August 10, 2026 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 August 10, 2026. 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, Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Candace Nelis, Director of Business Services
Visitors: Sarah Turcotte, Jason Wilcox, Bill Wietman, Lori Sinnott, Kristal Berg, John Muenich, Michael Michelizzi |
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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: July 27, 2026
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V.B. Approval and authorization of audited vouchers for payment #119453-119500 charged to the following funds, ACH vendor payments #85854-85855 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
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VII. Comments and Congratulations
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VII.A. Elementary, Middle, High School, and Community Education Reports
Discussion:
Muenich. Thanked Chad Viergutz and the maintenance and custodial crew for getting the buildings looking good and ready to go for the start of the school year.
Wietman. Bleachers started being installed today in the middle school gym. Berg. Last week of summer Kids’ Zone; want to thank all our staff, including our leaders Laura, Cole, and Lillian, for a great summer. Last week of youth enrichment programming; super successful summer despite the wildfire disruptions. Thank you to Kaitlyn Koehler for all her hard work and the variety of programming she provides for youth. Motor Mania was postponed due to the wildfire air quality and will not be on August 15th in partnership with Fleet Farm for Touch a Truck at Fleet Farm. Still have a handful of spots available in our preschool classrooms. Families call daily for availability. Able to reduce class sizes to 16 vs. 20 due to the extra classroom, which will help our teachers offer better individualized instruction. |
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VIII. Recognition of Visitor Business
Discussion:
No Visitor Business.
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IX. Administrative Report
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IX.A. Wayne Whitwam - Strategic Plan Review
Discussion:
Whitwam presented on the Blueprint for Success and how much has been accomplished since its inception. District is ready for a new strategic plan in the spring of 2027.
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X. Correspondence
Discussion:
No Correspondence.
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XI. Superintendent's Discussion Items
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XI.A. Open Enrollment
Discussion:
Discussed open enrollment and that about half of the families that we reached out to after last meeting accepted.
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XI.B. Projects
Discussion:
Bleachers arrived at the Middle School today. The canopy at the Middle School/High School should be completed before school starts. Landscaping at the elementary is underway.
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XI.C. Other
Discussion:
Whitwam and Nelis spoke at the Hermantown City Council meeting on Monday regarding tax implications for the school if the data center were to be built. Wayne also spoke regarding how the school would invest the money Google intends to pay the school district, should the data center be built. This would come down to meetings with the community and school staff on how it would best impact students.
Boosters would like to have food trucks at home football games again this year. How does this impact the concession stand that benefits all programs? Did it impact last year? Board would like answers to these questions before it gives the okay. |
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XII. Committee Reports
Discussion:
No Committee Reports.
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XIII. Old Business
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XIII.A. Casual / Substitute Rates of Pay
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.B. District Policy #625 - Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.C. District Policy Revisions: #208 and #410
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.D. District Policy Renumber from #625 to #622
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.E. Updates to 2026-27 HMS Student Handbook
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. Entrance and Support Space at Centricity Stadium-Corey Veech Field
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XIV.B. District Policy Revisions: #413, #414, #418, #524, #526
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XIV.C. Updates to the 2026-27 HES Student Handbook
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XIV.D. Updates to the 2026-27 HHS Student Handbook
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XV. Closed Session for the Purpose of Superintendent 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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