By Lori EhdeSchool doesn’t start until Sept. 5, but Luverne School Board members met for their first official meeting of the 2006-07 year on Thursday, July 20.Middle School-High School Principal Donna Judson updated the board on the new discipline policy that will be implemented this year.Titled "Raising the BAAR," the policy will emphasize Behavior, Academics, Attendance and Responsibility.It’s based on the philosophy advocated by educator and counselor Shelley Freeman, Forest Lake. She encourages school staff to "sweat the small stuff."Judson told board members that by sweating the small stuff, "we’ll catch small disrespectful behaviors in the hope that the bigger ones won’t happen."The policy is outlined in the high school handbook, which will be sent to families prior to school starting.One notable update includes cell phone use in school. Students can use their cell phones during school hours only in the lobby area. Otherwise, phones need to be turned off.Cell phones that ring in class will warrant an automatic Saturday detention.Related to the discipline policy, grades will be reported every three weeks. This will help parents stay informed, and it will have a more immediate impact on student eligibility in activities.The handbook outlines dress code, truancy, bullying, harassment, weapons and more, and it details specific consequences of both minor and major behavior violations.Freeman will present a public forum on her "Sweat the Small Stuff" behavior philosophy at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, in the Cardinal Gym."We’re hoping to get a good turnout for that," said Superintendent Gary Fisher."She’s really easy to listen to, and her message is something that can help anyone focus on changes happening in the workplace or even in the community. Any parent who listens to what she has to say will learn parenting skills."The discipline policy is being implemented in all grades, K-12.In the elementary school, one notable modification to the discipline policy is that all school staff are involved in monitoring student behavior.For example, if a custodian or a school secretary sees poor behavior, those adults are authorized to report the behavior, which is recorded in the school office and with the student’s homeroom teacher. In other business:oFees for students to participate in district activities will remain the same this year, but fees charged to attend events will increase from $4 to $6 for adults and from $2 to $4 for students. "We noticed other districts in our conference raising ticket prices, so they were getting revenue from us that we weren’t getting back. …This will bring us more in line with that," Fisher said."Our family pass and activity punch cards won’t increase, so we’re encouraging our families to use those."oWhen the board members approved the bid from Farmers Union Co-op Oil, they noted fuel costs rose 50 percent over last year’s bid.Fuel oil will be $2.52 per gallon, premium unleaded gas will be $2.82 per gallon, ethanol will be $1.72 per gallon and No. 2 diesel or winter blend will be $2.75 per gallon.oThe school offices open full-time on Aug. 1.oThe first day of school will be Sept. 5.oThe elementary open house will be Sept. 14 in addition to the first-day orientation with parents.oThe middle school-high school open house will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14.In personnel matters, the board:oRatified contracts with the unions representing school secretaries, paraprofessionals and cooks. They’ll receive a 3-percent raise each year for the next two years.oHired Staci Bundesen as part-time elementary secretary at $11.37 per hour beginning Aug. 21.oApproved a maternity leave request by math teacher Jodi Rops from Nov. 6 through Jan. 2.oApproved an extended leave of absence for paraprofessional Carole Shorter through Dec. 31.oAccepted the resignation of two-hour food service worker Marian Eatherton, effective July 10.oHired John Sichmeller as computer teacher, seventh-grade boys basketball coach and middle school baseball coach. His total salary will be $32,407.oApproved Melinda Taylor as student teacher from South Dakota State University, Brookings, with middle school-high school art teachers Cloyce Smith and Chris Nowatzki.oApproved David Mayorga as student teacher from Southwest State University, Marshall, with Spanish teacher Lori Gladis.