May 28, 2024 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 May 28, 2024. Chair, Heather Holst, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Discussion:  MEMBERS PRESENT: Lindsay Clauson, Heather Holst, David Hokanson, Ashley McFarland, Matthew Munger, Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent, Lance Takkunen, Director of Business Services 

VISITORS: Sarah Turcotte, Jason Wilcox, Nicole Minnehan, Bill Wietmanm, Kammi Wietman, Katie Marciniak, Helena Parranto, Preston Lowe, Sadie Kukowski, Emily Corrin, Jessica Williams, Nancy Anderson, Josh Bellamy, Emily Bellamy, Stephanie Youngman, Natalia Benson, Gretchen Appelwick, Laura Bakker, John Muenich, Aly Halverson, Dana Carlson, Melanie Olson, Jamillah Sleiman, Ashley Braun, Kelsey Olin, Jen Larson, Alex Olsen, Lynda Nikko, Nicole Burrows

Discussion:  Appelwick. Thanked Lisa Ball for the book fair organization and parents for showing their support. Recognized Kindergarten teachers, paras, and Claire Scharfenberg, the music teacher, for their work on kindergarten graduation and a thank you to the middle school for the use of the lecture hall. The 4th grade students, teachers, Joe Borak, Chris Pederson, Katie Ekholm and the parent chaperones leave for Wolf Ridge tomorrow and will return Friday. It is a big undertaking to make this happen, and we are looking forward to a successful trip.  
Wietman. Thanked the Middle School staff who worked hard to put together the talent show, kickball tournament and other activities for the last day of school. 
Whitwam. Thanked all of the substitutes that worked in all area of the district throughout the school year.  
Munger. Gave kudos to teachers and support staff for Kindergarten graduation. 

Discussion:  No Visitor Business. 

Discussion:  Whitwam. Received an email about the baseball schedule and how the team was not able to get in the maximum number of games this season. The correspondence is asking that we hit that 20-game max in the future to the best of our ability. 

Discussion:  Ashley Braun spoke on behalf of the counseling department regarding programming with the addition of a full-time counselor for the 2023-24 school year. She also reflected on the team's five-year plan. 

Discussion:  Down three students from April 1-May 1. 

Discussion:  Discussed current numbers for next school year. Had discussion regarding bringing in two freshmen and one fifth grader for open enrollment. Also, discussed with the Board the possibility of closing all grades to opening enrollment until August. 

Discussion:  READ Act. 

Discussion:  Peterson. Attended the Hermantown Arena Board Meeting. Putting the framing up to temporarily move the chiller to the opposite side of the arena. Whitwam received blueprints for the new arena. The new chiller is set to arrive on June 10. New roof able to handle solar panels? Snow load on existing roof? The southwest corner will need to be shoveled. 
CTE. Proctor received $170,000 to expand CTE to include Hermantown and Esko. Will need to go to legislature to see how it will work. 
Holst and Clauson met with Mike Pothast regarding curriculum. AI and Twig supplies came in. Everyone is excited. ELA standards will be in the pilot stages next year. Chemistry and physics will get curriculum next year. Hybrid classes. CTE grants and coordinator.