After election of Chairperson, that person should assume the Chair and conduct the balance of the meeting.
 
(NOTE:  Written ballots may not be used unless the results and the vote of the individual Board Members are announced.  All voting must be for the record.)
 

Board compensation is generally set at the organizational meeting. Following is the 2025 Board of Education Compensation and Related Benefits:

1.         The monthly compensation shall be $881.98 for the Board of
            Education Chair and $767.45 for all other members of the Board
            of Education.

2.         The yearly budget for education and training expenses for School
            Board Members shall be $5,950.00. Individual Board Members
            who wish to go beyond the $850.00 per Board Member allowance
            should present their request to the Board Development
            Committee for approval.  

3.         Board Members may elect at the Board Reorganization Meeting to
            defer a portion of their compensation to an Individual Education
            Account for use towards educational expenses not covered by the
            $850.00 allowance.  This is a one-time deferral, with the
            remaining year's compensation paid in regular monthly amounts. 
            Once deferred, the amount cannot be rescinded and paid out in
            regular compensation. This is an option only, and the plan is
            established to encourage Board Members to attend national
            conferences, which provide outstanding educational experiences,
            but which are beyond the financial resources of the District.

4.         Board Members shall be reimbursed for use of their automobile
            for all out-of-district School District-related travel at the rate
            established for School District employees.  Board Members will
            not receive reimbursement for mileage within the School District.

5.         At least quarterly, reimbursements other than monthly
            compensation will be placed on the consent agenda for approval
            by the Board.
 

The Board of Education meeting structure consists of one work session and one business meeting monthly.  A brief Board Meeting followed by a Board Work Session is held on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted); the Regular Board Meeting is held on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted).  Both meetings are held at the District 742 Administration Office and are livestreamed.  A proposed meeting schedule for 2026 is attached.
 

The Board of Education Chair will appoint Board Members to serve on Board Standing Committees. The following Board Standing Committee structure was in effect for the 2025 calendar year:

Board Committees & Members

Agenda Planning Committee
     Shannon Haws (Chair)
     Zach Dorholt (Vice-Chair)
     Third Board Member (on a rotating basis)
     Dr. Laurie Putnam (Superintendent)
     Dr. Jason Harris, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education
     Nikki Hansen, Assistant Superintendent of E-5 Learning
     Dani Mehr, Executive Director of Special Education
     Shannon Avenson, Executive Director of Community Education and Community Partnerships
     Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services
     Tracy Flynn Bowe, Executive Director of Human Resources and General Counsel
     Katie Herrboldt, Executive Director of Innovation and Technology Services
     Matthew Boucher, Executive Director of Operations
 
Achievement, Integration and Equity Committee         
          Diana Fenton, Chair
          Scott Andreasen
          Natalie Copeland
       
Board Development, Policy and Governance Committee
          Zach Dorholt, Chair
          Scott Andreasen
          Diana Fenton

Finance and Audit Committee
          Heather Weems, Chair
          Scott Andreasen
          Al Dahlgren
          Selected Community Member
                 
Legislative Committee          
          Al Dahlgren, Chair
          Zach Dorholt
          Diana Fenton

Personnel and Negotiations Committee         
          Natalie Copeland, Chair
          Shannon Haws
          Heather Weems

Attached is a copy of Board Policy 213, School Board Committees.
 

In accordance with Board Policy 297, the Board of Education Chair will appoint Board Members to serve as liaisons to committees/organizations.  A copy of the Board Policy is attached.  A list of 2025 appointments is also attached.
 

In accordance with Board Policy 210, Board Members are reminded to complete the Annual School Board Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form.  Copies will be made available for Board Members.  A copy of the Board Policy is attached.
 

The Administration recommends that St. Cloud Live be designated as the official newspaper for publication of official proceedings.
 

The Administration recommends the Board of Education appoint the following firms to serve as School District Legal Counsel for the 2026 calendar year; that advice to the Board shall be at the discretion of the Board Chair, and advice to the District other than advice to the Board shall be at the discretion of the Superintendent or Board Chair as appropriate.  The hourly rates listed are dependent upon services required:
 

1. Squires, Waldspurger & Mace, P.A. - General Counsel, $235 - $280/per hr.
2. Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A. - General Counsel, $195 - $285/per hr.
3. Evenson Decker, P.A. (Previously Franz, Hultgren, Evenson, P.A.) - Property Issues, $300 - $425/per hr.  
4. Ford and Harrison - Immigration Counsel, $380/per hr. and $4,000 for H-1B Filing Cases      

                     

Authorization is requested to allow the Business Office to continue to use the present signature plates until the new plates, with the new Board Officers’ signatures, arrive.  There is always a waiting period in securing the new plates.
 

Authorization is requested for the District Business Office/Accounts Payable Department to process checks for payment of goods and services on a weekly basis prior to Board approval.  All payments will be summarized for Board approval at their regular meeting. This policy allows the District to take advantage of discount privileges, vendor contract terms or timely payment with the 35 day requirement as mandated by state statute.
 

Authorization is requested to designate Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services, to sign legal/financial reports/documents/financial transactions/imprest fund documents and to resolve issues with financial institutions in addition to the authorized check signers, on behalf of the Board of Education of District 742.
 

Authorization is requested to designate Laurie Putnam, Superintendent, to sign legal documents on behalf of the Board of Education of District 742.
 

Authorization is requested for Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services; David Cooney, Controller; and Josh Bentley, Accounting Coordinator to make investments, transfers and withdrawals from checking/savings via wire transfers to other financial institutions.
 

Authorization is requested for Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services; David Cooney, Controller; Josh Bentley, Accounting Coordinator, and Megan Daniel, Accountant, to sign stop payments.
 

Authorization is requested for Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services; David Cooney, Controller; Josh Bentley, Accounting Coordinator, and Megan Daniel, Accountant, to make telephone and wire transfers and electronic fund transfers to and from Bremer Bank of St. Cloud, Minnesota Liquid Asset Fund, US Bank, and Associated Bank.
 

Authorization is requested to designate David Cooney, Controller, to sign purchasing contracts on behalf of the Board of Education of District 742.
 

Authorization is requested for Megan Daniel, Christine Hatch, Brenda Overboe, Shannon Czeck, David Cooney, Jolene Kadlec, Theresa Loch-Thoele, Penny Goetz, Amanda Brill, Josh Bentley, Jennifer Stueve, Tiffney Groess, Jan McGuire, and Natasha Villette-Smelter to make purchases by credit card. 
 

Authorization is requested for Laurie Putnam, Superintendent, and Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services, to authorize user access to Minnesota Department of Education's secure websites.
 

Authorization is requested to designate the Board Chair and/or Clerk (as appropriate) to sign documents, in accordance with law, when signifying actions properly approved by the Board upon presentation of the appropriate certification tying the document to the Board action specifically authorizing the action.  A copy of Board Policy 298 is attached.
 

The Board of Education designates depositories, by accounts, for the 2026 calendar year, including depositories for investments. The following should be designated:

    US Bank
        Payroll/Operating Account and Payable Investments
          
    Minnesota Liquid Asset Fund, Minnesota School Boards
    Association
        Investments

    Associated Bank/MN Trust
        Investments

    Ehler's
       Investments
 

Authorization is requested for Amy Skaalerud, Executive Director of Finance and Business Services, to sign employment certificates for students working on school days during school hours.