The special meeting of the Rushford-Peterson School District #239 was called to order by Chairperson Chris Grindland at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in the Rushford-Peterson Schools Forum Room, 1000 Pine Meadows Lane, Rushford, MN 55971 for the purpose of conducting the first round of interviews for the Superintendent position.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Members Present: Chris Grindland, Matt Helgemoe, Joyce Iverson (Via ZOOM from Colorado), Jeff Michel, Ken Sawle, Carl Schollmeier and Amy Woxland
Members absent: None
District Personnel: Laura Hahn
Chairperson Grindland added the following items relating to the Superintendent search to the agenda: Candidate Selection, Salary Discussion and Delegate authority to the Negotiations Committee to negotiate a contract.
Motion by Michel, seconded by Sawle to adopt the agenda. Motion carries unanimously.
5:00 p.m. – Interviewed Benjamin Bernard
Motion by Michel, seconded by Woxland to recess the meeting until 6:15 p.m. Motion carries unanimously.
Motion by Woxland, seconded by Michel to continue the special meeting at 6:15 p.m. Motion carries unanimously.
6:15 p.m. – Interviewed William Walters
Motion by Schollmeier, seconded by Michel to recess the meeting until 7:30 p.m. Motion carries unanimously.
Motion by Woxland, seconded by Schollmeier to continue the special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Motion carries unanimously.
7:30 p.m. – Interviewed Dan Blankenship
Motion by Schollmeier, seconded by Michel to recess the meeting for 30 minutes at 8:14 p.m. Motion carries unanimously.
Motion by Helgemoe, seconded by Michel to continue the special meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion carries unanimously.
Following the board’s deliberation, Jeff Michel made the following motion; I move to extend the offer of an employment contract for the position of Superintendent to Benjamin Bernard contingent upon the following; that a mutually agreeable employment contract is negotiated and a criminal background check is completed and the results are acceptable to the school. The motion was seconded by Matt Helgemoe. With a roll call vote of 7:0, motion carries unanimously.
In the event that Benjamin Bernard declines the offer, a second motion was made as follows:
Motion by Michel, seconded by Schollmeier to extend the offer of an employment contract for the position of Superintendent to Craig Ihrke contingent upon the following; that a mutually agreeable employment contract is negotiated and a criminal background check is completed and the results are acceptable to the school. With a roll call vote of 7:0, motion carries unanimously.
The board discussed the possibility of having a salary cap. The boards consensus was to leave the salary negotiations up to the negotiations team. No action was taken.
Motion by Woxland, seconded by Schollmeier to delegate authority to the Negotiations Committee to negotiate a contract for the new Superintendent. Motion carries unanimously.
Moved by Woxland, seconded by Michel to adjourn the special meeting at 9:27 p.m. Motion carries unanimously.
Chris Grindland, Chairperson
Matt Helgemoe, Clerk
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