REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 748
JAN. 23, 2023
DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER BOARDROOM
The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by Chair Matt Moehrle. Members present: Moehrle; Emily Larson, clerk; Jen Smith, treasurer; Tricia Meling, vice chair; Jason Nies, director; Scott Wenshau, director and Jeff Ridlehoover, superintendent. Members absent: None.
A motion to amend was made by Wenshau and seconded by Smith to APPROVE THE AGENDA with the addition of a discussion item regarding the book “Him” by Sarina Bowen.
Discussion took place.
A vote on the motion to amend the agenda took place. Larson, Smith and Wenshau voted yes. Moehrle, Nies and Meling voted no. Motion failed, 3-3.
A motion to amend was made by Smith and seconded by Wenshau to APPROVE THE AGENDA with the addition of a discussion item regarding scheduling future work sessions. All in favor. Motion carried.
During the public comment opportunity two members of the community addressed the school board. Roxi Nordlund, resident/grandparent, spoke on the topic of board leadership and Kelsey Yasgar, parent, spoke on the topic of district materials.
A motion was made by Meling and seconded by Smith to APPROVE CONSENT ITEMS A.4.a – A.4.d AS PRESENTED BELOW. All in favor. Motion carried.
A.4.a. Minutes of the regular school board meeting held on Dec. 19, 2022
Minutes of the organizational meeting held on Jan. 9, 2023
A.4.b Checks in the amount of $1,105,416.31 as presented:
General Fund 632,583.59
Food Service Fund 94,624.21
Transportation Fund 230,782.54
Community Service Fund 6,896.47
Capital Expenditure Fund 89,312.55
Building Fund 33,081.12
Activity Accounts 15,226.33
Internal Service Fund 2,909.50
Check numbers 185511 – 185736
AP ACH History in the amount of $3,300.61 as presented:
General Fund 2,600.54
Food Service Fund 156.50
Transportation Fund 90.00
Activities Accounts 453.57
Check Number 222300060 – 222300076
Receipts in the amount of $4,553,529.33 as presented:
General Fund 3,786,768.24
Food Service Fund 330,471.14
Community Service Fund 76,264.00
Debt Service 330,024.74
Activity Accounts 14,359.00
Internal Service Fund 15,642.21
Receipts 51237 – 51330
Wire transfers in the amount of $1,626,865.98 as presented:
General Fund 1,152,476.18
Food Service Fund 51,827.63
Transportation Fund 22,472.60
Community Service Fund 19,132.17
Capital Expenditure Fund 1,611.93
Activities Account 1,133.99
Internal Service Fund 378,211.48
Wire transfers 202200367 – 202200440
A.4.c Approve resolution accepting the following donations; Walking Billboards, Sartell High School, $100, SHS choir; Ed Haus Foundation Community, $1,000, CE archery program; Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Granite Lodge 17, Community Education, $350, CE archery program; GM Drilling Inc., Sartell High School, $100, Fun Fest Silent Auction; Peak Properties, Sartell High School, $500, Sabre HS robotics; Colorful Concepts Painting and Custom Finishing Inc., Community Education, $500, CE archery program; National Wild Turkey Federation, Community Education, $500, CE archery program; John and Sara Ellis, Sartell High School, $100, Sartell music program; Gene Haas Foundation, Sartell High School, $2,500, Sabre HS robotics; Rotochopper Inc., Sartell High School, $250, Sabre HS robotics; Sartell Youth Basketball Association, Sartell High School, $2,750, girls basketball; Sartell Youth Basketball Association, Sartell High School, $5,050, boys basketball; Optimist Club of St. Cloud Fund, ISD #748, $1,000, 2023 cholarships.
A.4.d Accept resignations: Jessica Boline, SHS, art teacher, 1/23/23; Pamela Froelich, RIS, cashier, 12/22/22; Cynthia Hadley, ORELC, para/recess supervisor, 1/6/23; Katelyn Homan, PMPS, para/recess supervisor, 1/20/23; Kristine O’Brien, CC, community education director, 1/20/23; Amber Starr, RIS, food service worker, 2/3/23.
Accept release of employment: Donna Baier, SMS, food service worker, 12/13/22; Heidi Carlson, RIS, paraprofessional, 12/20/22; Nicole Kraemer, SHS, food service worker, 1/4/23.
ISD748 Sabre Star Report:
- Shayne Kusler, Sartell High School principal, presented Emily Schmit, English language arts teacher and Emily Stoebe, special education teacher with the January SABRE Star Awards.
School Board Student Representative Report:
- High School Student and Student Board Representative Benjamin Thompson reported on the exciting things happening around the district.
Early Childhood Program Report:
- Julia Bjerke, ORELC principal and Julie Thom, ORELC early childhood coordinator gave an update on the Early Childhood Program.
