Battle Lake School Board October 9, 2023 Meeting

The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in a regular session on Monday, October 9, 2023 in the media center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 6:30 p.m. Members present: Rachel Logan, Sheila Newark, Paul Ness, Ashley Altstadt and Jonathan Hartman. Member Aimie Hallberg joined via ZOOM. Members absent: None. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson, Pete Amundson, Brady Speicher, Sue Riedel, Amy Wicklund, Jennie Mills, Tanya Maethner, Kate Scherfenberg, JoAnn Orpen, Mary Reedy and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as presented. (Hartman/Logan) UC. Mary Reedy, the district’s financial auditor, presented the 2023 annual audit report. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular September meeting as printed. (Hartman/Newark) UC. Motion to accept the following donation as specified: 45 Magic Tree House Books from Addison Maethner for the Library. (Newark/Hartman) UC Motion to approve the following consent agenda items: Payment of bills including checks #58710-#58805 in the amount of $148,655.96, electronic fund transfers in the amount of $370,132.68, payroll checks #21889-#21894 in the amount of $8,303.80. Treasurer’s Report as presented. Recommendation for hire of Gwen Garber as a Long Term substitute teacher. Recommendation for hire of Joan Koep as Paraprofessional. Letter of resignation from Crystal Vixie-Juven effective October 10. Leave of absence from Anne Cline from October 4 through December 22, 2023. UC. (Altstadt/Hartman) Board members gave updates on communications and meetings they have had with residents and community members within the past month. Ashley Altstadt updated the board on Wellness Committee items. Jonathan Hartman gave an update on the Safety Committee. Pete Amundson gave an update on facilities and grounds. Ryan Severson gave his School Principal’s report. Rob Nudell gave his Superintendent’s report. Motion to award the snow plowing quote for the 2023-24 school year to Christensen Construction. (Hartman/Newark) UC. A copy of that quote is on file in the district office. Motion to call for bids for a new bus for the fiscal year 2025. (Altstadt/Logan)UC Motion to approve the 2023 financial audit as presented. A copy is available for viewing in the district office. (Hartman/Logan) UC. Motion to approve the request from Mr. Brady Speicher to start an ESports competitive activity (Hartman/Logan) UC Motion to approve the request from JoAnn Orpen to offer a trip to Chicago for the band students in High school. The trip would take place from May 16-19, 2024. (Altstadt/Ne-wark) UC. Motion to approve the recommendation from administration to increase the Long Term Substitute Teacher daily rate of pay to the daily rate of a first year teacher at a BA level. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. The next meetings of the school board are scheduled for November 13 at 6:30 and December 11 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the media center. With no more items of business remaining on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned by Chair Paul Ness at 7:43 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing November 22, 2023 of the official minutes of this meeting.)