Ashby School Board January 21, 2026 Minutes

The School Board of District 261 met in regular session on January 21, 2026 in the Media Center. Chair B. Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with members Anderson, Hovland, Johnson, Olson, Rylander, Stevens and Wing present. Absent: none. Also present were Superintendent/HS Principal Moore, Elem/MS Principal Megan Peterson, Renee Melby, Suzanna Ecker, Jason Kuehn, Taanna Henningsen and Morgan Ryan. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion to approve the agenda. (Wing/Stevens MCU) Recognition of visitors. Board Reorganization with Election of Officers: Chair: Ben Johnson nominated by Wing/Stevens MCU Vice Chair: Suzanne Wing nominated by BJ/DR MCU Clerk: Leslie Anderson nominated by MH/MO MCU Treasurer: Dallas Rylander nominated by LA/SW MCU Committee Assignments were selected: Special Education Co-op Board: Suzanne Wing MSHSL Representative: Melissa Olson Legislative Liaison: Molly Hovland Negotiations (3): Ben Johnson, Suzanne Wing, Leslie Anderson Finance & Disbursement Review (3): Dallas Rylander, Leslie Anderson, Suzanne Wing Activities Committee (3): Melissa Olson, Sean Stevens, Dallas Rylander Building & Grounds Committee (3): Sean Stevens, Ben Johnson, Molly Hovland Planning Committee (3): Dallas Rylander, Sean Stevens, Suzanne Wing Policy Committee (3): Ben Johnson, Molly Hovland, Dallas Rylander Wellness: Leslie Anderson Official District Information Motion to approve the following consent agenda (Rylander/ Johnson MCU): • Approval of December 17, 2025 minutes • Financial Reports for December 2025 • Approval of bills: December Handpayables: $16,408.21, December Wire Payments: $205,241.22 and January bills: $132,588.47 • Approval of personnel changes: Deklin Goeden: paraprofessional; Justin Hammer: evening custodian; Tom Risbrudt: part-time evening custodian. Retirement of Kris Roley at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. • Accept donations: To Letterwinners for Corporate Sponsorships: Rylander Insurance $3,000, Ashby Equity $3,000, Lakeside Lumber $3,000, Mike Rossum $200, Johnson-Nelson Masonry $500, Park Region Telephone $1,500; Ashby Lions to Robotics $500; Ashby Legion to Robotics $2,000; Local Threads to Boys Basketball $150; Rylander Insurance for Scoreboard $4,5000; Lake Region Healthcare for CNA Health Class $500 Wing reported on Lakes Country Service Co-op. Anderson reported on Region 1. B. Johnson reported on negotiations in the works. Elem/MS Principal’s Report Mrs. Peterson reported on the following: • Student Achievement • Student Support and Experiences • Staff Growth, Achievement, and Support • DAC: MCAs, ACCESS, and MTAS Superintendent/HS Principal Report Mr. Moore reported on the following: • Academic Counselor • Attract and retain highly qualified teachers and staff • Academic Achievement • Interventions • Differentiation • Student Activities • CORE • Identifying how we communicate to stakeholders • Identifying and clarifying roles and responsibilities • Leadership Model • Website and Social Media Relations • Community Outreach • Legislative Updates • Building and Grounds • Kitchen • Transportation Taanna Henningsen reported on first grade and winter benchmarks. Morgan Ryan reported on first grade, Otter Cove field trip, and ALF quilt raffle. Discussion Items ALF Project Action Items – Wing introduced resolution to approve Resolution Directing Administration to Recommend Program/Personnel Adjustments Due to Declining Enrollment and/or Diminishing Revenue. Stevens seconded. Roll call vote: Wing – yes, Hovland – yes, Stevens – yes, Olson – yes, Anderson – yes, Rylander – yes, Johnson – yes. (MCU) Motion to name Official Depository: Viking Bank of Ashby (Rylander/Anderson MCU) Motion to name Official Newspaper: Battle Lake Review/Ashby Dalton Post (Anderson/Rylander MCU) Motion to set Board Compensation: Regular or Special $50, Committee Meeting $25, Chairperson Stipend $25/month (Hovland/Rylander MCU) Motion to set Board Meeting Time, Day, and Place: 3rd Wednesday Monthly, 6:00 PM, Ashby Public School Media Center (Rylander/Wing MCU) Motion to accept contract for Jason Kuehn as Business Manager. (Wing/Stevens MCU) Motion for approval of School District Policy for the Electronic Transfer of Funds authorizing Jason Kuehn, Renee Melby, and Jon Moore to transfer funds as allowed by MS471.38 electronically. (Anderson/Hovland MCU) Motion to adjourn (Stevens/Wing MCU). Johnson called the meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Leslie Anderson, Clerk (This publication constitutes the legal printing March 4, 2026 of the official minutes of this meeting.)