January 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Organizational and Regular Meeting

1. Call organizational meeting to order.

2. Approval of organizational meeting agenda.

3. Election of Board Officers.

3.1. Election of Chairperson.

3.2. Election of Vice Chairperson.

3.3. Election of Clerk.

3.4. Election of Treasurer.

3.5. Election of Alternate Clerk.

4. Organizational Business.

4.1. Set salaries of board directors.

4.2. Approval of Columbus Day is not a school holiday.

4.3. Set 2026 regular board meeting dates and time.

4.4. Approval of ISD No. 2909 mileage rate at the IRS standard mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile beginning January 1, 2026.

4.5. Designate school depositories: Frandsen Bank & Trust, MSDLAF, and MNTrust/PMA, Miners National Bank and First National Bank of Gilbert.

4.6. Authorize the hiring of a school attorney on an as-needed basis: Consider recommendation of Colosimo, Patchin, & Kearney, Ltd.,Rupp, Anderson, Squires, & Waldspurger, P.A. and Ratwik, Rozak & Maloney, P.A.

4.7. Consider establishing a newspaper as the legal publication for school business for 2026.

4.8. Consider allowing the Superintendent and Business Manager to conduct wire transfer funds from Miners National Bank of Eveleth to Frandsen Bank and Trust, General Account. 

4.9. Consider allowing the Superintendent and Business Manager to conduct wire transfer funds from First National Bank of Gilbert to Frandsen Bank and Trust, General Account. 

4.10. Consider authorizing the business manager and superintendent to make electronic fund transfers.

4.11. Consider authorizing the business manager to use the current signature plate until a new plate is secured, if necessary.

4.12. Consider authorizing school board members to attend instate meetings.

4.13. Consider authorizing the superintendent to approve instate travel requirements of employees during the school year.

4.14. Consider authorizing the superintendent to employ additional instructional, library, maintenance, and clerical assistance as shall become necessary.

4.15. Consider Resolution Directing the Administration to Make Recommendations for Reductions in Programs and Positions and Reasons Therefor.

4.16. Consider approval of the Education Identity & Access Management Board Resolution naming Dr. Noel Schmidt as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for Rock Ridge Public Schools for 2026.

4.17. Consider designating Dr. Noel Schmidt as the responsible authority under the Minnesota Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law for 2026.

4.18. Committee memberships.

5. Adjourn organizational meeting.

6. Call to order of regular meeting.

7. Approval of agenda.

8. Recognition of visitors and visitor input.

9. Consider Gilbert school land offer.

10. 2024-2025 Audit Report Presentation.

11. Consent Agenda:

11.1. Approval of December 8, 2025 regular meeting minutes.

11.2. Approval of hire of Danielle Santa for the Playground/Cafeteria Aide (PES) position at a rate of $14.00/hour effective December 8, 2025. 

11.3. Approval of hire of Amanda Schugg for the Playground Aide (NSE) position at a rate of $14.00/hour effective December 16, 2025. 

11.4. Approval of hire of Justin Abramson for the Casual Bus Driver position at a rate of $23.64/hour effectvie December 24, 2025. 

11.5. Approval of hire of Ethan Hillman for the Paraprofessional (NSE) position at a rate of $19.97/hour effective January 5, 2026. 

11.6. Approval of hire of Mia Goggleye for the Paraprofessional (LES) position at a rate of $19.97/hour effective January 5, 2026. 

11.7. Approval of hire of Amber Schwartz for the Assistant Speech Coach position with a stipend of $2,112 for the 2025-2026 school year. 

11.8. Approval of hire of Darren Aho for the Assistant Softball Coach position with a stipend of $4,791 for the 2025-2026 school year. 

11.9. Correction of hire date for Co-Directors Tricia Fierst and Terri Kowalski from 2024-2025 school year to 2025-2026 school year. 

11.10. Approval of overload for the following staff at Laurentian Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year (2nd semester): Amanda Rasmussen (0.08 FTE Art $2,821.66), Shanon Kush-Jeffery (0.08 FTE Art $3,087.40). 

11.11. Approval of transfer of Paraprofessional Jessica Rahkola from Parkview Elementary to North Star Elementary effective January 5, 2026. 

11.12. Approval of volunteer coaches for the 2025-2026 school year: (Alpine Skiing) James Eichholz; (Archery) Tracey Oates, Benjamin Dall.

11.13. Approval of unpaid medical leave for Jordyn Collins following her completion of paid leave benefits from Spring 2026 through the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

11.14. Acceptance of resignation of John Stanaway from the Assistant Football Coach position effective December 11, 2025. 

11.15. Acceptance of resignation of Steve Manninen from the Paraprofessional position effective January 7, 2026. 

11.16. Approval of 2025-2026 winter athletic overnight and/or out-of-state travel requests. 

11.17. Approval of overnight field trip for Construction Club to visit various companies located in Northern MN (such as Marvin Windows, Arctic Cat, and Polaris). Construction Club will cover all expenses. Dates to be determined. 

11.18. Approval of out-of-state travel for members of the A Cappella Choir and Senior High Orchestra March 26 - 31, 2026 to Chicago, IL. There is no cost to the district. 

11.19. Permission for Dr. Noel Schmidt to attend the National Association of School Superintendents and Apple Leadership meeting at Apple Headquarters in Austin, Texas, January 21 - 23, 2026. There is no cost to the school district.

11.20. Acceptance and appreciation of a donation of hats and mittens from the Big Life Team / Mitten Mission Project for students in need of these items at Laurentian Elementary.

11.21. Acceptance and appreciation of a donation of hats, mittens, socks, jackets, and snowpants from United in Christ Lutheran Church for students in need of these items at Laurentian Elementary.

11.22. Acceptance and appreciation of donations from the Golden Bear Foundation (Fall 2025) in the amounts of $4,187.35 and $4,275.

11.23. Acceptance and appreciation of a donation to the Rock Ridge Construction Club in the amount $100 from Jeff and Cathy Erpelding in memory of Al Williams.

11.24. Acceptance and appreciation of a donation from Pohaki in the amount of $8,906.13 as part of the Naming Rights Agreement. 

12. Reports:

12.1. School to Work and Fundraising update.

12.2. Upcoming broadcast of hockey games in Ojibwe language.

12.3. Parkview Elementary Principal's Report.

12.4. Superintendent.

12.5. Treasurer's Report.

13. Administration Items:

13.1. Discussion of renewing the Superintendent's contract.

13.2. Consider approval of Agreement For Use Of City Tennis Facilities between the City of Virginia and ISD 2909 effective 2026-2029.

13.3. Consider approval of easement request.

13.4. Consider approval of Memorandum of Understanding between ISD 2909 and Education MN Rock Ridge - Local 7394 regarding contract time for employee Misty Elliott.

13.5. Consider approval of 2026 RAMS (Range Association of Municipalities and Schools) membership dues in the amount of $2,161.

14. Meeting Announcements:

14.1. The next regular meeting will be Monday, January 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Rock Ridge Administration Building, 1405 Progress Pkwy, Virginia.

15. Adjournment.