October 12, 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 October 12, 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 (virtual due to personal travel), Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Candace Nelis, Director of Business Services

Visitors: Sarah Turcotte, Jason Wilcox, Mike Pothast, Ben Fox, Lori Sinnott, Allen Worden, Bill Wietman, Dacia Selzler, Michael Michelizzi, John Wojciuk, John Muenich, Stacee Rosier

Discussion:  Muenich. Thanked Ginger Flohaug for helping out as the interim head boys soccer coach on short notice. Recognized Andy Wilcox for his work organizing and hosting the Swain Cross Country meet. 
Wietman. Recognized the Middle School Student Council for their work on Kindness Week.  
Whitwam. Recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day. 

Discussion:  No Visitor Business. 

Discussion:  Director of Curriculum and Assessment Mike Pothast presented on MCA testing results and the Comprehensive Career and Civic Readiness (CACR) report.  

Discussion:  No Correspondence. 

Discussion:  No significant changes in enrollment. 

Discussion:  The Hermantown Chamber of Commerce will once again host the Hermantown School Board Candidate Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 7-8 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. The forum will be recorded and posted on the website for those unable to attend in person.  
 

Discussion:  The MSBA Leadership Conference is scheduled for Jan. 14-15 for new and returning Board members. The Middle School has been asked to possibly present on Character Strong and Second Step at the conference. 

Discussion:  Constituents received communication from Google about funding for Hermantown Community Schools on Tuesday. Whitwam heard from a Google representative Thursday that the flyer information is no longer correct. The total amount the school will receive from Google should the data center come to fruition will not change, it will be more money upfront. They will also be making additional smaller donations. There is a meeting set up with the Superintendent, Board members, the City and Google for next Tuesday to discuss. 

Discussion:  Finance Committee met. Mostly discussed how the budget should be presented to the Board. Nelis is looking at a different tool for forecasting presentation than the Ehler's model.
Facilities Committee met. Griffith. Discussed facilities expenditures for the year. Shuffling of priorities. Excited about updates to the elementary school bathrooms - met with a contractor today to get more quotes. Potential storage building, middle school gym floor sand down and remodel of the Middle School Offices are on the list to consider. Future plan to remove high school lockers and replace them with learning space.