The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Otter Community Room, Kennedy Secondary School. Chair, Melanie Cole, called the meeting to order at 7:15 am. The following members were present: Kirby Anderson, Jeney Christensen, Melanie Cole, Kelli Graff, Missy Hermes, and Stephen Vigesaa. Jeff Drake, Superintendent, was also present.
Missy Hermes, clerk, established a quorum.
Kirby Anderson made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Melanie Cole offered the resolution of acknowledgements for the following and moved for its adoption:
Thank you to the following:
Reliant Student Transport for their donation to MAAP STARS at the Area Learning Center for student expenses at the MAAP STARS State Conference
The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesa 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.
Reports were presented by:
Girl Scout Troop 36025 - Amelinda Hendrickx (3 presenters)
Katie Peterson: Drug Free School
Jeff Drake - Superintendent
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the May 11, 2026 regular board meeting
Bills (May 12 - 26, 2026)
Personnel
Certified Staff Contract Change:
Mackenzie Laughlin, .0278 FTE overload contract for Special Education, 3nd trimester
Jamie Lill, .0606 FTE overload contract for DAPE, 3rd trimester
Support Staff Hire:
Brianna Gerhardson, Long Term Sub Special Education Paraprofessional @ Kennedy/MS effective 05/18/2026
Coach Separations:
Shane Thielke, Middle School Activities Director, @ Kennedy/MS effective 06/30/2026
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
None
New Business:
Missy Hermes moved to approve the Teacher of the Deaf / Hard of Hearing Agreement for .20 FTE between Fergus Falls School District / ISD #544 and River Bend Education District #6049; effective 8/24/2026 - 06/1/2027. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the 2026-28 Agreement Between ISD #544 and the Fergus Falls Para Educator Association; effective 07/01/2026. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the Spring 2026 Memorandum of Agreement outlining the fee structure for the College in the High School program at the University of Minnesota Crookston. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal with Risk Administration Servicers and Dakota Truck Underwriters for a total estimated cost of $165,069; effective 7/1/2026-6/30/2027. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the Commercial insurance policy package through EMC Insurance for a total estimated cost of $253,000 for the 2026-27 fiscal year and rejection of the Terrorism Risk Insurance coverage. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson moved to approve the Award FY27 Milk Bid to Cass Clay Creamery (estimated amount of $109,241). The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the Award of the FY27 Food Bid to Cash-Wa Distributing for the 2026-27 School Year (estimated amount of $449,689 for market basket items). The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the Award bid for asbestos removal in Adams Elementary School flooring to VCI Environmental for $13,200. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
Kelli Graff moved to approve Extended School Year (ESY) services and summer school for students with disabilities. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Kelli Graff moved to approve the Right Start summer programs for Kindergarten (June 10 & 11, 2026). The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the Annual membership with Lakes Country Service Cooperative FY27 ($6,500). The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the Agreement with Lakes Country Service Cooperative for ECFE/School Readiness Staffing/United Way Home Visitor in the amount of $434,176.93 – effective 07/01/2026 - 6/30/2027. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Kirby Anderson offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
2026-2027 RESOLUTION FOR RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
RESOLVED, that the Governing Board or Entity of Fergus Falls Public School District Number 544, located in the State of Minnesota delegates the control, supervision and regulation of interscholastic activities and athletics (referred to in MN Statutes, Section 128C.01) to the Minnesota State High School League, and so hereby certifies to the State Commissioner of Education as provided for by Minnesota Statutes.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the school listed is authorized by this, the Governing Board of said school district or school to renew its membership in the Minnesota State High School League; and to participate in the approved interscholastic activities and athletics sponsored by said League and its various subdivisions.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Governing Board or Entity hereby adopts the Constitution, Bylaws, Policies, Rules and Regulations of said League and all amendments thereto as the same as are published in the latest edition of the League's Official Handbook, on file at the office of the school district or school, or as appears on the League’s website, as the minimum standards governing participation in said League-sponsored activities and athletics. Further, the administration and responsibility for determining student eligibility and for the supervision of such activities and athletics are assigned to the official representatives identified by this Governing Board or Entity.
The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff 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.
The next regular School Board meeting will be held at 7:15 am Monday, June 8, 2026 in the Otter Community Room at Kennedy Secondary School.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 am. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Melissa Hermes, Clerk