Congratulations to the Otter Envirothon Crew having placed five teams in the top six (including 1st and 3rd) at the regional competition in Detroit Lakes on May 3, 2023; the 1st place crew was Jaden Miller, Logan Bredenberg, Clayton Peppel, Josiah Uggerud, and Tommy Erickson and the 3rd place crew was Olivia Swanson, Ella Roberts, Kendal Hanson, Libby Lindgren, and Alexis Wellman.
Congratulations to the Fergus Falls Adapted Bowling members heading to the state tournament in Brooklyn Park: Singles: Haily Merchant, Tariq Billings, Evan Kugler, and Tucker Kugler; Doubles: Nathan Graham and Zade Carlson; Team: Tariq Billings, Evan Kugler, Ian Iverson, and Joe Polejewski.
Congratulations to the Fergus Falls Area Learning Center MAAP STARS Team that competed in a variety of events at the 18th annual MAAP STARS Spring Conference in Mankato, MN. 20 students competed, the largest team Fergus Falls has ever had in attendance. All students earned gold, silver, and bronze ribbons in one or more of their events. The following students earned medals and plaques for being in the top eight or less in their event: Community Service Project - team Justin Anderson, Lily Davis, Krista Island, and Alex Donaldson placed first; Team Video Promotion - team Shane Baur, Grady Pellacio, and Alicia Sanvig place first; Entrepreneurship - team Andee Bach and Sydney Fiedler placed first; Job Manual - Finn Nkaire placed first; Career Portfolio - Kallie Karsten placed first; Employment Interview - Shane Baur placed 5th, Andee Bach placed 6th, Jesus Carrillo placed 7th, and Krista Island placed 8th.
Thank you to Barry & Pamela Boettcher and Starrla Klaksvik for their donations to the Otter Angel Account, an account created to anonymously assist families unable to pay for student meals.
The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, 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.
Reports were presented by:
Amelia Lemar - Curriculum Director
Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance, Activities
Melanie Cole – Spec Ed Coop, Region I
Natalie Knutson – Wellness, Buildings & Grounds
Matthew Lemke – MSHSL
Stephen Vigesaa – Curriculum Review
Jeff Drake – Superintendent
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the April 24, 2023 regular School Board meeting
Bills and Treasurer’s Report - reviewed by Stephen Vigesaa and Kirby Anderson:
General Fund
$2,194,417.73
Food Service
$70,173.81
Community Service
$29,201.55
Building Fund
$0.00
Debt Service
$0.00
Trust & Agency
$4,650.00
Activities
$46,999.04
TOTAL
$2,345,442.13
Personnel
Certified Staff Resignation:
Nathan Arens, social studies teacher @ KSS; effective end of the 2022-23 school year
Certified Staff Contract Agreement/Retirement:
Separation Agreement and Release Of All Claims between Fergus Falls Public Schools/ISD #544 and Michele Oliphant, and a request to retire; effective 6/8/2023
Certified Staff - Leave of Absence:
Request by Nancy Reard for a one (1) year leave of absence as a special education teacher during the 2023-24 school year
Individual (Administrative) Contract:
Revision to 2022-24 Agreement between ISD #544 and Special Education Administrator (Nancy Reard); changing the FTE for the 2023-24 to full time (1 FTE)
Support Staff Retirement:
Cathleen Anderson, food service @ KSS; effective end of the 2022-23 school year
Support Staff Resignations:
Lisa Swenson, para educator/healthcare @ Cleveland; last work day-5/12/2023
Natasha Wick, special ed paraprofessional @ KSS; last work day-6/7/2023
Brenda Stoen, noon hour supervisor @ Cleveland; last work day-6/7/2023
Support Staff Hires:
Myrna Minoza, long-term substitute/para educator @ Adams; effective 5/8/2023-6/7/2023
Sarah McClure, para educator @ ALC; effective 5/8/2023
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Melanie Cole moved to approve the invitation for FY24 quotes for milk and related products. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
Matthew Lemke moved to approve the request for FY24 food service bids. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Melanie Cole moved to approve the 2023-24 School Calendar for iQ Academy. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
Matthew Lemke moved to approve the highest bid received on May 10, 2023 for Land Lease Agreement with ISD #544; effective 05/15/2023-11/30/2023. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the proposed adoption of the 7-12 English curriculum: CommonLit; ReadingPlus; NoRedInk (including Video Productions Resources and Technology). The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the proposed adoption of the Love & Logic Framework for Grades K-2. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the revision to School Board Policy #630 - District Library Media Center Materials Selection. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Matthew Lemke moved to approve the MDE Review and Comment document for Lincoln Phase II Project. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF CATHLEEN ANDERSON
WHEREAS Cathleen Anderson began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in September 2009 and
WHEREAS Cathleen has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for 14 years, and
WHEREAS Cathleen has been a dedicated Food Service employee for the school district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Cathleen Anderson for her 14 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, 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 offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF MICHELE OLIPHANT
WHEREAS Michele Oliphant began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in August 1996, and
WHEREAS Michele has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 27 years, and
WHEREAS Michele has been a dedicated special education teacher for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Michele Oliphant for her 27 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, 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.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, May 22, 2023 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School.
Kirby Anderson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 pm. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting.