January 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM - 2026 Organizational and Regular School Board Meeting of ISD 857

Call Meeting to Order

Pledge of Allegiance.

Quorum Call

David Baer
Sara Daley
Daniel Kreidermacher
Bree Maki
Luke Miller
Amber Pasche
Dave Pringle

 

Approve the January 5, 2026 Meeting Agenda
 

Elect 2026 School Board Chair

 

Elect 2026 School Board Vice Chair
 

Elect 2026 School Board Clerk
 

Elect 2026 School Board Treasurer
 

Designate a School Board member as the 2026 MN State High School League representative.
 

Set dates, times and location for 2026 Regular School Board meetings as the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00pm in the High School Library.
 

Set compensation for School Board Chairperson and Directors for regular, special and appointed committee meetings and MSBA trainings.  (Currently $65.00 per meeting/training for Directors, $80/meeting for Board Chair.)
 

Designate Minnwest Bank, The People's State Bank, Merchant's Bank and the PMA Financial Network, LLC at official depositories for school district funds.
 

Authorize the Superintendent and Business Manager to make official electronic transfers and pay bills in advance,.
 

Designate Superintendent Gwen Porter as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for ISD 857 to authorize user access to MDE for secure data submissions.


 

Authorize use of 2025 computerized signature files and further authorize use of the 2025 signatures until 2026 updates are complete.
 

Designate Kennedy and Graven, Chartered as the official school district law firm and provide the Superintendent and Board Chair authorization to contact legal counsel on matters relevant to the school district.
 

Designate The St. Charles Press and Lewiston Journal as the official publication of the school district. 
 

Board Chair Appoints Committee Members
A. Teacher Negotiations/Meet and Confer
B. Transportation Wage and Benefits Handbook
C. Support Staff Wage and Benefits Handbook
D. Lewiston - Altura Principals Association Negotiations
E. Superintendent Negotiations
F. District Staff Development
G. Finance Committee
H. Hiawatha Valley Education District L-A Board Representative
I. Community Education and Early Childhood Advisory Committee
J. District Policy Review Committee
K. Health and Safety Committee
L. Systems Accountability Committee
M. Activities Committee
N. Community Engagement/Communications Committee
O. Facilities/Construction Advisory Representatives
 

L-A High School Student Report
 

Open Forum

Guideline: Three minutes per speaker; 15 minutes maximum.  Complaints about personnel or individuals are prohibited. No Board action is taken during the Open Forum. This is the only time during the Board meeting that audience participation is allowed unless scheduled prior. 

Consent Agenda

A. Board Meeting Minutes: December 8, 2025
B. Financial Reports: Note that there are no Financial Reports due to the date of the Board meeting being early in the month. 

Bid acceptance for the elementary and high school renovation projects as recommended by InGensa, Inc. (See attachment.)
 

Discussion on 2026-2027 Budget
 

Transportation Vehicle Purchase Planning
 

Resolution Directing Administration to Make Recommendations Regarding the Reduction and/or Discontinuance of Programs and Positions and Reasons Therefore

 

Policies and Forms on 1st Reading

516.5 Overdose Medication
530/530F Immunization Requirements & Form
720 Vending Machines
 

Policies and Forms on 2nd Reading

Policy 515 Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records
Policy 516 Student Medication and Telehealth

Discussion on Further Restrictions of Students' Use of Cell Phones

 

Dashir and Superintendent's Report
 

Board Committee Reports
 

Motion to go into Closed Session for the Purpose of discussions with LAPA.
 

Adjourn