April 20, 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

5.A. Scheduled Presentations (Max 10 Minutes)

5.B. Student Council Reports
SP Goal 10

5.B.1. Elementary Student Council

6. Old Business:  

6.A. Approve the following policies 2nd reading:

6.A.1. Policy 625 Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence

6.A.2. Policy 510.4 Scholastic Eligibility

7. New business:

7.A. Approve consent agenda items as follows:

7.A.1. Approve the following School Board Meeting Minutes:
School Board Meeting: March 16, 2026
Special School Board Meeting: March 24, 2026
Special School Board Meeting: March 25, 2026
Special School Board Meeting: March 26, 2026
 

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

• Office receipts in the amount of $1,805,434,03
• Report of expenditures, including $686,548.32 for bills and $1,053,971.47 for payroll and district contribution to PERA, TRA, OASDI/Medicare and 403(b).
• Donations in the amount of $7,211.00
• Wire transfers in the amount of $1,750,000.00.
• Employee reimbursements.

7.A.3. Approve Resignations

7.A.3.a. Amy Field-Para Ripppleside

7.A.3.b. Matt Nix-Full time bus driver

7.A.3.c. Olivia Kamien-Lamke-Bus Rider

7.A.3.d. Sue Jorgensen-Bus Para 

7.A.4. Consider and approve extra curricular volunteer positions

7.A.4.a. Cole Oslin-Volunteer Track coach

7.A.4.b. Nicole Visnovec-Volunteer Track coach

7.A.5. Approve Extra Curricular Activities

7.A.5.a. Jason Henke-Robotics Team Head Coach 2026

7.A.5.b. Heather Pearson-Musical/Frozen Services 

7.A.5.c. Amy Borash-Choreography Musical Frozen

7.A.5.d. Rachael Kline-Musical/Frozen Services 

7.A.6. Coach Non-Renewals 

7.A.6.a. Dan Krier - Assistant wrestling coach 

7.A.6.b. Kaija Davies - Head girls basketball coach

7.A.7. Approve Hirings:

7.A.7.a. Augustine Sanford-Tier 3 Special Education teacher - 2026-27 school year

7.A.8. Jacob Mehr-Unpaid Leave of Absence 

7.A.9. Approve  Northern Pines Mental Health Center contract for 2026-27 school year

7.A.10. Approve Youth Service Grants
Band/Choir - $1000 for transportation for trip
Kindergarten - $288 for manipulatives
Prom - $350 for decorations 
Senior Class Trip $1000 for Senior Skip Day
Yearbook - fund up to $500 depending on how many are needed (they will need to submit how much is needed and pay  for them up to the $500.)

7.A.11. Superintendent Contract - 2026-2027, 2027-2028, 2028-2029

7.B. Discussion Items:

7.B.1. Certify the April 14, 2026 Special Election:

7.B.1.a. Approve the Resolution Canvassing Returns of Votes of the School District Special Election

7.B.2. Rippleside Staffing

7.B.3. Consider and approve the Superintendent and Project Oversight Committee to execute a Professional Services Contract with the Districts' professional services consultant (design and program/construction management) ICS, Inc. (ICS) for the implementation of the identified improvements

7.B.4.

1. Authorize the Superintendent and Project Oversight Committee to work with the financial advisor, Ehlers, to proceed with financial services regarding the funding for identified improvements

7.B.5. Referendum review and next steps

8. Administrative reports:

8.A. Board Members Reports:

8.B. Committee Reports:

8.B.1. Policy Committee Meeting, April 8, 2026 - 1st Reading

8.B.1.a. Policy 533 - Wellness

8.C. Principal's Report:
     Mr. Karelis, 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. Other:

8.F. Upcoming meetings:
Personnel Meeting-April 29, 2026-3:45 PM- 4:45 pm  Media Center
Finance Meeting-May 21, 2026-3:45pm - 4:45 pm District Office
School Board Meeting-June 15, 2026 - 6:30pm Media Center

9. Other:

10. Adjourn