Battle Lake School Board July 14, 2025 Meeting

Regular Meeting – The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in a regular session on Monday, July 14, 2025 at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 5:30 p.m. Members present: Sheila Newark, Paul Ness, Sean Belmont, Bennet Stich, Ashley Altstadt and Jonathan Hartman. Members absent: None. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson, Pete Amundson, David Marso, Krys Marso, Connor Wicklund, Lisa Frank, Marcia Eggen, Elizabeth Klintworth and several other school staff and community members. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as revised, moving Policy 524.5 from consent items to new business and adding under new business Public Comment Format. (Newark/Hartman) UC. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular June meeting as printed. (Altstadt/Stich) UC. Motion to accept the following donation as specified: Underwood Lions $1000 for FFA, Lakes Area Community Commerce $500 for the Business Department, Everts Township $500 and First National Bank/First Lakes Agency $325 both for summer recreation, and Everts Lumber Company $48.09 worth of Fiberglass Rebar for the shot put throwing area. (Belmont/Newark) UC. Motion to approve the following consent agenda items: Payment of bills including checks #60557-#60629 in the amount of $218,213.74. Electronic fund transfers in the amount of $1,750,441.44. Payroll checks #21949 – #21954 in the amount of $4,634.27. Treasurer’s Report. Membership with MREA and MSBA. Updated electronic funds transfer authorization. Call for bids on milk and related dairy products. Community Education Director Contract for 2025-26. Contract for Co- Coordinators of Transportation for the 2025-26 school year. Principal’s Contract for the 2025-26 school year. Re-hire Brianna Lewis as a custodian. Recommendation for Hire of Billy Durbin, Grace Thorpe and Delia Tebrugge as summer rec coaches. Recommendation for hire of Lynda Eklund as bus driver. Recommendation for hire of Kristin Lee as a bus driver. Substitute hourly rate of pay for paras, cooks and custodians for the 2025-26 school year as $16.75. Letter of resignation from Lisa Scholten as a Food Service Worker. Letter of resignation from Marlys Schneeberger as Food Service Director. And Letter of Retirement from Brenda Peasley as Paraprofessional. (Hartman/Stich) UC. Connor Wicklund spoke on events and activities of interest to a Battle Lake student. Pete Amundson gave an update on buildings and facilities. Ryan Severson gave his School Principal’s report. Rob Nudell gave his Superintendent’s report. Chair Paul Ness acknowledged those from the audience that wished to speak. There was time allotted for public comment related to the School Board Renewal of the Expiring Operating Referendum Authority. Board members gave updates on communications and meetings they have had with residents and community members within the past month. Motion to approve the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Ten Year Plan as presented. A copy of the entire plan and the assurances is on file in the district office. (Newark/Hartman) UC. Motion to approve the IOWA Designation as presented. A copy of the designation is on file in the district office. (Hartman/Stich) UC. The board acknowledged for a first reading the school policies in the 100 series. Copies of these policies can be found on the school’s website. The board acknowledged for a first reading the school policies in the 200 series. Copies of these policies can be found on the school’s website. Member Sean Belmont introduced the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF AN EXPIRING REFERENDUM REVENUE AUTHORIZATION. The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Bennet Stich and upon a roll call vote being taken those voting in favor of the resolution: Sean Belmont, Ashley Altstadt, Paul Ness, Sheila Newark, Bennet Stich and Jonathan Hartman. And those voting against the same: None. Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. A copy of the entire resolution can be viewed in the district office. Lisa Frank and Marcia Eggen were in attendance and spoke in regards to a possible fund raising idea for the 542 Education Foundation. The fund raising idea is the auctioning off of naming the school gym annually. Motion to approve the request from the 542 Education Foundation to host an annual auction to name the gymnasium. (Newark/ Hartman) UC. Jonathan Hartman moved to approve Policy #524.5 Personal Electronic Communication Devices as presented. The motion died due to the lack of a second. Motion to not approve policy #524.5 as presented, to move toward a bell to bell policy, and to set a special meeting to have a first reading of such a policy sometime before the regular August meeting. (Newark/Stich). The board set a special meeting date of July 22 at 7:30 a.m. to look at the Personal Electronic Communication Device Policy. Motion to approve the procedure to follow for those wishing to speak at a board meeting. The public comment form that needs to be completed and submitted can be found on line at the school’s website under School Board. https://www.battlelake.k12.mn.us/pa ge/school-board. (Stich/Hartman) UC. With no more items of business remaining on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned by Chair Paul Ness at 6:38 p.m. Special Meeting – The school board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in special session on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at the Battle Lake City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Jonathan Hartman at 7:35 a.m. Members present: Jonathan Hartman, Sean Belmont, Ashley Altstadt, Sheila Newark and Bennet Stich. Members absent: Paul Ness. Others in attendance were Rob Nudell, Ryan Severson and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance Motion to adopt the agenda as presented. (Altstadt/Stich) UC. The board held discussion on the first reading of Personal Electronic Communication Device Policy. The language in the first reading of the policy will be shared with families before the regular August school board meeting. There was discussion in regards to sharing and/or pairing with Ashby in E-sports and Robotics. No action taken at this time. With no more items of business on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 a.m. Sheila Newark Board Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing August 20, 2025 of the official minutes of this meeting.)