November 13, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting of the School Board

Discussion:  The Board of Education of Hermantown Independent School District No. 700 met in regular session on November 13, 2023. Chair, Heather Holst, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Discussion: 

• Muenich. Congratulated Scott Larson, yearbook class teacher, as Jostens recognized our yearbook in their 2023 National Yearbook of Excellence honorees.
• Appelwick. Thanked the parents and community members that donated to the very successful Elementary fundraiser. We raised over $43,000.  Thanked Holly Martin for being the point person and for all the staff for their flexibility throughout the fundraiser. Also, thanked the PTO for supporting our efforts and now supporting our students and staff with the money raised.
  We have the STEMpathy career fair coming up on Thursday. Third and fourth grade students will get to walk around different exhibits and learn more about careers in the STEM field.  This is a collaborative effort between our counselors and our tech and STEM people.  Thank you to Jen Larson, Kelsey Olin, Pam Samec, John Wojciuk, and Andy Olson for all their work in organizing this event.
• Wietman. Congratulated Becca Schmidt and the middle school math league on three first-place finishes and four individuals in the top 10.
  Recognized Melanie Olson for the middle school book fair that made over $4000. 
• Berg. Thanked preschool teachers for conferences last week and thanked every parent that was able to come and connect. 
• Whitwam. Thanked all who continue to work on the strategic plan and participate in the subcommittee meetings.   
• McFarland. Congratulated two girls swimmers, Ava Niksich and Norah Gunderson, on qualifying for State. 
• Peterson. Congratulated the Proctor Hermantown bowling team for qualifying for State. 

Discussion:  Wyatt Picconatto & Chelsea Holt

Discussion: 

• Mary Beth Moline spoke about paraprofessional wages. 
• Lindsay Beier spoke about meetings. 
• Trina LeGarde spoke on paraprofessional substitute shortages and noncompetitive wages and benefits.  
• Linda Hare spoke about workload increase. 
• Kim Johnson spoke about living wages. 

Discussion:  No Correspondence.

Discussion:  Enrollment is at 2,062, which is down about 20 from where we are budgeted. All grade levels closed except second grade and fifth grade. 

Discussion:  Whitwam sat in on the City of Hermantown meeting while they talked about the Arena changes. The new arena project is about 5 million dollars over budget. They have cut the road and the trail from the parking lot to Hawk Circle Dr. We are going to need to see if it is possible to use the south side of the bus garage for parking. Will get this building, but there is already a parking shortage. City asked about the possibility of the School Board helping to pay for the two varsity lockers rooms? What does help look like? Since our girls and boys are the only ones that get to use them. The team will still be playing games on the new sheet of ice. School will get a say in what 'completion' means in the easement and in the ownership. 

Discussion:  Notes are on the website. Next meeting is tomorrow morning at 7:15 a.m. 

Discussion:  Reminded the board about the MSBA Leadership Conference. 

Discussion:  Holst and Whitwam. Held a curriculum meeting on Oct. 25. Mike Pothast went over the curriculum adoption process. He also set up a schedule of  when and where he would be meeting with groups. Looked into strategic plan items that go along with curriculum.