School Board Regular Meeting Minutes

October 17, 2023

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, October 17th, 2023 at 6:00 pm in Science Room #50.

Members present in person: Cristal Adkins, Dustin Tollefsrud, Diane Wilder, Jason Marquardt, Mark Weidemann, Chris Miller, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Student Representatives Anna Wheat and Rachelle Tollefsrud

Present via visible-audible technology: Traci Livingood

Also present in person: Principal Weidemann, District Secretary Lisa Halverson, Aimee Lake, Heather Wilder, Blaine Storlie, Charlene Selbee, Andrew Forliti, Jon Wangsness (6:30), Kim Underbakke (6:30), Heather Kleiboer (6:34)

The meeting was called to order by Cristal Adkins at 6:01 pm.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Motion by Jason Marquardt, second by Mark Weidemann and carried unanimously, to approve the revised agenda, also adding “as JV Girls Basketball Coach” behind Tyler Augedahl’s resignation.

Motion by Diane Wilder, second by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, to approve the September 19, 2023 minutes.

Items for Action and/or Discussion

1. Motion by Mark Weidemann, seconded by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, to approve the 2022-23 Audit Results reported by Auditor, Andrew Forliti.

Consent Agenda:  Motion by Mark Weidemann, second by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously, to approve the following, with many thanks for all the donations and Stephanie & Tyler’s work:

A.  2021-22 Budget

B.  Claims Report

C.  Donations:

• Hygiene products donated by the Salvation Army
• $2,000 donated to the M-C Football program by Michael Hosting
• $650 donated for Elementary Milk Break by Scheie WELCA

D.  Resignation from Stephanie Morken as Drama and Speech Coach

E.  Resignation from Tyler Augedahl as JV Girls Basketball Coach

Reports 

1. Student -

• Gary introduced Rachelle Tollefsrud as the new Junior Class School Board Representative.
• M-C is hosting College Week this week.  College Representatives have been coming throughout the week to meet with interested students.
• Band and Choir just had their annual Butterbraid fundraiser.  
• FFA is currently doing their fruit fundraiser.  Orders are due October 23rd.  
• Homecoming went well.
• M-C is hosting the East/West Volleyball Showcase game tonight at 7:00.

2. Committees:

• World’s Best Workforce - No Report
• Curriculum Review - No Report
• Facilities and Capital Outlay - Unit between band room & shop has been replaced.  The rooftop unit went out and will be replaced on Thursday.  Once this is done, all bond projects will be complete.
• Policy Committee - Starting next month, policies will be added to each monthly agenda for review.
• COVID-19 Committee - No report.
• Hiawatha Valley Education District - All school districts have approved the purchase of the Winona building.  More to come.
• Southeast Service Cooperative - Holiday meal is scheduled for November 15th.  

3. PreK-12 Principal - 

•  Red Ribbon Week will be October 23-27 for Elementary students focusing on being drug free and making good choices.  
• Congratulations to Lonnie Morken on being inducted into the MSHSL Coaches Association Hall of Fame!
• Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 14 & 16.
• Scholar Club will be held November 17.
• Thank you to the Student Council for putting together Hat Day fundraisers to support Trisha Ryan’s and Lynn Sollien’s battles with cancer.
• Pepfest next Tuesday at 2:45 to wish Football and Volleyball teams good luck as they go onto tournament play.

4. Superintendent - 

•  Gary reported on the MASA Fall Conference he attended last week in Duluth, MN.
• Michelle & Gary attended a Redefining Readiness meeting yesterday.  More to come.
• Custodian staff are unable to start the boilers until next Tuesday, October 24th after they are inspected.  This has been delayed due to Inspector out on medical leave.  

Enrollment was reviewed.  

Items for Action and/or Discussion

B.   Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Mark Weidemann and carried unanimously, to approve the the 2023-24 Seniority list.  

C.  Motion by Dustin Tollefsrud, seconded by Jason Marquardt and carried unanimously, to approve the transportation contract with Bernard Bus Service.

D.  Gary reviewed and explained the current Redefining Ready report card for Mabel-Canton High School.  

E.  Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, for Gary to contact Mabel and Canton City Councils to schedule a joint meeting for November 15th at 6:00pm, with November 14 or November 29 as alternative dates.  

F.   The current agreement between Mabel-Canton and Decorah schools ends this year unless extended on or before January 15th, 2024.  Gary has unsuccessfully reached out to the Decorah Superintendent multiple times in an attempt to set up a time to meet and discuss the contract.  Gary and Cristal will try to connect with Decorah Superintendent and Board Chair to schedule a meeting.  If this is not an option, the board agreed to then have Gary request to be added to the Decorah November School Board agenda, or schedule a joint board meeting.  If Decorah declines these options, our last resort option would be to attend the Decorah November board meeting as guests in hopes to speak during public comment.  

G.   Motion by Jason Marquardt, seconded by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the $30,000 anonymous donation with many thanks!  A generic letter was sent in the mail along with the donation from Hertz Land Management.  Gary reached out to this company asking questions, and all the information he was given was the donor “lives here sometimes”.  To recognize the donation, the board agreed to send a thank you letter to Hertz asking them to pass along to the donor.      

H.   Motion by Jason Marquardt, seconded by Mark Weidemann and carried unanimously with Diane Wilder abstaining, to approve Adam Wilder’s resignation as Varsity Girls Basketball Coach.  

1. Discussion held on Girls Basketball program.  The board recommends advertising for a Varsity or JV Girls Basketball Coach.  Michelle will create this and post it.  

Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

1. November 15, 2023 (14 or 29 as alternative dates); Joint School Board/City Council Meeting, 6:00pm
2. November 21, 2023; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
3. December 19, 2023; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Adjournment:  Motion by Jason Marquardt, second by Dustin Tollefsrud, and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:42 pm. 

Jason Marquardt, Clerk___________________________________