December 8, 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 December 8, 2025. Chair, David Hokanson, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
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II. Truth in Taxation Presentation
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III. Mission Statement
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IV. Roll Call
Discussion:
Members Present: Eric Griffith, David Hokanson, Jodi McShane, Ashley McFarland (absent), Matthew Munger, Tim Peterson (absent), Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services
Visitors: Jason Wilcox, Sarah Turcotte, Lori Sinnott, Lindsey Beier, Michael Michelizzi, Bill Wietman, Kammi Wietman, Gretchen Appelwick, Mary Beth Roubik, Tom Roubik, Kristal Berg, Dacia Selzler, Miranda Gustad, John Muenich |
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V. Approve Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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VI. Approve Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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VI.A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Board Meeting: November 24, 2025
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VI.B. Approval and authorization of audited vouchers for payment #117813-117887 charged to the following funds, voided check #117163 and the Bank and Electronic Transfers:
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VI.C. Approval of Personnel Items
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VII. Comments and Congratulations
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VII.A. Elementary, Middle, High School, and Community Education Reports
Discussion:
Wietman. Recognized the middle school science department for being willing to help our unofficial substitute science teacher.
Appelwick. Recognized the general ed, special ed and Title One paras, and the speech pathologists for finishing their LETRS training. They put in 18 months of work in the Science of Reading to fulfill the Read Act requirement of having all teachers trained. |
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VII.B. Elk's Senior Students of the Month: Madelyn Jaros & Joe Bergquist
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VIII. Recognition of Visitor Business
Discussion:
No Visitor Business.
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IX. Correspondence
Discussion:
No Correspondence.
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X. Superintendent's Discussion Items
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X.A. Enrollment Update
Discussion:
Enrollment is currently at 2,047 students from 2,049 students, which is pretty steady.
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X.B. NLSEC Building
Discussion:
Recently had a meeting with some of the members of St. Rose for the potential purchase or lease of their building for Setting 4 students across the Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative. Another option is building new on seven acres of land which was donated by Carlton County. At this points, we are looking at all options for the 2026-27 school year. NLSEC will attend a meeting in January to talk to the Board about options.
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X.C. Arena
Discussion:
As of 3:00 p.m. today, the District has received the Certificate of Occupancy for NorthStar Ford Arena. Locker rooms are done and look great. Contractor is still working on items from the punch list before it gets handed over the the School District. The plan is still to have the Grand Opening on Friday, Jan. 2 for community members Saturday, Jan. 3 for the first round of games for varsity teams.
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X.D. Other
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XI. Committee Reports
Discussion:
No Committee Reports.
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XII. Old Business
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XII.A. Certify 25 Pay 26 Levy
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XII.B. Hermantown Activities Student/Parent Handbook
Description:
Hermantown Activities Student/Parent Handbook Draft
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XII.C. Hermantown Activities Coaches/Advisors Handbook
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XII.D. December 22 Board Meeting
Discussion:
The Board will still need to meet on December 22 to hear the auditor's presentation.
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XII.E. Accept FY25 Audit
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XIII. New Business
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XIII.A. Resolution for Indigenous Peoples' Day
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XIII.B. New Position Request for Part Time Elementary Paraprofessional (Action Requested)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.C. New Position Request for Middle School Lunch Supervisor
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XIV. Closed Session for the Purpose of Contract Negotiations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XV. Reopen Meeting to the Public
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XVI. Adjournment
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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