January 12, 2026 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 January 12, 2026. Vice Chair, Matthew Munger, 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 Present: Eric Griffith, David Hokanson (absent), Jodi McShane, Ashley McFarland, Matthew Munger, Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services
Visitors: Sarah Turcotte, Jason Wilcox, Brent Chouanard-Nguyen, Miranda Gustad, Michael Michelizzi, Bill Wietman, Jen Larson, Scott Larson, Gretchen Appelwick, John Muenich |
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IV. Approve Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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V. Election of Officers
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V.A. Chair
Discussion:
McFarland nominated Hokanson. Hokanson is elected Chair by acclamation.
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V.B. Vice Chair
Discussion:
Peterson nominated Munger. Munger is elected Vice Chair by acclamation.
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V.C. Clerk
Discussion:
McFarland nominated McShane. McShane is elected Clerk by acclamation.
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V.D. Treasurer
Discussion:
McShane nominated Peterson. Peterson is elected Treasurer by acclamation.
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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: December 22, 2025
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VI.B. Approval and authorization of audited vouchers for payment #118025-118124 charged to the following funds and the Bank and Electronic Transfers:
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VI.C. Approval of Personnel Items
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VI.D. Designate the firm of Squires, Waldspurger & Mace, PA as the District’s legal counsel for the 2026 year |
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VI.E. Designate the Hermantown Star as the official newspaper for the district for the 2026 year
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VI.F. Authorize the use of the Hermantown School District's website as an alternate dissemination of information method
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VI.G. Set the mileage reimbursement rate at the IRS Standard Mileage Reimbursement rate for 2026 (72.5 cents per mile)
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VI.H. Designate Wayne Whitwam as the Local Education Authority Representative
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VI.I. Authorize and designate Wayne Whitwam and Lance Takkunen to lease, purchase and contract for goods and services within the budget approved by the School Board
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VI.J. Designate Wayne Whitwam to sign leases, purchases, and contract for goods and services
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VI.K. Authorize Wayne Whitwam to approve contracts up to bid law threshold
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VI.L. Authorize Wayne Whitwam to approve change orders on projects up to $25,000
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VI.M. Authorize members of the Principals' Unit to approve contracts for D.J.s, yearbooks, photos, graduation rentals, and speakers for Staff Development
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VI.N. Designate US Bank, North Shore Bank of Commerce, Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund, Centricity Credit Union and PMA Securities as depositories for all School District monies for the 2026 year
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VI.O. Name Lance Takkunen, Shelly Janson, and Faye Sarvela as designated representatives for the purpose of making electronic fund transfers on behalf of the School District
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VI.P. Compensation for Board Members shall be $110, Chair; $105, Clerk; $100, All Other Members
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VI.Q. The Board may authorize the use of a credit card by any officer or employee otherwise authorized to make a purchase on behalf of the district. If a district officer or employee makes or directs a purchase by credit card that is not approved by the School Board, the officer or employee is personally liable for the amount of the purchase. A purchase by credit card must otherwise comply with all statutes, rules, or district policy applicable to School District purchases
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VII. Resolution to Accept Donations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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VIII. Comments and Congratulations
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VIII.A. Elementary, Middle, High School, and Community Education Reports
Discussion:
Wietman. Faculty and staff are busy planning for activities for next year. Recognized Sam Janz for her work planning Experience Day and the Middle School counselors for their work in planning the Courage Retreat. Recognized Kate Conklin for her work in planning the fifth-grade trip to StarBase. Thanked middle school teachers for their effort in coordinating next year's schedule.
Whitwam. The Grand Opening of NorthStar Ford Arena went well. So happy for our students to finally be able to start playing games there. It was a culmination of the hard work of many community members. |
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VIII.B. Elk's Senior Students of the Month: Mya McQueary & Lukas Flaada
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IX. Recognition of Visitor Business
Discussion:
No Visitor Business.
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X. Administrative Report
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X.A. Scott Larson - CTE Update
Discussion:
Scott Larson presenting on the Hermantown Career Technical Education and Youth Skills Training program. He stated that the biggest win so far has been the collaboration between the students, school board, teachers, parents, administration and the community.
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XI. Correspondence
Discussion:
No Correspondence.
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XII. Superintendent's Discussion Items
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XII.A. Enrollment Update
Discussion:
Enrollment dropped to 2,038 for the 2025-26 school year. The first Open Enrollment deadline for the 2026-27 school year is January 15.
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XII.B. MSBA Leadership Conference
Discussion:
The main goal at the MSBA Leadership Conference is to look into the State Sick Leave program and the possibility of opting out and establishing our own sick leave bank. Find out if any other schools have tried this yet.
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XII.C. Arena
Discussion:
Kraus-Anderson has yet to finish the punch list. Ownership of NorthStar Ford Arena will not be signed over to the District until the list is completed.
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XII.D. Other
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XIII. Committee Reports
Discussion:
No Committee Reports.
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XIV. Old Business
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XIV.A. Resolution Supporting Use of Cooperative Facilities Levy to Pursue State Matching Dollars for Construction of New Northern Lights Academy Facility
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIV.B. Superintendent Mid-Year Evaluation Summary
Discussion:
Tabled until the January 26 meeting.
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XV. New Business
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XV.A. Video Board
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XV.B. 2026 Committee and Outside Assignments
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XV.C. New Position Request for Junior Varsity Knowledge Bowl Coach
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XVI. Closed Session for the Purpose of Contract Negotiations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XVII. Reopen Meeting to the Public
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XVIII. Adjournment
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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