Thank you to:
Fergus Falls Noon Kiwanis Club for their donation to Kennedy Secondary School for the upcoming music trip.
David Streif and Michelle Beltrand for their donation to Kennedy Secondary School for the upcoming music trip.
AgCountry Farm Credit Services for their donation to the Fergus Falls FFA Chapter at Fergus Falls Public Schools.
Penny Rogelstad, Linda MacFarlane, and Kim Goeden for their donation to the Fergus Falls Area Learning Center.
ABC Brewing LLC for their donation to the Music Program at Fergus Falls Public Schools.
Fergus Falls 544 Education Foundation for their donation to Fergus Falls Public Schools for the Teacher of the Year Awards.
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.
Reports were presented by:
Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance
Jeney Christensen – Activities
Melanie Cole – Region I, Meet & Confer
Kelli Graff – MSHSL, Staff Development, Wellness
Missy Hermes – Curriculum Review, Policy
Stephen Vigesaa – Building/Grounds
Jeff Drake – Superintendent
Minnesota School Board Recognition Month - September 2025
“Guiding Light for Student Success”
WHEREAS, Fergus Falls School District 544 recognizes the importance of public education in our community; and
WHEREAS, Fergus Falls School District 544 appreciates the vital role played by those individuals who, as local school board members, establish policies to ensure an efficient, effective school system; and
WHEREAS, school board members serve as a voice that enables our community to preserve local management and control of our public schools; and
WHEREAS, school board members are charged with representing our local education interests to state and federal governments and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws; and
WHEREAS, school board members selflessly devote their knowledge, time and talents as advocates for our schoolchildren;
WHEREAS, local school board members are strong advocates for public education and responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public’s expectations to the district;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Fergus Falls School District 544 recognizes and salutes the members of the Fergus Falls School School Board by proclaiming September 2025 as School Board Recognition Month
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the August 25, 2025 regular School Board meeting
Bills and Treasurer’s Report - reviewed by Jeney Christensen and Missy Hermes:
General Fund
$1,660,940.82
Food Service
$55,259.80
Community Ed
$90,765.89
Construction
$0
Debt Service
$0
Trust
$1,205.33
Activities
$1,665.54
TOTAL
$1,809,837.38
Personnel:
Certified Hires:
Beth Germolus, LT substitute special education teacher (approx 33 days), effective 08/25/2025
Claire Gothier, elementary teacher, additional .1667 (total .8333 FTE), effective 08/19/2025
Overload Contracts:
Christine Salokar, .0833 FTE overload contract for english, 2nd trimester
Josh Steer, .04 FTE overload contract for DAPE, 1st and 3rd trimester
Support Staff Resignations:
Cathy Barker, special education paraprofessional, effective 09/19/2025
Support Staff Hires:
Dylan Palach, part-time night custodian @ Roosevelt. effective 09/03/2025
Josie Leitch, part time dishwasher @ KSS, effective 09/09/2025
Elise Hanson, part time dishwasher @ KSS, effective 09/09/2025
Ella Metcalf, preschool classroom assistant @ Lincoln, effective 09/08/2025
Samuel Weber, special education paraprofessional @ Adams, effective 09/08/2025
Maggie Torgusson, noon hour supervisor @ Lincoln, effective 09/08/2025
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
None
New Business:
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the 2025-2026 iQ Academy (Fergus Falls) Student/Parent Handbook. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Melissa Hermes moved to approve the Staff Development Proposal for the Use and Implementation of Staff Development Funds for the 2025-2026 school year. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the 2025-26 Collaborative Agreement Between West Central MN Communities Action (WCMCA) Head Start and Fergus Falls Public Schools ISD #544. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to accept the $4,100 bid offer received for the sale of the district’s 2016 Chevy Cruze (approximately 143,000 miles). The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, September 22, 2025 in the Community Ed Room at Roosevelt Education Center.
Jeney Christensen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:47 pm. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting to discuss Music Dept. (Spring 2026 trip location/itinerary), Farm Lease (PWLC property), Marketing, and Handbook Review Preparation.