Legal Notice
REGULAR MEETING
Board of Education
September 16, 2024
Ind. School District 739, Kimball, Minn.
Chair K. Helgeson opened the meeting at 6 p.m. with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Motion by Mahlum, seconded by Lindberg, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0.
Janel Bitzen of berganKDV reported on the recently completed FY24 Audit as a clean audit with no material findings. She complimented the District team who worked with the auditors.
Kyle Christensen and Austin Ruehle shared plans for new bleachers and landscaping at the city ball field. Kimball Baseball Association has been formed to represent the four users and contributors to the ball field: City of Kimball, Express Baseball, summer Babe Ruth, and Kimball Area High School. A meeting will be set up jointly with school administration to discuss possible funding options for a portion of this project.
Faith Ford, Food Service Director with Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE), shared meal counts for the ’23-’24 school year as well as new plans for the ’24-’25 school year. These include highlighting local vendors such as Schiefelbein Farms, Red Head Creamery, Stoney Creek Dairy, Knaus Sausage House, and -Trident/Fruit Alive. Also the addition of hydroponic gardens at the elementary, which first grade will oversee.
Celebrations and successes of students and staff included a thank you from Mr. Widvey to the office staff involved in the annual audit prep. It is a stressful couple of weeks leading up to, during, and the week or so following the audit. Also a shout out to all students PreK-12 as well as staff for the smooth start to the school year despite the final touches of construction needing to be completed.
Motion by Gallagher, seconded by E. Helgeson, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried 6-0. The Consent Agenda included:
• Approve minutes from the August 19, 2024, Regular meeting.
• Approval of Bills.
• Treasurer’s Report.
• Accept resignation of Brock Schindele, High School Custodian, effective September 13, 2024.
• Accept resignation of Cassandra Gipson, Elementary Paraprofessional, effective September 6, 2024.
• Approve leave of absence request received from Nicole Holthaus beginning on or about September 3, 2024, returning October 16, 2024.
• Approve Contract hiring Megan Ramola, Technology Director effective September 3, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
• Approve hiring Tate Lilienthal, Teacher, Grade 6, at MA, Step 5 of the Master Agreement, for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Approve hiring Sheri -Kunrath, Teacher, ELL/Kindergarten, at MA, Step 10 of the Master Agreement, for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Approve hiring John Brau, Elementary/Phy Ed Paraprofessional, at Category III, Step 1 of the ESP Agreement, beginning August 27, 2024.
• Approve hiring Erica Bunke, High School Paraprofessional, at Category III, Step 2 of the ESP Agreement, beginning August 27, 2024.
• Approve hiring Linda Rosenow, Elementary Paraprofessional, at Category III, Step 3 of the ESP Agreement, beginning August 27, 2024.
• Approve hiring Barb Waldorf, Pre K Paraprofessional, at Category III, Step 1 of the ESP Agreement, beginning August 27, 2024.
• Approve hiring Alayna Stevens-King, Part-Time Elementary Custodian, at Category II, Step 5 of the Non-Licensed Agreement, beginning August 27, 2024.
• Approve hiring Stephanie Huhn, Elementary Paraprofessional at Category III, Step 4 of the ESP Agreement, beginning September 5, 2024.
• Approve hiring Danyelle Rossman, Preschool Paraprofessional at Category III, Step 1 of the ESP Agreement, beginning September 6, 2024.
• Approve hiring Katelyn Loechler, Preschool Paraprofessional at Category III, Step 1 of the ESP Agreement, beginning September 5, 2024.
• Approve termination of Erica Bunke, High School Paraprofessional, effective September 3, 2024.
• Approve 2024-2026 Contract with Clay Anderson, Activities Director.
• Approve Contract effective July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024, with Barb Froehling, Technology Director.
• Approve fall coaching assignments: Football, Junior High, Tony LaValle; Volleyball, 8th Grade, Kim Pelzer.
• Adopt Resolution Accepting Donations.
Mrs. Bonnifield reported the following:
• Happenings around the building during the first weeks of school.
• Design Den development.
• New Science spaces.
• New FACS space.
• 6th-grade Recess – daily.
• Kimball Cubs Cookbook.
• Early field trips for Seniors to the Career Fair, Juniors to College Fair and EPIC, Sophomores to Ignite.
Mr. Timmerman reported the following:
• Great food service staff as well as the food.
• Custodians Jake and Eric, as well as staff, worked hard the week leading up to school starting to get everything in place.
• K-5 enrollment is at 332.
• LETRS update.
• Upcoming schedule.
• Picture days.
Mr. Widvey reported the following:
• Construction Update – punch list items remaining.
• Parking Lot – lights to be installed late November.
• Elementary enrollment at 332; high school at 416; plus preschool.
• Chromebook Fees.
• Digital Trophy Case.
Member Gallagher reported on Benton-Stearns Education District.
Motion by Lundberg, seconded by Mahlum, to approve the FY24 Audit as presented. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion by Libbesmeier, seconded by E. Helgeson, to approve the Amended and Restated District Agreement for Benton-
Stearns Education District. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion by E. Helgeson, seconded by Lindberg, to Certify the Maximum for the 2024 Payable 2025 Levy. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion by Libbesmeier, seconded by Mahlum, to approve closing the Class of 2026 Student Activity Account, rolling remaining funds into the Junior Class account. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion by E. Helgeson, seconded by Mahlum, to approve policies 400, 401, 401.1, 401.2, 401.3, 402, 402.1, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 412, 412.1, 416, 417, 418, 419/920, 420, 420.1/530.1, 421, 423, 424, 425, 501, 502, 503, 507, 509, and 620. Motion carried 6-0.
Next School Regular School Board Meeting October 21, at 6 p.m.
Motion by Lindberg, seconded by E. Helgeson, to adjourn: 7:38 p.m.
Mike Gallagher, Clerk
Published in the Tri-County News Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.