March 16, 2026 at 5:15 PM - Regular School Board Meeting

This School Board Meeting is available to watch via Live Stream by selecting the following link or by going to the "Falls High Journalism" youtube page.

Call to Order

1. Roll Call:
___ Jessica Crosby, Vice Board Chair    
___ Dale Johnson, Director
___ Toni Korpi, Clerk                
___ Tina Sather, Treasurer                  
___ Roxanne Skogstad-Ditsch, Director  
___ JoAnn Smith, Board Chair

Non-Voting Members:
___ Beth Shermoen, Superintendent           
___ Emmitt Olson, Student Representative                   

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Agenda

1. Approve agenda as presented. 
Motion by ______, second by ______. Motion carried / failed.

Open Forum

1. Elk's Student's of the Month:

2. Public Open Forum

3. Jeff Hardwig: Digital Health and Wellbeing: Effects of Screen Time on the Adolescent Brain.

4. Josh Glashauckas: Summer Facilities Use and Cost Presentation

5. Bryan Kershaw & Timm Ringhofer: CO-OPS Athletic Programming Presentation

Committee and Administrative Reports

1. Emmitt Olson, Student Representative:

2. Melissa Tate, Secondary Principal:

3. Lisa West, Elementary Principal:

4. Molly Larson, Community Education Director:

5. Timm Ringhofer, Activities Director:

6. Beth Shermoen, Superintendent:  Operating Referendum Renewal Discussion

7. Policy Committee:

8. Athletic Committee:

9. Legislative Committee:

Consent Agenda
Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. 
Motion by ______, second by ______.  Motion carried / failed.

1. Approve payroll in the amount of $583,229.09 for pay periods 2/20/2026 (Regular & Retro pay per new FY26 Contract) and 3/06/2026.

2. Approve current accounts payable due in the amount of $1,300,233.99.

3. Approve past meeting minutes for the regular school board meeting on 02/17/2026.

4. Approve the 2026-2027 Cross Country Hial Pike to Tilson.
Motion by ______, second by ______.  Motion carried / Failed.

5. Approve the hire of Christina Dowty as Assistant to the Superintendent & KAPE Coordinator Assistant, effective 04/01/2026. 

6. Approve the hire of Robert St. Marie II as Bus Driver, effective 03/02/2026. 

7. Approve the hire of Jay Boyle as Head Coach for Boys Track & Field, for the 2025-2026 season.

8. Approve Jen Erickson as Volunteer Assistant Coach for Boys Track & Field, for the 2025-2026 season.

9. Approve Alicia Smith as Volunteer Assistant Coach for Girls Track & Field, for the 2025-2026 season. 

10. Approve Kati Domitrovich as Volunteer Assistant Coach for Girls & Boys Junior High Track & Field, for the 2025-2026 season. 
 

11. Approve Sydney Bruess as Volunteer Junior High Softball Coach, for the 2025-2026 season. 

12. Approve David Eddy as Volunteer Junior High Baseball Coach, for the 2025-2026 season. 

13. Approve the hire of Brandon Barras as Assistant Football Coach for the 2026-2027 season. 

14. Approve the hire of Deniz Sidkey as Assistant Football Coach for the 2026-2027 season.

15. Approve the hire of Jacob Ettestad as Assistant Football Coach for the 2026-2027 season.  

16. Second reading of School Board Policy 401: Equal Employment Opportunity. 

17. First Reading of School Board Policy 404FM: Sample Informed Consent Form

18. First Reading of School Board Policy 406FM: Sample Consent to Release Data Form.

19. First Reading of School Board Policy 413FM: Harassment and Violence Report Form.

20. First Reading of School Board Policy 414FM: Confidential Student Maltreatment Reporting Form.

21. First Reading of School Board Policy 416FM: Form Related to Drug, Alcohol, and Cannabis Testing Policy.

22. First Reading of School Board Policy 418FM: Drug - Free Workplace Acknowledgment Form.

23. First reading of School Board Policy Form: Discipline Complaint Form

24. First Reading of School Board Policy Form: Participation Guide and Refusal Information Form. 

25. First Reading of School Board Policy Form 530: Immunization Form 

26. First Reading of School Board Policy Form: Medical Authorization From 

27. First Reading of School Board Policy Form: Medical Statement Form 

28. First Reading of School Board Policy 210: Conflict of Interest—School Board.

29. First Reading of School Board Policy 423: Employee-Student Relationships.

30. First Reading of School Board Policy 501: School Weapons Policy.

31. First Ready of School Board Policy 502: Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student’s Person.

32. First reading of School Board Policy 503: Student Attendance.

33. First Reading of School Board Policy 504: Student Dress and Appearance.

34. First Reading of School Board Policy 505: Distribution of Non-school-Sponsored Materials on School Premises by Students and Employees.

35. First Reading of School Board Policy 506:Student Discipline.

36. First Reading of School Board Policy 507: Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint.

37. First Reading of School Board Policy 508: Extended School Year For Certain Students With Individualized Education Programs (IEPS).

