Thank you to Harmony Studios for their donation of books and cleaning rods to the Kennedy Secondary School Band Department.
The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, 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:
Amelia Lemar - HS English Curriculum
Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance, Activities
Melanie Cole – Spec Ed Coop, Region I
Missy Hermes – Staff Development, Policy
Natalie Knutson – Wellness, Building & Grounds
Matthew Lemke – MSHSL
Stephen Vigesaa
Jeff Drake – Superintendent, Curriculum
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the January 23, 2023 regular School Board meeting
Bills and Treasurer’s Report – reviewed by Missy Hermes and Kirby Anderson:
General Fund
$2,156,127.38
Food Service
$92,112.80
Community Service
$129,615.91
Building Fund
$0.00
Debt Service
($145,700.00)
Trust & Agency
$0.00
Activities
$12,179.81
TOTAL
$2,244,335.90
Personnel
Certified Staff Retirement:
Mark Aho, physical education teacher @ KSS; effective end of the 2022-23 school year
Support Staff Resignation:
Greg Johnson, noon hour supervisor @ Adams; last work day-1/31/2023
Support Staff Hire:
Theresa Herzberg, noon hour supervisor @ Adams; effective-2/6/2023
Melanie Cole moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
Stephen Vigesaa offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF MARK AHO
WHEREAS Mark Aho began his employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in June 1996 and
WHEREAS Mark has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for 27 years, and
WHEREAS Mark has been a dedicated physical education teacher for the school district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Mark Aho for his 27 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa;
and the following voted against same:
None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Matthew Lemke offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
FM BANK PUBLIC FUNDS BANKING RESOLUTION, ACCOUNT ENDING IN 3407 AND ACCOUNT ENDING IN 0055
RESOLVED, that FM Bank (“Financial Institution”) at any one or more of its offices or branches, be and it hereby is designated as a depository for the funds of the Independent School District 544 (“Entity”), which may be withdrawn on checks, draft, advices of debit, notes or other orders for the payment of monies bearing the following appropriate number of signatures: Any three (3) of the following named officers or employees of the Entity (“Agents”), whose actual signatures are shown below: Kirby D. Anderson, Jeffrey D. Drake, Melissa A. Hermes, Renae Macheledt, Natalie M. Knutson; and that the Financial Institution shall be and is authorized to honor and pay the same whether or not they are payable to bearer or to the individual order of any Agent or Agents signing the same.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Financial Institution is hereby directed to accept and pay without further inquiry any item drawn against any of the Entity’s accounts with the Financial Institution bearing the signature or signatures of Agents, as authorized above or otherwise, even though drawn or endorsed to the order of any Agent signing or tendered by such Agent for cashing or in payment of the individual obligation of such Agent or for deposit to the Agent’s personal account, and the Financial Institution shall not be required or be under any obligation to inquire as to the circumstances of the issue or use of any item signed in accordance with the resolutions contained herein, or the application or disposition of such item or the proceeds of the item.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any one of such Agents is authorized to endorse all checks, drafts, notes and other items payable to or owned by this Entity for deposit with the FInancial Institution, or for collection or discount by the Financial Institution; and to accept drafts and other items payable at the Financial Institution.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above named Agents are authorized and empowered to execute such other agreements, including, but not limited to, special depository agreements and arrangements regarding the manner, conditions, or purposes for which funds, checks, or items of the Entity may be deposited, collected, or withdrawn and to perform such other acts as they deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of these resolutions. The other agreements and other acts may not be contrary to the provisions contained in this resolution.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the authority hereby conferred upon the above named Agents shall be and remain in full force and effect until written notice of any amendment or revocation thereof shall have been delivered to and received by the Financial Institution at each location where an account is maintained. The Financial Institution shall be indemnified and held harmless from any loss suffered or any liability incurred by it in continuing to act in accordance with this resolution. Any such notice shall not affect any items in process at the time notice is given.
The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and upon roll call vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, and Matthew Lemke (Stephen Vigesaa recused himself from the vote).
and the following voted against same:
None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Kirby Anderson moved to approve a rate change for Early Childhood Programs (currently $105 per month per spot): effective for the 2023-2024 school year – $120 per month per spot. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Melanie Cole moved to approve revisions to the following School District Policies:
515: Protection And Privacy Of Pupil Records
524: Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy
533: District Wellness, Physical Activity and Nutrition Policy
534: School Meals Policy
The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH (FEBRUARY) RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Fergus Falls Public Schools ISD #544 recognizes the importance of public education in our community; and
WHEREAS, the Fergus Falls Public Schools ISD #544 appreciates the vital role played by those individuals who, as local school board members, establish policies to ensure an efficient, effective school system; and
WHEREAS, school board members serve as a voice that enables our community to preserve local management and control of our public schools; and
WHEREAS, school board members are charged with representing our local education interests to state and federal governments and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws; and
WHEREAS, school board members selflessly devote their knowledge, time and talents as advocates for our schoolchildren;
WHEREAS, local school board members are strong advocates for public education and
responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public’s expectations to the district;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fergus Falls Public Schools ISD #544 recognizes and salutes the members of the Fergus Falls Public Schools ISD #544 School Board by proclaiming February 2023 as School Board Recognition Month.
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, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa;
and the following voted against same:
None.
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the partial adoption of High School English Curriculum (CommonLit); effective for the 2023-24 school year. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to go into a closed session at 6:19 pm permitted by Minnesota Statute §13D.05 Subd. 2 to discuss nonpublic data (educational data, health data, medical data, welfare data, or mental health data). The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson moved to re-open the School Board meeting at 6:33 pm. The motion was seconded by Natalie Knutson and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve a request for a leave of absence by Megan Lee through the end of the 2022-23 school year. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, February 27, 2023 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 pm. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting.