Laporte fills Lyons' secretarial position

In the summer of 1996, through some connections, I landed a part-time gig writing for two weekly newspapers: The Cass Lake (Minn.) Times and the Northwoods Press of Nevis, Minn. During the summer while I was interning at The Bemidji (Minn.) Pioneer, I also wrote a number of features and covered some Laporte (Minn.) School Board meetings for these two papers. I ended up with some great stories, and received a food following among their readers.

Aug. 1, 1996

By Devlyn Brooks

After sorting through more than 20 applicants, the Laporte School Board's personnel committee unanimously decided upon one candidate to fill the vacant administrative secretary/bookkeeper position that was left open after 12-year district employee Jan Lyons resigned in June.

Personnel committee members Tim White, John Seegmiller, Jim Day and Superintendent Tom Behounek recommend to the board they hire Amy Kuntz of Park Rapids at the July 22 meeting.

Out of 23 candidates, the committee members selected their top six candidates each and later interviewed three of them for the position. The board had planned four interviews, but one candidate dropped out because of "money," Seegmiller said.

The full board unanimously approved hiring Kuntz pending the normal background check mandated by state law and reference review by Behounek.

Kuntz is leaving her position as financial aid officer at Jamestown College in Jamestown, N.D., to join her husband who recently moved to the Park Rapids area," Day said.

White said when the personnel committee members voted for their top six candidates, Kuntz was always in the top three or four.

Day described her as a "personable and knowledgeable" person, and Seegmiller added she seemed to be very organized and handled the interview situation well.

The entire list of candidates was qualified, Day said, and although not one of the possible candidates was familiar with every task that was advertised as one of the job's responsibilities, they all seemed willing to learn.

"Not one of the three people we interviewed couldn't have done the job," Behounek said.

The negotiations committee was scheduled to start negotiating a contract with Kuntz July 26.

IN OTHER ACTION, THE BOARD:

APPROVED payment of July's bills pending a review by board treasurer Karla Hadrava and Day.

ASSIGNED Sharon Shuster and Hadrava to the policy committee; Shuster and Hadrava to the finance committee; White and Tim Goose to the transportation committee; Shuster and Goose to the curriculum committee; Day, Buchanan and Hadrava to the facilities committee; all seven board members to the public relations committee; Goose to the planning, evaluating and reporting committee; and Seegmiller to the staff development committee.

APPROVED state-mandated staff development report pending review of Behounek, Seegmiller and Buchanan.

ACCEPTED a milk bid from Land O' Lakes of Thief River Falls, a fuel bid from North Stop Oil of Walker and a bread bid from Pan O' Gold of Fargo.

APPROVED a fuel pellet bid for sunflower pellets from Westway of Mapleton, N.D. The board also authorized Behounek to order more expensive wood fuel pellets during winter cold streaks because they heat the school building better.

APPROVED a motion to change the policy on mileage reimbursement to the going state rate, simplifying the policy. Previously, the board would address the mileage rate temporarily but the board members said this would be a simplified policy. Seegmiller said he believed the amount at this current time was 29 cents per mile.

APPROVED renewing an agreement with Hubbard County Social Services, which provides the district with family counseling and family life skills programs.

TABLED a report on two non-resident students for information.

APPROVED a motion for Behounek to send out seasonal hiring contracts to district staff.

APPOVED about $1,400 towards the purchase of a new rug shampooer. The district's current model is 13 years old and has broken down, Behounek said.

AGREED to Behounek's suggestion the board adopt district goals for the 1996-97 school year. Each board member is to come to the next meeting with one "tangible, measurable" goal for next year.

Behounek said this is a policy he has worked with at previous schools he has been employed at, and it is Behounek's job to achieve the goals during the school year after they have been set.

HEARD a report from Behounek that the visioning committee meeting, previously scheduled for July 23, has been postponed indefinitely for now. The visioning committee is responsible for investigating the need for a new high school.

TABLED discussion on whether to purchase a larger, handicapped-accessible minibus to replace a current, smaller model and a passenger van owned by the district. The discussion was tabled until cost projections for both options were explored.

Heard a report from Behounek that the Laporte Little League trip to a Twins game is scheduled for either Aug. 18 or 25 because those were the only days afternoon games will be played.