December 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting of the School Board
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I. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
The Board of Education of Hermantown Independent School District No. 700 met in regular session on December 22, 2025. Chair, David Hokanson, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
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II. Mission Statement
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III. Roll Call
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, Zak Sharpe, Bill Wietman, Lori Sinnott, Lindsey Beier, Brent Chouanard-Nguyen, Gretchen Appelwick, Michael Michelizzi, Connie Adamec |
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IV. Approve Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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V. Approve Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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V.A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Board Meeting: December 8, 2025
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V.B. Approval and authorization of audited vouchers for payment #117888-118024 charged to the following funds, voided checks #116954, 117169 and the Bank and Electronic Transfers:
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V.C. Approval of Personnel Items
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VI. Resolution to Accept Donations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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VII. Comments and Congratulations
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VII.A. Elementary, Middle, High School, and Community Education Reports
Discussion:
Appelwick: Special thanks to Ken Ahlberg, Nick Allen, John Muenich, Laurissa Mickelson and Chelsea Johnson, Jessica Lennartson, Holly Martin, Dennis VanPuymbrouck, Andy Olson, the elementary specialists, Jim Lennartson, Hermantown PTO and Claire Salo for their combined efforts to help make the elementary holiday concerts so successful. The 4th grade made small hat ornaments and asked for donations before and after each program. They were able to raise $1,500 to add to the playground fund for future purchases. Thankful to the community for their generosity.
Recognized the counselors from each building and the school social worker for organizing all the holiday gifts for district families in need and the pick-up event on Friday. It is a huge undertaking to coordinate all of that, so we want to make sure they know how much we appreciate the work they did for those families. They came to the district office on their snow day to make sure the gifts were ready and organized for Friday. Wietman: Thanked Brittany Harrison, Linda Bray, and all the people Gretchen mentioned above that helped organize the vocal and band concerts for the middle school. Shout out to Officer Salo for organizing a shopping event with our middle school students to Fleet Farm to shop for students that were in need. His graciousness made the kids excited about the event leading up to it and made it very special when they were finally able to go. He did a really great job with that event. Hokanson: The elementary and middle school concerts were very well put together from beginning to end. Loved the audience interaction portion of the middle school choir concert. |
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VIII. Recognition of Visitor Business
Discussion:
No Visitor Business.
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IX. FY25 Audit Presentation
Discussion:
Zak Sharpe presented on behalf of WIPFLI on the FY25 audit.
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X. Correspondence
Discussion:
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XI. Superintendent's Discussion Items
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XI.A. Enrollment Update
Discussion:
Minimal changes in enrollment.
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XI.B. Northern Lights Academy Building
Discussion:
Met with the owners of St. Rose for a new space for Northern Lights Academy for the 2026-27 school year. They said they are willing to lease us three rooms in the building, but are unwilling to remove any religious symbols, etc., which is an issue for some of our students. I was more focused on trying to purchase the building, so next step is to get the entire property appraised and make them an offer for the appraised value. Even if we are able to build a new building on the land in Carlton, we will still need a place for the fall.
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XI.C. Arena
Discussion:
About 30 items remain on the punch list before the District takes ownership of the new Arena. January 2 is the Ribbon Cutting ceremony.
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XI.D. Other
Discussion:
Hermantown Legacy Fund. Clarified that the Fichtner family is making a one-time $50,000 donation for a scholarship fund that will be used year-after-year.
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XII. Committee Reports
Discussion:
No Committee Reports.
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XIII. Old Business
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XIII.A. Accept FY25 Audit
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.B. New Position Request for Middle School Lunch Supervisor
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.C. Resolution for Indigenous Peoples' Day
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIV. New Business
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XIV.A. Resolution Supporting Use of Cooperative Facilities Levy to Pursue State Matching Dollars for Construction of New Northern Lights Academy Facility
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XIV.B. New Position Request for 3 Hour Cooks Helper
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XV. Closed Session for the Purpose of Superintendent Mid-Year Evaluation
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XVI. Reopen Meeting to the Public
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XVII. Adjournment
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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