January 21, 2025 

Regular School Board Meeting

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 6:00 pm in Science Room #50.

Members present in person: Dustin Tollefsrud, Diane Wilder, Jason Marquardt, Chris Miller, Amber Tripp, Traci Livingood, Mark Weidemann, Superintendent Gary Kuphal

Also present in person: Principal Michelle Weidemann, Student Representative Rachelle Tollefsrud, District Secretary Lisa Halverson, Charlene Selbee, Laura Vatland

Present via visible-audible technology: Aimee Lake

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

Motion by Jason Marquardt, second by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the agenda.

Oath of Office was read and accepted by Amber Tripp, Jason Marquardt, Chris Miller, and Mark Weidemann.

Motion made and seconded to nominate Chris Miller as Board Chair.  Motion carried.

Motion made and seconded to nominate Dustin Tollefsrud as Vice-Chair.  Motion carried.

Motion made and seconded to nominate Jason Marquardt as Clerk.  Motion carried.

Motion made and seconded to nominate Diane Wilder as Treasurer.  Motion carried.  

Motion by Dustin Tollefsrud, second byTraci Livingood and carried unanimously, to approve the December 17, 2024 minutes.  

Consent Agenda:  Motion by Mark Weidemann, second by Jason Marquardt and carried unanimously, to approve the following, with many thanks for all the donations:

A.  Authorization for the Business Manager, School Board Treasurer, and/or Superintendent to make wire transfer of funds for the purpose of reinvestments.

B.  Authorization for the Business Manager Office and/or Superintendent to issue checks, electronic fund transfers and wire transfers.

C.  Authorization for the Business Manager and/or Superintendent to invest funds not needed for current expenses.

D.  Authorization for the use of facsimiles and bitmap signatures for the 2025 school board officers on payroll and voucher checks.

E.  Authorization for the Business Management Offices, Principal and/or the Superintendent to sign the Activity Fund checks with signatures needed for withdrawal.

F.   Authorization for the Business Management Offices and/or the Superintendent to execute and file applications for State and Federally funded programs.

G.  Designation of Official School District Newspaper. (currently Fillmore County Journal)

H.  Designation of Official Law Firm (currently Kennedy & Graven)

1. Designation of Official Depositories (currently MN Liquid Asset Fund, Bank of the West and First Southeast Bank of Canton)

J.  School Board Salaries (currently Chair at $90.00 per meeting, Officers at $80.00 per meeting, Directors at $70.00 per meeting and additional meetings at $40.00 not same night as regular meetings)

K.  Official Communication Channels (currently Midwest Radio Family/WIZM, KDEC, KVIK, KTTC/FOX 47) Remind 101

L.  School Board Meeting Dates, Times and Location (currently 3rd Tuesday of month at 6:00 pm, Mrs. Peter’s Science Room #50) 

M.  2024-25 Budget

N.  Claims Report

O.  Donations:

• $600 to Football Program, $600 to Volleyball program, $200 to M-C Booster Club donated by Diane Wilder/Collins Aerospace
• Popcorn Machine donated by M-C Booster Club, Mabel Lions Club, Cougar Hoops Basketball
• $25 to Choir Department in memory of John Westby donated by anonymous donor
• $350 toward Bowling for Quarter 2 Rewards Day donated by M-C Booster Club
• DJ Equipment to be used for School Dances and Activities donated by Steph & Carl Westby

Reports: 

1. Student -

• Mabel hosted the SG-MC JV/Varsity Girls Basketball team last night.  Great turnout!
• End of Quarter 2 last week.  Quarter 3 started yesterday.
• K-5th grade had no school on Monday due to READ Act training for teachers.
• School was cancelled today due to frigid temps.
• Welch Village ski trip is scheduled for next Wednesday for grades 6-8 and Mr. Morken’s Lifesports class.
• FFA Week is coming up in February.
• Elementary students are ice skating this week and next week during gym class.
• Seniors are selling raffle tickets to fundraise for their class trip.  The drawing will be February 7th at the home basketball game.  

2. Committees:

• World’s Best Workforce - No report
• Curriculum Review - No Report
• Facilities and Capital Outlay - No report
• Policy Committee - No report.
• COVID-19 Committee - No report.
• Hiawatha Valley Education District - Open house coming up at the new mall.
• Southeast Service Cooperative - Spring Grove Superintendent, Rachel Udstun, is receiving the Administrator of Excellence Award.  

3. PreK-12 Principal - 

• Drama Club plans to present their One-Act play “Waiting for the End of the World” on February 2nd at 4pm and February 4th at 7pm.  
• Excel Winners Kinley Soiney & Darian Hershberger and AAA Award winners Saharah Morken & Bode Weidemann will be recognized this Friday during halftime of the home basketball game.     
• MC is hosting the Dream Job event again this year on February 12th for students in grades 9-12.
• Mrs. Weidemann passed around the brochure from this year’s Scholar Club to recognize those students.  
• Mrs. Weidemann updated the board on the READ training.  

4. Superintendent - 

• Rachel Udstun, Spring Grove Superintendent was voted by area Superintendents to receive the Administrator of Excellence Award - well deserved!
• All AAA Award winners go on to be voted at regional and district levels.  Regional winners will be announced after tomorrow.  
• Final information has been submitted for the Solar Grant.
• Open House Tour of the HVED Winona mall & presentation will be open to all school board members on January 29th at 6:30.  
• Annual Legislation breakfast will be held on January 31st 8am-12pm at Cannon Falls High School.
• Informational bond referendum meetings will be held at the Canton Town Hall on February 19th 6pm and will tie in with parent teacher conferences in March.  Mr. Kuphal encouraged board members to attend these meetings.  
• Teachers have sent their letter of intent to negotiate.  
• Para have elected to become a form of bargaining unit and will now go through the formal process with the Negotiations Committee.  They have not yet submitted their letter of intent.  
• Mr. Kuphal made the board aware of the Negotiation Committee conflict of interest with 4 board members before assigning committees.   

Enrollment was reviewed.  

Items for Action and/or Discussion

A.   Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously to approve committees as is with the following changes:

• Negotiations Committee: remove Cristal Adkins and Traci Livingood.  Add Amber Tripp
• Policy Committee:  remove Mark Weidemann and Chris Miller.  Add Amber Tripp.  

B.   Mr. Kuphal agreed to come back for the 2025-26 school year to work through the upcoming bond referendum, contingent upon a contract agreement with the Negotiations Committee.  The school board agreed.  No motion made at this time.    

C.   Motion by Mark Weidemann, seconded by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt the Resolution directing the Administration to make recommendations to reductions in programs, staffing and reasons therein.

D. Motion by Jason Marquardt, seconded by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt the Resolution establishing combined polling places for calendar year 2026. 

5. Motion by Mark Weidemann, seconded by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously to approve the revised 2024-25 budget.  
6. Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously to approve the Teacher Seniority list.  
7. Motion by Jason Marquardt, seconded by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously to approve the Pay Equity Report.  

Adjournment:  Motion by Jason Marquardt, second by Diane Wilder, and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:09 pm. 

Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

1. February 18, 2025; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
2. March 18, 2025; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
3. April 15, 2025; School Board meeting, 6:00 pm

Jason Marquardt, Clerk___________________________________