Joint School Board / City Council Special Meeting Minutes

January 17, 2024

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met with Mabel and Canton City Council members on Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 at 6:00 pm in Science Room #50 at the Mabel-Canton School, Mabel, MN. 

School Board Members present: Chris Miller, Traci Livingood, Diane Wilder, Jason Marquardt, Gary Kuphal 

Also present in person: Principal Weidemann

Canton City Council Members present:  Mayor Josh Nordsving and Kristy Ziegler

Mabel City Council Members present:  Karen Larson, Clerk and Val Arnold

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mabel-Canton School Board Vice-Chair, Chris Miller. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Motion by Diane Wilder, second by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously, to approve the Agenda with no changes being made. 

Committee members introduced themselves.  Superintendent Kuphal gave a brief reason for the meeting.

Mayor Nordsving reported that canton will be doing a major street project projected to start in 2025.  

The City of Mabel plans to replace water mains in the future, with no set date.  

Principal Weidemann gave a Mabel-Canton Redefining Ready update, noting M-C is one of 13 schools piloting the program in SE MN, identifying whether M-C students are college ready, career ready, or college and career ready.  Mabel-Canton classes are looking for opportunities to participate in community service projects.  The school will send information to both cities to distribute to their residents.  

Superintendent Kuphal discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the importance of learning to understand it and utilize it for the positive that it offers.  Staff will be trained in AI by Fall.  

Discussion was held on the Decorah agreement.  Chris Miller confirmed that the agreement had to be renewed by January 15, 2024, and the agreement legally expires June 30, 2024.  

At the end of the meeting, the group unanimously agreed that these joint board meetings should continue.  

Adjournment: Motion by Jason Marquardt, second by Diane Wilder, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 pm.

Jason Marquardt, Clerk ________________________________________________________