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 Melanie Cole 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 Smith, 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 Natalie Knutson and carried unanimously.
No acknowledgements were presented.
Reports were presented by:
- Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance, Activities
- Melanie Cole – Spec Ed Coop, Region I
- Missy Hermes – Staff Development, Policy
- Natalie Knutson – Wellness, Buildings & Grounds
- Matthew Lemke – LCSC Board, MSHSL
- Stephen Vigesaa – Curriculum Review
- Jeff Drake – Superintendent
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
- Minutes from the April 25, 2022 regular School Board meeting
- Bills and Treasurer’s Report - reviewed by Stephen Vigesaa and Kirby Anderson prior to the start of the School Board meeting:
|
General Fund |
$1,902,653.69 |
|
Food Service |
$83,816.63 |
|
Community Service |
$15,929.90 |
|
Building Fund |
$0.00 |
|
Debt Service |
$0.00 |
|
Trust & Agency |
$1,500.00 |
|
Activities |
$31,170.50 |
|
TOTAL |
$2,035,070.72 |
- Personnel
Certified Staff Contract Hires:
- Beth Skaret, special education teacher @ Adams (1 FTE); effective 8/29/2022
- Kyle Owings, social studies teacher @ KSS/iQ (1 FTE); effective 8/29/2022
- Rebekah Meder, Family/Consumer Science (FCS) teacher @ KSS (1 FTE); effective 8/29/2022
Certified Staff 2022-23 Contract Request:
- Regina Busch, iQ elementary teacher, request to rescind rights of .0833 FTE beginning with the 2022-23 school year
Support Staff Hire:
- Bailey Strand, Student Services Coordinator (long-term substitute) @ KSS; effective 5/9/2022-end of school year
Coach/Director Resignation:
- Shane Thielke, Middle School Activities Director; effective end of the 2021-22 school year
Missy Hermes moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Natalie Knutson and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
- Melanie Cole offered the resolution and moved for its adoption:
Resolution Non-Renewing a Probationary Teacher
WHEREAS, Nathan Fell, is a probationary teacher in Independent District No. 0544.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No. 0544, that pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 51 and the District Master Agreement, the teaching contract of Nathan Fell, a probationary teacher in Independent District No. 0544, shall be non-renewed at the end of the 2021-22 school year effective June 30, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written notice be sent to said teacher regarding the non-renewal of the teacher’s teaching contract.
- - - - - -
Notice of Non-renewal for a Probationary Teacher
May 9, 2022
Dear Nathan Fell,
You are hereby notified that at the meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 0544 held on May 9, 2022, a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to not renew your teaching contract for the 2021 -22 school year. Your employment will terminate at the end of the 2021-22 school year effective June 6, 2022. Said action of the School Board is taken pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 5.2 and the District Master Agreement.
You may officially request the School Board give its reasons for the non-renewal of your teaching contract. For your information, however, this action is being taken because of financial limitations.
Sincerely,
SCHOOL BOARD OF INDEPENDENT DISTRICT NO. 0544
Clerk of the School Board
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 moved to approve the invitation for FY23 quotes for milk and related products. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
- Missy Hermes moved to approve the request for FY23 food service bids. The motion was seconded by Natalie Knutson and carried unanimously.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, May 23, 2022 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School.
Kirby Anderson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 pm. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting.
_________________________________________
Melissa Hermes, Clerk
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Approval Date