April 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting of the School Board
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I. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
The Board of Education of Hermantown Independent School District No. 700 met in regular session on April 14, 2025. Chair, David Hokanson, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
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II. Mission Statement
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III. Roll Call
Discussion:
Members Presents: Eric Griffith, David Hokanson, Jodi McShane, Ashley McFarland, Matthew Munger, Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services
Visitors: Sarah Turcotte, Jason Wilcox, Bill Wietman, Kammi Wietman, Lori Sinnott, Lindsey Beier, Brent Chouanard-Nguyen, Melanie Olson, Jill Hansen, Heather Holst, Gretchen Appelwick, Ginger Flohaug, John Muenich, Julie Patton |
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IV. Approve Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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V. Approve Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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V.A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Board Meeting: March 10, 2025 & March 20, 2025
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V.B. Approval and authorization of audited vouchers for payment #116283-116439 charged to the following funds and the Bank and Electronic Transfers:
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V.C. Approval of Personnel Items
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VI. Resolution to Accept Donations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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VII. Comments and Congratulations
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VII.A. Elementary, Middle, High School, and Community Education Reports
Discussion:
Appelwick. Elementary Conferences were very well attended. Our first Kids Night Out was very successful, as we raised over $2,000 for bicycles and xylophones and received positive feedback from parents. We hope to do it again at Fall Conferences. Mary Jo Otteson is retiring after 30 years with the district, all except one as a Kindergarten teacher. She was a blessing to the district and a natural-born teacher. She will be missed. Jen Larson and Scott Larson were awarded a $15,000 stipend through the PBS Skillsville Children's Program which will help teach elementary students about careers. Joe Borak from the Elementary School will be helping with the HCLC Community Garden.
Weitman. Congratulations to the 5th Grade Math Masters Teams that placed first and third in their team events in their recent competition, among multiple individual award winners. Received communication from Mr. Larson that the group of students he took to the Ironworkers training facility were fantastic on the visit and deserved to be recognized. Muenich. Recognized the High School Speech Team as it has three members qualify for the State Tournament, including Elyana Hewitt, Karolyn Deiss and Paul Marinos. Head coach Marissa Stifter was named the Section 7AA Coach of the Year. Peterson. Attended Ms. Hren's classroom book play and was once again very impressed. Many students that typically would not stand up and talk in class are getting up and speaking and performing. I congratulate and encourage her to continue. The Elementary School is a happy place. McShane. Congratulations to the High School Drama Club who had their play this weekend. They did a really great job. |
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VII.B. Elk's Senior Students of the Month - Arpitaa Sharma & Zach Warner
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VIII. Recognition of Visitor Business
Discussion:
No Visitor Business.
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IX. Administrative Report
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IX.A. Lance Takkunen - Budget Report
Discussion:
Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services, gave an update on the budget.
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X. Correspondence
Discussion:
No Correspondence.
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XI. Superintendent's Discussion Items
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XI.A. Enrollment Update
Discussion:
Enrollment is steady.
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XI.B. Open Enrollment
Discussion:
Discussed the possibility of taking three Kindergarten students from the Open Enrollment waiting list, but agreed to wait until the Board can see what the enrollment numbers look like in August.
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XI.C. Hermantown Recreation Initiative
Discussion:
The City of Hermantown is 45% done with the NorthStar Ford Arena project. Still projected to open on Dec. 19, 2025. Will schedule tours with Board members if there is interest.
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XI.D. Insurance Update
Discussion:
Currently going out for bids for health insurance. We have a hard June 1 deadline to make a decision.
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XI.E. Other
Discussion:
Superintendent Evaluation Training through MSBA on Thursday via Zoom for Board members that can attend. A recording of the session will be available to review for those not able to attend.
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XII. Committee Reports
Discussion:
Peterson. Attended the Arena Board meeting. There were questions as to where the School Board stands on lockers for the varsity locker rooms?
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XIII. Old Business
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XIII.A. New Position Request for Girls Lacrosse Mindset & Performance Coach
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.B. New Position Request for Middle School Assistant Principal
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.C. Memorandum of Understanding between Independent School District 700, Hermantown and the Principals’ Unit
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIV. New Business
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XIV.A. New Position Request for Bus Driver (Action Required)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIV.B. Middle School Assistant Principal Job Description
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XIV.C. School Bus Purchase
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XIV.D. Resolution No. 1 for Mighty Ducks Grant Program (Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission) Grant Funding Assistance for Dehumidifier Replacement
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XV. Closed Session for the Purpose of Contract Negotiations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XVI. Reopen Meeting to the Public
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XVII. Adjournment
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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