April 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting of the School Board
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I. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
Discussion:
The Board of Education of Hermantown Independent School District No. 700 met in regular session on April 13, 2026. Chair, David Hokanson, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
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II. Mission Statement
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III. Roll Call
Discussion:
Members Present: Eric Griffith, David Hokanson, Jodi McShane, Ashley McFarland, Matthew Munger, Tim Peterson, Wayne Whitwam, Superintendent
Visitors: Sarah Turcotte, Jason Wilcox, Bill Wietman, John Wojciuk, Michael Michelizzi, Alex Olsen, Brent Chouanard-Nguyen, Cindy Vittorio, Gretchen Appelwick, Kristal Berg, Lindsey Beier, Lori Sinnott, Kristian Hartmann, John Muenich, Jesse Singer, Luke Walker, Laura Bakker, Abigail Kipka, Grace Billman, Julie Lenz, Erin McMahon, Shawna Jokinen, Connie Adamec, Claire Salo, Lorene Botten |
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IV. Approve Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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V. Approve Consent Agenda
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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V.A. Approval of Minutes of Previous Board Meeting: March 9, 2026 & March 30, 2026
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V.B. Approval and authorization of audited vouchers for payment #118572-118815 charged to the following funds, voided checks #118405, 117653, 117215, 118627, 117600, 117632 and the Bank and Electronic Transfers:
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V.C. Approval of Personnel Items
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V.D. Authorize and designate Candace Nelis to lease, purchase and contract for goods and services within the budget approved by the School Board
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V.E. Name Candace Nelis as a designated representative for the purpose of making electronic fund transfers on behalf of the School District
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VI. Resolution to Accept Donations
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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VII. Comments and Congratulations
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VII.A. Elementary, Middle, High School, and Community Education Reports
Discussion:
Muenich. Congratulations to head coach Marissa Stifter and the Speech Team for qualifying six participants for the state tournament, including Paul Marinos, Alee DeVlieger, Izzy Lampi, Tessa Sibell Scheppy, Onida Jashari, and Linnea Wentzel
Wietman. Recognized Greg Aker and Jill Hintsala for taking 8th graders to the 2026 International Festival of Minnesota to learn about different cultures. The Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) named Ginger Flohaug the 2026 Northeast Division Middle Level Assistant Principal of the Year. Appelwick. Conferences were well attended. Thank you to PTO for providing dinner. The book fair was successful. Thanks to Lisa Ball for all the organizing. We sold 2,002 items for a total of $14,066.80, which gives us $1,500 in cash and $4,023.41 in Scholastic money. Kindergarten Registration Night - Thanks to Jessica Lennartson, Julie Borgeson, Holly Martin, Kelsey Olin, Jen Larson, Grace Billman and Stacy Sosniecki for representing PTO, MaryBeth Roubik and the janitors, Jim Lennartson and Jim Hill for transportation, Lynda Nikko and her crew for food service, and Laura Meiilier for Community Ed. Berg. Awarded Voluntary Pre-K funding which was awarded last week to 15 students. Whitwam. Excited for new Director of Business Services, Candace Nelis, to start tomorrow. Recognized Eric Griffith for registering for Phase III Board training through MSBA. |
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VII.B. Elk's Senior Students of the Month: Lillian Clemons & Nicholas Lane
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VIII. Recognition of Visitor Business
Discussion:
No Visitor Business.
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IX. Administrative Report
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IX.A. Shawna Jokinen - Arena Update
Discussion:
Shawna Jokinen gave an update on behalf of the Arena Legacy Fund regarding NorthStar Ford Arena, including the Grand Opening Weekend, positive feedback from the community, sponsors of the arena, Legacy Board member terms, and advertising agreements.
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X. Correspondence
Discussion:
No Correspondence.
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XI. Superintendent's Discussion Items
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XI.A. Enrollment Update
Discussion:
Up three students from the last meeting.
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XI.B. Legislative Update
Discussion:
Legislation in Minnesota is moving toward a potential November 2026 ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to change how the Permanent School Fund (derived from public trust lands like timber and mining) is invested, aimed at increasing funds by roughly $35 per pupil. There is also a hearing tomorrow on Special Education cuts.
PSEO notification or timeline - there is no partner bill |
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XI.C. Online School
Discussion:
Currently researching what it would take to add an online school for Fall of 2027.
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XI.D. Other
Discussion:
Concerns have been brought forward by a staff member about the culture in the middle school. A third-party investigation will begin next week. A bigger climate survey will be happening in the next phase.
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XII. Committee Reports
Discussion:
McShane. Legacy Fund met and discussed scholarship applications. Awards Day is June 1 for Hermantown seniors.
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XIII. Old Business
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XIII.A. Parking Lot
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.B. District School Nurse Job Description
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.C. District Policy Updates #102, 214, 401, 402, 406, 410, 412, 413, 417, 418
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIII.D. Extended Leave of Absence of Brent Chouanard-Nguyen
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XIII.E. Extended Leave of Absence of Angela Sandoval
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XIV. New Business
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XIV.A. Approve the MSDLAF/U.S. Bank Master Services Agreement and Appendix A-1 New Account/Change in Authorized Account Signers:
General Fund/Dental Fund/Health Fund/ACH Account remove Lance Takkunen and add Candace Nelis, Director of Business Services (action requested)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIV.B. Remove Lance Takkunen as account signer at North Shore Bank of Commerce, Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund, Centricity Credit Union, and PMA MN Trust and add Candace Nelis, Director of Business Services (action requested)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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XIV.C. Activities Director Job Description
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XIV.D. New Position Request for 1.0 FTE High School English Teacher
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XIV.E. New Position Request for Robotics Assistant Coach
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XIV.F. New Position Request for 0.4 FTE CTE Coordinator
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XIV.G. Middle School Success Teacher Job Description
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XIV.H. New Position Request for Middle School Success Teacher
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XV. Adjournment
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
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