Battle Lake School Board February 10, 2025 Minutes

The School Board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in regular session on Monday, February 10, 2025 in the Media Center. The meeting was called to order by Chair, Paul Ness at 5:35 p.m. Members present: Sheila Newark, Sean Belmont, Bennet Stich, Paul Ness and Jonathan Hartman. Members absent: Ashley Altstadt. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson, Pete Amundson, Amy Wicklund, Sue Riedel, Anne Hubert, Tracy Kortlever, James Ball, Jenny Cameron, Connor Wicklund, Jenny Roisum, Janell Kraemer, Rachel Logan, Aaron Logan, Dr Misty Wilke, Monica Tebrugge, Julia DeMars, Kelsey Frank, Michaela Jensen and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as revised. (Belmont/Newark) UC. Rachel Logan and Dr. Misty Wilkie presented information on the school’s mascot logo and American Indian Education. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular January meeting and the Special February 3rd meeting as presented. (Hartman/ Stich) UC. Motion to approve the 2 anonymous memorial donations in the amount of $25 each to the FFA Student Activity Account. (Newark/Hartman) UC. Motion to approve the following consent agenda items: Payment of bills including checks #60120-#60210 in the amount of $255,381.20, electronic fund transfers in the amount of $2,590,161.55 which included the 1st bond principal payment, Treasurer’s Report as presented and enrollments per grade as of February 1, 2025, an increase to adult meal prices; lunch $5.00 and breakfast $2.40, and retirement letter from Randy McIntire effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year. (Hartman/Belmont) UC. Aidan Heggem gave a student report. Highlights included Snowball week activities and Literature Class recycling project. Mrs. Jenny Roisum gave an update on Community Ed events and classes. Board members gave updates on committee meetings, conversations and encounters with residents and community members that they had in the past month. Mr. Severson gave the Principal’s report. Mr. Nudell gave his Superintendent’s report. Motion to approve the calendar for the 2025-26 school year as presented. (Hartman/Belmont) UC. A copy is on file in the district office. The board acknowledged receipt of the 2023-2024 World’s Best Work Force report as presented by Janell Kraemer. It will be posted to the school’s website. Motion to accept the recommendation from administration to award the bid for the annual school financial audit for the next 3 years to CLA. CLA is the district’s current auditor and they were the low bidder. (Newark/Hartman) UC. Motion to accept the phone upgrade proposal from Arvig Communications as presented. A copy of the proposal is available at the district office. (Hartman/Stich) UC. The board will begin the process of retaining a student from the junior class to be the next representative to the board. There will be an application and interview process to select the next representative. Next meeting is set for March 10, 2025 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the media center. With no more items of business remaining on the agenda, Chair, Paul Ness called the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing March 19, 2025 of the official minutes of this meeting.)