Derek Abrahams, Activities Director - Winter Sports Update
Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance, Activities
Missy Hermes – Curriculum Review, Policy
Natalie Knutson – Wellness, Buildings & Grounds, Policy
Matthew Lemke – MSHSL
Stephen Vigesaa – Staff Development
Melanie Cole entered the meeting at 5:36 pm
Jeff Drake – Superintendent / Update on District Goals
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the March 26, 2024 regular School Board meeting
Bills and Treasurer’s Report - reviewed by Matthew Lemke and Kirby Anderson:
General Fund
$2,054,697.90
Food Service
$68,880.68
Community Service
$23,805.08
Building Fund
$750,025.00
Debt Service
$500.00
Trust & Agency
$3,867.15
Activities
$27,681.43
TOTAL
$2,929,457.24
Personnel
Support Staff Hires:
Melissa Rastedt, long-term substitute special education paraprofessional @ McKinley; effective 3/13/2024-4/30/2024
Marlene Anderson, noon hour supervisor @ KSS; effective 4/8/2024
Support Staff Resignations:
Jennifer Endris, special education paraprofessional @ KSS; last day 4/12/2024
Thomas Hagge, para educator @ Adams; last day - end of 2023-24 school year
Certified Staff Hire:
Myrna Minoza, ESL teacher (1 FTE); effective 8/26/2024
Letter of Intent to Negotiate for the 2024-2026 School Years: Fergus Falls Para Educators Association
Melanie Cole moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Matthew Lemke offered the 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 22, 2024, 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:
Certified Staff Positions:
Elementary - 3 FTEs
Reading Interventionists - 2 FTEs
FCS -.1667 FTE (MS)
Social Studies - .1667 FTE (MS)
Business - .25 FTE (HS)
Social Studies - .1667 (HS)
World Language - .1667 FTE (HS)
REACH - .5 FTE (HS)
Language Arts - .08 FTE
School Counselor - 1 FTE
Art - .25 FTE (iQ)
Business - .333 FTE (iQ)
Elementary/Reading Interventionist - .0456 FTE (iQ)
FCS - .3333 FTE (iQ)
Health - .1667 FTE (iQ)
Math - .5832 FTE (iQ)
Special Education - .4973 FTE (iQ)
World Language - .4585 FTE (iQ)
Support Staff Positions:
Special Education Paraprofessionals - 2 FTEs
Title 1 Paraprofessionals - 3 FTEs
School, Family, and Community Liaison
The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson 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.
Missy Hermes offered the resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES FOR THE MAY 14, 2024 SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 544, State of Minnesota, as follows:
The individuals specified on EXHIBIT A attached hereto, each of whom is qualified to serve as an election judge, are hereby appointed as judges of election for the School District’s special election on May 14, 2024, to act as such at the combined polling places listed on said exhibit.
The election judges shall act as clerks of election, count the ballots cast, and submit the results to the School Board for canvass in the manner provided for other school district elections.
The School District Clerk and the Clerk’s designee are hereby authorized to appoint additional election judges, as needed, to fill vacancies that may occur on or before election day.
The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole 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.
Matthew Lemke moved to approve revisions to the 2023-24 School District Calendar:
May 23, 2024 is changed to a 3-hour early out for students and last day of school
9/10 month certified/support staff will make up one contract day (from the March 25, 2024 snow day closure) that will be served following their original scheduled last work day (date prior to the snow day) for the 2023-24 school year
The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the Chief Boiler Engineer License Agreement between Wade Nibbe and ISD 544 Fergus Falls Public Schools; effective April 1, 2024. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Matthew Lemke moved to approve the Client Service Agreement between USI Insurance Services LLC and ISD 544 Fergus Falls Public Schools; effective May 1, 2024. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, April 22, 2024 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School.
Kirby Anderson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:58 pm. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting.