Natalie Knutson, Chair
Committees: Finance Committee; Buildings & Grounds; Policy Committee; Wellness Committee
Negotiations: Special Education Paraprofessionals; District-wide Individual Contracts
Term ends: 2024
Email: nknutson@fergusotters.org
Melanie Cole, Vice Chair
Committees: Spec Ed. Coop & Region I Board; Buildings & Grounds
Negotiations: Certified staff; Special Education Paraprofessionals
Term ends: 2026
Email: mcole@fergusotters.org
Phone: 218-205-4854
Kirby Anderson, Treasurer
Committees: Finance Committee; 544 Education Foundation; Activities Committee
Negotiations: Principals
Term ends: 2026
Email: kirbyanderson@fergusotters.org
Phone: 218-770-7161
Melissa Hermes, Clerk
Committees: Staff Development; Policy Committee
Negotiations: Certified staff; Cafeteria
Term ends: 2026
Email: mhermes@fergusotters.org
Matthew Lemke
Committees: MN State HS League & Co-Curricular; Activities Committee; Finance Committee
Negotiations: Certified staff; Principals; Secretaries & Custodians
Term ends: 2024
Email: mlemke@fergusotters.org
Phone: 218-731-1385
Stephen Vigesaa
Committees: Activities Committee; Policy Committee; Curriculum Review Committee
Negotiations: Principals; Secretaries & Custodians; Title 1 Paras & Para Educators
Term ends: 2024
Email: svigesaa@fergusotters.org
Phone: 507-993-5941
- Details
- Written by: Missy Hermes
- Parent Category: School Board
- Category: Meeting Minutes
- Hits: 205
The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Community Education Office at the Roosevelt Education Center. Chair Natalie Knutson called the meeting to order at 5:17 pm. The following members were present: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy (Melissa) Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa. Renae Macheledt, Finance Director, and Elaine Jahnke, HR Director, were also present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
Missy Hermes, clerk, established a quorum.
Melanie Cole made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa offered the resolution of acknowledgements for the following and moved for its adoption:
Thank you to Tyler Rowlan for his donation of a Yamaha Trumpet to the Kennedy Secondary School Music Department.
- Details
- Written by: Jesse Thorstad
- Parent Category: School Board
- Category: Meeting Minutes
- Hits: 324
The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Chair Natalie Knutson called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. The following members were present: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy (Melissa) Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke and Stephen Vigesaa. Jeff Drake, Superintendent, Renae Macheledt, Finance Director, and Elaine Jahnke, HR Director, were also present.
Missy Hermes, clerk, established a quorum.
Melanie Cole made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Stephen Vigesaa and carried unanimously.
Stephen Vigesaa offered the resolution of acknowledgements for the following and moved for its adoption:
Thank you to Jeff & Gina Ackerson, Barry & Pamela Boettcher, and Alice Halvorson for their donations to the Otter Angel Account, an account created to anonymously assist families unable to pay for student meals.
- Details
- Written by: Missy Hermes
- Parent Category: School Board
- Category: Meeting Minutes
- Hits: 176
The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Chair Natalie Knutson called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. The following members were present: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy (Melissa) Hermes, Natalie Knutson and Stephen Vigesaa. Matthew Lemke was absent. Jeff Drake, Superintendent, Renae Macheledt, Finance Director, and Elaine Jahnke, HR Director, were also present.
Missy Hermes, clerk, established a quorum.
Melanie Cole made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Natalie Knutson offered the resolution of acknowledgements for the following and moved for its adoption:
Thank you to Barry & Pamela Boettcher, Jeanne Schetnan, Joanne Connelly, and Starrla Klaksvik for their donations to the Otter Angel Account, an account created to anonymously assist families unable to pay for student meals.
- Details
- Written by: Missy Hermes
- Parent Category: School Board
- Category: Meeting Minutes
- Hits: 201
The reorganization meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Melanie Cole, presiding 2022 Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. The following members were present: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa. Jeff Drake, Superintendent; Renae Macheledt, Finance Director; and Elaine Jahnke, HR Director were also present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
The Oath of Office was presented by Supt. Jeff Drake to re-elected School Board members Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, and Missy Hermes.
Missy Hermes, acting clerk, established a quorum.
Stephen Vigesaa made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
Election of Chairperson:
Matthew Lemke nominated Natalie Knutson for the position of chairperson. Due to no further forthcoming nominations, Melanie Cole, presiding chair, declared Natalie Knutson as elected 2023 chairperson by acclamation.
Election of Other Officers:
Read more: Jan. 9, 2023 School Board Reorganization Meeting minutes
- Details
- Written by: Missy Hermes
- Parent Category: School Board
- Category: Meeting Minutes
- Hits: 424
The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Chair Melanie Cole called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. The following members were present: Kirby Anderson, Melanie Cole, Missy (Melissa) Hermes, Natalie Knutson, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa. Jeff Drake, Superintendent, Renae Macheledt, Finance Director, and Elaine Jahnke, HR Director, were also present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
Missy Hermes, clerk, established a quorum.
Matthew Lemke made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Kirby Anderson and carried unanimously.
Melanie Cole offered the resolution of acknowledgements for the following and moved for its adoption:
- Details
- Written by: Missy Hermes
- Parent Category: School Board
- Category: Meeting Minutes
- Hits: 253
The regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 544 was held in the Otter Community Room at the Kennedy Secondary School. Chair Melanie Cole called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. The following members were present: Melanie Cole, Missy (Melissa) Hermes, Matthew Lemke, and Stephen Vigesaa. Kirby Anderson and Natalie Knutson were absent. Renae Macheledt, Finance Director, and Elaine Jahnke, HR Director, were also present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
Missy Hermes, clerk, established a quorum.
Missy Hermes made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Matthew Lemke and carried unanimously.
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