Kelli Graff nominated Kirby Anderson for the position of vice chairperson. Kirby Anderson nominated Jeney Christensen for the position. The vote for Kirby Anderson - Kelli Graff. The vote for Jeney Christensen - Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Jeney Christensen, Missy Hermes, and Stephen Vigesaa. Therefore, Jeney Christensen was declared the Vice Chair.

Jeney Christensen nominated Missy Hermes for the position of clerk. No other nominations were received, and Melanie Cole, Board Chair, declared Missy Hermes as the elected 2026 clerk by acclamation.

Melanie Cole nominated Stephen Vigesaa for the position of Treasurer. Jeney Christensen nominated Kirby Anderson for Treasurer. Stephen Vigesaa was elected Treasurer unanimously.

Salary for School Board Members

Jeney Christensen made a motion to set the basic salary at $530/month for board members. Basic salary covers all regular and special school board meetings, work sessions, retreats, 2 committee meetings/month, and the MSBA conference. Certified Contract Negotiations Committee will be paid a stipend of $500 – payable once during each contract cycle. The position of chair will receive an additional $100/month. Any meetings outside of the basic salary conditions will be paid at $25 per hour. Any board member not attending the strategic planning meeting in July will not be paid the monthly stipend for that month.

The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.

Meeting Dates, Times and Location

Kirby Anderson made a motion to hold School Board meetings The meeting dates will be on the 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month and will be held in the Community Ed Room at Roosevelt Education Center starting at 5:15 PM with the following exceptions:

• All morning board meetings will be held in the Otter Community Room at Kennedy Secondary School.

• The second board meeting in May will be Tuesday, May 26th at 7:15 AM due to the Memorial Day holiday.

• June, July & August meetings will begin at 7:15 AM.

• The second board meetings in March and December will begin at 7:15 AM due to school breaks.

Notes:

• In the event of inclement weather, the board meeting will be rescheduled to the following day at the same time and location.

• A School Board meeting is scheduled for October 12, 2026, which is Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.

Mileage Rate

Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to set the mileage rate at the IRS recognized rate (currently at 72.5¢ per mile, effective Jan. 1, 2026). The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.

Official Newspaper

Jeney Christensen made a motion to designate The Fergus Falls Daily Journal as ISD 544’s official newspaper. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.

Use of Signature Scan

Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to use the present signature scan until a new signature scan is available. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.

Resolution Authorizing Wire Transfer or ACH

Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:

AUTHORIZING PAYMENT BY WIRE OR ACH

Authorization for wire transfers for the following business office employees:

Finance Director (Renae Macheledt), Finance Officer (Marcy Clausen), Accounts Receivable Associate (Amanda Opsahl) and Accountant (to be determined) for payments of sales tax, bonds, K12 Management, retiree insurance, and miscellaneous payments as may be required; Payroll/Benefits Manager (Sheri Smith) for payroll related payments (including but not limited to payroll taxes, PERA, TRA, HCSP, etc.).

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 the same;

None.

Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.

Designate Depository

Jeney Christensen made a motion to designate FM Bank as the School District’s official depository. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.

Resolution Authorizing to Employ Legal Counsel

Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:

AUTHORIZATION TO EMPLOY LEGAL COUNSEL

WHEREAS, from time to time matters arise which require consultation with legal counsel;

WHEREAS, the School Board may not have time to meet specifically to hire legal counsel for a particular circumstance that has arisen and, therefore, a general authorization to contact legal counsel is necessary;

WHEREAS, the School Board reserves the right to hire any legal counsel of its choice for any particular matter;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District 544 as follows:

That the Superintendent or School Board Chairperson be and hereby are authorized to contact legal counsel as needs require.

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 the same;

None.

Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.

Acknowledgment of the participation of the district in the MN School District Liquid Assets Fund:

Jeney Christensen made a motion to acknowledge the participation of ISD No. 544 in the Minnesota School District Liquid Assets Fund. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.

2026 Committee Representatives:

Region 1 Board: Melanie Cole

Activities Committee: Kirby Anderson, Jeney Christensen, Stephen Vigesaa

Curriculum Review Committee: Missy Hermes

Finance Committee: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Stephen Vigesaa

Buildings & Grounds: Melanie Cole, Kelli Graff, Jeney Christensen

Policy Committee: Missy Hermes, Stephen Vigesaa

Wellness Committee: Kelli Graff

544 Education Foundation: Kirby Anderson

Staff Development: Kelli Graff

Meet & Confer: Melanie Cole, Stephen Vigesaa

Personnel: Stephen Vigesaa, Missy Hermes

2026 Negotiation Representatives:

Certified Staff: Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Stephen Vigesaa

Principals: Kirby Anderson, Jeney Christensen, Kelli Graff

Secretaries/Custodians: Melanie Cole

District Wide Individual Contracts: Melanie Cole

Title 1 Paras & Para Educators: Kelli Graff

Special Education Paraprofessionals: Melanie Cole, Stephen Vigesaa

Food Service: Missy Hermes

2026 Monthly School Board Meeting Schedule:

Stephen Vigesaa, treasurer, will review bills with an assigned board member according to the 2026 School Board Schedule. The same assigned School Board member will also be the representative for the monthly Education Association meeting:

Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:

Resolution Establishing School Board Member Participation Expectations

WHEREAS, the School Board is responsible for the governance of the District under Minnesota law; and

WHEREAS, effective governance requires consistent attendance, preparation, and participation by all School Board members;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that School Board members are expected to:

• Attend regular and special Board meetings and assigned committee meetings;

• Prepare for and participate professionally in meetings;

• Comply with applicable laws, Board policies, and ethical standards;

• Engage in ongoing governance training; and

• Focus on governance and oversight rather than day-to-day administration.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution establishes Board expectations and norms and does not alter statutory provisions regarding the election, tenure, or removal of School Board members.

Adopted this 12th day of January, 2026.

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 the same;

None.

Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.

Jeney Christensen made a motion to adjourn the reorganization meeting at 5:53 p.m. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.

The regular School Board meeting followed the reorganization meeting.