Meeting Agenda
1. Call meeting to order by the chairperson
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. *Comments from visitors
4.A.
  • Comments from visitors must be in relation to Aitkin Public Schools and/or to agenda items.
  • We recommend that you sign up at the comment table if you wish to speak. You will be called up in order as listed on the sign-up sheet. When you come forward to comment, please be seated at the comment table facing the Board Members. State your name prior to your comment. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes.
  • The Board will not engage in any discussion or debate during this comment session. The Board will take the information and find answers as appropriate.
  • As part of Board protocol, it is unacceptable for any speaker to slander or engage in character assassination at a public board meeting. 
5. Approval of agenda - revise or remove as needed
6. Scheduled presentations: (Max. 10 Minutes)
6.A. Student Council Reports
SP Goal 10
6.B. Review of Dean/AD year and combined position: Jim Henrickson
7. Old Business:  
7.A. Approve the following policies 2nd reading:
7.A.1. Policy 533 - Wellness
8. New business:
8.A. Approve consent agenda items as follows:
8.A.1. Approve the following School Board Meeting Minutes:
April 20, 2026
8.A.2. Approve financials for the month of April, 2026:
  • Office receipts in the amount of $1,895,126.67
  • Report of expenditures, including $900,150.19 for bills and $1,075,001.35 for payroll and district contribution to PERA, TRA, OASDI/Medicare and 403(b).
  • Donations in the amount of $56,265.38
  • Wire transfers in the amount of $1,700,000.00
  • Employee reimbursements.
8.A.3. Approve Resignations
8.A.3.a. Julie Nowlan - Payroll Specialist
8.A.3.b. Taylor Meeks - Band Teacher, Instructional Music, Pep Band Advisor
8.A.4. Approve Hirings:
8.A.4.a. Leah Olk - Rippleside Principal July 1, 2026
8.A.4.b. Christian Jacobson - Elementary Special Ed Position 26-27 School Year
8.A.4.c. Karen Stifter - ECFE Parent Educator 26-27 School Year
8.A.5. Consider and approve extracurricular positions
8.A.5.a. Meredith Sander- Jr Sr Banquet 25-26 School Year
8.A.5.b. Landon Janzen- Head Boys Basketball coach 26-27 Season 
8.A.5.c. Ava Christensen - Asst/JV Dance coach 26-27 season
8.A.6. Contracted District Literacy Lead - Letter of Intent 26-27
8.A.7. Approve the 2026 Graduates:
8.A.8. Approve Lakes & Pines Contract for the 2026-2027 School Year
8.A.9. Consider and approve PSEO contract Central Lakes College — 2026-2027 
8.A.10. Consider and approve Sweetman Scholarship recipients
8.A.11. Consider and approve 10 additional days for Jim Henrickson — 5 days for Dean of Students, 5 days for Activities Director Work. 
8.A.12. Clifton Larson Allen - Audit Services
8.B. Discussion Items:
8.B.1. Rippleside Staffing (tabled from April 20, 2026 meeting)
8.B.2. Project Oversight Committee Update
9. Administrative reports:
9.A. Board Members Reports:
9.B. Committee Reports:
9.B.1. Finance & Facilities Committee Meeting- April 27, 2026 
9.B.2. Personnel Committee Meeting - April 29, 2026
9.C. Principal's Report:
     Mr. Karelis, Rippleside Elementary School
     Ms. DeMars, Aitkin High School
SP Goal 10
9.D. Community Education - Nedra Henline
SP Goal 10
9.E. Superintendent's report:
9.E.1. Enrollment Update
9.E.2. Other:
9.F. Upcoming meetings:
Personnel Committee - May 27-3:45 PM AHS Media Center 
Graduation - May 29, 2026 - 7PM - Veterans Field  
School Board Meeting- June 15, 2026 - MIlle Lacs Trails Clubhouse
10. Other:
11. Adjourn
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting

