Hannah Nuytten, special education paraprofessional @ MS/Kennedy, effective 09/22/2025
Nadia Thaemert, dishwasher @ Kennedy, effective 09/16/2025
Amanda Kriesel-Koll, special education paraprofessional @ McKinley, effective 09/22/2025
Jaedyn Juran, special education paraprofessional @ McKinley, effective 09/22/2025
Heidi Bohannan, long term secretary substitute @ Kennedy/MS, effective 10/03/2025
Maggie Beving, part time special education paraprofessional @ Lincoln, effective 09/16/2025
Terresa Leno, special education paraprofessional @ Lincoln, effective 09/25/2025
Debra Lee, accompanist @ Kennedy/MS, effective 09/22/2025
Rachael Ehlers, dishwasher @ Kennedy, effective 09/25/2025
Support Staff Resignations:
Elise Hanson, dishwasher @ Kennedy, effective 09/08/2025
Jennifer Getty, special education paraprofessional @ McKinley, effective 09/08/2025
Josie Leitch, dishwasher @ Kennedy, effective 09/09/2025
David Rankin, district chef @ Kennedy, effective 09/12/2025
Support Staff Retirement:
Mark Sibenaller, para educator @ Kennedy, Last day worked 10/3/2025
Internal Transitions:
Dylan Palach, transfer from PT custodian to FT night custodian @ Kennedy, effective 09/16/2025
Joe Burley, transfer from FT night custodian at Kennedy to PT custodian @ Roosevelt, effective 09/18/2025
Coach Hire:
Isaac Vatnsdal, head girls hockey coach, effective 10/27/2025
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
None
New Business:
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the 2025-2026 Fundraiser Requests. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM CONSTRUCTION FUND TO GENERAL FUND
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 (the "District") adopted a resolution on June 12, 2023, which included a declaration of official intent (the “Declaration”) pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.150-2, to reimburse certain expenditures from the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds to be issued for the Lincoln Phase II Construction Project; and
WHEREAS, prior to the issuance of said bonds, the District incurred eligible expenditures related to the Lincoln Phase II Construction Project that were temporarily financed through the General Fund (Fund 01); and
WHEREAS, the District has since received bond proceeds and deposited them into the Construction Fund (Fund 06) for the purpose of financing the Lincoln Phase II Construction Project; and
WHEREAS, the District desires to reimburse the General Fund for eligible expenditures previously paid, as authorized in the June 12, 2023, resolution;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 as follows:
The District is hereby authorized and directed to transfer the amount of approximately $548,434.25 from the Construction Fund (Fund 06) to the General Fund (Fund 01) as reimbursement for eligible project expenditures previously incurred and paid from the General Fund in connection with the Lincoln Phase II Construction Project.
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 FOR PROPOSED LEVY FOR TAXES PAYABLE 2026 (SET AT MAXIMUM AMOUNT)
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 544, State of Minnesota, as follows:
The Board shall certify its proposed property tax levy information to the county auditor on or before September 30 of each year, unless an extension is granted by the home county auditor.
Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 275.065, the School Board is authorized to certify the maximum levy limitation as certified by the commissioner of education for property taxes payable in 2026.
The Public information meeting (Truth in Taxation Hearing) regarding proposed property taxes and the budget is scheduled for 6 PM on Monday, December 8, 2025, in the Community Ed Room at Roosevelt Education Center (during School Board meeting).
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.
Melanie Cole offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF Mark Sibenaller
WHEREAS Mark Sibenaller began his employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in January 2018, and
WHEREAS Mark has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 7 years, and
WHEREAS Mark has been a dedicated Para Educator for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Mark for his 7 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
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.
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the Revised School Athletic Training And Sports Medicine Services Agreement Between Fergus Falls Independent School District #544 And Lake Region Healthcare Corporation. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 5:15 pm Monday, October 13, 2025 in the Community Ed Room at Roosevelt Education Center.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:38 pm. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the board meeting to review the 2025-2026 Student Handbook.