Topic: School board meetings
started by: bianca
Posted by bianca on Dec. 27 2007,5:52 pm
Does anyone know if there has been anymore talk about televising the school board meetings 
or not having the meetings before the meetings?I work Monday nights but I would love to know how to get this rolling so everyone has the opportunity to know what is going on at these meetings, as long as the referendum passed. Maybe that way people would have more say on the raises and money spent and give their input the way people can on the other televised meetings in town.
I know after the referendum someone addressed these issues from the schoolboard in the paper with a flimsy excuse but haven't heard much since then, has anyone else?
Posted by bianca on Dec. 28 2007,12:13 pm
Papers were signed by the Albert Lea Education Association and the school board late last week, affirming teacher contract negotiations will head to arbitration.The decision came Dec. 20, according to the school district Director of Finance and Operations Larry Kellogg, to take the next step in the negotiation process. Both sides met twice in mediation, following months of talks, and an agreement could not be made.
The sticking point between the teachers and the school board is mainly over salaries. The teachers and the ALEA are requesting one number, but the school board is set on a maximum pay due to their budget. The salary numbers aren’t far apart, Kellogg said last week.
Neither side is releasing exact figures.
Papers were signed right away, said lead negotiator for the school board Bill Villarreal, to expedite the process. [B]If the district isn’t in arbitration by Jan. 15, 2007, then it could stand to lose $25 per student as a penalty imposed by the state. That comes to roughly $84,000.[/B]
Villarreal said the school board needs to meet again soon to discuss the topic.
Now that the process of arbitration is set in motion, both sides will meet with their legal councils, to make sure everything is being done correctly, and work to choose an arbitrator.
Once an arbitrator is agreed upon by the school board and the teachers’ union, both sides will submit a list of unresolved items for the arbitrator to decide on.
There are a few kinds of arbitration — which both sides again have to agree on — and Villarreal said he believes this will be total package, final offer arbitration.
The length of arbitration is up to the arbitrator and how long it takes to make a decision. The person chosen will go over all information, compare the requests to like-sized districts, examine all the offers and number and make a decision.
Negotiations began before the summer break this year and started up again in the fall.
Can't imagine why the teachers were a big part of TEAM, with salary negotiations in place since before summer. But hey, we only lose $84,000.00 if things aren't in arbitration by what........January 15th.Think it'll be done by then or will our $84,000.00 go right out the window? Love that money management they have going in the district.
Posted by scorenix on Dec. 28 2007,4:16 pm
(bianca @ Dec. 28 2007,12:13 pm)
QUOTE
Love that money management they have going in the district.
Perhaps you'll like what's going on in the county then.
The decision to pay the increased health insurance premiums for county employees (and one outspoken county commissioner upset that commissioner salaries are increasing $2000 in 2008) will cost the county $200,000 more in 2008.
Or how about selling (oh, I know it's a 50-year lease payable over the first five years) 7% of the county courthouse (a $30 million total cost) for about $1.3 million? Never mind the fact that the renter decided to stop paying rent a few months ago.
Posted by MADDOG on Dec. 28 2007,4:31 pm
QUOTE
Or how about selling (oh, I know it's a 50-year lease payable over the first five years) 7% of the county courthouse (a $30 million total cost) for about $1.3 million? Never mind the fact that the renter decided to stop paying rent a few months ago.
I don't think that's a done deal yet. If it has been sold-signed sealed and delivered, it WILL be scrutinized. That's one of the last bum deals Gabrielsen left us with.Since I addressed the county board on this, the city has made partial payment. Prior to that, they owed 6 months for 2005, 6 for 2006 and hadn't made a payment at all for 2007. Certain county employees were told in no certain terms to STAY OUT OF IT per Gabe.
I will be following up on this with the county after the first of the year.
