The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Otter Community Room, Kennedy Secondary School. Chair, Melanie Cole, called the meeting to order at 7:15 am. The following members were present: Kirby Anderson, Jeney Christensen, Melanie Cole, Kelli Graff, Missy Hermes and Stephen Vigesaa. Jeff Drake, Superintendent, and Renae Macheledt, Finance Director, were also present.

Missy Hermes, clerk, established a quorum. 

Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously. 

Reports were presented by: 

• Derek Abrahams – Activities

• 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: 

1. Minutes from the June 22, 2026 regular School Board meeting.

2. Bills and Treasurer’s Report - reviewed by Stephen Vigesaa & Missy Hermes:

1. Annual review of School Board Policies with no substantive changes: 

• Policy #506: Student Discipline 

• Policy #807: Health & Safety Policy 

• Policy #806: Crisis Management Policy 

1. Personnel

Certified Staff Hire:

• MaryBeth Peterson, computer technology teacher (.9503 FTE) @ Kennedy/MS, effective August 24, 2026

• Ciara Walls, social studies teacher (.3333 FTE) @ iQ Academy, effective August 24, 2026

Support Staff Hire: 

• Chelsee Fisher, special education paraprofessional @ Kennedy/MS, effective August 27, 2026

• Tracy Holdeman, head secretary @ Area Learning Center, effective August 17, 2026

• Elizabeth Hanstad, student services coordinator @ Kennedy/MS, effective August 24, 2026

• Brianna Gerhardson, special education paraprofessional @ Kennedy/MS effective August 27, 2026 

Support Staff Transfers: 

• Nick Grant, transfer from custodian-delivery operator @ Kennedy to evening custodian at McKinley, effective July 1, 2026. 

Support Staff Separations: 

•  Heather Johnston, special education paraprofessional @ Adams, effective June 4, 2026.

Individual Contracts effective 2026-2028  

• Technology Specialist, Susan Lewis

• Accountant, Jason Koehn

• Finance Officer, Marcy Clausen 

• Payroll & Benefits Manager, Sheri Smith 

• Food Service Director, Lance Wells 

• Assistant Director of Special Education, Julie Domino 

• Director of Community Education, Mary Matteson

• Human Resources Director, Amanda Griffin 

• Director of Special Education, Nancy Reard, including grade level increase from grade 11 to grade 13

• Director of Finance and Operations, Renae Macheledt, including grade level increase from grade 12 to 13

Kirby Anderson moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.

Unfinished Business: 

1. Second Reading of New School Board Policy:

• Policy 524.5 - PERSONAL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES 

• Policy 534.5 - STUDENT SNACK GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS 

Jeney Christensen moved to adopt the policies. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.

New Business: 

1. Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve a wage adjustment for substitute staff positions for Certified Teacher substitutes to $184/day or $92/half day and Support Staff substitutes to $20.00/hour; effective 2026-2027 school year. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously. 

2. Jeney Christensen moved to approve a wage adjustment for non-affiliated support staff (Early Childhood Classroom Assistants, Noon Hour Supervisors, Student Support Aides) to $20.25/hour; effective 2026-2027 school year. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously. 

3. Missy Hermes moved to approve a wage adjustment for accompanist to $22.50/hour; effective 2026-2027 school year. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously. 

4. Jeney Christensen moved to approve the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Concurrent Enrollment Program Contract Between ISD 544 and the State of Minnesota; effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.

5. Missy Hermes moved to approve Revisions to current School Board Policies:

• Policy #208: Develop, Adoption, and Implementation of Policies

• Policy #402: Disability Nondiscrimination Policy

• Policy #410: Family and Medical Leave Policy 

• Policy #423: Employee-Student Relationships

• Policy #455: Substitute employment procedure - non-licensed personnel 

• Policy #507.5: School Resource Officers 

            The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.

The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 7:15 am Monday, July 27, 2026 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. 

Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 am. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously. 

A Strategic Planning Meeting followed the regular board meeting to discuss facilities, finance, policy and strategic planning, along with a policy committee meeting Kennedy School Otter Community Room