Battle Lake School Board October 14, 2024 Minutes

The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in a regular session on Monday, October 14, 2024 in the media center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Rachel Logan, Sheila Newark, Paul Ness, Ashley Altstadt and Jonathan Hartman. Member Aimie Hallberg joined via phone. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson, Pete Amundson, Jennie Mills, Kate Scherfenberg, Tracy Kortlever, Karen Wagner, Kurt Maethner, Pat Radermacher and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as revised to include a presentation from Rachel Logan in regards to Indigenous People’s Day and to move the Student Representative Report up on the agenda. (Newark/Altstadt) UC. Pat Radermacher and Kurt Maethner appeared before the board on behalf of the FFA alumni. They are asking if there is support from the school district to put in a well head on the agricultural land. The board will take this information into consideration. Rachel Logan gave a slide presentation in regards to Indigenous People’s Day. Aidan Heggem gave the student report. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular September meeting as printed. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. Motion to accept the following donation as specified: Ken Kalenda – Handicapped 3 wheel bike for students. FF Habitat for Humanity $5000 – Replace, repair or add to inventory for tools used to build the house. Galloping Goose Rentals – Tram/Trike for a special needs student to use during the Physical Education Bike Unit. Galloping Goose Rentals – Kayaks, canoes, bikes and life jackets for all 9th-12th grade students to use during the outing day at Glendalough. (Newark/ Hartman) UC. Motion to approve the following consent agenda items: Payment of bills including checks #59766-#59866 in the amount of $156,551.70, electronic fund transfers in the amount of $443,929.37, payroll checks #21930-#21933 in the amount of $11,161.81. Treasurer’s Report as presented. Approval of seniority list as presented. Recommendation for hire of Michael Oksness as custodian. Letter of resignation from Brady Speicher as grounds keeper/lawn mower. Recommendation for hire of Randy Dorn as JV Boys’ Basketball Coach. (Hartman/Logan) UC. Board members gave updates on communications and meetings they have had with residents and community members within the past month. Anne Hubert, Brenda Peasley, Sue Riedel and Amy Wicklund joined the meeting. 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 approve the 2024 financial audit as presented. A copy is available for viewing in the district office. (Newark/Hartman) UC. Motion to award the snow plowing quote for the 2024-25 school year to Christensen Construction. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. A copy of that quote is on file in the district office. Motion to call for bids on a new bus for the fiscal year 2026. (Altstadt/Newark) UC The next meetings of the school board are scheduled for Monday, November 4th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for MSEA negotiations. Tuesday, November 12 at 5:00 p.m. for Meet and Confer followed by regular School Board meeting at 6:00 p.m. And Monday, December 9th beginning at 6:00 p.m. for the regular December meeting. All of these will take place in the media center. With no more items of business remaining on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned by Chair Paul Ness at 7:10 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing November 20, 2024 of the official minutes of this meeting.)