0.34 per mile), and a change in the fine arts admission structure. Fine arts admission fees were discussed, with options including charging for individual high school concerts and plays, with a free will donation for middle school events (the current structure); charging for all middle and high school fine arts events, with lower admission for middle school programs; expanding the athletic activity pass to an overall activity pass providing entrance to plays and concerts as well with an increased cost; and creating a punch card for fine arts events.

*The board approved the 2004-05 annual report on curriculum, instruction, and student performance. A progress report on ongoing subject area reviews, basic skills testing results for 2004-05, and a timetable for 2005-06 required tests are included. The report will be published in the district's fall newsletter, scheduled for August.

*The board approved performance criteria for the health and safety program and reviewed a health and safety improvement plan for the 2005-06 school year. The plan includes replacement of pea rock at the elementary school playground, emergency lights in the middle school, and a fan guard in the elementary gym, as well as a district-wide inventory of chemicals and other products.

*The board also heard a report from buildings and grounds supervisor Donnie Mayer concerning asbestos removal tentatively planned for the 2006-07 school year.

*The board reviewed an internet acceptable use and safety policy recommended by the technology committee to replace the current policy. A decision was tabled until the board's Tuesday, July 26, meeting.

*The board authorized obtaining bids for dairy and bakery products for the 2005-06 school year, which will be opened on Tuesday, August 9 at 2 p.m. and presented to the board at its meeting that night.

*The board authorized Burlingame and/or his designee to handle investments during the 2005-06 school year and designated supplemental bank depositories for the year: Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund Plus, PMA Financial Network Inc., PMA Securities, Inc., various banks and savings and loans providing federal security insurance, and financial management firms providing necessary security.

*The board authorized the bookkeeper, payroll clerk, district office secretary, and superintendent to sign petty cash checks during the 2005-06 school year.

*The board approved membership in Schools for Equity in Education for the 2005-06 school year, including an optional contribution of $357.36 to research school funding adequacy.

*The board approved renewal of membership in the following organizations for the 2005-06 school year: the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA); the MSBA Policy Service Program; the Minnesota State High School League; the Central Minnesota Education Research and Development Council; Resource Training & Solutions; Resource Training & Solutions Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety Program; Resource Training & Solutions Management Assistance Program; and Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative.

*The board designated the Paynesville Press as the district's official newspaper for the 2005-06 school year.

*The board approved Jane Stoneburner as a van driver for Early Childhood Special Education, amounting to about 25 hours of driving this month.