January 20, 2026 at 5:15 PM - Regular School Board Meeting

This School Board Meeting is available to watch via Live Stream by selecting the following link or by going to the "Falls High Journalism" youtube page.

Call to Order

1. Roll Call:
___ Jessica Crosby, Vice Board Chair    
___ Dale Johnson, Director
___ Toni Korpi, Clerk                
___ Tina Sather, Treasurer                  
___ Roxanne Skogstad-Ditsch, Director  
___ JoAnn Smith, Board Chair

Non-Voting Members:
___ Beth Shermoen, Superintendent           
___ Emmitt Olson, Student Representative                 

2. Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Agenda

1. Approve agenda as presented. 
Motion by _________, second by _________. Motion carried / failed.

Open Forum

1. Presentation by International Falls Rotary regarding the 2025 Community Impact Grant.

2. Elk's Student's of the Month:

3. Public Open Forum

Committee and Administrative Reports

1. Emmitt Olson, Student Representative:

2. Melissa Tate, Secondary Principal:

3. Lisa West, Elementary Principal:

4. Molly Larson, Community Education Director:

5. Timm Ringhofer, Activities Director:

6. Beth Shermoen, Superintendent:  

7. Policy Committee:

8. Athletic Committee:

9. Legislative Committee:

Consent Agenda
Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. 
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

1. Approve payroll in the amount of $488,437.15 for pay periods 12/26/2025 and 01/09/2026.

2. Approve current accounts payable due in the amount of $2,479,546.25.

3. Approve past meeting minutes for the regular school board meeting on 12/15/2025.

4. Adopt the regular School Board meeting schedule for calendar year 2026. 

5. Approval of the termination of employment of a probationary paraprofessional employee, effective January 15, 2026, pursuant to district policy and Minnesota law. 

6. Accept the resignation of Ashley Hall as the Student Council Advisor, effective immediately.

7. Accept the resignation of Linnea Imhof as Assistant to the Superintendent, effective February 1, 2026.  

8. Approve the hire of Melissa Tate as the Student Council Advisor, effective immediately.

9. Approve the hire of Linnea Imhof as an at-will employee for the position of ISD 361 Grant Writer/KAPE Coordinator.  

10. Approve the hiring of Erin Hall as Head Volleyball Coach, for the 2026-2027 season. 

11. Approve the hiring of Jerad Kostiuk as the Head Football Coach, for the 2026-2027 season. 

12. Approve the hiring of Emily Gedde as the Football Cheerleader Coach, for the 2026-2027 season.

13. Approve the hiring of Teah Goulet as Assistant Volleyball Coach, for the 2026-2027 season. 

14. Approve the hiring of Jenica Whitbeck as Assistant Volleyball Coach, for the 2026-2027 season. 

15. Approve the hiring of Tenneyson Amdahl as a Booster paid volunteer assistant coach, for Volleyball, for the 2026-2027 season. 

16. Approve the hiring of Sheryl Hendrickson as Head Cross Country Coach, for the 2026-2027 season. 

17. Approve the hiring of Lexi Erickson as Assistant Cross Country Coach, for the 2026-2027 season. 

18. Approve the hiring of Quianna Ford as Assistant Girls Track & Field Coach, for the 2025-2026 season. 

19. Approve the hiring of Paul Joslyn as a Booster paid volunteer assistant coach, for Baseball for the 2025-2026 season. 

20. Approve the hiring of Darren Kittelson as a Booster paid volunteer assistant coach, for Baseball for the 2025-2026 season. 
 

21. Approve the hiring of Dieter Humbert as an unpaid volunteer assistant coach, for Baseball for the 2025-2026 season. 

22. Approve Prom Fundraiser. 

Action Items

1. Improving systems and structures to create a culture where all are welcome and supported.

1.a. Resolution Acceptance of Gifts and Donations. 
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

1.b. International Falls Local #331 Master Agreement.
Consider and approve the negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the Independent School District 361, International Falls, Minnesota and Education Minnesota - International Falls Local #331, covering terms and conditions of employment for the July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, school years. 
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

1.c. Approve the Superintendent's request to begin negotiations for a new employment contract and authorize the Board Chair (or designee) to conduct negotiations on behalf of the Board. 

1.d. Notice of Intent to Negotiate, for the Principals Association of ISD 361. 
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

2. Implementing data-driven teaching practices and staff collaboration to increase student academic success.

2.a. Approve acceptance of the Minnesota Power Foundation grant in the amount of $7,500 to support high-quality tools for Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.
 

2.b. Approve acceptance of the North Star Electric Community Trust Operation Round Up grant in the amount of $1,000 to support tools for Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

2.c. Approve acceptance of the Koochiching County Opioid Settlement Grant in the amount of $17,875 to support ALC programming.
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

3. Maintain our facilities to be welcoming, safe and efficient for use by students and the community. 

3.a. Approve acceptance of the International Falls Rotary Community Impact Grant in the amount of $60,000 to support the Early Education Outdoor Center.
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.
 

3.b. Approve acceptance of the Koochiching County Opioid Settlement Grant in the amount of $23,000 to support the purchase and installation of vape detectors.
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

3.c. Approve acceptance of the MDH Hydration Station Grant in the amount of $3,000 to support the installation of a hydration station at West End.
Motion by _________, second by _________.  Motion carried / failed.

Adjournment

1. Motion by _________, second by _________ to adjourn meeting at ______ p.m. 
Motion carried / failed.