MINNEWASKA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT #2149

GLENWOOD, MINNESOTA

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2024

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

The Minnewaska Area Schools Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, January 22, 2024 in the Minnewaska Area Schools District Office Board Room.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Barsness. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Present: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Absent: Ogdahl, Zavadil

Motion by T.Reichmann, seconded by, Holtberg, to approve the agenda as presented. 

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Visitor’s Comments: None

Special Recognitions & Honors: 

• The board would like to recognize and honor Jamie Dietzman for her work and dedication. Not only does Jamie do all that’s necessary to keep W.I.N. running, scheduling all ITP/IEP meetings, managing student behavior and medications, organizing educational and mental health records, and organizing transportation and enrollment information for over a dozen districts, but she also does it with a kind, calm and caring demeanor.  Jamie was awarded the WIN Monthly Recognition of Appreciation in December.

• The board would like to recognize Dacia Reichmann, Jana McIver, Heidi Greene, Arin Spindler, Alicia Christman, and Jean Barkeim.  This group of elementary teachers has launched into the first phase of LETRS Training, which is based on the Science of Reading.  The multi-year training requires both non-contract time and after-school hours to complete.  They have shown their dedication and commitment to building a foundational reading experience and have been strong leaders championing the Science of Reading movement.  Both our students and staff are fortunate to learn from some of the finest in the profession.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by A. Reichmann, to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2023, Truth in Taxation Hearing, December 18, 2023, Regular School Board Meeting, and January 4, 2024, Minnewaska Area School Board Organizational Meeting.  

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Superintendent Rankin gave an update the summary of bills, K-12 board revenue and expenditures, foodservice, activity accounts fund 1 and fund 22, school enrollment report and Superintendents Report

Motion by T. Reichmann, seconded by Lagred, to approve the Claims & Accounts totaling $3,868,522.13.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by A. Reichmann, seconded by Holtberg, to approve resolution No. 01222024 accepting donations/gifts to the school district. 

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Lagred, to set the regular February School Board Meeting for Monday, February 12, 2024 at 7:00 pm in the Minnewaska Area Schools District Office Board Room.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by T. Reichmann, to approve the consent calendar as presented. New Hire: Luke Barkeim, Head Girls’ Softball Coach, BS+10 Step 3, effective 03/01/2024 • Kelly Bleick, Junior Class Advisor, BS+10 Step 7, effective 03/01/2024 • Nick Gugisberg, Junior High Golf Coach, BS+10 Step 4, effective 03/01/2024 • Dion Harste, Head Boys’ Golf Coach, BS+10 Step 10, effective 03/01/2024 • Jesse Johnson, Assistant Varsity Girls’ Softball Coach, BS+10 Step 10, effective 03/01/2024 • Mitch McGuire, Head Girls’ Volleyball Coach, BS+10 Step 10, effective 08/01/2024 • Michele Torgerson, Cook, Grade 4 Step 11, effective 01/03/2024. Change of Status: Gay Finn, Change from Grade 5 Step 12 to Grade 6 Step 8, effective 01/01/2024 • Jackie Skoglund, change from Assistant Varsity to Junior Varsity Softball coach, BS+10 Step 9, effective 03/01/2024 • Abby Ver Steeg, change from Junior Varsity to Junior High Softball Coach, BS+10 Step 5, effective 03/01/2024. Resignations: Kelly Bleick, Co-Homecoming Advisor, effective 01/9/2024 • Amy Erickson, Paraprofessional, effective12/21/2023 • Kiara Quade, EBD Tech, effective 12/21/2023 • Brett Throfinnson, Junior High Golf Coach, effective 01/05/2024. Retirements: Gordy Moeller, Vocal Music Instructor, effective 06/30/2024 Mid-Year Certified Staff Lane Changes: Amanda Averbeck, BA+10 Step 8 to BA+30 Step 8 • Amber Braaten, MA Step 12 to MA+10 Step 12 • Jeremy Christensen, BS Step 11 to BS+10 Step 11 • Manford Foster, BS+30 Step 9 to MA Step 9 • Josh Greene, MA+10 Step 12 to MA+20 Step 12 • Danielle Kulzer-Douvier, BS+10 Step 10 to BS+20 Step 10 • Abby Ver Steeg, BS Step 3 to MA Step 3.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

W.I.N. Academy Principal, Susan Knutson, and Mental Health Program Director, Leah Oeltjen gave a brief update from W.I.N. Academy and a tour of district’s new Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) Lab.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Holtberg, to approve the 2024 Pay Equity Report as presented. 

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by A. Reichmann, to approve the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Annual Compliance.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by T. Reichmann, seconded by Lagred, to approve the 2024-2025 school calendar as presented.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Holtberg, to approve the Student Resource Officer (SRO) contract for the 2024 calendar year with the City of Starbuck Police Department. 

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Sarah Suchy, the Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology, gave a presentation to the board with an update from her department.

Motion by a. Reichmann, seconded by Barsness, to approve Board Committee Assignments as presented for the 2024 calendar year.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Holtberg, seconded by T. Reichmann, to approve the resolution discontinuing and reducing educational programs and positions for the 2024-2025 school year.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Lagred, to call for the MAS Baseball Field Maintenance and Game Prep Bids for March 2024-November 2024.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by A. Reichmann, to call for MAS Softball Field Maintenance and Game Prep Bids for March 2024-November 2024.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Barsness, seconded by Holtberg, to call for the MAS Football/Track Field Maintenance and Game Prep Bids for March 2024-November 2024.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried.

Motion by Lagred, seconded by A. Reichmann, to adopt the policies as presented with an effective date of January 22, 2024.

Other: None

Motion by Holtberg, seconded by Barsness, to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m.

Roll Call Vote:  Aye: Barsness, T. Reichmann, A. Reichmann, Lagred, Holtberg

Nay: None

Motion carried

Angie Reichmann, Clerk

Minnewaska Area Schools,

ISD 2149

Glenwood, MN

Feb. 19