Superintendent Report:
- Ridlehoover reported on happenings around the district. He started by sharing that staff worked diligently during winter break and the first part of January to construct an e-learning plan that could be utilized for future inclement weather days. The provisionally approved 2023-24 school year calendar will be brought before the board for final approval as soon as possible. Ridlehoover thanked the Board for their engagement in the onboarding work session held in early January as well as their productive work during the Organizational Meeting. As a district, we are in a great place as we look to continue our focus on children and families. Ridlehoover along with Chair Moehrle and Treasurer Smith recently attended the MSBA Leadership Conference. Discussion is taking place regarding staffing, schedules and different program needs for the 2023-24 school year. Ridlehoover publicly thanked and congratulated Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes on his announced retirement. Megan Rogholt and Jeff Ridlehoover will be presenting the districts Instructional Roadmap to staff during the next several weeks. Since the last board meeting, Ridlehoover continues to stay engaged with several community organizations by attending meetings that will assist our students and families. The legislature is in full swing and the governor recently released his preliminary plan for education funding. Ridlehoover had the wonderful opportunity to spend a day serving lunch at the Sartell High School. He stated it was great to see and witness how polite our students were. He expressed a heartfelt thank you to outgoing Community Education Director Kris O’Brien, who took a similar position in another school district. Lastly, Ridlehoover shared that Gov. Tim Walz, by proclamation, has recognized the week of Jan 23rd as Paraprofessional Recognition Week.
Mid-Year District Operational Plan Report
- Superintendent Ridlehoover presented the mid-year district operational plan.
District Finance Report:
- Business director Joe Prom shared current finance and budget information.
School Board Committee Report:
- Matt Moehrle – Organizational Committee. Committees were established.
- Matt Moehrle – Legislative Network and Schools for Equity in Education. Moehrle, Smith and Ridlehoover attended the general membership meeting.
- Matt Moehrle – Attended the Benton-Stearns Education District meeting. Moehrle also sits on the BSED facilities committee. There are significant facility upgrades needed.
A motion was made by Smith and seconded by Larson to APPROVE PERSONNEL OMNIBUS RESOLUTION #1-19:
New Employees: Gina Anderson, SMS, spring musical costumes – 50 percent, $504 (2.25 percent), BA, Step A, replacing Brittney Witt, 1/9/23; Andrea Benninghoff, SHS, head girls soccer coach, $6,005 (12.5 percent), BA, Step D, replacing Roy Snyder, 8/7/23; Hanni Carlile, SMS, spring musical prop design, $1,007 (2.25 percent), BA, Step A, replacing Brittany Witt/Tracey Watkin, 1/2/23; Hanni Carlile, SMS, spring musical painter, $1,007 (2.25 percent), BA, Step A, replacing Sarah Theisen, 1/2/23; Rhonda Conda, RIS, cashier, $20.62/hour, RII, Step 4, replacing Pamela Froelich, 1/16/23; Harold Disrud, Transportation, route driver, $24.84/hour, RA, Step 1, replacing Wyatt Gwost, 12/19/22; Janice Erdrich, ORELC, cashier, $17.59/hour, RII, Step 1, replacing Rhonda Conda, 1/16/23; Angela Fasen, SMS, spring musical costumes – 50 percent, $504 (2.25 percent), BA, Step A, replacing Brittney Witt, 1/9/23; Caleb Forberg, SHS, assistant boys tennis coach, $3,371 (7.35 percent), BA, Step 2, replacing Mackenzie Schurhamer, 3/20/23; Collin Franz, SMS, boys basketball coach, $2,843 (6.35 percent),
BA, Step A, replacing Christopher Schumer, 1/9/23; Nicole Paggen, RIS, paraprofessional, $17.34/hour, RIV, Step 1, replacing Amanda Peterka, 1/4/23; Brooklyn Riggs, SMS, spring musical choreography, $1,081 (2.25 percent), BA, Step D, replacing Kate Ellis, 1/6/23; Katie Ruprecht-Wittrock, SHS, special education teacher, $19,590 (.4375 FTE), BA, Step A, updated FTE, 1/23/23; Karissa St. Onge, RIS, paraprofessional, $17.34/hour, RIV, Step 1, replacing Heidi Carlson, 1/11/23; Karina Viruet, ORELC/SHS, food service worker, $16.61/hour, RI, Step 1, new position, 1/16/23; Brittney Witt, SMS, spring musical publicity, $1,032 (2.25 percent), BA, Step B, replacing Abbey Rue, 1/9/23.
Leaves of Absence: Jessi Barfknecht, SMS, paraprofessional, LOA, 1/6/23-1/23/23; Cathy Bergeron, PMPS, paraprofessional, LOA, 1/25/23-3/8/23; Brad Ferguson, Trans, van driver, LOA, 11/2/22-1/4/23.
All in favor. Motion carried
A motion was made by Meling and seconded by Smith to APPROVE CALL FOR BIDS – INSTALLATION OF FIELD LIGHTING. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Smith to APPROVE AWARDING BIDS – FIELD LIGHTING EQUIPMENT. All in favor. Motion carried.
Schedule Committee Meetings / Discussion:
- Official Revision of Policy – Second Readings of Policy #203.2, 203.5, 410, 414, 415, 524, 525, 541, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 616
A motion was made by Smith and seconded by Larson to DISCUSS individual policies.
Discussion was held regarding the following individual policies: 203.2, 203.5, 414, 415, 541, 601, 602, 603 and 616.
- Future Regular Board Meeting – 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at St. Stephen City Hall
- Future Quarterly Work Sessions / Policy Meetings
- 5:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at District Services Center
- Feb 1, 2023
- May 3, 2023
- Aug. 2, 2023
- Nov. 1, 2023
- 5:30 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at District Services Center
Committee assignments were reviewed.
A motion to ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:52 p.m. was made by Smith and seconded by Larson. All in favor. Motion carried.
/s/ Emily Larson, clerk
Publish: March 3, 2023
