Meeting Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ADOPTING THE AGENDA
3. STUDENT/STAFF SHARE
3.1. Chris Lake to give an update on Pathways, Makerspace, and STEAM.
3.2. Toby Weston to give an update on Industrial Tech Classes. 
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, VISITORS, COMMUNICATION
5. CESO TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
6. AUDIT FINANCIAL STATEMENT DRAFT 
7. MSBA SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH ASSISTANCE PROPOSAL 
8. INTERNET USE UPDATE
9. SAFETY AND SECURITY 
10. REQUEST TO REMOVE TOPIC(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA
11. CONSENT AGENDA
12. KENMARK INVOICE
13. REPORTS
13.1. Principals, Student, AD, Superintendent
13.2. Delegates/Liaisons/Committees
14. SENIORITY LISTS
15. 2025-2027 CLERICAL EMPLOYEES' HANDBOOK
16. PERSONNEL
16.1. Resignation
17. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
18. CALL FOR MEETING TO CANVASS ELECTION
19. ADJOURN
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: October 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting
Subject:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Description:
The October 19, 2026 regular meeting of the Menahga Public School board called to order by Chair Howard at ________ with the Pledge of Allegiance and Mission and Vision Statement.

Board members present: Katie Howard, Andrea Haverinen, Cherie Peterson, Sara Makela, and David Treinen. 
Others present: Business Manager Dana Kennedy, ES Principal Steph Mercil, HS Principal Michelle Koch, Assistant Principal John Hedstrom and Superintendent Jay Kjos.

One or more Board Members attending virtually: Julia Kicker;
Subject:
2. ADOPTING THE AGENDA
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
 to adopt the agenda as amended/presented.
 
Subject:
3. STUDENT/STAFF SHARE
Subject:
3.1. Chris Lake to give an update on Pathways, Makerspace, and STEAM.
Subject:
3.2. Toby Weston to give an update on Industrial Tech Classes. 
Attachments:
Subject:
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, VISITORS, COMMUNICATION
Subject:
5. CESO TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
Description:
Carrie Johnson will present the CESO Transportation Operational Assessment. 
Attachments:
Subject:
6. AUDIT FINANCIAL STATEMENT DRAFT 
Description:
Audit Financial Statement Draft will be presented.
Attachments:
Subject:
7. MSBA SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH ASSISTANCE PROPOSAL 
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to: 
Attachments:
Subject:
8. INTERNET USE UPDATE
Description:
David Lindquist will give an update on ways to tighten up internet use. 
Attachments:
Subject:
9. SAFETY AND SECURITY 
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to close for the discussion of Safety and Security per closed meeting law: Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.05, Subdivision 3(d) at ________    The public portion of the meeting reconvened at________. 
Subject:
10. REQUEST TO REMOVE TOPIC(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA
Description:
MOTION BY _____________      
to remove the following from the consent agenda:
 
Subject:
11. CONSENT AGENDA
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to approve the following consent items:
1. September 28, 2026 special meeting minutes; September 21, 2026 regular meeting minutes; 
2. Activity fund and monthly claims in the amount of $228,322.00 
3. Consider 2026-2027 coaching/advisor recommendations:
3.1. Head Baseball Coach, Randy Thompson, step 10;
3.2. Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, John Hedstrom, step 10;
3.3. Assistant Softball Coach, Alexa Mann, step 3;
3.4. Assistant Softball Coach, Erika Jensen, step 3;
3.5. Junior High Softball Coach, Sara Kinyoun, step 3;
3.6. Head Track Coach, Tom Smith, step 10;
3.7. Assistant Track Coach, Ed Heltunen, step 6;
3.8. Assistant Track Coach, Thor Johnson, step 3;
3.9. Varsity Knowledge Bowl Advisor, Tanya Carney, step 5;
3.10. Junior High Knowledge Bowl Advisor, Dan Besonen, step 9;
3.11. Art League Advisor, Tiffany Besonen, step 10;
3.12. Assistant Golf Coach, Alayna Day, step 2;
3.13. Assistant Golf Coach, Becca Pulju, step 5; 
4. Consider staffing recommendations: 
4.1. District Receptionist, Sue Tolkkinen, step 2;
4.2. Paraprofessional, Vera Simonson, step 1;
5. 2026-2027 Cooperative Agreement for Boys Hockey
6. National Insurance Services Renewal;
 
