Nancy Reard – Special Ed Director
Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance
Jeney Christensen – MSHSL, Activities
Melanie Cole – Region I, Meet & Confer
Kelli Graff – Staff Development, Wellness
Missy Hermes – Curriculum Review, Policy
Stephen Vigesaa – Building/Grounds
Jeff Drake – Superintendent
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the January 27, 2025 regular School Board meeting
Bills and Treasurer’s Report – reviewed by Kelli Graff and Jeney Christensen:
General Fund
$2,015,221.42
Food Service
$63,140.48
Community Education
$13,124.12
Construction
$367,761.71
Debt Service
$500
Trust
$19,499.54
Activities
$8,968.96
TOTAL
$2,488,216.23
Personnel:
Certified Staff Hire:
Anne Hintz, music teacher (iQ/MS) - contract increase of .0802 FTE; (total .4182 FTE); effective 1/20/2025
Certified Staff Contract Change:
Jennifer Smith, iQ special education teacher; contract reduction to .429 FTE; effective 2/3/2025
Certified Staff Retirement:
Roy Anderson, library media specialist @ Kennedy Secondary School; effective EOY 2024-25
Support Staff Resignations:
Natalie Swenson, special education paraprofessional @ Kennedy Secondary School; last work day - 2/21/2025
Formation of a Personnel Committee (Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Stephen Vigesaa)
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Old Business:
Missy Hermes moved to approve the FY 2025 Seniority List for Independent School District #544 - Fergus Falls Public Schools. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
New Business:
Stephen Vigesaa moved to go into a closed session at 6:07 pm permitted by Minnesota Statute §13D.03 under the attorney-client privilege to discuss pending employee grievance arbitration pursuant to Minnesota Statute §13D.05. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson moved to re-open the School Board meeting at 6:28 pm. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to deny the employee grievance under the bargaining agreement between ISD 544 and Minnesota School Employees Association; Custodian/Secretarial Personnel. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF ROY ANDERSON
WHEREAS Roy Anderson began his employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in
August 1994, and
WHEREAS Roy has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past
30 years, and
WHEREAS Roy has been a dedicated teacher and library media specialist for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Roy Anderson for his 30 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
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 same:
None
Whereupon said motion was declared duly passed and the resolution adopted.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the Vending Machine Agreement with Braun Vending effective March 1, 2025. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson. After discussion, Jeney Christensen agreed to amend the motion and table it. Kirby Anderson seconded the amended motion. The motion was tabled unanimously.
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the rate change for Fergus Falls Public Schools Early Childhood Programs (currently $125 per month per spot); effective for the 2025-2026 school year – $137.50 per month per spot ($550/month full-time, four days/week). The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the School Nutrition Program Joint Agreement between ISD #544 and Our Lady of Victory School; effective 1/23/2025 - 3/31/2025. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Melanie Cole moved to approve the amended Farm Lease Agreement between Fergus Falls School District / ISD #544 and Jon Roehl; effective 1/1/2025-12/1/2025. The motion was seconded by Melanie Cole and carried unanimously.
Jenny Christensen moved to approve Design Intent Architect as the pool project vendor. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the 2025-2026 Fergus Falls School District Calendar. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, February 24, 2025 in the Community Education Room, Roosevelt Education Center.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 pm. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting to discuss the budget, weather protocols and guest speakers.