September 14, 2026 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 September 14, 2026. 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, Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Candace Nelis, Director of Business Services

Visitors: Sarah Turcotte, Jason Wilcox, Lori Sinnott, John Wojciuk, Bill Wietman, Mike Pothast, Jill Hansen, Michael Michelizzi, John Muenich, Gretchen Appelwick, Julie Lenz, Dacia Selzler, Grace Billman

Discussion:  Muenich. Recognized Director of IT Derrick Rohman and Technology Support Specialist Theresa Taraldsen. The high school had a smooth start to the school year with technology because of their work. They are both invaluable to the district. 
Wietman. Recognized the middle school teachers and staff for how they have handled the beginning of the year with the amount of expectations on top of their regular duties. 
Whitwam. Echoed Muenich's sentiments about Rohman and Taraldsen. Talked about the possibility of adding support in that department. Also recognized Transportation Foreman Jim Lennartson and the bus drivers for a smooth start to the year. 

Discussion:  No Visitor Business. 

Discussion:  Muenich. High School has had a smooth start to the year. Leadership team philosophy is Be Here. Be Engaged. Be Respectful, which is echoed over and over again. Muenich has shared mindset presentations during in-service week and during the first week of school. 
Jill Hansen. Middle School leadership team had a productive meeting that came away with three actionable items, including supporting the support staff, addressing student behavior and building culture and trust. The team presented those items to the staff at the beginning of the year. 
Appelwick. Still going over procedures and expectations at the Elementary School. Pick up and drop off have been going quite well. We added a new walk-up procedure this year for pick up, which has been going well. Bussing has been great. Elementary has already completed an Alice drill and a fire drill. Ms. Lenz started testing this week for Title I. The first PTO meeting of the school year is scheduled for tomorrow. With regard to the survey, the Elementary leadership team is developing a plan to be more creative with dealing with student behaviors. We have already started with adding morning recess for those that get dropped off early, and that seems to be going well.
 

Discussion:  Director of Curriculum and Assessment, Mike Pothast spoke regarding the Leadership Team action plans for each building that came out of the survey results from the end of last school year. He referred to the document put together as a "living, breathing document." The hope is that these things get "solved" and we move on to new areas. Each team had in-depth and thoughtful discussions. Leadership teams came up with all the solutions and took their roles really seriously. All plans were staff-driven. The Board asked to add the expected outcomes with these goals so it has a better understanding of how these goals will help with culture throughout each building. PLCs are a huge part of keeping the momentum moving forward with this document. 

Discussion:  No Correspondence. 

Discussion:  Plan to accept few students in Open Enrollment tomorrow. 

Discussion:  Everything for 2025-26 self-insurance runoff is about $900,000. 

Discussion:  Mike Pothast, John Muenich and Whitwam met with Ingenuity about the possibility of offering online classes in-house beginning next fall. No decisions on this yet. 

Discussion:  Meet and Confer on Sept. 28 at 7 a.m. with Elementary School. Finance meeting and Facilities meetings need to get scheduled. 

Discussion:  Legacy Fund met. Hosting the Taste of Hermantown on Oct. 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Aad Shrine Meeting and Event Center.