January 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Board of Education Reorganization Meeting
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I. Meeting Called to Order by 2025 Board Chair Shannon Haws
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II. (ACTION) - Election of Officers
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II.A. Chairperson
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II.B. Vice-Chairperson
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II.C. Clerk
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II.D. Treasurer
Description:
After election of Chairperson, that person should assume the Chair and conduct the balance of the meeting. (NOTE: Written ballots may not be used unless the results and the vote of the individual Board Members are announced. All voting must be for the record.) |
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III. (ACTION) - Remuneration for Board Members
Description:
Board compensation is generally set at the organizational meeting. Following is the 2025 Board of Education Compensation and Related Benefits:
1. The monthly compensation shall be $881.98 for the Board of Education Chair and $767.45 for all other members of the Board of Education. 2. The yearly budget for education and training expenses for School Board Members shall be $5,950.00. Individual Board Members who wish to go beyond the $850.00 per Board Member allowance should present their request to the Board Development Committee for approval. 3. Board Members may elect at the Board Reorganization Meeting to defer a portion of their compensation to an Individual Education Account for use towards educational expenses not covered by the $850.00 allowance. This is a one-time deferral, with the remaining year's compensation paid in regular monthly amounts. Once deferred, the amount cannot be rescinded and paid out in regular compensation. This is an option only, and the plan is established to encourage Board Members to attend national conferences, which provide outstanding educational experiences, but which are beyond the financial resources of the District. 4. Board Members shall be reimbursed for use of their automobile for all out-of-district School District-related travel at the rate established for School District employees. Board Members will not receive reimbursement for mileage within the School District. 5. At least quarterly, reimbursements other than monthly compensation will be placed on the consent agenda for approval by the Board. |
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IV. (ACTION) - A Time, Day, and Place for Regular Meetings of the Board of Education is Set
Description:
The Board of Education meeting structure consists of one work session and one business meeting monthly. A brief Board Meeting followed by a Board Work Session is held on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted); the Regular Board Meeting is held on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Both meetings are held at the District 742 Administration Office and are livestreamed. A proposed meeting schedule for 2026 is attached.
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V. (Appointments by Board Chair) - Board of Education Standing Committees
Description:
The Board of Education Chair will appoint Board Members to serve on Board Standing Committees. The following Board Standing Committee structure was in effect for the 2025 calendar year:
Board Committees & Members Agenda Planning Committee Shannon Haws (Chair) Zach Dorholt (Vice-Chair) Third Board Member (on a rotating basis) Dr. Laurie Putnam (Superintendent) Dr. Jason Harris, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Nikki Hansen, Assistant Superintendent of E-5 Learning Dani Mehr, Executive Director of Special Education Shannon Avenson, Executive Director of Community Education and Community Partnerships Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services Tracy Flynn Bowe, Executive Director of Human Resources and General Counsel Katie Herrboldt, Executive Director of Innovation and Technology Services Matthew Boucher, Executive Director of Operations Achievement, Integration and Equity Committee Diana Fenton, Chair Scott Andreasen Natalie Copeland Board Development, Policy and Governance Committee Zach Dorholt, Chair Scott Andreasen Diana Fenton Finance and Audit Committee Heather Weems, Chair Scott Andreasen Al Dahlgren Selected Community Member Legislative Committee Al Dahlgren, Chair Zach Dorholt Diana Fenton Personnel and Negotiations Committee Natalie Copeland, Chair Shannon Haws Heather Weems Attached is a copy of Board Policy 213, School Board Committees.
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VI. (Appointments by Board Chair) - School Board Appointments to District Committees/Organizations
Description:
In accordance with Board Policy 297, the Board of Education Chair will appoint Board Members to serve as liaisons to committees/organizations. A copy of the Board Policy is attached. A list of 2025 appointments is also attached.
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VII. (INFORMATION) - Board Policy 210 - Conflict of Interest - School Board Members
Description:
In accordance with Board Policy 210, Board Members are reminded to complete the Annual School Board Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. Copies will be made available for Board Members. A copy of the Board Policy is attached.
