Cougar Pride Noted by Supt. Kuphal

The Mabel-Canton School Board thanked Superintendent Gary Kuphal for his nine years of service as his final board meeting as superintendent came to a close during the June 16 school board meeting.

Prior to the meeting, board members were invited to go on a tour of the building to see the work completed so far.

Chairman Chris Miller called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. in Mrs. Peter’s science room, Room 50, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Board members present at the meeting were Dustin Tollefsrud, Traci Livingood, Diane Wider, Mark Weidemann, and Miller. Jason Marquardt and Amber Tripp were not in attendance.

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, including the 2025-26 budget, claims, and several annual authorizations. These included authorizing the Business Manager, School Board Treasurer, and/or Superintendent Mike Harvey to make wire transfer of funds for purpose of reinvestments; authorizing the business manager and/or superintendent to issue checks, electronic fund transfers and wire transfers; authorizing for the business manager and/or superintendent to invest funds not needed for current expenses; authorizing the business offices, principal and/or superintendent to sign activity fund checks, with signatures required for withdrawals; and authorizing the business office and/or superintendent to execute and file applications for state and federally funded programs

The board also accepted the resignation of Brooklyn Werner as junior high softball coach, approved the hiring of Laura Vatland as junior varsity girls basketball coach and Jeff Rein as junior high girls basketball coach, and accepted the resignation of Chloe Bergo as special education paraprofessional.

Reports were given by Principal Michelle Weidemann and Superintendent Gary Kuphal. Weidemann congratulated the class of 2026, emphasizing that all the seniors graduated. She also praised Tyler, valedictorian, and Isaac, salutatorian for doing a fantastic job with their speeches and to the school’s band and choir for their outstanding performances.

In other business,

•Approved the 2026-27 preliminary budget;

•Designated Superintendent Mike Harvey as the official with authority to access the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) website;

•Approved the annual Q-Comp report to the board as presented by Susie Munroe;

•Approved resolution #26-06 for the annua membership in the Minnesota State High School League;

•Took no action as it is the first readings of Policy 503, student attendance, M-C Student and Parent Handbook, K-12, and M-C Canton Student and Parent Extracurricular Handbook;

•Approved $11,000 for Gary Kuphal as compensation for his work as bond referendum project manager. This position was included in the bond package and will not come from the general fund;

•No action taken as the school has not received contact for the school’s new business manager.

•Noted no action needed; the city has ordered a 500 kVA electrical transformer line extension project at the school which will be paid for by the school and owned by the city. It will take an estimated 10 weeks to come in. Kuphal said there might not be air conditioning in the gym at the beginning of the school year.

The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m. Following the adjournment, Chairman Chris Miller spoke in recognition of Kuphal’s final meeting as Mabel-Canton superintendent. Kuphal praised the communities of Mabel and Canton, as well as the parents, staff, and students, and said he was proud of Mabel-Canton.