Meeting Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ADOPTING THE AGENDA
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, VISITORS, COMMUNICATION
4. SAFETY AND SECURITY 
5. REQUEST TO REMOVE TOPIC(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA
6. CONSENT AGENDA
7. REPORTS
7.1. Principals, AD, Superintendent
7.2. Delegates/Liaisons/Committees
8. PERSONNEL
8.1. Resignation
8.2. Lane Changes
9. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
10. E-LEARNING DAY PLAN
11. MHS 2026-2027 STUDENT HANDBOOK 
12. MES 2026-2027 STUDENT HANDBOOK 
13. POLICY
13.1. Policy 417 Chemical Use and Abuse
13.2. Policy 501 School Weapons Policy
13.3. Policy 505 Distribution of Nonschool-Sponsored Materials on School Premises by Students and Employees
13.4. Policy 524.5 Personal Electronic Communication Devices
14. ADJOURN
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: August 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting
Subject:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Description:
The August 17, 2026 regular meeting of the Menahga Public School board called to order by Chair Howard at ________ with the Pledge of Allegiance and Mission and Vision Statement.

Board members present: Katie Howard, Andrea Haverinen, Julia Kicker, Cherie Peterson, Sara Makela, and David Treinen. 
Others present: Business Manager Dana Kennedy, ES Principal Steph Mercil, HS Principal Michelle Koch, Assistant Principal John Hedstrom and Superintendent Jay Kjos.

One or more Board Members attending virtually;
Subject:
2. ADOPTING THE AGENDA
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
 to adopt the agenda as amended/presented.
 
Subject:
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, VISITORS, COMMUNICATION
Subject:
4. SAFETY AND SECURITY 
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to close for the discussion of Safety and Security per closed meeting law: Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3(d) at ________    The public portion of the meeting reconvened at________. 
Subject:
5. REQUEST TO REMOVE TOPIC(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA
Description:
MOTION BY _____________    
to remove the following from the consent agenda:
 
Subject:
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to approve the following consent items:
1. July 20, 2026 Regular meeting minutes; August 5, 2026 Pairing and Sharing meeting minutes; 
2. Activity fund and monthly claims in the amount of $544,464.94  
3. Consider Staffing for 2026-2027:  
3.1. Paraprofessional Contract, Elijah Ward, step 1; 
3.2. Paraprofessional Contract, Halle Wisuri, step 1; 
3.3. Assistant Volleyball Coach, Rhea Hillukka, step 1;
3.4. Junior High Volleyball Coach, Sara Kinyoun, step 1; 
3.5. Full-time Bus Driver, Casey Fitzpatrick; 
3.6. Long Term Substitute, Kim Makela, August 31, 2026 to November 16, 2026;
3.7. Assistant Football Coach, Elijah Ward, step 1;
4. Recommendation from Pairing Committee to Post for a UNC Warriors Girls Wrestling Head Coach
5. Recommendation from Pairing Committee to Continue Cost Savings Utilizing the North/South Directions to Determine which School Provides Transportation and Activities Director Recommendations.
6. Recommendation from Pairing Committee to Create a UNC Warriors Paired Robotics Team and Post for a Robotics Team Coach
7. Recommendation from the Pairing Committee that each School Sets Aside $15,000 for Future Track Maintenance
8. Johnson Controls Proposal;
9. Ridgewater College PSEO Administration Contract;
 
Attachments:
Subject:
7. REPORTS
Subject:
7.1. Principals, AD, Superintendent
Attachments:
Subject:
7.2. Delegates/Liaisons/Committees
Description:
Building Advisory: Katie Howard and David Treinen
Community Education: Andrea Haverinen
Crisis Management: David Treinen and Sara Makela
Freshwater Education District: Katie Howard
Minnesota School Board Association: Andrea Haverinen
Minnesota State High School League: David Treinen
Pairing and Sharing: Katie Howard and Cherie Peterson
Policy: Andrea Haverinen, Julia Kicker and Cherie Peterson
Negotiations:
Licensed: Katie Howard and Julia Kicker 
Paraprofessionals: Katie Howard and Cherie Peterson
Principals: Andrea Haverinen and David Treinen
Rebranding: Cherie Peterson, Sara Makela and David Treinen
Region 5 Development Commission: Andrea Haverinen
Sourcewell: Julia Kicker
Wadena County Collaborative: Cherie Peterson
Wellness: Sara Makela
 
