By MaryHelen Swanson

The Rush City School Board can be found same time same place next year as they meet on the third Thursday of the month for regular meetings.

The school district begins its year in July and thus the board members attended to organizational issues last week. Aside from keeping the meetings the same, the board agreed to no change for their compensation, even though they were reminded it hasn't changed in six years.

Board members get $45/regular meeting, $45 per special meeting, $45 per committee meetings, and $65 per all day meetings. Board members are not paid for attendance at state school board meetings, or state or national conventions.

Other designations remained unchanged including the official newspaper, which is the Post Review. Residents can look to this paper for all legal notices, as well as on the Post Review's Web site ecm.postreview.com.

Organization memberships were renewed except the National School Board Association which has dues of $1,200. Minnesota State High School League dues are $1,620/year. The district also pays $1,645 to be a part of the Schools for Equity in Education (SEE).

Soon to be the beginning of another school year, it was time to approve handbooks, from student and parent to faculty, transportation, coaching handbooks and a prepared statement on student activities, philosophy and goals.

The high school student/parent handbook contains some changes this year, including a statement on junior high retention procedure (pg. 6). It states that any student in 7th-9th grade who fails three or more classes will repeat the entire grade.

On pg. 9, there is a reminder that school lockers are the property of the school district and can be searched at any time, without notice, without student consent and without a search warrant.

On pg. 17 is a reminder of the student dress and appearance policy and on pg. 20, there is a note that all vending machines are going to be turned off for purchases during the school day. This is new.

The elementary student/parent handbook (pg. 12) says cell phones will be allowed as long as they are turned off during class time. Reminder notes will be sent home when a cell phone disturbs a class. If it happens a second time, the cell phone will need to be picked up by the parent and the phone is no longer to be brought to school.

Brought to the board by activities director Bob Schlagel, the prepared information on student activities: philosophy and goals, was approved to be added to district policy #510 regarding student activities.

Schlagel prepared it, with the assistance of Superintendent Vern Koepp.

Schlagel said this has been in place for a long time, it just hasn't been in policy form.

The information includes 10 district goals for students participating in activities, plus a 12-item list known as the Code of Ethics, adopted from Minnesota State High School League coaches association.

The coaching handbook, Schlagel said, is nothing new and is handed out each year. He said it's what he, as activities director, expects from the coaches and is detailed to the point of how to wrap up a season.

There is a coaches checklist for the beginning of the season, and the end of the season, program check points and extensive information on heat stress and athletic participation. All handbooks were approved.

In other business,

• Jacobson Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff thanked the board for condolences offered by the district in the loss of her father.

• The board agreed to hook up to the city's sewer system at the new ball fields. It was suggested, however, that perhaps the city could partner with the school district on SAC and other hook-up fees since the ball fields are going to be used by the community a lot.

• The board accepted the memorandum of agreement with the Rush City on the bus radio system.

• Tenhoff noted that the elementary open house will be Aug. 30 this year, before the first day of school.