February 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM - School Board Meeting

1. Call meeting to order by the chairperson

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. *Comments from visitors

4.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. 

5. Approval of agenda - revise or remove as needed

6. Scheduled presentations: (Max. 10 Minutes)

6.A. Student Council Reports
SP Goal 10

6.A.1. RES Student Council

6.B. Presentation - ICS-MDE

7. New business:

7.A. Approve consent agenda items as follows:

7.A.1. Approve the following School Board Meeting Minutes:
Jan 12, 2026, February 2, 2026

7.A.2. Approve financials for the month of January  2026:

• Office receipts in the amount of $1,744,727.37.
• Report of expenditures, including $818,458.97 for bills and $996,129.17 for payroll and district contribution to PERA, TRA, OASDI/Medicare and 403(b).
• Donations in the amount of $500.00
• Wire transfers in the amount of $1,400,000.00.
• Employee reimbursements.

7.A.3. Consider and approve extracurricular assignments: 

7.A.3.a. Jeremy Janzen - Baseball Head Coach 26 Season

7.A.3.b. Nathan Ehnstrom - Baseball Assistant Coach 26 Season

7.A.3.c. Landon Janzen - Baseball C Squad Coach 26 Season

7.A.3.d. Tom Sanbeck - Baseball Jr High Coach -  26 season

7.A.3.e. Garrett Lee - Baseball Jr. High Coach - 26 Season

7.A.3.f. Jim Leiviska - Girls Softball Head Coach - 26 Season

7.A.3.g. Ben Schwarz - Girls Softball Assistant Coach -26 season

7.A.3.h. Lena Broeckel - Girls Softball Jr High Coach 26 season

7.A.3.i. Ava Carlson (Girls) Track Head coach 26 season

7.A.3.j. Adam Carlson Track (Boys) Head Coach -26 season

7.A.3.k. Jason Long (Boys) Track Jr. High Coach - 26 season

7.A.3.l. Jeri Forbord (Girls) Track Jr High Coach - 26 season

7.A.3.m. Jen Waldorf - (Boys) Tennis Head coach - 26 season

7.A.3.n. Julie Asmus - Tennis Boys Assistant Coach 26 Season

7.A.3.o. Blaise Sanford - Tennis Boys Assistant Coach 26 Season

7.A.4. Consider and Approve Volunteer Coaches 

7.A.4.a. Camryn Leiviska - Softball volunteer coach 26 season

7.A.4.b. Josie Anderson - Softball volunteer coach 26 season

7.A.4.c. Mark Harmon - Softball volunteer coach 26 season

7.A.4.d. Brandon Edwards - Softball volunteer coach 26 season

7.A.4.e. Emily Kyllonen - Softball volunteer coach 26 season

7.A.4.f. Ryan Fowlds - Softball volunteeer coach 26 season

7.A.4.g. Jeff Ehnstrom - Baseball Varsity volunteer assistant 26 season

7.A.4.h. Randy Stauter - Baseball Varsity volunteer assistant 26 season

7.A.4.i. Dave Ditty - Baseball Varsity volunteer assistant 26 season

7.A.4.j. Chris Sicaard -Baseball Jr High volunteer assistant 26 season

7.A.4.k. Scott Melz- Baseball Jr High volunteer assistant 26 season

7.A.5. Approve February 2026 Lane Changes:

7.A.5.a. Renee Voller - MA45 to MA60

7.A.5.b. Marie Waschek - MA15 to MA45 

7.B. Discussion Items:

7.B.1. Committee Assignments

7.B.2. Adopt a resolution directing the superintendent to make recommendations for adjustments in curriculum, programs and staff for the following school year, if needed.

7.B.3. Approve the Resolution Relating to the Termination and Nonrenewal of the following Probationary Teachers: Due to teachers being on a Out of Field Placement license or a Tier 1 license

7.B.3.a. Tier I Non-Renewals:

7.B.3.a.1. Karen Stifter, Early Childhood Family Educator

7.B.3.a.2. Chelsie Meyer, Special Education Teacher

7.B.3.b. Tier 4 with Out of Field Placement

7.B.3.b.1. Michaela Monson, FACS Teacher

7.B.3.b.2. Holli Orpin, Early Childhood Education

7.B.3.b.3. Jared McCoy, Special Education Teacher

7.B.3.b.4. Sara Warren, Spanish Teacher

7.B.3.b.5. Joshua Voller, Agricultural Education

7.B.4. Discuss and Approve 2026-27 School Calendar

7.B.5. Consider and approve Principals Master Contract  2025, 2026, 2027

8. Administrative reports:

8.A. Board Members Reports:

8.B. Committee Reports:

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

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

8.E. Superintendent's report:

8.E.1. Enrollment Update

8.E.2. Superintendent Search:

• MSBA will conduct a virtual question and answer on Tuesday, February 10 at 4:00, this will be recorded and shared to our website.
• Anonymous Public Survey is open to all stakeholders
•  For more information go to the school website

8.E.3. Referendum:

Election Day, Tuesday April 14, 2026

Vote early in person

• Vote early in person at the Aitkin County Auditor’s Office starting Friday, February 27, through Monday, April 13, 2026.
• Vote by mail (absentee voting)
• Location: Aitkin County Auditor’s Office, 307 2nd Street NW, Aitkin, MN, 56431

  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday April 13, 2026 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

  • Special Saturday Hours: April 11, 2026, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• You may request an absentee ballot in person starting February 27, fill it out on the spot, and vote immediately.
• To vote by mail, you must request an absentee ballot unless you have already made a permanent request to receive an absentee ballot.
• You can request a ballot online, by mail, or in person at the Aitkin County Auditor’s Office (307 2nd Street NW, Aitkin MN, 56431). 

Vote in person on Election Day

• Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

• Hours: 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

• Location: Aitkin Public Library (110 1st Ave NE, Aitkin, MN 56431)

 

8.E.4. Other:

8.F. Upcoming meetings:
February 25, 2026 - Personnel Meeting - 3:45 pm AHS Media Center
March 16, 2026 - School Board Meeting - 6:30  pm AHS Media Center
 

9. Other:

10. Adjourn