Posted by banquo on Dec. 28 2007,6:35 pm
(MADDOG @ Dec. 28 2007,4:31 pm)
QUOTE
I don't think that's a done deal yet. If it has been sold-signed sealed and delivered, it WILL be scrutinized. That's one of the last bum deals Gabrielsen left us with.
Maddog,
Could you please elaborate on this?
Posted by MADDOG on Dec. 29 2007,9:35 am
I'm not sure what part you're asking about. QUOTE
City to buy space in Government Center
By Rebecca Houg, staff writer
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 10:11 AM CDT
Freeborn County commissioners on Tuesday authorized the city of Albert Lea to draft a contract to make five annual payments of $270,000 to purchase the space it occupies in the Government Center.
According to Administrator Ron Gabrielsen, the city would like to purchase 11,301 square feet to get out of its monthly rental agreement. In addition to the $1.35 million for purchase of space, the city will pay its portion of annual maintenance costs, communication equipment and salaries for records department personnel that are necessary for operations.
Note the date of the article. The city was already in arrears with the county for payments of space for 6 months of 2005 and several months of 2006. This amount is figured on operating costs of the courthouse and the percent (7%) the city occupies. By Rebecca Houg, staff writer
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 10:11 AM CDT
Freeborn County commissioners on Tuesday authorized the city of Albert Lea to draft a contract to make five annual payments of $270,000 to purchase the space it occupies in the Government Center.
According to Administrator Ron Gabrielsen, the city would like to purchase 11,301 square feet to get out of its monthly rental agreement. In addition to the $1.35 million for purchase of space, the city will pay its portion of annual maintenance costs, communication equipment and salaries for records department personnel that are necessary for operations.
QUOTE
City Council approves tax increase
By Sarah Light, AlbertLeaTribune.com
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 9:30 AM CST
- Voted to authorize an operating agreement with Freeborn County for use of equipment and personnel at the Law Enforcement Center.
Under the agreement, the city agrees to reimburse the county 7 percent of the actual operating expenses for the Freeborn County Government Center building, including heating, cooling, utilities, insurance and janitorial services.
The agreement would be in place for the duration of the lease agreement between the city and county.
By Sarah Light, AlbertLeaTribune.com
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 9:30 AM CST
- Voted to authorize an operating agreement with Freeborn County for use of equipment and personnel at the Law Enforcement Center.
Under the agreement, the city agrees to reimburse the county 7 percent of the actual operating expenses for the Freeborn County Government Center building, including heating, cooling, utilities, insurance and janitorial services.
The agreement would be in place for the duration of the lease agreement between the city and county.
At last I spoke to county personnel on this, the city had made about $180,000 payment to the county. I was told it was not the total amount due, but there was still some disagreement between the two entities over the balance.
As I said, I will be following up on this after the first of the year sometime.
Posted by MADDOG on Dec. 30 2007,6:58 am
QUOTE
City owes county $50,000
By Sarah Kirchner, staff writer
Saturday, December 29, 2007 4:47 PM CST
The city of Albert Lea owes the county upwards of $50,000 in back pay for the lease and use of the Law Enforcement Center in the Freeborn County Government Center.
The dollar amount owed to the county reflects missed payments from July 1, 2006, through the end of October 2007. The city paid the county for part of the amount due. The city owed the county $231,056 over that time period. Roughly $50,000 is left to be paid — not including the monthly bills for November and December this year — and per a verbal agreement between representatives of the city and county, it should be paid soon.
< Tribune >
By Sarah Kirchner, staff writer
Saturday, December 29, 2007 4:47 PM CST
The city of Albert Lea owes the county upwards of $50,000 in back pay for the lease and use of the Law Enforcement Center in the Freeborn County Government Center.
The dollar amount owed to the county reflects missed payments from July 1, 2006, through the end of October 2007. The city paid the county for part of the amount due. The city owed the county $231,056 over that time period. Roughly $50,000 is left to be paid — not including the monthly bills for November and December this year — and per a verbal agreement between representatives of the city and county, it should be paid soon.
< Tribune >
They are also failing to mention 2005. QUOTE
She said part of the confusion involved people leaving office — namely former Administrator Ron Gabrielsen and former Commissioner Dave Mullenbach.
I think some of us know better than that. (MADDOG)
QUOTE
That's one of the last bum deals Gabrielsen left us with.
Since I addressed the county board on this, the city has made partial payment. Prior to that, they owed 6 months for 2005, 6 for 2006 and hadn't made a payment at all for 2007. Certain county employees were told in no certain terms to STAY OUT OF IT per Gabe.
Since I addressed the county board on this, the city has made partial payment. Prior to that, they owed 6 months for 2005, 6 for 2006 and hadn't made a payment at all for 2007. Certain county employees were told in no certain terms to STAY OUT OF IT per Gabe.
Posted by Ned Kelly on Dec. 30 2007,7:32 am
Maybe this is a dumb question, but why don't we have one law enforcement agency? Why can't county and city be the same? Works in Florida, Miami-Dade------ City and county..Wouldn't it be possible to remove some duplicity and either save money or hire more law enforcement personnel? Why can't the county commissioners and the city council work toward that conclusion? So what if the Sheriff and the Chief of police have to apply for the new law enforcement leadership position? Could it be possible we might even get someone from the "outside" to apply for the job that might even be better qualified?
All of the commissioners and city council members would be hailed as forward thinkers by the county and community residents...............
......ned
Posted by canvasback on Dec. 30 2007,10:52 am
Ned...Did you just mention commissioners and forward thinking in the same sentence? 
Posted by Ned Kelly on Dec. 30 2007,4:52 pm
(canvasback @ Dec. 30 2007,10:52 am)
QUOTE
Ned...Did you just mention commissioners and forward thinking in the same sentence?
Sorry, my expectations might have been too high.....
......ned
Posted by gary grobowski on Dec. 30 2007,5:22 pm
(Ned Kelly @ Dec. 30 2007,7:32 am)
QUOTE
Maybe this is a dumb question, but why don't we have one law enforcement agency? Why can't county and city be the same? Works in Florida, Miami-Dade------ City and county..
Wouldn't it be possible to remove some duplicity and either save money or hire more law enforcement personnel? Why can't the county commissioners and the city council work toward that conclusion? So what if the Sheriff and the Chief of police have to apply for the new law enforcement leadership position? Could it be possible we might even get someone from the "outside" to apply for the job that might even be better qualified?
All of the commissioners and city council members would be hailed as forward thinkers by the county and community residents............... ......ned
Wouldn't it be possible to remove some duplicity and either save money or hire more law enforcement personnel? Why can't the county commissioners and the city council work toward that conclusion? So what if the Sheriff and the Chief of police have to apply for the new law enforcement leadership position? Could it be possible we might even get someone from the "outside" to apply for the job that might even be better qualified?
All of the commissioners and city council members would be hailed as forward thinkers by the county and community residents...............
......nedIt would make sense. But before that can happen I think that we need to elect people who understand that if you live in Albert Lea, you also live in Freeborn County. I have heard both commissioners and council members say things that make me believe that they don't understand that.
Anyone know what % of the Freeborn County property tax base is in city and what % is outside the city? Assume that it is 50/50. That would mean that city residents already pay for 50% of the counties bills. So anytime the city and county cost share, the city should pay for something only when more than 50% of the value benefits the city.
Posted by banquo on Jan. 03 2008,8:12 am
Thanks, Maddog. 
Posted by hymiebravo on Jan. 03 2008,4:23 pm
QUOTE
It would make sense. But before that can happen I think that we need to elect people who understand that if you live in Albert Lea, you also live in Freeborn County.
You would have to figure out who the helk is in charge of running things in the County and City Governments.
The way it looks is... they are in charge of themselves.
Saving money and making cuts aren't going to come about from people who would lose their jobs or take pay cuts in the process.
It's just human nature self preservation.