Reports were presented by:
Nancy Reard – Director of Special Education
Berkley Pajari - American Indian Liaison
Doug Anderson – Facilities Supervisor
Ed Shea – Mechanical Supervisor
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 January 26, 2026 regular School Board meeting
Bills and Treasurer’s Report – reviewed by Stephen Vigesaa & Missy Hermes:
General Fund - $2,148,830.94
Food Service - $74,883.09
Community Education - $108,799.02
Construction - $0
Debt Service - $575
Trust - $14,165.71
Activities - $79,255.81
TOTAL - $2,426,509.57
Personnel:
Certified Staff Retirement:
Troy Lee, Math Teacher @ ALC, effective 6/5/2026
Certified Staff Separations:
Suzanne Rinke, Teacher @ iQ Academy, effective 06/05/2026
Karie Trupka, Teacher @ Kennedy/MS, effective 06/05/2026
Support Staff Hire:
Ava Jorgensen, Special Education Paraprofessional @ Lincoln, effective 02/02/2026
Keith Myrvold, Production Assistant @ Kennedy, effective 02/04/2026
Jennifer Pangman, Dishwasher @ Kennedy, effective 02/04/2026
Alyssa Fisher, Special Education Paraprofessional @ Adams, effective 02/09/2026
Support Staff Separations:
Gabriel Brown, Special Education Paraprofessional @ Kennedy/MS, last day worked 02/03/2026
Coach Separations:
Sabrina Noon, head volleyball coach, effective 2/03/2026
Karie Trupka, head adapted bowling coach, effective 02/04/2026
Student Activity: Creation of new student activity account for High School Art Club (grades 9-12)
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the FY 2026 Seniority List for Independent School District #544 - Fergus Falls Public Schools. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
New Business:
Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
2025-2026 AMERICAN INDIAN PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the school board or district has an AIPAC composed of parents/guardians of American Indian children who are eligible for Indian education programs, American Indian language and culture instructors: including indigenous games, ribbon skirt/shirt making and drumming and dance opportunities, American Indian adults enrolled in educational programming, and American Indian representatives from the tribal communities;
WHEREAS, the school board or district affords the AIPAC the necessary information and the opportunity to effectively express their views concerning all aspects of American Indian education and the educational needs of the American Indian children enrolled in the school(s) and program(s); and,
WHEREAS, the AIPAC is directly involved with and advises the school board and district staff on Indian Education program planning; and
WHEREAS, the AIPAC develops and submits recommendations to the school board and district staff pertaining to the needs of American Indian students.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the AIPAC concurs that the school board and district are compliant with Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.78, and that the school board and district are meeting the needs of American Indian students.
The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes 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.
Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUE RINKE
WHEREAS Sue began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in 1994, and
WHEREAS Sue has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 27 years, and
WHEREAS Sue has been a dedicated teacher for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Sue for her 27 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, Jeney Christensen, Melanie Cole, Kelli Graff, Missy Hermes, and Stephen Vigesaa;
and the following voted against same:
None
Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF TROY LEE
WHEREAS Troy began his employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in 1993, and
WHEREAS Troy has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 32 years, and
WHEREAS Troy has been a dedicated math teacher for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Troy for his 32 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 moved to approve the 2025 Pay Equity Report for the Fergus Falls Public Schools/ISD #544. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to enter a Closed Session (Close the meeting) at 6:23pm as per MN Statute 13D.05, Subd.3
- School Board Evaluation of Supt. Jeff Drake. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to re-open the meeting at 7:12pm. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, February 23, 2026 in the Community Education Room, Roosevelt Education Center.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:13 pm. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.