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.
Reports were presented by:
Carey Johnson - ALC Director
Doug Anderson - Facilities Supervisor
FY26 Financial Budget – Renae Macheledt
Jon Steinbrenner - Elementary Principal (Lincoln)
Scott Colbeck - Elementary Principal (McKinley/Adams)
Tindy Rund - Elementary Principal (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 May 12, 2025 regular board meeting
Bills (May 14 - 27, 2025)
Personnel
Certified Staff Hire effective 8/25/2025:
Charlee Ugstad, art teacher .7467 FTE @ ALC
Diane Wicklund, substitute teacher / math 1 FTE @ ALC
Certified Staff Resignation:
Taylor Leitch, elementary teacher @ Adams, last day of work 06/03/2025
Support Staff Resignation:
Amy Newkirk, para educator @ McKinley, last work day 6/02/2025
Erik Maanum, custodian-delivery @ Kennedy Secondary School, last work day 5/29/2025
Kathy Nelson, para educator @ Lincoln, last work day 6/02/2025
Debra Emery, Cafeteria Assistant @ McKinley, last work day 05/30/2025
Individual Contracts effective 7/01/25 - 6/30/2026:
Truancy Interventionist/Office Assistant (Lynn Johnson)
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Jeney Christensen moved to approve revisions to the 2025-26 School District Calendar to adjust ALC & KSS graduation ceremony dates (ALC graduation 6/04/26; KSS graduation 6/05/26). The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal with First Dakota Indemnity for a total estimated cost of $151,220; effective 7/1/2025-6/30/2026. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the award of FY26 Milk Bid to Cass Clay Creamery (in the amount of $129,791). The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the Second Extension to the Food Service Agreement with US Foods for the 2025-26 School Year; effective 7/1/2025-6/30/2026. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the Extended School Year (ESY) services and summer school for students with disabilities. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Kelli Graff moved to approve the Right Start summer programs for Kindergarten (June 4 & 5, 2025). The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the Local Literacy Plan 2025-2026. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Kelli Graff moved to approve the Child and Adult Care Food Program Contract for Vended Meals/Head Start; effective 10/1/2025-9/30/2026. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
2025-2026 RESOLUTION FOR RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE.
RESOLVED, that the Governing Board of Fergus Falls Public School District Number 544, located in the State of Minnesota delegates the control, supervision and regulation of interscholastic activities and athletics (referred to in MN Statutes, Section 128C.01) to the Minnesota State High School League, and so hereby certifies to the State Commissioner of Education as provided for by Minnesota Statutes.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the school listed is authorized by this, the Governing Board of said school district or school to renew its membership in the Minnesota State High School League; and. Participate in the approved interscholastic activities and athletics sponsored by said League and its various subdivisions.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Governing Board or Entity hereby adopts the Constitution, Bylaws, Policies, Rules and Regulations of said League and all amendments thereto as the same as are published in the latest edition of the League’s Official Handbook, on file at the office of the school district or school, or as appears on the League’s website, as the minimum standards governing participation in said League-sponsored activities and athletics. Further, the administration and responsibility for determining student eligibility and for the supervision of such activities and athletics are assigned to the official representatives identified by this Governing Board or Entity.
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.
Melanie Cole offered the following 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 27, 2025, 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 (Districtwide, including iQ Academy):
Certified Staff Positions:
High School REACH - .25 FTE
The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen 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.
Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
Resolution Placing a Continuing Contract/Tenured Teacher on Unrequested Leave of Absence Upon Acquiescence of Such Placement
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent District No.0544 adopted a resolution proposing placement of (TEACHER NAME) on unrequested leave of absence on April 28, 2025, on the grounds of financial limitations.
WHEREAS, said written notice of the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence was mailed to (TEACHER NAME) by certified mail on April 29, 2025; and
WHEREAS, said written notice of the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence contained a statement setting forth the reasons for the proposed placement as well as a statement that (he/she) was entitled to a hearing before the School Board provided (he/she) make a request in writing within fourteen days of receipt of said notice, and that if no hearing was requested within said fourteen day period it constituted acquiescence by (TEACHER NAME) to the School Board's proposed action, and
WHEREAS, no written request for a hearing was received by the School Board or Superintendent from (TEACHER NAME) as of May 15, 2025; and
WHEREAS, said failure to make written request for a hearing within fourteen days after receipt of notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence constitutes acquiescence by (TEACHER NAME) to said placement on unrequested leave of absence;
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No.0544 that (TEACHER NAME) be and hereby is placed on unrequested leave of absence as a teacher of Independent District No.0544 on the grounds of financial limitations at the end of the 2024-25 school year effective June 30, 2025, in accordance with the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.2 without pay or fringe benefits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a notice of placement on unrequested leave, together with a copy of this resolution be forwarded to said teacher personally and that an affidavit of same be placed in (his/her) personnel file, together with a copy of the notice and resolution.
NOTICE OF PLACEMENT OF UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE UPON ACQUIESCENCE OF PLACEMENT
Dear Ms./Mr.,
You are hereby notified that at a meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 0544 held on May 27, 2025, a resolution was adopted by majority roll call vote of the full membership of the School Board, placing you on unrequested leave of absence (- - FTE) as a teacher of Independent District No. 0544 on the grounds of financial limitations at the end of the 2024-25 school year effective June 30, 2025 according to the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.2 without pay or fringe benefits.
For the reinstatement process please refer to the District Master Agreement (Article 14 - Unrequested Leave of Absence).
A copy of the resolution duly adopted by the School Board is attached hereto for your information.
Please keep the HR Director advised in writing of your address at all times until your reinstatement rights have expired, so that the District may notify you of any available positions for which you may qualify.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hermes, clerk
School Board of Independent District No. 544
Michael Bare (.1667 FTE)
Kailey Glebe (.1667 FTE)
Vanessa Jacobson (.143 FTE)
Mariah Minkkinen (.3333 FTE)
Heather Schreder (.4167 FTE)
Ann Skoe (.3333 FTE)
Jennifer Smith (.429 FTE)
Lisa Theisen (.5 FTE)
The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen 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.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 7:15 am Monday, June 9, 2025 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 am. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.