Tri-County School District ISD #2358 Regular Board of Education Meeting November 13, 2024

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Murray at 6:30 p.m. A quorum was determined.  

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Members Present were H Burkel ,R Hanson, M Koland, S Murray, D Olson, D Sollund ,and K Oliver.

Members Absent were: None

Also Present were Superintendent McKeever and Principal Englund.

We are Proud

• Gary Tylor-

We are proud of the members of our girls Volleyball team:

Ada Pearson was selected to the Northern Lights and North Border All-Conference Teams, as well as being one of two North Border Senior All-Stars.  Ada was also given the Minnesota State High School Volleyball Association Academic All-State Award for maintaining a GPA above a 3.8

Emma Blazejewski was also selected to the Northern Lights and North Border All-Conference Teams.  Emma was also given the Minnesota State High School Volleyball Association Academic All-State Award for maintaining a GPA above a 3.8

Lydia Hanson was selected All-Conference in the North Border Conference and was Honorable Mention in the Northern Lights Conference.

Brynlee Reese was a recipient of the Minnesota State High School Volleyball Association Academic All-State Award for maintaining a GPA above a 3.8

• Mara Gust

Grateful for the well-planned and unified response to the recent student death. Grateful for our Social workers and other support staff, Principal Englund, and Superintendent McKeever. 

• Krisann Berglund

We are proud of the way our TCS staff works together to manifest a caring, safe environment for our school children and each other.

• Melissa Thompson

We are proud and grateful for Dalia Englund, our principal at TC. Her dedication to our school community shines through in everything she does. She works tirelessly, often going above and beyond to ensure both students and staff have the support they need to thrive. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, inspiring everyone around her to approach challenges with a positive attitude. We are incredibly fortunate to have her leadership.

We are proud of Jennifer Klegstad for organizing an amazing Community Service Day.  It takes a lot of planning to pull off an event like this, and Jennifer made it all come together. The weather was perfect, and our students put in hard work, learning the true value of giving back to the community. We’re so proud of everyone involved—thank you, Jennifer, for leading the way!

• Mr. McKeever

We are Proud of Sarah Novacek for organizing the Veterans Day program and for all the wonderful staff and students who participated in honoring our Veterans. What a great program!

Motion by member H Burkel second by member D Sollund to approve the agenda as presented. UC

Citizen Comments: None

Motion by K Oliver, seconded by D Olson to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2024 Regular Meeting as presented. UC

Pay Claims

Audit Committee: Sollund/Hanson

Motion by D Sollund, seconded by R Hanson to authorize payment for October, 2024 claims in the funds as presented in the total amount of $ 212,724.03. UC

FUND THIS YEAR             PREVIOUS YR

01 GENERAL $133,691.44 $72,817.75

02 FOOD SERVICE $13,618.15 $12,247.03

04 COMMUNITY SERVICE $35.00 $56.13

07 DEBT REDEMPTION $57,565.81 $58,160.00

21 STUDENT ACTIVITIES $7,573.56 $6,665.10

TOTAL $212,724.03 $149,936.01 

Boards & Committee Report

1. NWRIC

2. MCC

3. MSBA

4. GMRTC Joint Powers Board

5. School Board Committees

Superintendent Report – November 13, 2024

We are extremely grateful for the existence of the regional crisis team that worked with us to have a solid plan in place for the tragic loss of Becket Folland. We were able to offer the support needed for staff and students. Our current staff of Jeremy, Jeri and Anna were extremely beneficial to helping students and staff, a huge thank you to both of them! 

1. We will canvass the results of the school board election. There will be a Resolution to canvass the return of votes and to issue election certificates to Kelsey Helling, Karrah Oliver, and Ashlee Anderson. 

2. You will be asked to approve a change to Policy 704, our fixed asset policy to raise the level of a fixed asset from $5,000 to $10,000. The threshold is not the significant part, it is the aggregate value which would allow us not to have to list every Chromebook and computer as a fixed asset. 

