None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Reports were presented by:
Jon Steinbrenner - Elementary Principal (Lincoln)
Scott Colbeck - Elementary Principal (McKinley/Adams)
Tindy Rund - Elementary Principal (Cleveland)
Ivan Hirst - Middle School Principal
Mark Anderson - High School Principal
Jeff Drake - Superintendent
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the reorganization meeting and regular School Board meeting held on January 13, 2025
Bills (January 14-27, 2025)
Personnel
Certified Staff Hires:
Emily Corrin, iQ special education teacher (.4262 FTE); effective 2/3/2025
Wendy Campbell, iQ elementary teacher, contract increase of .0802 FTE/Total of .5610 FTE; effective 1/20/2025
Caleb Anderson, business teacher @ .5574 FTE; effective 1/2/2025 - end of 2024-25 school year
Support Staff Hires:
Nicholas Soland, custodian @ Kennedy Secondary School; effective 1/22/2025
Amanda Graves-Fellbaum, preschool/ECFE classroom asst. @ Lincoln; effective 1/22/2025
Timothy Rustand, long-term/part-time substitute custodian; effective 1/1/2025-5/30/2025
Coach Resignations:
Matt McGovern, Head Golf Coach, effective 1/16/2025
Coach Hire:
Karie Trupka, Head Adaptive Bowling Coach; effective 1/27/2025
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None.
New Business:
Jeney Christensen offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
Resolution directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions and reasons therefore.
WHEREAS, the financial condition of the school district dictates that the school board must reduce expenditures, and
WHEREAS, this reduction in expenditure may include discontinuance of positions and discontinuance or curtailment of programs, and
WHEREAS, a determination must be made as to which teachers' contracts must be terminated and not renewed and which teachers may be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits in effecting discontinuance of positions,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 544, as follows:
That the School Board hereby directs the Superintendent of Schools and administration to consider the discontinuance of programs or positions to effectuate economies in the school district, reduce expenditures, and make recommendations to the school board for the discontinuance of programs, and curtailment of programs.
The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Jeney Christensen, Melanie Cole, Kelli Graff, Missy Hermes, 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 fundraising activity requests scheduled between February 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION: PARAPROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK
WHEREAS: Minnesota is home to more than 20,000 paraprofessionals who provide
services in multiple settings within schools, including support for instruction, student activities, and individual students, as well as numerous other tasks that contribute to educational success; and
WHEREAS: The support and services provided by paraprofessionals are integral to
student achievement, resulting in more effective Minnesota schools; and
WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Education are
committed to excellence in education and recognize the important role that paraprofessionals play ensuring educational success; and
WHEREAS: The Minnesota Department of Education will celebrate the contributions of paraprofessionals during Paraprofessional Recognition Week, which runs from January 20 through January 26, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Governor of Minnesota, TIM WALZ, hereby proclaims
the week of January 20 through January 26, 2024, as PARAPROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK in the State of Minnesota.
The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Jeney Christensen, Melanie Cole, Kelli Graff, Missy Hermes, 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 5:15 pm Monday, February 10, 2025 in the Community Ed Room, at the Roosevelt Education Center.
Kirby Anderson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:46 pm. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting and included discussions on MN Student Survey, WiFi Issues, High School A.I. Guidance for Student Use, High School Open Lunch, the High School Wellness Room, and Facilities.