January 8, 2026 at 5:45 PM - Regular School Board Meeting

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Approval of Agenda

V. Superintendent’s Report

V.A. Celebrating the Max Impact

VI. Removal of Consent Items for Discussion

VII. Approval of Consent Items

VII.A. Minutes of December 11, 2025 Policy Committee Meeting

VII.B. Minutes of December 11, 2025 Regular School Board Meeting

VII.C. Authorization of Payments, Transfers, and Investment Activity

VII.D. Personnel

VII.D.1. Catherine Aebly, resignation effective December 16, 2025, as Lunchroom/Playground Assistant at Sunrise River Elementary School

VII.D.2. Katrina Rossman, termination effective January 2, 2026, as Schoolkeeper at North Branch Area Public Schools

VII.D.3. Joel Larson, leave request effective December 18, 2025 through February 12, 2026, as Lunchroom/Playground Assistant at Sunrise River Elementary School

VII.D.4. Samantha Stoesz, leave request effective January 5, 2026 through March 23, 2026, as English Teacher at North Branch Area Middle School

VII.D.5. Lori Tiegen, leave extension request through January 25, 2026, as Grade 3 Teacher at Sunrise River Elementary School

VII.D.6. Catherine Aebly, employment effective December 15, 2025, as Lunchroom/Playground Assistant at Sunrise River Elementary School

VII.D.7. Jena Benson, employment effective December 1, 2025, as Special Education Assistant at North Branch Area Education Center

VII.D.8. Crystal Hoffbeck, employment effective December 1, 2025, as Lunchroom/Playground Assistant at North Branch Area Education Center

VII.D.9. Steven Schoener, employment effective December 11, 2025, as Special Education Assistant at North Branch Area High School

VII.D.10. Sarah Servaty, employment effective December 8, 2025, as Schoolkeeper at North Branch Area Public Schools

VII.D.11. Sarah Krosschell, BS, Step 5, as long-term Substitute Teacher for Samantha Stoesz, effective January 6, 2026 through March 6, 2026, as English Teacher at North Branch Area Middle School

VII.D.12. 2025-26 Activities Advisor Positions

VII.D.12.a. Brittany Ahner, Class 4, Step 3, as the Speech Head Coach

VII.D.12.b. Lucas Edson, Class 6, Step 5, as the FRC Robotics Coach (0.5 FTE)

VII.D.12.c. Nathan Korkowski, Class 6, Step 5, as the 10-12 FRC Robotics Coach (0.5 FTE)

VII.D.12.d. Angela Tveit, Class 6, Step 5, as the 10-12 FRC Robotics Coordinator (0.5 FTE)

VII.E. Policy

VII.E.1. Policy 609 - Religion and Religious and Cultural Observances 

VII.E.2. Policy 615 - Testing Accommodations, Modifications, and Exemptions for IEPs, Section 504 Plans, and LEP Students

VII.E.3. Policy 618 - Assessment of Student Achievement 

VII.E.4. Policy 619 - Staff Development for Standards 

VII.E.5. Policy 710 - Extracurricular Transportation

VII.F. Acceptance of Donations
Minnesota Statute 123B.02 permits school boards to "...receive, for the benefit of the district, bequests, donations, or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the same to the purpose designated.  In that behalf, the board may act as trustee of any trust created for the benefit of the district, and for the benefit of pupils thereof."

Therefore, the Superintendent recommends the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 138 that the School Board accept with appreciation the following contributions and permit their use as designated by the donors.

VIII. Open Mic: Open mic is a time for public comment. However, it is not a means to have issues added to this evening’s agenda. It is also not a means to discuss specific individuals negatively in public, either by name or position. If you would like district follow up to comments, please leave appropriate contact information on the open mic sign-in sheet. Please limit your comments to three minutes.

IX. New Business

IX.A. Consider Resolution to Approve the Personal Finance Graduation Requirement 

IX.B. Consider Resolution Appointing Election Judges for the February 10, 2026 School District Special Election

IX.C. Consider First Reading of the Following Policy

IX.C.1. Policy 598 NB - Early Entrance to Kindergarten

IX.C.2. Policy 608 - Instructional Services - Special Education

X. Addendum

XI. Information

XII. Board Requests

XIII. Committee Reports

XIV. Dates to Remember

XIV.A. January 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM - School Board Work Session, North Branch Area High School, Media Center Glass Classroom

XV. Adjournment