Reports were presented by:
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 regular School Board meeting held on April 14, 2025
Bills (April 16 - 28, 2025)
Personnel
2025-26 Certified Staff Hires - effective 8/25/2025:
Peyton Krogman, language arts teacher 1 FTE @ Kennedy Secondary School / Middle School
Emily Toso, elementary teacher @ McKinley School
Kayla Thompson, Title 1 teacher @ McKinley School
Support Staff Hires:
Kaylee Wheeler, night custodian @ Kennedy Secondary School; effective 05/05/2025
Support Staff Resignations:
Christy Riewer, noon hour supervisor @ Lincoln, last work day 5/30/2025
Staisha Bethel, special education paraprofessional @ Adams, last work day 04/18/2025
Support Staff Retirement:
Marsha Johnson, para educator @ Lincoln; last work day 6/3/2025
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve a 5-year certified staff leave of absence request from Sara Delaney, high school art teacher; effective for the 2025-2026 school year through the 2029-2030. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff. Jeney Christensen moved to amend the motion to a 1-year certified staff leave of absence contingent on finding a qualified substitute within 30 days by May 30, 2025. The amended motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF MARSHA JOHNSON
WHEREAS Marsha Johnson began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in August 2013, and
WHEREAS Marsha has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 12 years, and
WHEREAS Marsha has been a dedicated para educator for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Marsha Johnson for her 13 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
Melanie Cole offered the resolution and moved for its adoption. 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 NONRENEWING A TIER 1 TEACHER
WHEREAS, (TEACHER NAME) is a TIER 1 teacher in Independent District No. 544.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No. 544, that the teaching contract of (TEACHER NAME), a TIER 1 teacher in Independent School District No. 544, shall be nonrenewed at the end of the 2024-2025 school year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written notice be sent to said teacher regarding the nonrenewal of the teacher’s teaching contract
NOTICE OF NON RENEWING A TIER 1 TEACHER
Dear (TEACHER NAME):
You are hereby notified that at the meeting of the School Board of Independent District No.544 held on April 28, 2025, a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to not renew your teaching contract for the 2025 - 2026 school year. Your employment will terminate at the end of the 2024-25 school year, effective June 30, 2025.
Sincerely,
Melanie Cole, Chair
School Board of Independent School District No. 544
Caleb Anderson
Anne Hintz
Baylee McKinney
Katherine McNelly
Scott Meldahl
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.
Missy Hermes offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION NONRENEWING A PROBATIONARY TEACHER
WHEREAS, (TEACHER NAME) is a probationary teacher in Independent District No. 544.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No. 544, that pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 5.¹ and the District Master Agreement, the teaching contract of (TEACHER NAME), a probationary teacher in Independent District No. 544, shall be nonrenewed at the end of the 2024 - 2025 school year effective June 30, 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that written notice be sent to said teacher regarding the nonrenewal of the teacher’s teaching contract.
NOTICE OF NONRENEWAL FOR A PROBATIONARY TEACHER
Dear (TEACHER NAME):
You are hereby notified that at the meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 544 held on April 28, 2025, a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to not renew your teaching contract for the 2025 - 2026 school year. Your employment will terminate at the end of the 2024 - 2025 school year effective June 30, 2025. Said action of the School Board is taken pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 5.² and the District Master Agreement.
You may officially request the School Board give its reasons for the nonrenewal of your teaching contract. For your information, however, this action is being taken because of financial limitations.
Sincerely,
Melanie, Chair
School Board of Independent School District No. 544
Emily Corrin (.4262 FTE)
Kari Fields (.8361 FTE)
Nicholas Ganoe (.5 FTE)
Gail Johnson (.0911 FTE)
Monica Petersen (.1667 FTE)
Jennifer Peterson (.1912 FTE)
The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Jeney Christensen, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, and Stephen Vigesaa;
and the following voted against same: Kelli Graff.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Jeney Christensen offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION PROPOSING PLACEMENT OF A CONTINUING CONTRACT/TENURED TEACHER ON UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent District No. 544, as follows:
That it is proposed that (TEACHER NAME), a continuing contract/tenured teacher of said District, be placed on unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits, at the end of the 2024-25 school year; effective June 30, 2025. Said action is taken in accordance with the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.2 upon the grounds described in said statute and which are specifically financial limitations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave, together with a copy of this resolution be forwarded to said teacher and that an affidavit of the same be placed in (his/her) personnel file with a copy of the notice and resolution.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PLACEMENT ON UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR A CONTINUING CONTRACT/TENURED TEACHER AND NOTICE OF HEARING DATE, IF REQUESTED
Dear Ms./Mr.,
You are hereby notified that at the regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 held on April 28, 2025, a resolution was adopted by a majority vote of the School Board, proposing your placement on unrequested leave of absence, without pay or fringe benefits, as a teacher of Independent School Dist. 544 at the end of the 2024-25 school year effective June 30, 2025, Said action of the School Board is taken pursuant to the District Master Agreement and Minnesota Stat. 122A.40, subdivision 10.2 upon the grounds described in said statute and which are specifically as follows:
Financial Limitations
Under the provisions of the law, you are entitled to a hearing before the School Board provided that you make a request in writing within fourteen days after receipt of this notice. If no hearing is requested within such a period, it shall be deemed acquiescence by you to the School Board’s proposed action.
If you desire a hearing, it will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 o'clock a.m. in the Otter Community Room at Kennedy Secondary School or as soon thereafter as you can be heard. Please advise if such a hearing is requested.
Sincerely,
Melanie Cole, Chair
School Board of Independent School District No. 544
That each and all of the foregoing grounds of said notice are within the grounds for unrequested leave placement as set forth in M.S. 122A.40, subdivision 10 and Article 15, Section 2 of the current Master Agreement between the School District and the exclusive representative and are hereby adopted as fully and though separately set forth and resolved therein.
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 Kirby Anderson 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.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to approve Policy #902 - Use Of School Facilities & Grounds By Community Groups; and 2025-26 Individuals and Facilities Rental Handbook. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen made a motion to approve the 2025-26 Otter Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) School Calendar. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson made a motion to approve the 2025-26 School Resource Officer (SRO) Services Agreement; effective July 1, 2025. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, May 12, 2025 in the Community Ed Room / Roosevelt Education Center.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 pm. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.