38. First Reading of School Board Policy 509: Enrollment of Nonresident Students.

39. First Reading of School Board Policy 510: School Activities.

40. First Reading of School Board Policy 511: School Fundraising.

41. First Reading of School Board Policy 512: School-Sponsored Student Publications and Activities.

42. First Reading of School Board Policy 513: Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design.

43. First Reading of School Board Policy 514: Bullying Prohibition Policy.

44. First Reading of School Board Policy 515: Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records.

45. First Reading of School Board Policy 516: Student Medication and Telehealth.

46. First Reading of School Board Policy 516.5: Guidelines for Administration of Student Medication.

47. First Reading of School Board Policy 517: Student Recruiting.

48. First Reading of School Board Policy 518: DNR-DNI Orders.

49. First Reading of School Board Policy 519: Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies.

50. First Reading of School Board Policy 520: Student Surveys.

51. First Reading of School Board Policy 521: Student Disability Nondiscrimination.

52. First Reading of School Board Policy 522:Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy, Grievance Procedure and Process.

53. First Reading of School Board Policy 523: Policies Incorporated by Reference.

54. First Reading of School Board Policy 524: Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy.

55. First Reading of School Board Policy 525: Violence Prevention.

56. First Reading of School Board Policy 526: Hazing Prohibition.

57. First Reading of School Board Policy 527: Student Use and Parking of Motor Vehicles; Patrols, Inspections, and Searches.

58. First Reading of School Board Policy 528: Student Parental, Family, and Marital Status Nondiscrimination.

59. First Reading of School Board Policy 529: Staff Notification of Violent Behavior by Students.

60. First Reading of School Board Policy 530: Immunization Requirements.

61. First Reading of School Board Policy 531: The Pledge of Allegiance.

62. First Reading of School Board Policy 532: Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students with IEP’s From School Grounds.

63. First Reading of School Board Policy 533: Wellness.

64. First Reading of School Board Policy 534: School Meals Policy.

65. First Reading of School Board Policy 535: Service Animals in Schools.

66. First Reading of School Board Policy 608: Instructional Services — Special Education.

67. First Reading of School Board Policy 611: Home Schooling.

68. First Reading of School Board Policy 613: Graduation Requirements.

69. First Reading of School Board Policy 614: School District Testing & Procedure.

70. First Reading of School Board Policy 617: School District Ensurance of Preparatory and HIgh School Standards.

71. First Reading of School Board Policy 618: Assessment of Standard Achievement. 

72. First Reading of School Board Policy 619: Staff Development.

73. First Reading of School Board Policy 621 - Literacy and the Read Act.

74. First Reading of School Board Policy 624: Online Instruction. 

Action Items

1. Improving systems and structures to create a culture where all are welcome and supported.

1.a. Resolution Acceptance of Gifts and Donations. 
Motion by ______, second by ______.  Motion carried / failed.

1.b. Approval of 25/26 & 26/27 Contract Between ISD No. 361 and International Falls Federation of Educational Support Professionals (Local 4798 AFT/MFT/AFL-CIO)
Motion by ______, second by ______.  Motion carried / Failed.

1.c. Approve the 26/27 School Year West End Early Education and Falls Elementary School Sections based on projected enrollments.

1.d. Approve the 26/27 School Year Calendar.
Motion by ______, second by ______.  Motion carried / failed.

1.e. Approve Elimination of Early Release Wednesdays Beginning the 2026–2027 School Year.
Motion by ______, second by ______.  Motion carried / failed.

1.f. Resolution Authorizing the Renewal of an Expiring Referendum Revenue Authorization. 
Motion by ______, second by ______.  Motion carried / failed.

1.g. Approve acceptance of the MDE, Fiscal Year 2026 Full-Service Community Schools Strategy Grant Opportunity in the amount of $571,194.37 to support ISD 361 into a community hub that integrate academic, social, and health services to reduce non-academic barriers and support student and family success. 
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

1.h. Budget Reduction: Approve the reduction of 1 Student Support Specialist.
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

1.i. Budget Reduction: Approve the reduction of 2 non-tenured teaching positions.
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

1.j. Budget Reduction: Approve the reduction of 1 Interventionist position.
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

1.k. Budget Reduction: Approve the reduction of 1 administrative assistant position.
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

2. Maintain our facilities to be welcoming, safe and efficient for use by students and the community. 

2.a. Approve acceptance of the MDH, Lead Remediation in Schools and Child Care Centers Grant in the amount of $17,500.00 to replace 5 Water Bottle Filling Stations at Falls High School. 
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

Closed Session

1. The meeting will be closed Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.05, Subd. 2(b)-Closed Session: Preliminary Consideration of Allegations or Charges Against a District Employee and/or Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 13D.05, Subd. 3(b)-Closed Session: Attorney-Client Privileged Discussion Regarding Potential Settlement.
Motion by ______, second by ______.  Motion carried / Failed.

Reopen Meeting

1. Motion by _____, second by _____ to reopen meeting.  Motion carried / failed.

1.a. Board Chair Smith — Brief Remarks 

Adjournment

1. Motion by ______, second by ______ to adjourn meeting at ______ p.m. 
Motion carried / failed.