The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Chair Natalie Knutson called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. The following members were present: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy (Melissa) Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa. Jeff Drake, Superintendent, Renae Macheledt, Finance Director, and Elaine Jahnke, HR Director, were also present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
Missy Hermes, clerk, established a quorum.
Kirby Anderson made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa offered the resolution of acknowledgements for the following and moved for its adoption:
Thank you to Stenerson Lumber for their donation of drop-off pieces of OSB plywood to the Career and Technical Education department at Roosevelt.
Congratulations to the following:
- Adapted Bowlers Zade Carlson and Nathan Graham for placing 1st in doubles and Evan Kugler for placing 6th in singles at the state competition.
- Envirothon team, Logan Bredenberg, Clayton Peppel, Jaden Miller, Thomas Erickson, and Josiah Uggerud, for their 3rd place finish in the state competition.
- Mary Rostedt for receiving the 2023 Minnesota Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association Teacher of Excellence Award.
The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa;
and the following voted against same:
None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Reports were presented by:
- Scott Colbeck - Elementary Principal (Adams/McKinley)
- Tindy Rund - Elementary Principal (Cleveland)
- Ivan Hirst – Middle School Principal
- Mark Anderson – Secondary School Principal
- Renae Macheledt – FY24 Financial Budget
- Jeff Drake - Superintendent
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
- Minutes from the regular School Board meeting held on May 8, 2023
- Personnel
Certified Staff Resignation:
- Debra Kloster, reading intervention teacher @ KSS; effective end of the 2022-23 school year
Certified Staff Retirement:
- Daryl Tysdal, physical education teacher @ KSS; effective end of the 2022-23 school year
Certified Staff LOA Request:
- Kari Gronli, special education teacher @ iQ Academy; request for a three-year extended leave of absence effective 8/22/2023
Certified Staff Hires: (2023-24 school year)
- Jacob Zacha, social studies teacher @ KSS; effective 8/28/2023
- Jennifer Mathieson, elementary teacher @ Adams; effective 8/28/2023
- Lydia Rutten, elementary teacher @ KSS; effective 8/28/2023
- Maren Wright, special education teacher @ iQ Academy; effective 8/28/2023
- Barbara King, special education teacher @ iQ Academy; effective 8/28/2023
Support Staff Resignations:
- Eric Strom, grounds custodian; last work day 5/26/2023
- Becca Hansen, secretary @ KSS; effective 6/15/2023
- Sarah Kampa, American Indian Home and School Liaison; effective end of the 2022-23 school year
Support Staff Retirement
- Alan Friedrich, custodian @ Cleveland; last work day 6/30/2023
Support Staff Hires:
- Stephanie Lunde, student support aide @ Cleveland; effective 8/31/2023
- Tracy Williams, custodian @ KSS - contract change from 1 FTE to .5 FTE beginning 7/1/2023
Coach Resignation:
- Mike Donoho, head speech coach; effective 5/22/2023
Matthew Lemke moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
- Melanie Cole moved to approve the Extended School Year (ESY) services and summer school for special education students. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
- Missy Hermes moved to approve the Right Start summer programs for Kindergarten (June 2023) and Grade 5 (August 2023). The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
- Matthew Lemke moved to approve the FY24 School District Membership Agreement with Lakes Country Service Cooperative; effective 7/1/2023 - 6/30/2024. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
- Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the service agreement between ISD #544 and Kathie Smith, Love & Logic Trainer; effective 6/8/2023. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
- Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
Resolution Placing a Continuing Contract/Tenured Teacher on Unrequested Leave of Absence Upon Acquiescence of Such Placement
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent District No.0544 adopted a resolution proposing placement of (TEACHER NAME) on unrequested leave of absence on April 24, 2023, on the grounds of financial limitations.
WHEREAS, said written notice of the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence was mailed to (TEACHER NAME) by certified mail on April 25, 2023; and
WHEREAS, said written notice of the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence contained a statement setting forth the reasons for the proposed placement as well as a statement that (he/she) was entitled to a hearing before the School Board provided (he/she) make a request in writing within fourteen days of receipt of said notice, and that if no hearing was requested within said fourteen day period it constituted acquiescence by (TEACHER NAME) to the School Board's proposed action, and
WHEREAS, no written request for a hearing was received by the School Board or Superintendent from (TEACHER NAME) as of May 15, 2023; and
WHEREAS, said failure to make written request for a hearing within fourteen days after receipt of notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence constitutes acquiescence by (TEACHER NAME) to said placement on unrequested leave of absence;
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No.0544 that (TEACHER NAME) be and hereby is placed on unrequested leave of absence as a teacher of Independent District No.0544 on the grounds of financial limitations at the end of the 2022-23 school year effective June 30, 2023, in accordance with the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.2 without pay or fringe benefits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a notice of placement on unrequested leave, together with a copy of this resolution be forwarded to said teacher personally and that an affidavit of same be placed in (his/her) personnel file, together with a copy of the notice and resolution.
NOTICE OF PLACEMENT OF UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE UPON ACQUIESCENCE OF PLACEMENT
Dear Ms./Mr.,
You are hereby notified that at a meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 0544 held on May 22, 2023, a resolution was adopted by majority roll call vote of the full membership of the School Board, placing you on unrequested leave of absence («FTE» FTE) as a teacher of Independent District No. 0544 on the grounds of financial limitations at the end of the 2022-23 school year effective June 30, 2023 according to the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.2 without pay or fringe benefits.
For the reinstatement process please refer to the District Master Agreement (Article 14 - Unrequested Leave of Absence).
A copy of the resolution duly adopted by the School Board is attached hereto for your information.
Please keep the HR Director advised in writing of your address at all times until your reinstatement rights have expired, so that the District may notify you of any available positions for which you may qualify.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hermes, clerk
School Board of Independent District No. 544
- Michael Bare (.1667 FTE)
- Regina Busch (.1667 FTE)
- Kailey Glebe (.1667. FTE)
- Mariah Minkkinen (.3333 FTE)
- Heather Schreder (.1667 FTE)
- Ann Skoe (.1667 FTE)
- Deb Sutor (.1667 FTE)
- Lisa Theisen (.3333 FTE)
The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa;
and the following voted against same:
None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
- Stephen Vigesaa offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF DARYL TYSDAL
WHEREAS Daryl Tysdal began his employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in August 1993, and
WHEREAS Daryl has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 30 years, and
WHEREAS Daryl has been a dedicated physical education teacher for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Daryl Tysdal for his 30 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa;
and the following voted against same:
None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
- Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF ALAN FRIEDRICH
WHEREAS Alan Friedrich began his employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in March 2012, and
WHEREAS Alan has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 11.5 years, and
WHEREAS Alan has been a dedicated custodian for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Alan Friedrich for his 11.5 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa;
and the following voted against same:
None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 7:15 am Monday, June 12, 2023 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School.
Melanie Cole made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:08 pm. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting.
_________________________________________
Melissa Hermes, Clerk