Battle Lake School Board December 9, 2024 Minutes

The School Board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in regular session on Monday, December 9, 2024 in the Media Center. The meeting was called to order by Clerk Sheila Newark at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Sheila Newark, Ashley Altstadt, Rachel Logan and Aimie Hallberg. Paul Ness joined the meeting via phone conference. Members absent: Jonathan Hartman. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson and many other school staff and community members. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as revised to remove items A & B from New Business that were Resolutions and to add item F which is the Joint Powers agreement with the Fergus Falls Area Special Education Cooperative. (Logan/Altstadt) UC. Shauna Heggem, secondary teacher, read a letter to the board and administration in support of Kate Scherfenberg and the Chinese Program. Brady Speicher, secondary teacher, also spoke in favor and support of Kate Scherfenberg and the Chinese program. Rikka Brandon, parent and community member, spoke in support of Kate Scherfenberg and the Chinese program. Rob Nudell presented the Truth in Taxation information. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting during the month of November as presented. (Logan/Altstadt) UC. Motion to accept the following donations as specified: Nidaros Women $150, Anonymous $200 – all for Womenade/Christmas Project. Rikka Brandon $263.41 for two garment racks – musical costume storage. Corner Stone Lodge $500 – Mock Trial. (Hallberg/Logan) UC. Motion to approve the following consent agenda items: Payment of bills including checks #59955-#60031 in the amount of $83,715.90. Electronic fund transfers in the amount of $551,401.77. Payroll check #21939 in the amount of $665.33, Treasurer’s Report as presented. Enrollments per grade currently K-12 is at 407. And recommendation for hire of Kali Hochstein as a paraprofessional beginning December 3, 2024. (Logan/Altstadt) UC. Board members gave updates on committee meetings, conversations and encounters with residents and community members that they had in the past month. Aidan Heggem was present and gave a report on student life and happenings in the School Building. David Marso gave the Activities Director’s report. Mr. Severson gave the Principal’s report. Mr. Nudell gave his Superintendent’s report. Motion to certify the Pay 2025 Levy at the amount of $4,104,181.77 (Logan/Hallberg) UC. A copy of the entire levy is on file in the district office. Motion to approve Parent Code of Conduct Policy for Youth Sports for a second and final reading. (Altstadt/Hallberg) UC. A copy of the entire policy is available in the district office. Motion to approve the Achievement & Integration actual Expenditures for FY 24 as presented. (Hallberg/Logan) UC. Motion to approve the revisions to the Joint Powers Agreement for FF Area Special Ed Cooperative as presented. A copy of the revised by-laws is available in the district office. (Logan/Altstadt) UC. Next meeting is set for January 13th with the reorganization meeting to start at 6:00 p.m. in the media center. With no more items of business remaining on the agenda, clerk Sheila Newark called the meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing January 22, 2025 of the official minutes of this meeting.)