EDUCATION

The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in a regular session on Monday, June 10, 2024 in the media center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Rachel Logan, Sheila Newark, Paul Ness, Ashley Altstadt, Aimie Hallberg and Jonathan Hartman. Members absent: None. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson, Pete Amundson, David Marso, Jenny Cameron, Madison Cameron, Steve Bradsteen, Jenny Mansker, Sue Riedel, Amy Wicklund, Jennie Mills, Tracy Estes, Anne Hubert, Tanya Maethner, Kate Scherfenberg, Janell Kraemer, Cassi Buchite, Allison Buehler, and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as revised to include under New Business a letter of retirement and under upcoming meetings, a closed session immediately following this meeting for the purpose of reviewing the Superintendent evaluation. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Mr. Nudell presented a recognition award to Madison Cameron from MSBA for her time as the student representative to the board. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular May meeting as printed. (Newark/Hallberg) UC. Motion to accept the following donations as specified: Ottertail Township $250 for Summer Recreation. Jane Merickel and Judy Heltemes for 34 boxes of holiday and miscellaneous decorations and gift items, 4 boxes of Christmas and assorted mugs, 1 large box or wrapping items and bows, 1 large box of gift boxes and 1 large box of handmade gift bags all for the Holiday/Christmas Project. (Hartman/Logan) UC Motion to approve the following consent agenda items as presented except for item G – Formal Written Complaint Form, which was pulled and placed as the first item under New Business: Payment of bills including checks # 59466 – #59537 in the amount of $98,447.39; electronic fund transfers in the amount of $786,577.11; Treasurer’s Report as presented; membership renewal with Lakes Country Service Cooperative for 2024-25; Letters of resignations from the following individuals as specified: Shauna Heggem – student council advisor, Reagan Mahar – paraprofessional, Madilyn Burkett- paraprofessional, Jenny Mansker – Preschool Teacher/ECFE/Early Childhood Coordinator; and a second and final reading on the Tobacco Free Policy. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Board members gave updates on communications and meetings they have had with residents and community members within the past month. Ryan Severson gave his School Principal’s report. David Marso gave his Activities Directors report. Rob Nudell gave his Superintendent’s report. There was discussion in regards to the draft of the formal written complaint form. No action taken The board watched the MSHSL Member School Partnership Video. Motion to approve the property, liability, workers compensation and auto insurance renewal for July 1, 2024 from First Lakes Agency through EMC Insurance Company as presented. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. Motion to adopt the preliminary budgets for FY2025 as follows: (Hallberg/Logan) UC.

The Underwood School Board Regular May meeting was held Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in the Conference Room. Present were Board Members John Wold, Rebekah Meder, Kyle Sem, Jen Albjerg and Chris Waltz; Superintendent Jeff Wilson, Activities Director Brian Hovland and Business Manager Margie Thieschafer. Absent: Adam Baker. Others: Chad Gilbertson. Wold, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. with a quorum present. Member Wold read Belief, Mission, and Vision Statements. Motion to approve the amended/agenda (Albjerg/Meder: MCU). Motion to approve consent agenda containing the following: Minutes of the May 8, 2024, Regular meeting; Donations: $500 to the Science Department from John and Carol Hamann and $20 from Your Cause, thank you for the generous donations; Expenditures/Financial report; Approve Otter Tail County Agreement for PT School Resource Officer; Call for Milk Bids, Approve FY25 Literacy Plan, Authorize business office to complete FY24 Year End Expenditures, Approve Lakes Country Service Cooperative Agreement for Tech Services, 2nd reading of Policy 623 Online College Class Eligibility Registration Requirements, Designate Superintendent Wilson as the District IOWA (Identified Official with Authority), Approve MSBA (MN School Board Association) membership renewal, and Approve MREA (MN Rural Education Association) membership renewal. Motion and second by Meder/Waltz: Roll call vote: all members voting in favor, none against. Committee report: Wold on Fergus Falls Areas Special Education Cooperative & MSHSL (MN State High School League) Region 6. Hovland gave the Activities Director/ Community Ed report, and Wilson gave the Principal & Superintendent reports. Motion to approve FY25 Budget (Sem/ Waltz: MCU). Motion to pay annual $500 stipend to paraprofessional performing Personal Care duties for students (Sem/Waltz: MCU). A discussion of Underwood School’s Strategic Plan was presented, Board to work on revising/updating. Superintendent Evaluation was discussed, forms were distributed to Board members. Motion to adjourn (Sem/Albjerg: MCU). Meeting adjourned 7:30 p.m. Chris Waltz, Treasurer (This publication constitutes the legal printing July 17, 2024 of the official minutes of this meeting.)