August 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting of the School Board

Discussion:  The Board of Education of Hermantown Independent School District No. 700 met in regular session on August 25, 2025. Chair, David Hokanson, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Discussion:  Members Present: Eric Griffith, David Hokanson, Jodi McShane, Ashley McFarland, Matthew Munger (absent), Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services

Visitors: Jason Wilcox, Sarah Turcotte, Abigail Britz, Brent Chouanard-Nguyen, Kristal Berg, Gretchen Appelwick, John Muenich, Bill Wietman

Discussion:  Muenich, Wietman and Appelwick. Thanked Mike Pothast and Abigail Britz for their work organizing New Employee Orientation Day / Mentor Day. The day was very well organized and made a great impression on our new staff. 
Berg. Thanked Kaitlyn Koehler for her work over the summer with school-age child programs. She offered 35 programs that totaled 600 participants. Recognized Laura Meillier for her work with the summer Hermantown Kids' Zone program. There were 150 students registered and she averaged 80 kids per day. Early Learning Teachers are back today getting ready for the start of classes. Thanks to Nate Vesel for doing a great job keeping our building clean. 
Whitwam. Recognized Jim Lennartson for his work behind the scenes getting the school busses cleaned out and ready for the school year.  

Discussion:  No Visitor Business.

Discussion:  Abigail Britz gave an update regarding the HR department. Talked about Welcome Week for staff, enrollment period for health insurance, Vector Solutions for mandatory training and her plans for a new exit interview process.

Discussion:  Hokanson. Received correspondence regarding lack of communication to families that have children registered into Focus Math and Focus English courses at the Middle School.  

Discussion:  After reaching out to all Kindergarten families that were on the Open Enrollment waiting list, we had 12 families that passed on the invitation, mostly due to childcare needs. Our enrollment is currently at 2,068, which is about five under our budget target. The next two weeks will be critical as far as enrollment is concerned.  

Discussion:  Met with the YMCA about their expansion project, which would include the future district office. They currently have the means to generate $20 million through the extension of the sales tax. Need an addition $16 million to complete the project. They are in the process of writing a childcare bonding bill to the state for the needed funds. 
ATK removed the front playground equipment at the elementary school. Only took them about one full day to remove the equipment and fill in the space.  

Discussion:  McFarland. The Finance Committee met to look at the budget for the counselor position at the middle school. The committee looked at assumptions early in the school season and discussed whether bringing in additional students would help balance that out a bit. The Board will continue to look at the budget throughout the school year and is comfortable with the position being a one-year position, if necessary. The Board is also focused on staying fiscally responsible during contract negotiations.