 
Attachments:
Subject:
12. KENMARK INVOICE
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to approve the Kenmark Invoice in the amount of $68.00 as presented.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
13. REPORTS
Subject:
13.1. Principals, Student, AD, Superintendent
Attachments:
Subject:
13.2. Delegates/Liaisons/Committees
Description:
Building Advisory: Katie Howard and David Treinen
Community Education: Andrea Haverinen
Crisis Management: David Treinen and Sara Makela
Freshwater Education District: Katie Howard
Minnesota School Board Association: Andrea Haverinen
Minnesota State High School League: David Treinen
Pairing and Sharing: Katie Howard and Cherie Peterson
Policy: Andrea Haverinen, Julia Kicker and Cherie Peterson
Negotiations:
Licensed: Katie Howard and Julia Kicker 
Paraprofessionals: Katie Howard and Cherie Peterson
Principals: Andrea Haverinen and David Treinen
Rebranding: Cherie Peterson, Sara Makela and David Treinen
Region 5 Development Commission: Andrea Haverinen
Sourcewell: Julia Kicker
Wadena County Collaborative: Cherie Peterson
Wellness: Sara Makela
 
Subject:
14. SENIORITY LISTS
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE
to approve the seniority lists for the 26-27 school year, as presented, for EMM Licensed Staff and EMM Paraprofessional Staff. 
Attachments:
Subject:
15. 2025-2027 CLERICAL EMPLOYEES' HANDBOOK
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to approve the Clerical Employees' Handbook as presented.
Attachments:
Subject:
16. PERSONNEL
Subject:
16.1. Resignation
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to accept the letter of resignation from Julia Hillukka, Paraprofessional with Menahga Public Schools, effective October 23, 2026. We thank Julia for her 8 years of dedicated service to the students of our school. 

MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to accept the letter of resignation from Sophia Keranen, Paraprofessional with Menahga Public Schools, effective October 15, 2026. We thank Sophia for her dedicated service to the students of our school. 
 
Subject:
17. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
Description:
The following resolution was introduced by____________________                               
        RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
    WHEREAS, MS 123B.02, Subd. 6 provides:  "The board may receive, for the benefit of the district, bequests, donations, or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the same to the purpose designated.  In that behalf, the board may act as trustee of any trust created for the benefit of the district, or for the benefit of pupils thereof, including trusts created to provide pupils of the district with advanced education after completion of high school, in the advancement of education."; and
   WHEREAS, MS 465.03 provides: "Any city, county, school district or town may accept a grant or devise of real or personal property and maintain such property for the benefit of its citizens in accordance with the terms prescribed by the donor.  Nothing herein shall authorize such acceptance or use for religious or sectarian purposes.  Every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full."; 
     THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Menahga Public School Dist 821 gratefully accept the following donations as identified below: 
$500.00 to 5th grade Coffee Shop from Gateway Lions Club;
$500.00 to After School Art League from Gateway Lions Club;
$500.00 to FFA Nationals from Gateway Lions Club;
$150.00 to Volleyball from Lamb-Weston/RDO Frozen;
 
Resolution seconded by_______________________
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
   voting aye:_________________________________
   voting nay:_________________________________
   absent:____________________________________
   Whereupon, said resolution was declared duly adopted.
Subject:
18. CALL FOR MEETING TO CANVASS ELECTION
Description:
Chair Howard called for the election to be canvassed on
(Timeline: 3 to 10 days after election)
Day: 
Date: 
Time:
Place: 
 
Subject:
19. ADJOURN
Description:
MOTION BY _____________ SECONDED BY_____________ VOTE 
to adjourn the October 19, 2026 regular meeting of the Menahga Public School board at ________

NEXT MEETINGS:
November 2, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Policy Committee Meeting
November 5, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. Pairing and Sharing Meeting - Menahga HS Media Center
November 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Board Work Session
November 23, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting

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