Battle Lake School Board January 8, 32024 Minutes

The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 2024 in the media center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 6:30 p.m. Members present: Aimie Hallberg, Jonathan Hartman, Sheila Newark, Ashley Altstadt, Rachel Logan and Paul Ness. Members absent: None. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson, Tanya Maethner, Pete Amundson, Jennie Mills, Amy Wicklund, Sue Riedel, Jenny Mansker, Nate Holzer and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as revised. (Hartman/Hallberg) UC. Motion to approve the minutes of the Truth in Taxation hearing and the regular December meeting as printed. (Newark/Hart-man) UC. Susan Uhren reported on the Holiday Store Project. Many community members and staff members donate to make the project successful. Following is a list of donors from the Battle Lake and surrounding communities: Judy Heltemes and Jane Merickel of Wadena – 60 boxes of gift items, Ben’s Bait – fishing related items, Larry’s Foods – Christmas gifts and brown paper bags, Lakeshirts of Detroit Lakes – boxes of t-shirts and sweatshirts, Ruth Ann Palmer of Perham – 12 boxes of new gift items, Seip Drug – gift wrap, Linda Hanstad, grandparent of a Battle Lake Student – 12 boxes of hand crafted items, Linda Buckingham of Fergus Falls – 10 boxes of hand crafted items, Bob Deeb of Clitherall – 10 boxes of Christmas decorations. Motion to accept the above listed donations and following donations as specified: Zion Lutheran Church $300, First Lutheran WELCA $300, Anonymous $100 – All for the Christmas project/Students’ needs. Ottertail Rod and Gun Club $1500- Fishing League. Scott and Roxie Malmstrom $150 – Student Needs/Preschool. Todd Ukkelberg/ Trilogy $350 – FFA. (Altstadt/Logan) UC Motion to approve the following consent agenda items: Payment of bills including checks #58992-#59090 in the amount of $301,344.47; electronic fund transfers in the amount of $469,754.03 and payroll checks #21905-#21907 in the amount of $5,313.36; acceptance of Treasurer’s Report; acknowledgement of enrollments per grade. Current enrollment for K – 12th grade is 409; recommendation to hire Reagan Mahar as a paraprofessional and acceptance of the renewal of the 2 year agreement with Lakeland Mental Health for the Employee Assistance program. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. Madison Cameron gave an update on student life and activities in the building. Board members gave updates on committee meetings, conversations and encounters with residents and community members that they had in the past month. Pete Amundson gave an update on the building and grounds. Mr. Severson gave his Principal’s report. Mr. Nudell gave the Superintendent’s report. Member Rachel Logan moved to nominate Paul Ness as board chair, Jonathan Hartman as Vice Chair, Sheila Newark as Clerk and Ashley Altstadt as Treasurer. With no more nominations from the floor a unanimous ballot was cast for Paul Ness, Jonathan Hartman, Sheila Newark and Ashley Altstadt in the positions designated. (Logan/Hallberg) UC. Motion to set the meeting date, time and location of the regular monthly meetings as the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the media center. (Hallberg/Newark) UC. Motion to designate the Battle Lake Review as the official newspaper for the district, to designate the First National Bank of Battle Lake and any other institution that meets MN Statutory requirements as the official depository for the district, to set the board stipends per meeting and the annual salaries for board chair, clerk and treasurer as follows: $450 for Chair, $75 for Clerk and Treasurer and $70 per meeting. Meetings that are 4 hours or more will be paid at $130, to set the mileage reimbursement rate to follow the IRS guidelines. Currently that rate is $0.67 per mile. And to authorize the payment of all legitimate travel expenses of all school employees connected with attending official school business and training pursuant to adopted policy. (Hartman/Logan) UC. Motion to keep the standing committee assignments as follows: Special Ed Co-op Rachel Logan MSHSL Ashley Altstadt Policy Sheila Newark, Rachel Logan, Aimie Hallberg Community Ed Paul Ness or Advisory Jonathan Hartman Negotiations Paul Ness, Sheila Newark, Aimie Hallberg Systems Account Rachel Logan and ability/Curriculum Aimie Hallberg Legislative Liaison Rachel Logan Staff Development/ Supt. Evaluation Sheila Newark, Rachel Lo- gan, Jonathan Hartman BL Community Paul Ness, Liaison Jonathan Hartman OTC Family Ashley Altstadt Collaborative Fine Arts Paul Ness, Jonathan Hartman Strategic Plan Review Rachel Logan, Aimie Hallberg, Jonathan Hartman Battle Lake 542 Ed. Ashley Altstadt Foundation Meet and Confer Sheila Newark, Rachel Lo- gan, Jonathan Hartman Neighboring Schools Paul Ness, Ashley Collaborative Altstadt Transportation Jonathan Hartman, Sheila Newark Wellness Ashley Altstadt Facilities Paul Ness, Rachel Logan, Aimie Hallberg (Hallberg/Hartman) UC. Jodie Zesbaugh from Ehlers joined the meeting and presented the Bond Pre Sale Report. A copy of the report is on file in the district office. The board held a first reading on the Post Issuance Compliance Policy. It will be brought back for a second and final reading during the month of February. A copy of the draft policy is on file in the district office. Next meetings are set for February 12 and March 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the media center. With no more items of business on the agenda the meeting was adjourned by Chair Ness at 7:50 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing February 21, 2024 of the official minutes of this meeting.)