Subject:
8. PERSONNEL
Subject:
8.1. Resignation
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to accept the letter of resignation from Travis Howard, Bus Driver with Menahga Public Schools, effective July 6, 2026. We thank Travis for his 8 years of dedicated service to the students of our school. 

MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to accept the letter of resignation from Tom Niska, Custodian with Menahga Public Schools, effective September 15, 2026. We thank Tom  for his 7 years of dedicated service to the students of our school. 

MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to accept the letter of resignation from Alisha Hendrickson, Assistant Volleyball Coach with Menahga Public Schools, effective June 22, 2026. We thank Alisha for her year of dedicated service to the students of our school. 

MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to accept the letter of resignation from Tanya Crook, Head Cook with Menahga Public Schools, effective August 3, 2026. We thank Tanya for her 13 years of dedicated service to the students of our school. 
 
Subject:
8.2. Lane Changes
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to approve the following lane change request:

Tanya Carney, BA+30 to MA;
Subject:
9. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
Description:
The following resolution was introduced by____________________                               
        RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
    WHEREAS, MS 123B.02, Subd. 6 provides:  "The board may receive, for the benefit of the district, bequests, donations, or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the same to the purpose designated.  In that behalf, the board may act as trustee of any trust created for the benefit of the district, or for the benefit of pupils thereof, including trusts created to provide pupils of the district with advanced education after completion of high school, in the advancement of education."; and
   WHEREAS, MS 465.03 provides: "Any city, county, school district or town may accept a grant or devise of real or personal property and maintain such property for the benefit of its citizens in accordance with the terms prescribed by the donor.  Nothing herein shall authorize such acceptance or use for religious or sectarian purposes.  Every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full."; 
     THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Menahga Public School Dist 821 gratefully accept the following donations as identified below: $1,000 to Drama Club and $2,000 for the Industrial Tech Printer both from the Menahga Education Foundation. 
 
Resolution seconded by_______________________
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
   voting aye:_________________________________
   voting nay:_________________________________
   absent:____________________________________
   Whereupon, said resolution was declared duly adopted.
Subject:
10. E-LEARNING DAY PLAN
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to approve the E-Learning Day Plan as presented. 
Attachments:
Subject:
11. MHS 2026-2027 STUDENT HANDBOOK 
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to approve the second reading of the 7-12th grade high school student handbook for the 2026-2027 school year as presented.
Attachments:
Subject:
12. MES 2026-2027 STUDENT HANDBOOK 
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE
 to approve the second reading of the K-6th grade elementary school student handbook for the 2026-2027 school year as presented. 
Attachments:
Subject:
13. POLICY
Subject:
13.1. Policy 417 Chemical Use and Abuse
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE
to approve the second reading and adoption of Policy 417 Chemical Use and Abuse as presented.  
Attachments:
Subject:
13.2. Policy 501 School Weapons Policy
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE
to approve the second reading and adoption of Policy 501 School Weapons Policy as presented.  
Attachments:
Subject:
13.3. Policy 505 Distribution of Nonschool-Sponsored Materials on School Premises by Students and Employees
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE
to approve the second reading and adoption of Policy 505 Distribution of Nonschool-Sponsored Materials on School Premises by Students and Employees as presented.  
Attachments:
Subject:
13.4. Policy 524.5 Personal Electronic Communication Devices
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE
to approve the second reading and adoption of Policy 524.5 Personal Electronic Communication Devices as presented.  
Attachments:
Subject:
14. ADJOURN
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to adjourn the August 17, 2026 regular meeting of the Menahga Public School board at ________
NEXT MEETINGS:

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