Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Reports were presented by:
Scott Colbeck - Elementary Principal (Adams/McKinley/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 regular School Board meeting held on April 8, 2024
Bills (April 9 - 22, 2024)
Personnel
Certified Staff Hires:
Peter Phillips, long term substitute teacher @ ALC; effective 4/11/2024 - 5/24/2024
Kailey Graff, long-term substitute teacher @ Cleveland; effective 4/19/2024 - 5/24/2024
2024-25 Certified Staff Hires:
McKenna Peterson, special education teacher; effective 8/26/2024
Ellen Anderson, Autism Consultant - .4 FTE; effective 8/26/2024
Certified Staff Resignations:
Sophie Steinbrenner, special education teacher @ Cleveland; effective end of the 2023-2024 school year
Emily Hebert, elementary teacher @ KSS; effective end of 2023-24 school year
Support Staff Hires:
Joshua McMahon, head custodian @ KSS; effective 4/25/2024
Kate Davis, special education paraprofessional @ Adams; effective 5/7/2024
Support Staff Resignations:
Darin Muchow, custodian @ KSS; effective 4/8/2024
Rebecca Lee, long-term substitute special ed paraprofessional substitute; effective 4/12/2024
Support Staff Retirements:
Kristin Monshaugen, Title 1 paraprofessional @ Adams; effective end of the 2023-2024 school year
Mary Drake, HR/Payroll Specialist; last day of work-6/30/2024
2023-2025 Contract between ISD 544 and the Fergus Falls Principals Association; effective 7/1/2023
2024-2026 Contract between ISD 544 and Sue Lewis, Technology Specialist @ .5 FTE; effective 7/1/2024
Matthew Lemke moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION NONRENEWING 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 2023-2024 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 22, 2024, a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to not renew your teaching contract for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Your employment will terminate at the end of the 2023-24 school year, effective June 30, 2024.
Sincerely,
Natalie Knutson, Chair
School Board of Independent School District No. 544
Baylee McKinney
Heather Piekarski
Scott Meldahl
The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke 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 NONRENEWING A PROBATIONARY TEACHER
WHEREAS, (TEACHER NAME) is a probationary teacher in Independent District No. 544.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No. 544, that 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 2023 - 2024 school year effective June 30, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written notice be sent to said teacher regarding the nonrenewal of the teacher’s teaching contract.
NOTICE OF NONRENEWAL FOR A PROBATIONARY TEACHER
Dear (TEACHER NAME):
You are hereby notified that at the meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 544 held on April 22, 2024, a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to not renew your teaching contract for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Your employment will terminate at the end of the 2023 - 2024 school year effective June 30, 2024. Said action of the School Board is taken pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 5.² 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 because of financial limitations.
Sincerely,
Natalie Knutson, Chair
School Board of Independent School District No. 544
Lauren Akers (.1767 FTE)
Troy Davis (1 FTE)
Trisha Hartwell (.4454 FTE)
Jessica Holland (1 FTE)
Kayla Thompson (1 FTE)
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.
Kirby Anderson 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 2023-24 school year; effective June 30, 2024. Said action is taken in accordance with the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.2 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 DATE, 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 22, 2024, 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 2023-24 school year effective June 30, 2024, 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, it will be held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 10:00 o'clock a.m. in the Otter Community Room at Kennedy Secondary School or as soon thereafter as you can be heard. Please advise if such a hearing is requested.
Sincerely,
Natalie Knutson, 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.
Regina Busch (.0833 FTE)
Kailey Glebe (.1667 FTE)
Vanessa Jacobson (.0456 FTE)
Laurie McNallie (.3333 FTE)
Mariah Minkkinen (.2499 FTE)
Heather Schreder (.1667 FTE)
Ann Skoe (.2918 FTE)
Jennifer Smith (.3206 FTE)
Deb Sutor (.1667 FTE)
Lisa Theisen (.3333 FTE)
The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke 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.
Melanie Cole made a motion to approve the nonrenewal of Title 1 paraprofessional contracts with Jenee Babic and Kaleigh Yttreness; effective end of the 2023-24 school year. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson made a motion to approve the nonrenewal of School, Family, and Community Liaison Contract with Bryan Warren; effective August 16, 2024. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to approve the Child and Adult Care Food Program Contract for Vended Meals/Head Start; effective 10/1/2024-9/30/2025. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
Melanie Cole made a motion to approve the first extension to the Food Service Agreement with US Foods for the 2024-25 School Year; effective 7/1/2024-6/30/2025. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF KRISTIN MONSHAUGEN
WHEREAS Kristin Monshaugen began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in August 2022, and
WHEREAS Kristin has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past two years, and
WHEREAS Kristin has been a dedicated Title 1 paraprofessional for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Kristin Monshaugen for her two years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson 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.
Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF MARY DRAKE
WHEREAS Mary Drake began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in April 2011, and
WHEREAS Mary has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 12.5 years, and
WHEREAS Mary has been a dedicated secretary and HR/Payroll specialist for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Mary Drake for her 12.5 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.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, May 13, 2024 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:29 pm. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting.
Matthew Lemke, Acting Clerk