December 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Truth in Taxation followed by School Board Meeting

1. Call meeting to order by the chairperson

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. Approval of agenda - revise or remove as needed

5. Truth in Taxation Presentation - Heather Hipp

5.A. Comments from Community

5.B. Approve 2025 payable 2026 Levy Certification

6. *Comments from visitors

6.A.

• Comments from visitors must be in relation to Aitkin Public Schools and/or to agenda items.
• We recommend that you sign up at the comment table if you wish to speak. You will be called up in order as listed on the sign-up sheet. When you come forward to comment, please be seated at the comment table facing the Board Members. State your name prior to your comment. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes.
• The Board will not engage in any discussion or debate during this comment session. The Board will take the information and find answers as appropriate.
• As part of Board protocol, it is unacceptable for any speaker to slander or engage in character assassination at a public board meeting. 

7. Scheduled presentations: (Max. 10 Minutes)

7.A. RAMS - Paul Peltier

7.B. Student Council Reports
SP Goal 10

8. New business:

8.A. Approve consent agenda items as follows:

8.A.1. Approve the following School Board Meeting Minutes:
November 17, 2025 - School Board Meeting
November 17, 2025- Board Work Session
December 3, 3025- Board Work Session

 

8.A.2. Approve financials for the month of November, 2025:

• Office receipts in the amount of $437,633.38
• Report of expenditures, including $418,515.41 for bills and $1,006,985.48 for payroll and district contribution to PERA, TRA, OASDI/Medicare and 403(b).
• Donations in the amount of $23,429.95
• Wire transfers in the amount of $1,500,000.00
• Employee reimbursements.

8.A.3. Approve Resignations

8.A.3.a. Cheryl Hannah - Food Service Rippleside Elementary

8.A.3.b. Kim Chalich - Media Technician 

8.A.4. Approve Hirings:

8.A.4.a. Tia Doble - Rippleside Para Professional

8.A.5. Approve Youth In Philanthropy Grants 
9th Grade Field Trip Water Park  - $1000 - fully funded
5th Grade DARE Graduation Celebration — Adventure Zone Duluth — $1000 fully funded
Grad Blast - 2026 - $500 - fully funded 
 

8.A.6. Approve the Education Minnesota - Aitkin Teachers Master Agreement: 2025-2027

8.A.7. Approve the Aitkin Education Support Staff Master Agreement - 2025-2027

8.A.8. Approve Transportation Supervisor Contract - 2025-2026 & 2026-2027

8.A.9. Approve Food Service Contract 2025-2027

8.A.10. Teachers Seniority List 2025-2026

8.A.11. Jake Mehr - Leave of absence 

8.A.12. Approve EMA MOU - School Nurse

8.B. Discussion Items:

8.B.1. MREA Board of Director's election

8.B.2. Approve Community Education Annual Report 2024-2025

8.B.3. Discuss and approve World's Best Workforce - New Name - CACR- Comprehensive Achievement and Civil Readiness assessment 

8.B.4. Approve Combined Polling Place - Aitkin Public Library

8.B.5. Discuss and approve Costin Lobby Group proposal for 2026

8.B.6. Resolution to approve the submission of the Review and Comment for the potential April election.

8.B.7. Discuss and approve ICS Professional Services Contract

8.B.8. Discuss January and February 2026 Regular Meeting Dates

8.B.9. Paul Grams- Long Term Substitute - Resignation

8.B.10. Dan Stifter- Superintendent - Resignation

9. Administrative reports:

9.A. Board Members Reports:

9.B. Committee Reports:

9.B.1. Personnel Committee Meeting, December 2, 2025

9.C. Principal's Report:
     Mr. Dokken, Rippleside Elementary School
     Ms. DeMars, Aitkin High School
SP Goal 10

9.D. Community Education - Nedra Henline
SP Goal 10

9.E. Superintendent's report:

9.E.1. Enrollment Update

9.E.2. Other:

9.F. Upcoming meetings:
December 31, 2025 - Personnel Committee Meeting - 3:45 PM AHS Media Center 
 

10. Other:

11. Adjourn