Missy Hermes nominated Melanie Cole for the position of vice chairperson. Due to no further forthcoming nominations, Natalie Knutson, chair, declared Melanie Cole as the elected 2024 vice chairperson by acclamation.
Melanie Cole nominated Missy (Melissa) Hermes for the position of clerk. Due to no further forthcoming nominations, Natalie Knutson, chair, declared Missy Hermes as the elected 2024 clerk by acclamation.
Melanie Cole nominated Kirby Anderson for the position of treasurer. Due to no further forthcoming nominations, Natalie Knutson, chair, declared Kirby Anderson as the elected 2024 treasurer by acclamation.
Salary for School Board Members
Melanie Cole 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, two (2) committee meetings/month, 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. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Meeting Dates, Times and Location
Missy Hermes made a motion to hold School Board meetings in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. The meeting dates will be on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, starting at 5:15 PM. Exception: July meeting on the third Monday of the month only; and December meeting on the second Monday of the month only; Summer meetings will begin at 7:15 AM. A School Board meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2024, which is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Mileage Rate
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to set the mileage rate at the IRS recognized rate (currently at 67¢ per mile, effective Jan. 1, 2024). The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Official Newspaper
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to designate The Fergus Falls Daily Journal as ISD 544’s official newspaper. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Use of Signature Scan
No action was taken due to officers remaining the same as 2023.
Resolution Authorizing Wire Transfer
Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
AUTHORIZING WIRE TRANSFER
Authorization for wire transfers for the following business office employees:
Finance Director (Renae Macheledt), Finance Officer (Marcy Clausen), and Accountant (Jessica Johnson) for payments of sales tax, bonds, K12 Management, and miscellaneous payments as may be required; Payroll Manager (Sheri Smith) for payroll related payments (including but not limited to payroll taxes, PERA, TRA, HCSP, etc.); and Accounts Receivable Associate for retiree payments of insurance.
The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, and Stephen Vigesaa, and the following voted against the same;
None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Designate Depository
Kirby Anderson made a motion to designate FM Bank as the School District’s official depository. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried with four votes. (Vigesaa recused himself from voting.)
Resolution Authorizing to Employ Legal Counsel
Missy Hermes 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 No. 544 as follows:
That the Superintendent or School Board Chairman be and hereby are authorized to contact legal counsel as needs require.
The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, 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
Kirby Anderson 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.
2024 Committee Representatives:
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to approve the assignment of School Board members to committees for 2024. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Minnesota State High School League & Co-Curricular: Matthew Lemke
Special Education Cooperative Board & Region 1 Board: Melanie Cole
Activities Committee: Kirby Anderson, Matthew Lemke, Stephen Vigesaa
Curriculum Review Committee: Missy Hermes
Finance Committee: Matthew Lemke, Natalie Knutson, Kirby Anderson
Buildings & Grounds: Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, Stephen Vigesaa
Policy Committee: Natalie Knutson, Stephen Vigesaa, Missy Hermes
Wellness Committee: Natalie Knutson
544 Education Foundation: Kirby Anderson
Staff Development: Stephen Vigesaa
Meet & Confer: Melanie Cole
2024 Negotiation Representatives:
Melanie Cole made a motion to approve the assignment of School Board members as negotiation representatives for 2024. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Certified Staff: Melanie Cole, Matthew Lemke, Missy Hermes
Principals: Kirby Anderson, Matthew Lemke, Stephen Vigesaa
Secretaries/Custodians: Stephen Vigesaa, Matthew Lemke
District Wide Individual Contracts: Natalie Knutson
Title 1 Paras & Para Educators: Stephen Vigesaa
Special Education Paraprofessionals: Melanie Cole, Natalie Knutson
Food Service: Missy Hermes
2024 Monthly School Board Meeting Schedule:
Kirby Anderson, treasurer, will review bills with an assigned board member according to the 2024 School Board Schedule. The same assigned School Board member will also be the representative for the monthly Education Association meeting:
January
8 @ 5:15 PM
22 @ 5:15 PM
February
12 @ 5:15 PM
26 @ 5:15 PM
March
11 @ 5:15 PM
25 @ 5:15 PM
April
8 @ 5:15 PM
22 @ 5:15 PM
May
13 @ 5:15 PM
28 @ 7:15 AM (Tuesday)
June
10 @ 7:15 AM
24 @ 7:15 AM
July
15 @ 7:15 AM-Noon
RETREAT
August
12 @ 7:15 AM
26 @ 7:15 AM
September
9 @ 5:15 PM
23 @ 5:15 PM
October
14 @ 5:15 PM
28 @ 5:15 PM
November
12 @ 5:15 PM - WBWF (Tuesday)
25 @ 5:15 PM
December
9 @ 5:15 PM
Taxes Payable/Internet
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the reorganization meeting at 5:35 p.m. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
The regular School Board meeting followed the reorganization meeting.