April 22, 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 April 22, 2024. Chair, Heather Holst, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Discussion:  MEMBERS PRESENT: Lindsay Clauson, David Hokanson, Heather Holst, Ashley McFarland, Matt Munger, Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services

VISITORS: Jason Wilcox, Randy Anderson, Sarah Turcotte, Nicole Minnehan, Bill Wietman, Gretchen Appelwick, John Muenich, Kristal Berg, Emily Corrin, Katie Marciniak, Sadie Kukowski, Katie Brown-Mesedahl, Julie Lenz, Kate Conklin, Shelly Janson, Grace Billman, Julie Borgeson, Nicole Riel

Discussion:  Muenich. Robotics made it back from the FIRST World Championships today and will participate at the MSHSL State Tournament in a couple of weeks. The Speech team, led by first-year head coach Marissa Stifter, competed at the MSHSL State Tournament last weekend. Shout out to Ken Ahlberg and Nick Allen for directing the spring play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Recognized the retirement of Beth Clark as the head girls basketball coach after 36 years with the district. Said he holds her in the highest of regards. 
Appelwick. Thanked Muenich for coordinating the MCA testing at the Elementary school and thanked teachers and support staff for training to administer the test on time. 
Berg. Thanked Sarah Dennis, Early Learning Program Manager, for helping many families register for ECFE and Preschool for the upcoming school year. Sarah does a great job connecting with the families, answering their questions, and assisting them through the registration process. Thanked Jilli Peterson, Early Childhood Screening Coordinator, for all her efforts to schedule and coordinate screening in both Hermantown and Proctor. Jilli helped 103 Hermantown children get screened this school year. Thanked Roxy Olsen-Hurst, Assistant Community Education Director, for hosting a Unicorn Day Celebration at the Proctor Early Childhood Center, where 51 children from Hermantown and Proctor attended. She also visited every single preschool classroom to read a unicorn story in honor of Unicorn Day! Thanked Pam Pilon, HHS Secretary, for teaching mindfulness and yoga practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays to elementary students at the HCLC. Pam has been teaching yoga to our elementary students for a few years now, and she always does a terrific job and we appreciate her tremendously.
Whitwam. Recognized Administrative Professionals Week. 

Discussion:  No Visitor Business.

Discussion:  No Correspondence. 

Discussion:  Randy Anderson from Ehlers Public Finance Advisors presented the five-year financial outlook model for the District. 

Discussion:  These numbers will be discussed further in New Business. 

Discussion:  These legislation are currently in the Finance Committee, so they are supported by both parties. Hold Harmless for free and reduced lunch, being able to use food service money to purchase items in the cafeteria, as well as in the kitchen and legislating Health Standards at the State level by the end of the 2025-26 school year. These are the three that are most likely to happen. 

Discussion:  This was sent out and advertised in the Hermantown Star, district website and was sent individually. 

Discussion:  Two rinks will now be one rink and one pleasure rink due to using too many wetland credits. The City of Hermantown offered to pay to remove two older garages next to the bus garage for a kid drop off area and parking at the new arena.  

Discussion:  Peterson. Attended the Arena Board meeting. The Board presented its financials, which were also shared with the School Board. HAHA plans to move the chiller out to the front of the building in anticipation of construction.