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VIII. (ACTION) - Board Designates the Official Newspaper
Description:
The Administration recommends that St. Cloud Live be designated as the official newspaper for publication of official proceedings.
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IX. (ACTION) - CONSENT AGENDA
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IX.A. Board Appoints Legal Counsel
Description:
The Administration recommends the Board of Education appoint the following firms to serve as School District Legal Counsel for the 2026 calendar year; that advice to the Board shall be at the discretion of the Board Chair, and advice to the District other than advice to the Board shall be at the discretion of the Superintendent or Board Chair as appropriate. The hourly rates listed are dependent upon services required:
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IX.B. Signature Plates
Description:
Authorization is requested to allow the Business Office to continue to use the present signature plates until the new plates, with the new Board Officers’ signatures, arrive. There is always a waiting period in securing the new plates.
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IX.C. Authorization to Make Payment Prior to Board Meeting
Description:
Authorization is requested for the District Business Office/Accounts Payable Department to process checks for payment of goods and services on a weekly basis prior to Board approval. All payments will be summarized for Board approval at their regular meeting. This policy allows the District to take advantage of discount privileges, vendor contract terms or timely payment with the 35 day requirement as mandated by state statute.
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IX.D. Designation of Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services
Description:
Authorization is requested to designate Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services, to sign legal/financial reports/documents/financial transactions/imprest fund documents and to resolve issues with financial institutions in addition to the authorized check signers, on behalf of the Board of Education of District 742.
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IX.E. Designation of Laurie Putnam, Superintendent
Description:
Authorization is requested to designate Laurie Putnam, Superintendent, to sign legal documents on behalf of the Board of Education of District 742.
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IX.F. Authorization to Make Investments, Transfers, and Withdrawals
Description:
Authorization is requested for Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services; David Cooney, Controller; and Josh Bentley, Accounting Coordinator to make investments, transfers and withdrawals from checking/savings via wire transfers to other financial institutions.
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IX.G. Authorization to Sign Stop Payments
Description:
Authorization is requested for Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services; David Cooney, Controller; Josh Bentley, Accounting Coordinator, and Megan Daniel, Accountant, to sign stop payments.
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IX.H. Authorization to Make Telephone and Wire Transfers and Electronic Fund Transfers
Description:
Authorization is requested for Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services; David Cooney, Controller; Josh Bentley, Accounting Coordinator, and Megan Daniel, Accountant, to make telephone and wire transfers and electronic fund transfers to and from Bremer Bank of St. Cloud, Minnesota Liquid Asset Fund, US Bank, and Associated Bank.
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IX.I. Authorization for David Cooney, Controller
Description:
Authorization is requested to designate David Cooney, Controller, to sign purchasing contracts on behalf of the Board of Education of District 742.
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IX.J. Authorization to Make Purchases by Credit Card
Description:
Authorization is requested for Megan Daniel, Christine Hatch, Brenda Overboe, Shannon Czeck, David Cooney, Jolene Kadlec, Theresa Loch-Thoele, Penny Goetz, Amanda Brill, Josh Bentley, Jennifer Stueve, Tiffney Groess, Jan McGuire, and Natasha Villette-Smelter to make purchases by credit card.
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IX.K. Authorization to Authorize User Access to Minnesota Department of Education's Secure Website
Description:
Authorization is requested for Laurie Putnam, Superintendent, and Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services, to authorize user access to Minnesota Department of Education's secure websites.
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IX.L. Chair Signature Policy
Description:
Authorization is requested to designate the Board Chair and/or Clerk (as appropriate) to sign documents, in accordance with law, when signifying actions properly approved by the Board upon presentation of the appropriate certification tying the document to the Board action specifically authorizing the action. A copy of Board Policy 298 is attached.
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IX.M. Board Designates Depositories
Description:
The Board of Education designates depositories, by accounts, for the 2026 calendar year, including depositories for investments. The following should be designated:
US Bank Payroll/Operating Account and Payable Investments Minnesota Liquid Asset Fund, Minnesota School Boards Association Investments Associated Bank/MN Trust Investments Ehler's Investments |
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IX.N. Authorization to Sign Employment Certificates
Description:
Authorization is requested for Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services, to sign employment certificates for students working on school days during school hours.
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