Thank you to Otter Elementary PTO for their donation to the one book one school program at Cleveland school.

Thank you to the 544 Education Foundation, FM Bank, American Federal Bank, Grace Methodist Church, PEO Chapter BU-Laurie Whitehead, and Jeney Christensen for their donations to the Otter Closet at KSS.

The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, 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:

• Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance, Activities

• Melanie Cole – Region I, Meet & Confer

• Missy Hermes – Curriculum Review, Policy

• Natalie Knutson – Wellness, Buildings & Grounds, Policy

• Stephen Vigesaa – Staff Development

Matthew Lemke entered the meeting at 5:24 pm

• Jeff Drake – Superintendent

• Matthew Lemke – MSHSL

General Consent Items

The following consent agenda was presented for approval:

1. Minutes from the November 25, 2024 regular School Board meeting

2. Bills and Treasurer’s Report - reviewed by Melanie Cole and Kirby Anderson:

Personnel

Certified Staff Hire:

Jennifer Peterson, elementary teacher/iQ – contract change to .8579 FTE (increase of .1002 FTE); effective 12/9/2024

Support Staff Hire:

Tina Saurer, special education paraprofessional @ Lincoln (5 days/week); effective 1/3/2025

Administrative Retirement:

Elaine Jahnke, HR Director; last work day - 4/30/2025

Melanie Cole moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.

Old Business:

None

New Business:

Kirby Anderson moved to approve the Fergus Falls Community Arena User Agreement Fees (Exhibit A); season: Jan. 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.

Melanie Cole moved to approve the Lakeland Mental Health Center Agreements with ISD #544 – effective 01/01/2025 - 12/31/2025

- School Based Mental Health Practitioners (3): Cleveland, Adams, McKinley and Kennedy/ALC

- School Based Mental Health Practitioner (1): Level 3 Program

- School Based Mental Health Practitioner (1): Lincoln

- School Based Mental Health Professional (1): Kennedy

The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.

3. Matthew Lemke moved to approve the Farm Lease Agreement between Fergus Falls School District/ISD #544 and LaWayne and Beverly Rogness, effective 1/01/2025 - 12/01/2025. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.

4. Stephen Vigesaa offered the resolution and moved for its adoption:

RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF ELAINE JAHNKE

WHEREAS Elaine Jahnke began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in August 1995, and

WHEREAS Elaine has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 30 years, and

WHEREAS Elaine has been a dedicated HR director for the district and,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Elaine Jahnke for her 30 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.

PUBLIC MEETINGS:

A public meeting regarding the 2025 Technology Plan and Internet Safety Policy began at 5:49 pm in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Superintendent Jeff Drake presented information regarding regulations and compliance.

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A public meeting regarding the 2025 Achievement and Integration Progress report began at 5:51 pm in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Superintendent Jeff Drake presented information regarding the three-year plan and goals.

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A public meeting of the Fergus Falls Public Schools’ Taxes Payable 2025 was held at 6:00 pm in the Otter Community Room at Kennedy Secondary School. Renae Macheledt, Finance Director, presented a

report to the School Board and community.

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5. Melanie Cole moved to approve the Levy for Taxes Payable 2025 in the amount of $8,297,830.23. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.

6. Stephen Vigesaa moved to go into a closed session (close the meeting) at 6:13 pm as per MN Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3 - regarding the School Board Evaluation of Superintendent Jeff Drake. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.

7. Stephen Vigesaa moved to re-open the meeting at 7:03 pm. The motion was seconded by Kirby Andersn and carried unanimously.

8. Natalie Knutson, school board chair, reported on the annual performance appraisal of Superintendent Jeff Drake. Overall, he received a very good evaluation review.

There will be a Special Board Meeting (to approve board bills) on Monday, December 30, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. in the Otter Community Room at Kennedy Secondary School. The reorganization meeting and next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, January 13, 2025 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School.

Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 pm. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.

A work session followed the regular board meeting to discuss the MN Student Survey and KSS Wellness Room.