The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Community Education Room, Roosevelt Education Center. Chair, Melanie Cole, called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. 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.
Stephen Vigesaa 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:
Dorn & Co, Service Food, The Market, and American Legion Post 30 for their donations to MAAP STARS at the Area Learning Center for student expenses at the MAAP STARS State Conference
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.
Reports were presented by:
Amelia Lemar – Curriculum Director
Kirby Anderson – 544 Education Foundation, Finance
Jeney Christensen – Buildings & Grounds
Melanie Cole – Region I
Kelli Graff – Staff Development, Wellness
Missy Hermes – Curriculum Review, Policy
Stephen Vigesaa – Activities, Meet & Confer
Jeff Drake – Superintendent
General Consent Items
The following consent agenda was presented for approval:
Minutes from the April 27, 2026 regular School Board meeting
Bills and Treasurer’s Report - reviewed by Stephen Vigesaa and Kirby Anderson:
General Fund
$2,653,243.99
Food Service
$90,810.04
Community Education
$35,511.63
Construction
$0
Debt Service
$9,603.01
Trust
$11,327.79
Activities
$19,194.05
TOTAL
$2,819,690.51
Personnel
Certified Staff Separations:
Peter Phillips, social studies teacher @ Alternative Learning Center, effective 6/5/2026
Support Staff Hire:
Sandra Richards, special education paraprofessional @ Adams, effective 5/11/2026
Support Staff Transfer:
Amanda Graves-Fellbaum, temporary transfer from ECFE/preschool classroom assistant to noon hour supervisor, effective 5/22/2026
Support Staff Retirements:
Lisa Barker, head custodian @ McKinley, effective 06/15/2026
Support Staff Separations:
Maggie Torgusson, noon hour supervisor @ Lincoln, effective 5/19/2026
Theresa Herzberg, special education paraprofessional and Kennedy / MS, effective 5/7/2026
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business:
None
New Business:
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the Agreement with Lakes Country Service Cooperative in the amount of $37,590 for Direct Mental Health Support to Students – effective 07/01/2026 - 6/30/2027. The motion was seconded by Missy Hermes and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the Purchase of Service Agreement for the Transportation of Children & Youth in Foster Care Placement effective 7/01/2026. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the 2026-28 Contract Between ISD #544 and the Fergus Falls Food Service Association; effective 07/01/2026. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Jeney Christensen moved to approve the Three-year Renewal Quote for Frontline Absence Management and Applicant Tracking System in the amount of $51,955. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the Reorganization of Custodial Staff. Addition of new Custodial Supervisor @ Kennedy / Roosevelt (1 FTE - grade 9) to be posted internally. Reassignment of 2 Head Custodians (KSS & REC). Addition of 1 custodian at Roosevelt.. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
Missy Hermes moved to approve the Additional .6 FTE ASD Certified @ District wide effective 2026-27 School year. The motion was seconded by Kelli Graff and carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION PLACING A CONTINUING CONTRACT/TENURED TEACHER ON UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE UPON ACQUIESCENCE OF SUCH PLACEMENT
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent District No.0544 adopted a resolution proposing placement of (TEACHER NAME) on unrequested leave of absence on April 13, 2026, on the grounds of financial limitations.
WHEREAS, said written notice of the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence was mailed to (TEACHER NAME) by certified mail on on April 14, 2026; and
WHEREAS, said written notice of the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence contained a statement setting forth the reasons for the proposed placement as well as a statement that (he/she) was entitled to a hearing before the School Board provided (he/she) make a request in writing within fourteen days of receipt of said notice, and that if no hearing was requested within said fourteen day period it constituted acquiescence by (TEACHER NAME) to the School Board's proposed action, and
WHEREAS, no written request for a hearing was received by the School Board or Superintendent from (TEACHER NAME) as of April 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, said failure to make written request for a hearing within fourteen days after receipt of notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence constitutes acquiescence by (TEACHER NAME) to said placement on unrequested leave of absence;
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent District No.0544 that (TEACHER NAME) be and hereby is placed on unrequested leave of absence as a teacher of Independent District No.0544 on the grounds of financial limitations at the end of the 2025-26 school year effective June 30, 2026, in accordance with the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.2 without pay or fringe benefits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a notice of placement on unrequested leave, together with a copy of this resolution be forwarded to said teacher personally and that an affidavit of same be placed in (his/her) personnel file, together with a copy of the notice and resolution.
NOTICE OF PLACEMENT OF UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE UPON ACQUIESCENCE OF PLACEMENT
Dear Ms./Mr.,
You are hereby notified that at a meeting of the School Board of Independent District No. 0544 held on May 11, 2026, a resolution was adopted by majority roll call vote of the full membership of the School Board, placing you on unrequested leave of absence (- - FTE) as a teacher of Independent District No. 0544 on the grounds of financial limitations at the end of the 2025-26 school year effective June 30, 2026 according to the District Master Agreement and pursuant to Minn. Stat. 122A.40, subd. 10.2 without pay or fringe benefits.
For the reinstatement process please refer to the District Master Agreement (Article 14 - Unrequested Leave of Absence).
A copy of the resolution duly adopted by the School Board is attached hereto for your information.
Please keep the HR Director advised in writing of your address at all times until your reinstatement rights have expired, so that the District may notify you of any available positions for which you may qualify.
Sincerely,
Missy Hermes, clerk
School Board of Independent District No. 544
Claire Gothier (.1667 FTE)
Laurie McNallie (.3333 FTE)
Mariah Minkkinen (.25 FTE)
Heather Schreder (.2916 FTE)
Ann Skoe (.3333 FTE)
Lisa Theisen (.4167 FTE)
Melanie Cole offered the resolution and moved for its adoption. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson 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.
Stephen Vigesaa moved to approve the Art, Music and Spanish curriculum for the 2026/27 school year. The motion was seconded by Jeney Christensen and carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF LISA BARKER
WHEREAS Lisa Barker began her employment with the Fergus Falls Public Schools in December 1990, and
WHEREAS Lisa has been a valued employee with the Fergus Falls Public Schools for the past 36 years, and
WHEREAS Lisa has been a dedicated Head Custodian for the district and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Fergus Falls School Board to thank Lisa for her 36 years of service to the Fergus Falls Public Schools.
Jeney Christensen offered the resolution and moved for its adoption. 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 Tuesday, May 26, 2026 in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Please note change to Tuesday due to the Memorial Day holiday, and in time and location for summer.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 pm. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
A work session followed the regular board meeting and discussed 2026 graduation and policy.