Battle Lake School December 8, 2025 Minutes

The School Board of ISD #542, Battle Lake, met in regular session on Monday, December 8, 2025 in the Media Center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Paul Ness at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Paul Ness, Sheila Newark, Ashley Altstadt, Sean Belmont, Bennet Stich and Jonathan Hartman. Others in attendance were: Rob Nudell, David Marso, Amy Wicklund, Jennie Mills, Connor Wicklund, Dr. Misty Wilke, Brady Speicher, Shauna Heggem and Elizabeth Klintworth. All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion to adopt the agenda as presented. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Rob Nudell presented the Truth in Taxation information. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting during the month of November as presented. (Newark/Stich) UC. Motion to accept the following donations as specified: Nidaros Women ELCA $200, 1st Lutheran Church ELCA $1200, Dave and Elaine Tomhave $250, Eagle Lake WELCA $500 and Anonymous donations totaling $2800 – all for Womenade/Christmas Project. Arvig Communications $250 – Youth Football Program. (Hartman/Newark) UC. Motion to approve the consent agenda items as follows: Policy 600 series for a first reading, Contract with Sustainable Systems Consulting LLC, Letters of resignation from Brianna Lewis – custodian, Bridgette Raph-Formo – paraprofessional and Jodi Kossan – Preschool paraprofessional, recommendations for hire of Jackie Hanson – ADSIS paraprofessional, Ashlee Hersch – Title I paraprofessional, Logan Stans – Custodian and Joan Koep – Preschool paraprofessional. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC Connor Wicklund reported on student life and activities. David Marso gave the Activities Director’s report. Mr. Severson had a written report for the board. Mr. Nudell gave his Superintendent’s report. Dr. Misty Wilkie addressed the board regarding the proposed change to Policy 206 and some other items. Board members gave updates on committee meetings, conversations and encounters with residents and community members that they had in the past month. Motion to approve payment of bills including checks #60964 – #61047 in the amount of $530,668.48, Electronic fund transfers in the amount of $ 1,813,958.15, Payroll checks #21973 – #21976 in the amount of $3,151.38, Treasurer’s Report as presented and enrollments per grade which is currently 396 for K-12. (Altstadt/Hartman) UC. Motion to adopt Policy Series 500 as presented. (Newark/Hartman) UC. Motion to certify the Pay 2026 Levy at the amount of $ 4,019,232.56 (Belmont/ Newark) UC. A copy of the entire levy is on file in the district office. Motion to approve the revision to Policy 206 as presented. A copy of the entire policy is available in the district office or on line through the school’s website. (Belmont/Altstadt) Opposed Newark and Stich. MC. Motion to approve the overnight trip for the Mock Trial Team as presented. (Newark/Hartman) UC. Next meeting is set for January 12th with the reorganization meeting to start at 5:30 p.m. in the media center. With no more items of business remaining on the agenda, clerk Sheila Newark called the meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Sheila Newark, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing January 21, 2026 of the official minutes of this meeting.)