School Board Regular Meeting Minutes

March 19, 2024

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 at 6:00 pm in Science Room #50 at the Mabel-Canton School, Mabel, MN. 

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

Also present in person: Principal Weidemann, Aimee Lake, District Secretary Lisa Halverson, Wanda Hansen (Fillmore County Journal), Janess Hershberger, Hayden Erickson, Colton Tollefsrud, Tyler Augedahl, Sam Farnen

Member present via visible-audible technology:  Traci Livingood

The meeting was called to order by Cristal Adkins at 6:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

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

Motion by Chris Miller, second by Mark Weidemann and carried unanimously, to approve the February 20, 2024 minutes. 

Consent Agenda: Motion by Chris Miller, second by Mark Weidemann and carried unanimously,  to approve the following with many thanks for the donations given:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

A.  2023-24 Budget

B.  Claims Report

C.  Donations;

• $500 Anonymous donation toward M-C Milk Break Program
• $200 from Sr. Raffle winner Jean Happel donated back to Class of 2024
• $50 Sr. Raffle winner Mark Sikkink donated back to Class of 2024
• $50 Sr. Raffle winner Steve Cremer donated back to Class of 2024

D.  Hire Ashley Wangen as Testing Monitor for Spring 2024

Reports:

1. Student Representatives:

• Spring Fling week is this week - dress up days all week and dance on Saturday
• Student Council will be hosting a Hat Day to raise funds for Anthony McCabe as he battles cancer
• Seniors leave for their class trip April 3rd
• Senior class Turkey Dinner fundraiser will be this Sunday
• Band and Choir Large Group did well at last night’s performance in Preston
• Softball, Baseball and Track have all started their Spring Seasons
• Dr. Suess week was the first week of March - students enjoyed the dress up days and activities
• Parent/Teacher conferences were held last Tuesday and Thursday

2. Committees:

• World’s Best Workforce- no report
• Curriculum Review- no report 
• Facilities and Capital Outlay - meeting tomorrow
• Policy Committee- no report
• COVID-19 Committee- no report
• Hiawatha Valley Education District- no report
• Southeast Service Cooperative- 2 MC students from each grade 3rd-5th will be invited to attend the upcoming Young Authors Young Artists (YAYA) conference in Rochester

3. PreK-12 Principal

- Thank you to Pam Rasmussen for organizing Dr. Suess week!

-     Mock ACT is scheduled for Monday, with the official ACT date set for April 9th

-     Elementary PreK-5th grade Parent Teacher conferences were well attended, 5th-12 were not so much.  This seems to be common each Spring.      

4. Superintendent

• Gary attended the HVED Superintendent meeting last week and discussed the organizational meeting and strategic plan.  This group agreed on the need to develop better communication.  A primary presence in school to direct questions and concerns will be assigned.  This will also be brought to the Principal’s group.  
•  Gary attended the Statewide Superintendent’s Conference meeting and was introduced to the “Braver Angles” group that teaches engaging and communicating more effectively with others.  
• Jason shared that Janessa Hershberger and Darian Hershberger passed their EMR classes - Congratulations to these students!

 Items for Action and/or Discussion

A.  Senior Class Request for Days off - Motion by Mark Weidemann, seconded by Diane Wilder, and carried unanimously to approve May 24, 2024 as the seniors’ last day of school.

B.   Hire Ben Mohs as School Social Worker - Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Jason Marquardt and carried unanimously to hire Ben Mohs with a starting date of April 2, 2024.

C.  24-25 Calendar Adjustment to Accommodate READ Act Training - Motion by Chris Miller, seconded by Dustin Tollefsrud to approve three less days for grades PreK-5 next year to conduct training to the READ Act upon approval of Staff Development dollars.     

D.  Investigate a Potential Bond Referendum - Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Jason Marquardt and carried unanimously to hire ISG to do facility planning and pre-referendum services for a $7,000 fee, contingent upon successful passage of bond referendum.  

Adjournment: Motion by Jason Marquardt, second by Diane Wilder, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 pm. 

Future Meeting and Calendar Updates

1. April 16, 2024; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm
2. May 21, 2024; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm
3. June 18, 2024; School Board Meeting, 6:00pm

Jason Marquardt, Clerk ________________________________________________________