Reports were presented by:
Doug Anderson – Facilities Supervisor
Ed Shea – Mechanical Supervisor
Josh McGowan - Music Trip Report
Joshua Scharnberg – Media Center
Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance
Jeney Christensen – Buildings & Grounds
Melanie Cole – Region I
Kelli Graff – Staff Development, Wellness
Missy Hermes – Curriculum Review, Policy
Stephen Vigesaa – Activities, Meet & Confer
Jeff Drake – Superintendent
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the March 23, 2026 regular School Board meeting
Bills and Treasurer’s Report - reviewed by Stephen Vigesaa and Jeney Christensen:
General Fund - $2,554,138.20
Food Service - $121,909.15
Community Education - $6,405.39
Construction - $0
Debt Service - $0
Trust - $25,658.51
Activities - $24,432.59
TOTAL - $2,732,543.84
Personnel
Certified Staff Hire:
Mary Johnson, speech language pathologist long term sub @ Adams effective 04/23/26
Craig Peterson, 6th grade teacher long term sub @ Kennedy/MS effective 04/06/26
Evan Meece, Math Teacher @ ALC effective 08/24/2026
Anne Hintz, music teacher long term sub @ Kennedy/MS/HS, effective 04/06/2026
Certified Staff Contract Change:
Valerie Johnson, .0666 FTE overload for music, 3rd trimester
Certified Staff Retirement:
Angela Larson, 6th grade teacher @ Kennedy/MS effective 06/05/2026
Certified Staff Separations:
Mark Solie, LTS music teacher @ Kennedy effective 04/02/2026
Support Staff Hires:
David Strom, accompanist @ Kennedy/HS, effective 04/13/2026
Taylor Koopman, dishwasher at Kennedy, effective 04/14/2026
Support Staff Separations:
Amy Toy, secretary - counseling office assistant @ Kennedy effective 06/12/2026
Teresa Leno, special education paraprofessional @ Lincoln effective 04/22/2026
Notice of Desire to Negotiate for the 2026-2028 School Years:
Minnesota School Employees Association Custodial / Secretarial Personnel
Food Services Personnel
Title I Para Personnel
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
None
New Business:
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the FY27 Bread Bid to Pan-O-Gold (estimated amount of $19,351). The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the Work Authorization for ATS&R’s Design Services for the Cleveland Elementary School Heat Pump Replacement Project; Effective March 31, 2026; Fee Estimate: $52,500 (7% of Construction Costs). The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the 5-Year Agreement with Liberty Business Systems for Kyocera Copiers, Service, and PaperCut Subscription; Effective July 1, 2026. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Kelli Graff moved to approve the 2026-2027 iQ Academy School Calendar. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Kelli Graff moved to approve the 2026-2027 Otter Preschool / ECFE Calendar. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the additional .42 FTE Physical Education @ Kennedy/HS effective 2026-27 School year. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Kelli Graff moved to approve the additional .08 FTE Physical Education @ Kennedy/MS effective 2026-27 School year. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the additional .1667 Social Studies Teacher @ Kennedy/HS effective 2026-27 School year. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the additional .583 Health Science @ Kennedy/HS effective 2026-27 School year. The motion was seconded by Kirby Andrerson and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF ANGELA LARSON
WHEREAS Angela began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in September 1990, and
WHEREAS Angela has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 36 years, and
WHEREAS Angela has been a dedicated teacher for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Angela for her 36 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
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.
Jeney Christensen offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION DISCONTINUING AND REDUCING EDUCATIONAL POSITIONS AND
PROGRAMS
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 adopted a resolution on January 26, 2026, directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions, and
WHEREAS, said recommendations have been received and considered by the School Board,
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 544, as follows:
That the following programs and positions, or portions thereof, be discontinued (Districtwide, including iQ Academy):
Certified Staff Positions:
Elementary - 1 FTE
ELL - .3333 FTE
World Language - .1667 FTE
Certified iQ Academy Positions:
Art - .2916 FTE
Business - .4166 FTE
Elementary - .1667 FTE
FCS - .3333 FTE
Math - .25 FTE
The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa 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:
Whereupon said the motion was declared duly passed and the original resolution adopted.
Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION RELATING TO NON RENEWING A TIER 1 TEACHER
WHEREAS, (TEACHER NAME) is a TIER 1 teacher in Independent District No. 544.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No. 544, that the teaching contract of (TEACHER NAME), a TIER 1 teacher in Independent School District No. 544, shall be nonrenewed at the end of the 2025-26 school year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written notice be sent to said teacher regarding the nonrenewal of the teacher’s teaching contract.
