March 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting of the School Board

Discussion:  The Board of Education of Hermantown Independent School District No. 700 met in regular session on March 11, 2024. Chair, Heather Holst, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Discussion:  MEMBERS PRESENT: Lindsay Clauson, David Hokanson, Heather Holst, Matthew Munger (6:18 p.m.), Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services 

VISITORS: Sarah Turcotte, Nicole Minnehan, Jason Wilcox, Bill Wietman, Roy Christianson, Lindsay Beier, Lori Sinnott, Emily Tessier, Natalia Benson, Eric Borndal, Amy Bennett, Terry Gilbert, Jess Williams, Sadie Kukowski, Mike Sweeney, Emily Corrin, Katie Marciniak, John Muenich, Gretchen Appelwick

Discussion:  Wietman. Recognized the February Middle Schools Students of the Month. Also, gave a huge thanks to Ms. Petruga for her years of service at Hermantown Community Schools and for helping him make a smooth transition to Hermantown. 
Whitwam. Gave congratulations to the Talons Robotics team for winning regionals and qualifying for State and Worlds, Boys Hockey for their run at state, Boys Basketball for winning their Section 7AAA semifinal game and Speech for their successful season. Our athletics and activities are having great success this year. 
Hokenson. Congratulated the Robotics Team on its regional victory, as he was able to attend the team's event at the DECC.  
 

Discussion:  No Visitor Business.

Discussion:  No Correspondence. 

Discussion:  Roy Christianson went through each contract on the agenda regarding the hockey arena and City of Hermantown. 

Discussion:  Kindergarten enrollment is at 123 for next year. We currently have six students on the waiting list with siblings that currently attend Hermantown. Those students would get preference, however, I'd like to wait to see how district enrollment numbers look before taking more for Kindergarten open enrollment. 

Discussion:  The Facilities committee met on February 28 and concluded that the District's greatest need is at the Elementary School. The high school will not be paid off until 2038, but the committee doesn't think we can make it that long for a new elementary school. Not only will we need to build a new elementary, but the old one will most likely need to be remodeled. Need to know if we are maximizing space and how we would best remodel the old building. Hiring someone to give us our options and to tell us the tax implications is our best plan. The current estimate for a new elementary school is $43-59 million, which I believe in five year we are looking at the top of that scale. 

Discussion:  The CDC came out with updated COVID-19 guidelines that the District would like to follow. Return to school when you are feeling better and are 24 hours fever free. 

Discussion:  Going to the Capitol with a group of Superintendents on March 20th.
NLSEC is asking for funding for a new building or to remodel a building for special education services.
Natalie Zeleznikar inquired about food service and how the free lunch program is running. Currently, Food Service funds can only be used in the kitchen. Want to ask if we could expand this out to the cafeteria or somehow expand what we can use these funds on.
The READ Act and unemployment for hourly school employees is looking for different funding. Don't mandate anything else. The District will be on the line for these funds once the state dollars run out.

Discussion:  No Committee Reports