  Aitkin Public Schools 

 ~Strong Relationships~Innovative Education
Meeting: May 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM - School Board Meeting
Subject:
1. Call meeting to order by the chairperson
Subject:
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Subject:
3. Roll Call
Subject:
4. *Comments from visitors
Subject:
4.A.
  • Comments from visitors must be in relation to Aitkin Public Schools and/or to agenda items.
  • We recommend that you sign up at the comment table if you wish to speak. You will be called up in order as listed on the sign-up sheet. When you come forward to comment, please be seated at the comment table facing the Board Members. State your name prior to your comment. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes.
  • The Board will not engage in any discussion or debate during this comment session. The Board will take the information and find answers as appropriate.
  • As part of Board protocol, it is unacceptable for any speaker to slander or engage in character assassination at a public board meeting. 
Subject:
5. Approval of agenda - revise or remove as needed
Subject:
6. Scheduled presentations: (Max. 10 Minutes)
Subject:
6.A. Student Council Reports
SP Goal 10
Subject:
6.B. Review of Dean/AD year and combined position: Jim Henrickson
Subject:
7. Old Business:  
Subject:
7.A. Approve the following policies 2nd reading:
Subject:
7.A.1. Policy 533 - Wellness
Attachments:
Subject:
8. New business:
Subject:
8.A. Approve consent agenda items as follows:
Subject:
8.A.1. Approve the following School Board Meeting Minutes:
April 20, 2026
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.2. Approve financials for the month of April, 2026:
  • Office receipts in the amount of $1,895,126.67
  • Report of expenditures, including $900,150.19 for bills and $1,075,001.35 for payroll and district contribution to PERA, TRA, OASDI/Medicare and 403(b).
  • Donations in the amount of $56,265.38
  • Wire transfers in the amount of $1,700,000.00
  • Employee reimbursements.
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.3. Approve Resignations
Subject:
8.A.3.a. Julie Nowlan - Payroll Specialist
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.3.b. Taylor Meeks - Band Teacher, Instructional Music, Pep Band Advisor
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.4. Approve Hirings:
Subject:
8.A.4.a. Leah Olk - Rippleside Principal July 1, 2026
Subject:
8.A.4.b. Christian Jacobson - Elementary Special Ed Position 26-27 School Year
Subject:
8.A.4.c. Karen Stifter - ECFE Parent Educator 26-27 School Year
Subject:
8.A.5. Consider and approve extracurricular positions
Subject:
8.A.5.a. Meredith Sander- Jr Sr Banquet 25-26 School Year
Subject:
8.A.5.b. Landon Janzen- Head Boys Basketball coach 26-27 Season 
Subject:
8.A.5.c. Ava Christensen - Asst/JV Dance coach 26-27 season
Subject:
8.A.6. Contracted District Literacy Lead - Letter of Intent 26-27
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.7. Approve the 2026 Graduates:
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.8. Approve Lakes & Pines Contract for the 2026-2027 School Year
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.9. Consider and approve PSEO contract Central Lakes College — 2026-2027 
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.10. Consider and approve Sweetman Scholarship recipients
Attachments:
Subject:
8.A.11. Consider and approve 10 additional days for Jim Henrickson — 5 days for Dean of Students, 5 days for Activities Director Work. 
Subject:
8.A.12. Clifton Larson Allen - Audit Services
Attachments:
Subject:
8.B. Discussion Items:
Subject:
8.B.1. Rippleside Staffing (tabled from April 20, 2026 meeting)
Subject:
8.B.2. Project Oversight Committee Update
Attachments:
Subject:
9. Administrative reports:
Subject:
9.A. Board Members Reports:
Subject:
9.B. Committee Reports:
Subject:
9.B.1. Finance & Facilities Committee Meeting- April 27, 2026 
Attachments:
Subject:
9.B.2. Personnel Committee Meeting - April 29, 2026
Attachments:
Subject:
9.C. Principal's Report:
     Mr. Karelis, Rippleside Elementary School
     Ms. DeMars, Aitkin High School
SP Goal 10
Subject:
9.D. Community Education - Nedra Henline
SP Goal 10
Subject:
9.E. Superintendent's report:
Subject:
9.E.1. Enrollment Update
Attachments:
Subject:
9.E.2. Other:
Subject:
9.F. Upcoming meetings:
Personnel Committee - May 27-3:45 PM AHS Media Center 
Graduation - May 29, 2026 - 7PM - Veterans Field  
School Board Meeting- June 15, 2026 - MIlle Lacs Trails Clubhouse
Subject:
10. Other:
Attachments:
Subject:
11. Adjourn

Mission Statement:

To inspire and prepare our students with the tools and skills to succeed in an ever changing world.

 

Web Viewer