Battle Lake School Board June 9, 2025 Minutes

The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in a regular session on Monday, June 9, 2025 at city hall. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 5:30 p.m. Members present: Paul Ness, Ashley Altstadt, Sean Belmont, Bennet Stich and Jonathan Hartman. Members absent: Sheila Newark. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson, Pete Amundson, Elizabeth Klintworth, Dan and Lisa Malmstrom, Jarren Hill, Katrina Ball, several school staff employees and members of the community. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as revised to include under new business item H – Resignation letter from a custodian. (Stich/Hartman) UC. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular and special May meetings as printed. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Motion to accept the following donations as specified: Women Anglers of MN $300 – Fishing League. Ottertail Township $250 – Summer Recreation. (Stich/Belmont) UC. Motion to approve the following consent agenda: Payment of bills including checks #60491-#60556 in the amount of $145,341.52; electronic fund transfers in the amount of $953,379.63; payroll checks #21947-#21948 in the amount of $1282.20; Treasurer’s Report as presented; membership renewal with Lakes Country Service Cooperative for 2025-26; A first reading on the Personal Electronic Communication Devices Policy #524.5; Subcontractor agreement with Makenna Tysdal for a Marketing Campaign; and Public participation form and guidelines for public comment at school board meetings. (Hartman/Altstadt) UC. Connor Wicklund gave an update on what has been happening in the life of a Battle Lake High School Student since the May meeting. . Ryan Severson gave his School Principal’s report. It included the results from the student survey and he talked about positive behavior initiatives that the school has been implementing; Battler Proud, Rise Above and the BARR program which is Building Assets Reducing Risks. Rob Nudell gave his Superintendent’s report. Dan and Lisa Malmstrom were in attendance to give an update on the visioning and planning sessions that they coordinated for the district. They also provided recommendations for possible increased enrollment. Jarren Hill read a message to the board that he wrote. Katrina Ball read a message to the board in regards to the personal electronic communication devices policy that the board is looking to adopt. Motion to approve the property, liability, workers compensation and auto insurance renewal for July 1, 2025 from First Lakes Agency through EMC Insurance Company as presented. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Motion to adopt the preliminary budgets for FY26 as follows: Fund Revenue Expenditure General $6,380,853.36 $6,546,940.96 Food $355.,400.00 $355,400.00 Service $219,870.00 $219,870.00 Building Fund $0.00 $0.00 Debt Service $2,539,268.00 $2,539,268.00 Student Activity $54,400.00 $54,400.00 Total $9,549,791.36 $9,715,878.96 Motion to approve the 2025-26 and 2026 – 27 agreement for the Bus Drivers as presented. A copy of the agreement is on file in the district office. (Altstadt/Hartman). UC Motion to approve the revised contract for Krys Marso as Administrative Assistant for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 years as presented. (Stich/Hartman) UC. Motion to approve the revised contract for Nya Haberman as Administrative Assistant for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 years as presented. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Motion to adopt the Job description for Marketing Specialist as presented. A copy of the description is on file in the district office. (Belmont/Stich) UC Motion to adopt the Job description for Payroll and Benefits Manager/Human Re-sources Generalist as presented. A copy is on file in the district office. (Hartman/Belmont) UC. Motion to approve the letter of resignation from custodian Brianna Lewis effective June 23, 2025. (Hartman/Stich) The next meetings of the school board are scheduled for July 14 and August 11 both beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Battle Lake City Hall. With no more items of business on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned by Chair Paul Ness at 6:42 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing July 23, 2025 of the official minutes of this meeting.)