Meeting Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
2. ADOPTING THE AGENDA
3. STUDENT/STAFF SHARE
3.1. Student/Staff Share
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, VISITORS, COMMUNICATION
4.1. Public Participation, Visitors
4.2. Communications
5. MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH
6. SAFETY AND SECURITY (CLOSED MEETING Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D. 01, Subdivision 3)
7. REQUEST TO REMOVE TOPIC(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA
8. CONSENT AGENDA
9. KENMARK INVOICE
10. REPORTS
10.1. Principals, AD, Superintendent
10.2. Delegates/Liaisons/Committees
11. HIRE ASSISTANT TEACHER
12. PERSONNEL
12.1. Lane Changes
12.2. Resignations
12.3. FMLA Request
13. BUSINESS MANAGER
14. SET TRUTH AND TAXATION HEARING
15. PROPOSED 2025 PAYABLE 2026 LEVY CERTIFICATION
16. OPEN ENROLLMENT RESOLUTION FOR 2025-2026
17. ROOF REPAIR
18. STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE 
19. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
20. ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS
21. POLICY
21.1. Policy 416 Drug, Alcohol, and Cannabis Testing
21.2. Policy 613 Graduation Requirements
21.3. Policy 620 Credit for Learning
22. MSBA DELEGATE ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION
23. SUMMATIVE STATEMENT FROM SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION CLOSED SESSION AUGUST 18, 2025 PURSUANT TO MS13D.03, SUBD.3(a) 
24. ADJOURN
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: September 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting
Subject:
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
Description:
The September 22, 2025 regular meeting of the Menahga Public School board called to order by Chair Haverinen  at                           with the Pledge of Allegiance and Mission and Vision Statement. 

Board members present:   Andrea Haverinen, Julia Kicker, Katie Howard, Sara Makela, Cherie Peterson and David Treinen.  Others present: ES Principal Lisa Parrish, HS Principal Michelle Koch and Superintendent Jay Kjos.
Subject:
2. ADOPTING THE AGENDA
Description:
Motion by                                 to adopt the agenda as amended/presented

    
Seconded by                          vote
Subject:
3. STUDENT/STAFF SHARE
Subject:
3.1. Student/Staff Share
Description:
Teaching and Learning Coordinator update. 
Attachments:
Subject:
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, VISITORS, COMMUNICATION
Subject:
4.1. Public Participation, Visitors
Subject:
4.2. Communications
Subject:
5. MINNESOTA SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH
Attachments:
Subject:
6. SAFETY AND SECURITY (CLOSED MEETING Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D. 01, Subdivision 3)
Description:
Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D. 01, Subdivision 3
Subject:
7. REQUEST TO REMOVE TOPIC(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA
Description:
If needed:
                        Motion by                           to remove the following from the consent agenda:


                        Seconded by                     vote
Subject:
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Description:
Motion by                           to approve the following consent items:

1.  August 18, 2025 regular meeting minutes; August 18, 2025 pairing and sharing meeting minutes; August 18, 2025 special meeting minutes; August 22, 2025 Negotiation meeting minutes; August 27, 2025 Negotiation meeting minutes; September 8, 2025 policy meeting minutes; September 18, 2025 Negotiation meeting minutes;   
2.  Activity fund and monthly claims in the amount of $1,485,265.33
3.  Notice of assignments for the following extra-curricular coach/advisors for the 2025-2026 School Year: Luke Davidson, Activity Coordinator; James Roth, Activity Coordinator; Jolene Harris, FCCLA advisor step 3: Delaney Crowl, FCCLA co-advisor step 1; Ashley Lynne, NHS co-advisor step 1; Hope McAdow, Yearbook Advisor step 2; Hope McAdow, Co-Advisor/Senior Class Step 4; Allie Schmitz, Co-Advisor/Senior Class Step 1;  
4. Teacher Contract with Todd Marsden, High School Teacher, BA Step 3, 1.0 FTE per EMM Master Agreement, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year;  
5. Work Assignment for Lisa Mickelson, Paraprofessional, per EMM Paraprofessional Master Agreement, beginning August 25, 2025; 
6. Work Assignment for Justin Gonska, Paraprofessional, per EMM Paraprofessional Master Agreement, beginning September 26, 2025; 
7. Work Assignment for Makenzie Jurmu, Paraprofessional, per EMM Paraprofessional Master Agreement, beginning September 29, 2025; 
8. Notice of Long-Term Substitute Assignment for Shelly Hamblin, per EMM Master Agreement, for the period beginning on September 29, 2025 and ending no later than January 1, 2026. 
9. Cooperative Agreement for Boys Hockey 2025-2026



Seconded by                     vote






 
Attachments:
Subject:
9. KENMARK INVOICE
Description:
Motion by                      to approve the Kenmark Invoices in the amount of $1,198.00 as presented.

Seconded by                        vote
Attachments:
Subject:
10. REPORTS
Subject:
10.1. Principals, AD, Superintendent
Attachments:
Subject:
10.2. Delegates/Liaisons/Committees
Description:
Board Delegates and Liaison 2025:
Building Advisory: Katie Howard and David Treinen
Community Education: Andrea Haverinen
Crisis Management: Katie Howard
Freshwater Education District: Katie Howard
Minnesota School Board Association: Andrea Haverinen
Minnesota State High School League: David Treinen
Pairing and Sharing: Andrea Haverinen and Sara Makela
Policy: Andrea Haverinen, Julia Kicker and Cherie Peterson
Negotiations:
Licensed: Julia Kicker and Andrea Haverinen
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:
11. HIRE ASSISTANT TEACHER
Description:
Motion by                           to hire Logan Gerdes as an Assistant Teacher effective August 25, 2025 contingent upon receipt of appropriate Minnesota teaching license clearance by October 23, 2025. If licensure is not cleared by that date, the District reserves the right to review and reconsider employment status in compliance with state law and District policy.