NOTICE OF NON RENEWING A TIER 1 TEACHER
Dear (TEACHER NAME):
You are hereby notified that at the meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 544 held on April 13, 2026, a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to not renew your teaching contract for the 2026-27 school year. Your employment will terminate at the end of the 2025-26 school year, effective June 30, 2026.
Sincerely,
Melanie Cole, Chair
School Board of Independent School District No. 544
Anne Hintz
Baylee McKinney
Katherine McNelly
The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen 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:
Whereupon said the motion was declared duly passed and the original resolution adopted.
Missy Hermes offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION NONRENEWING THE TEACHING CONTRACT OF A PROBATIONARY TEACHER AND LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE
WHEREAS, (TEACHER NAME) is a probationary teacher in Independent District No. 544.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No. 544:
REGULAR PROBATIONARY NON-RENEWAL: pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 5.¹ and the District Master Agreement, the teaching contract of (TEACHER NAME), a probationary teacher in Independent District No. 544, shall be nonrenewed at the end of the 2025-26 school year effective June 30, 2026.
None
LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE (90+ DAYS) NON-RENEWAL: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 122A.44 and § 122A.40, subd. 5, the long-term substitute teaching contract of (Teacher Name) shall be non-renewed at the end of the 2025-26 school year effective June 30, 2026, due to the conclusion of the specific temporary assignment for which they were hired:
Diane Wicklund
Drew Hjelmstad
Allyson Kohler
Kari Tollerson
Michelle Oliphant
Craig Peterson
Jenna Wydola
Tori Ratz
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written notice be sent to said teacher regarding the nonrenewal of the teacher’s long term substitute teaching contract.
NOTICE OF NONRENEWAL FOR A PROBATIONARY LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Dear (TEACHER NAME):
You are hereby notified that at the meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 544 held on April 13, 2026, a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to not renew your teaching contract for the 2026-27 school year. Your employment will terminate at the end of the 2025-26 school year effective June 30, 2026. Said action of the School Board is taken pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 122A.44 and § 122A.40, subd. 5 and the District Master Agreement.
You may officially request the School Board give its reasons for the nonrenewal of your teaching contract. For your information, however, this action is being taken due to the conclusion of the specific temporary assignment for which you were hired.
Sincerely,
Melanie Cole, Chair
School Board of Independent School District No. 544
The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole 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:
Whereupon said the motion was declared duly passed and the original resolution adopted.
Stephen Vigesaa offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION PROPOSING PLACEMENT OF A CONTINUING CONTRACT/TENURED
TEACHER ON UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent District No. 544, as follows:
That it is proposed that (TEACHER NAME), a continuing contract/tenured teacher of said District, be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits, at the end of the 2025-26 school year effective June 30, 2026. Said action is taken in accordance with the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.¹ upon the grounds described in said statute and which are specifically financial limitations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave, together with a copy of this resolution be forwarded to said teacher and that an affidavit of the same be placed in (his/her) personnel file with a copy of the notice and resolution.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PLACEMENT
ON UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR A CONTINUING CONTRACT/TENURED TEACHER AND NOTICE OF HEARING OFFICER, IF REQUESTED
Dear Ms./Mr.,
You are hereby notified that at the regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 held on April 13, 2026, a resolution was adopted by a majority vote of the School Board, proposing your placement on unrequested leave of absence, without pay or fringe benefits, as a teacher of Independent School Dist. 544 at the end of the 2025-26 school year effective June 30, 2026, Said action of the School Board is taken pursuant to the District Master Agreement and Minnesota Stat. 122A.40, subdivision 10.2 upon the grounds described in said statute and which are specifically as follows:
Financial Limitations
Under the provisions of the law, you are entitled to a hearing before the School Board provided that you make a request in writing within fourteen days after receipt of this notice. If no hearing is requested within such a period, it shall be deemed acquiescence by you to the School Board’s proposed action.
If you desire a hearing, you must notify us by April 30th.
Sincerely,
Melanie Cole, Chair
School Board of Independent School District No. 544
That each and all of the foregoing grounds of said notice are within the grounds for unrequested leave placement as set forth in M.S. 122A.40, subdivision 10 and Article 15, Section 2 of the current Master Agreement between the School District and the exclusive representative and are hereby adopted as fully and though separately set forth and resolved therein.
Laurie McNallie (.3333 FTE)
Mariah Minkkinen (.25 FTE)
Heather Schreder (.2916 FTE)
Ann Skoe (.3333 FTE)
Lisa Theisen (.4167 FTE)
Claire Gothier (.1667 FTE)
The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen 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:
Whereupon said the motion was declared duly passed and the original resolution adopted.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, April 27, 2026 in the Community Ed Room, Roosevelt Education Center.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 pm. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting discussing MN Student Survey results and cell phone policy