Underwood School Board January 12, 2026 Minutes

The Underwood School Board Reorganizational Meeting, followed by the Regular Board Meeting, was held on Monday, January 12, 2026, in the Conference Room. Present were Board Members Rebekah Meder, Adam Baker, Jen Albjerg, Jay Mark, and Chris Waltz; Superintendent Jeff Wilson, Principal Chad Gilbertson, Activities Director Brian Hovland, and Business Manager Margie Thieschafer. Absent: Kyle Sem. Others present: None. Superintendent Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with a quorum present. Mark read the Underwood Public School’s Mission Statement. Motion to approve the amended agenda (Albjerg/Meder: MCU). Nominations were called for Chairperson; Albjerg nominated Waltz, and Meder nominated Mark. Waltz was voted Chairperson. Chair Waltz took over to direct the meeting. Nominations were called for Vice-Chairperson; Waltz nominated Meder; Meder was declared Vice-Chairperson. Nominations were called for Clerk; Mark nominated Albjerg; Albjerg was declared Clerk. Nominations were called for Treasurer; Baker nominated Mark; Mark was declared Treasurer. Motion for the following (Albjerg/Baker: MCU) • Set the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM in the Underwood School Conference Room as the regular board meeting date, time, and place • Keep board salaries as follows: Regular and Special Board Meetings Pay: Chairperson $90, Directors $80; Other Meetings Pay $65; All Day Meetings (Over 4 hours) $150; Mileage rate at IRS standard rate. • Set Farmers State Bank of Underwood, Minnesota Trust (PTMA), and Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund (MSDLAF) as the official depositories • Set the Battle Lake Review as the official newspaper • Set Pemberton Law PLLP as legal counsel **Issues that require more specialization may require the contracting of a more specialized legal counsel • Authorize Margie Thieschafer and Jeff Wilson to wire money Committee assignments were determined. Certified Committee: Albjerg, Meder, Waltz Non-Certified Committee/Job Description: Baker, Mark, Sem, Waltz Administrative Negotiations: Full Board Policy: Baker, Albjerg, Waltz Meet and Confer: Albjerg, Mark Long Range & Finance: Baker, Sem, Albjerg Curriculum: Baker, Meder Community Education/ECFE Liaison: Waltz MSHSL Liaison: Mark MSBA Legislative Liaison: Waltz Staff Development/Continuing Education Liaison: Albjerg Underwood Education Community Foundation Liaison: Baker Member Waltz introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION FOR REDUCING PROGRAMS AND BUDGETS Be it hereby resolved that: The board of Underwood Public School gives a directive to the administration for recommended reductions. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Albjerg, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Mark, Meder, Waltz, Baker, and Albjerg. Members voting against this directive are: None. Full resolution on file in the District office. Motion to approve the consent agenda which included the minutes of the December 10, 2025 regular meeting; Donations for 2025 Holiday store: Underwood Fire Department, Sverdrup Lutheran Church, Underwood Interact, Jane Merickel, Judy Heltness, Service Food of Fergus Falls and Underwood Custodial Staff, thank you for the generous donations; Expenditure/Finance Report; readings of Policy updates; resignation due to retirement of Becky Saurer Custodian; and Leave of absence for Megan N. Johnson, Teacher – Roll call vote: Voting in Favor: Meder, Baker, Waltz, Albjerg, and Mark; Voting Against: None. MCU. No Committee reports were given. The Community Ed/Activities report was given by Hovland. The Principal report was given by Gilbertson. And Wilson gave the Superintendent’s report. Motion to amend 25-26 School Calendar to designate Friday, April 3 2026 as a non-snow make-up date and have Thursday, May 28, 2026 as the make-up day (Albjerg/Mark: MCU). Motion to approve 26-27 School Calendar (Mark/Albjerg: Voting in favor: Baker, Waltz, Albjerg and Mark – Voting against: Meder – MC). Motion to adjourn (Baker/Mark: MCU). The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m. Jen Albjerg, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing February 25, 2026 of the official minutes of this meeting.)