May 20, 2025 

Regular School Board Meeting

The Board of Education of Independent School District #238 met on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 6:00 pm in Science Room #50.

Members present in person: Chris Miller, Dustin Tollefsrud, Diane Wilder, Amber Tripp, Traci Livingood, Superintendent Gary Kuphal

Also present in person: Principal Michelle Weidemann, District Secretary Heather Kleiboer, Charlene Selbee, Sarah Holdmeyer and Jodie Zesbaugh

Present via visible-audible technology: NA

Members absent: Student Representative Rachelle Tollefsrud

Members absent: Jason Marquardt and Mark Weidemann

The meeting was called to order by Chris Miller at 6:00 pm.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Motion by Traci Livingood, second by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously, to approve the agenda with additions.

Motion by Dustin Tollefsrud, second by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously, to approve the April 15, 2025 regular meeting minutes.  

Consent Agenda:  Motion by Diane Wilder, second by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously, to approve the following, with many thanks to Sam Farnen, Kristena Guevara and Lana Hollar for all of their years of service at Mabel-Canton, and a big thank you for all of the donations. 

A.  2024-25 Budget

B.  Claims Report

C.  Resignation of Kristena Guevara, Special Education Paraprofessional 

D.  Resignation of Lana Hollar as National Honor Society

E.  Donations:

• $500 worth green screen & accessories for Media Classes donated by Aubrey Norby
• $200 to the Cheerleaders for cleaning ditches donated by the Mabel Fire Department
• $100 to the Band Department and $100 to the Choir Department donated by an anonymous donor

F. Resignation of Samuel Farnen, Instrumental Music

Reports: 

1. Student Representative Rachelle listed a rundown of recent events and upcoming activities for the next two weeks. The Elementary VIP Concert was held, and several students went on the FFA State convention trip. Congratulations to Samantha Williams for earning her State FFA Degree. The NHS held their induction ceremony for new members, and the seniors were honored at the Scholarship night. Track has performed at the True Team meet. Prom was a success, and the FFA group held a banquet to recap their year and install new members. The 6th graders attended the DARE graduation, congratulations to Libby Austin for winning the Essay contest. Track and Field day was last week as well as Baccalaureate, this Friday will be the Senior’s last day of school. Softball and Baseball are in the playoffs, there is no school on Monday, May 26th, and the last day of school will be 5/29 and will be dismissed at 12:30 pm. Graduation is Friday at 7 pm. 

2. Committees:

• Comprehensive Achievement & Civic Readiness - No Report
• Curriculum Review - No Report
• Facilities and Capital Outlay -3 items are on the agenda tonight, and there is another meeting next week.
• Policy Committee - 1 item is on the agenda tonight
• Hiawatha Valley Education District - No Report
• Southeast Service Cooperative - No Report

3. PreK-12 Principal Michelle Weidemann updated the board on the following topics: 

• Thank you to our Music Teachers Samuel Farnen and Stephanie Morken for the great spring concerts held these past few weeks. They are working to expand the arts, and were able to include a short play into the VIP program!
• End of Year High School  awards will be held next Wednesday at 10 with Graduation practice to follow. 
• Elementary End of Year awards will be next Thursday at 9 am, followed by the annual 6th grade vs. Teachers Softball game. 
• Congratulations to the current and newly inducted National Honor Society Members last week.
• Thank you to our amazing community, who contributed over $39,070 to our Seniors thru scholarships last week. 
• Thank you to our local Pastors Pam Seeback and Anders Nelson, and the Area Council of Churches for a wonderful Baccalaureate program that was held last Sunday.
• Also thank you to Sharra Liptak and the Mabel Public Library for organizing the Dazzling Dave performance! It was a fun and interesting performance that our Elementary students and community members really enjoyed. 

4. Superintendent Gary Kuphal updated the board on the following topics: 

• A handout for a MSBA calendar was provided for anyone interested. 
  • Senior Exit Interviews are in the process, he has found it interesting getting to know the senior class a little better before they graduate. Consistently, the seniors have commented on how the M-C Teachers and staff have made such a positive impact on their lives. 

Enrollment was reviewed.  

Items for Action and/or Discussion

A.   Presale Report - Jodie Zesbaugh presented on the status of the Bond Referendum, reporting positive news on lower interest rates than predicted. She noted that Bids will be accepted on June 11, 2025, and that the School board will ratify the award of sale at the June 17th board meeting. Closing dates are set for June 30th, 2025. No Action Required.

B.   Motion by Dustin Tollefsrud, seconded by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously by roll call vote to approve the Resolution Stating the Intention of the School Board to Issue General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2025A, In the Maximum Aggregate Principal Amount of $8,940,000; and Taking Other Actions with Respect Thereto   

C.   Update on Bond Project - A timeline has been laid out and Mr. Kuphal has organized 4 groups of staff to collaborate in each of the areas that will be renovated in the next construction project. Bids will go out in late fall/early winter, with plans for a majority of the work to be completed in the summer of 2025. The CTE project is planned to be completed  early in the year 2027. Committee members within these groups may plan visits to other districts to collect ideas.  

D. Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously to add .2 FTE Spanish II & .1 FTE Ag Science.

E.   Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously to renew the Cooperative Sports Agreement with Spring Grove for Girls Basketball.

F. Policy 534, School Meals Policy, 1st Reading - First Reading, no action taken.

G. Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Amber Tripp and carried unanimously to approve the Termination and Non-Renewal of the Teaching Contract of Nicky Eiken, a 1.0 FTE Probationary Teacher. This decision was made due to lack of enrollment, and has nothing to do with job performance.

H. Motion by Traci Livingood, seconded by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously to approve the Capital Outlay items:  5 fire extinguishers for $345, 12 emergency exit signs for $4,507,and roof guard railing for $4,866.

I. Motion by Dustin Tollefsrud, seconded by Traci Livingood and carried unanimously to approve the Resolution for MSHSL Membership. 

J. Motion by Traci Livingood, seconded by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously to approve te 2025-2026 School calendar.

K. Motion by Traci Livingood, seconded by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously to approve the hire of  Ruth Ann Sacquitne as a .4 FTE Literacy Coach / Instructional Coach

L. Motion by Diane Wilder, seconded by Dustin Tollefsrud and carried unanimously to approve the School Age Care Program to run during the summer of 2025. Traci Livingood abstained from this vote. 8 families have committed to this summer program, understanding that if the child count drops below 12, the program will discontinue. 

M. Motion by Traci Livingood, seconded by Diane Wilder and carried unanimously to approve the IEA Safety Contract for environmental, Health, and Safety management services for 2025-26. 

Adjournment:  Motion by Dustin Tollefsrud, second by Traci Livingood, and carried unanimously to adjourn at 7:03 pm. 

Future Meeting and Calendar Updates:

1. June 17, 2025; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
2. July 15, 2025; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm
3. August 19, 2025; School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

Jason Marquardt, Clerk___________________________________