Seconded by                           vote
 
 
Subject:
12. PERSONNEL
Subject:
12.1. Lane Changes
Description:
Motion by                         to approve the following lane change request:

Tanya Carney, BA to BA+30;

Seconded by                       vote
Subject:
12.2. Resignations
Description:
Motion by                         to accept the letter of resignation from Bill Hodge, bus driver, effective August 31, 2025. We thank Bill for his years of dedicated service to the students of our school.

Seconded by                             vote

Motion by                         to accept the letter of resignation from Katri Haapala, assistant girls basketball coach, effective September 16, 2025. We thank Katri for her years of dedicated service to the students of our school.

Seconded by                             vote

Motion by                         to accept the letter of resignation from April Hodge, High School Teacher, effective August 1, 2025. We thank April for her ten years of dedicated service to the students of our school.

Seconded by                             vote
Subject:
12.3. FMLA Request
Description:
Motion by                                to approve the request for up to 12 weeks FMLA on or about February 23, 2025.  

Seconded by                           vote

Motion by                                to approve the request for up to 12 weeks FMLA on or about September 2, 2025.  

Seconded by                           vote
Subject:
13. BUSINESS MANAGER
Description:
Motion by                         to hire Dana Kennedy as Business Manager at 1.0 FTE, pending completion of a clear background check, with a start date on or before October 20, 2025.

Seconded by                            vote
Subject:
14. SET TRUTH AND TAXATION HEARING
Description:
Chair Haverinen set the following for the Truth and Taxation Hearing: (Time not before 6:00 p.m. This can be part of the regular board meeting.)
Day:
Date:
Time:
Place:
 
Subject:
15. PROPOSED 2025 PAYABLE 2026 LEVY CERTIFICATION
Description:
Motion by                              to hereby certify the Proposed 2025 Payable 2026 tax levy at the________________, with it being understood that the final levy certification and current year budget review will occur during the regular December board meeting.

Seconded by                                  vote
Attachments:
Subject:
16. OPEN ENROLLMENT RESOLUTION FOR 2025-2026
Description:
Member _____________________________ introduced the following OPEN ENROLLMENT RESOLUTION FOR 2025-2026
WHEREAS the State of Minnesota has established an open enrollment program permitting students to attend nonresident districts pursuant to the limitations of Minnesota Statutes § 124D.03, and
WHEREAS the State of Minnesota has also established criteria for school districts to limit open enrollment applications based on district-wide grade level capacity, class, program, and school building capacity, and
WHEREAS the administration has determined that additional development and anticipated enrollment increases at Menahga Elementary School have resulted in lack of space availability,
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that for purposes of open enrollment, the following grade level cap will be in effect for the 2025-2026 school year, Grade 3 in person classes capped at 75.

And BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administration, in consultation with participating districts, be authorized to approve or disapprove all nonresident applications related to Agreements between School Boards. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member _____________________, and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: 
and the following voted against: 
Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
 
Subject:
17. ROOF REPAIR
Description:
Motion by                            to approve the roof repair not to exceed $9,000. 

Seconded by                           vote
Attachments:
Subject:
18. STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE 
Description:
Motion by                                 to approve updated Strategic Plan as presented. 

Seconded by                             vote
Attachments:
Subject:
19. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS
Subject:
20. ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS
Description:
Motion by                          to accept, with gratitude, the following grant(s); Fuel up to Play grant awarded to Food Service valued at $2,000. 
 
    
Seconded by                    vote
Subject:
21. POLICY
Subject:
21.1. Policy 416 Drug, Alcohol, and Cannabis Testing
Description:
Motion by                           to approve the first reading of policy 416 Drug, Alcohol, and Cannabis Testing as presented. 

Seconded by                         vote
Attachments:
Subject:
21.2. Policy 613 Graduation Requirements
Description:
Motion by                             to approve the first reading of policy 613 Graduation Requirements as presented. 

Seconded by                          vote
Attachments:
Subject:
21.3. Policy 620 Credit for Learning
Description:
Motion by                             to approve the first reading of policy 620 Credit for Learning as presented. 

Seconded by                             vote
Attachments:
Subject:
22. MSBA DELEGATE ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION
Description:

The following resolution was introduced by____________________ 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) urges the Legislature to strengthen state law to ensure school districts will no longer be denied access to criminal background information concerning applicants and hires.

Minnesota statutes—and statutes in other states—currently limit access to juvenile criminal records, regardless of the severity of the offense. This restriction has created serious gaps in school hiring safety measures.

Recent examples in Minnesota have shown that individuals with a history of criminal sexual conduct in their juvenile records were hired into public school positions because those records were not available during the standard background check process. This lack of transparency puts students, staff, and communities at risk.

School districts need complete access to relevant criminal history, including serious juvenile offenses, in order to make informed, responsible hiring decisions and to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

"Be it resolved, that Menahga Public School District urges the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to advocate for legislation ensuring school districts are not denied access to criminal background information concerning applicants and hires."

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:
23. SUMMATIVE STATEMENT FROM SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION CLOSED SESSION AUGUST 18, 2025 PURSUANT TO MS13D.03, SUBD.3(a) 
Description:
Motion by                             to accept the summative statement as presented/amended.  

Seconded by                             vote
Subject:
24. ADJOURN
Description:
Motion by                                to adjourn the September 22, 2025 regular meeting of the Menahga Public School board at

Seconded by                         vote

Web Viewer