3. Goals were set last year for the World’s Best Workforce report, and we have now responded as to how well we met our goals. We have submitted it to the state, and it must be approved at a Fall board meeting, which will be held at the November meeting. 

4. We interviewed paraprofessionals and Dalia and I recommend the hiring of Lily Duray as paraprofessional for the 2024-2025 school year. 

5. We will be hosting our annual Veteran’s Day program on Monday, November 11 at 10:30 in the main gym. All are invited to attend as we honor our area Veteran’s. 

6. We are busy updating our Crisis and Emergency plans to be sure they are updated to be ready in the event we have anything major to deal with. During workshop day on Friday, we are going to begin training staff on the ALICE method of response. A: Alert L: Lockdown-Barricade and lock doors I: Inform C: Counter 

7. We will also need to schedule a meeting for the first full week in January to induct our new board members with the oath of office as well as reorganizing the board and doing committee assignments. 

8. We have a submittal for the Close Up trip in April that you will be asked to approve. 

9. The audit is scheduled to take place virtually during the December meeting. Dawn from SMS will also be listening to hear the information as well. We also plan to meet with the auditors prior to this to get a brief summary of their findings. Dawn will also be present virtually to help with the Truth in Taxation meeting that will also be scheduled for the December meeting should anyone come to the meeting. 

I would also like some feedback as to what has been done in the past regarding attendance at the MSBA conference. How many go? Who plans to go? Rooms and transportation?

Motion by R Hanson, second by K Oliver to approve the Close-Up trip for April 5 - 14. UC

Motion by M Koland, second by D Sollund to accept all donations listed below.  UC

Steve & Karen Klopp      $100.00

Labine Electric     $50.00

Northwest Electric   $50.00

Karlstad Eagles   $250.00

Total:   $450.00

Approve the Resolution canvassing returns of votes of school district general election.

RESOLUTION CANVASSING RETURNS OF VOTES OF SCHOOL DISTRICT GENERAL ELECTION 

Member Steve Murray introduced the following Resolution and moved for its adoption. 

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2358, as follows: 

1. It is hereby found, determined and declared that the general election of the voters of the district held on November 5, 2024, was in all respects duly and legally called and held. 

2. As specified in the attached Abstract and Return of Votes Cast, a total of voters of the district voted at said election on the election of (three) school board members for four year term vacancies on the board caused by expiration of term on the first Monday in January next following the general election as follows: Kelsey Helling 805 Karrah Oliver 866 Ashlee Anderson 801 

3. Kelsey Helling, Karrah Oliver, and Ashlee Anderson, having received the highest number of votes, are elected to four-year terms beginning the first Monday in January, 2025. 

4. The school district clerk is hereby authorized to certify the results of the election to the county auditor of each county in which the school district is located in whole or in part. (Attach Abstract and Return of Votes Cast) 

The motion for adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Holly Burkel and upon vote being taken theron, the following voted in favor: R Hanson, D Sollund, D Olson, H Burkel, S Murray, M Koland, K Oliver, and the following voted against: None 

Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted

Motion by H Burkel, second by R Hanson, to provide Kelsey Helling, Karrah Oliver, and Ashlee Anderson with Certificates of Election. UC

Motion by K Oliver, second by D Olson, to approve the change to Policy 704 Fixed Assets to raise the level of value of a fixed asset from $5,000 to $10,000. UC

Motion by K Oliver, second by H Burkel, to approve the 23-24 WBWF/CACR plan. UC

Motion by K Oliver, second by R Hanson, to approve the hiring of Lilly Duray as a paraprofessional for the 2024-2025 school year. UC

Next Regular School Board Meeting: Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at Tri County School Library in Karlstad, MN.

Motion by H Burkel, second by S Murray to adjourn. UC

 Respectfully Submitted,

Mark Koland, Board Clerk

Steve Murray, Board Chair

(January 9, 2025)