Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
The Mabel-Canton School Board unanimously approved moving forward with issuing $280,000 in facilities maintenance bonds with a two-year payback during its July 21 meeting.
Superintendent Mike Harvey explained that the board first needed to approve Resolution #26-06, adopting the district’s long-term facilities maintenance (LTFM) 10-year plan, before considering Resolution #26-07, which states the district’s intent to issue facilities maintenance bonds. The board unanimously adopted the LTFM plan.
Bond Referendum Project Manager Gary Kuphal recommended that the board approve the $280,000 in facilities maintenance bonds to help cover project-related expenses, with repayment scheduled over two years.
Kuphal said the bond amount includes $165,000 for roofing expenses and $115,000 for asbestos-related expenses. He noted that the district has been using its $500,000 contingency fund, which has a remaining balance of $137,000. Kuphal said he was uncomfortable with that balance because “we still have construction going on.”
Chair Chris Miller called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. in Mrs. Peter’s science room, Room 50. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board members present were Amber Tripp, Dustin Tollefsrud, Traci Livingood, Diane Wilder, Mark Weidemann and Chair Miller. Jason Marquardt participated by phone.
The board unanimously approved the minutes from the June 16 regular school board meeting.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda, which included several routine personnel and financial items as the district prepares for the 2025-26 school year. Items approved included the 2025-26 budget, payment of bills totaling $752,108.73, the hiring of Dana Knudsen as Special Education paraprofessional, and the hiring of Amanda Siskow as junior varsity volleyball coach. The board also accepted the resignations of Lisa Halverson as District secretary and Danial Dawley as paraprofessional. Halverson’s resignation will become effective once a replacement has been found and trained. Board members expressed appreciation to Halverson for her 14 years of service to the district and also thanked Dawley for the time he has given to Mabel-Canton students.
Reports
Principal Michelle Weidemann reported that staff are working to prepare for the start of the school year, including construction-related work, ordering supplies, and securing CTE equipment. She also noted that fall sports will be starting soon and that the district still has additional hiring to complete.
Superintendent Harvey said in his first report to the board focused on getting settled into the district and meeting staff and community members. He said the summer has been unique because the building project has limited access to some areas, but he has been able to meet people little by little. Harvey said he has been impressed so far and noted that the building project is coming along well. While some parts of the building may not be ready for use right away, he said crews are expected to clean up several interior areas in the coming weeks.
Action and/or Discussion Items
•Approved the 2026-27 contract with Bernard Bus Service. The agreement includes a 2% increase, which Harvey said was not a surprise because of rising gas prices.
•Approved the 2026-27 M-C K-12 Student and Parent Handbook following its second reading and approved the 2026-27 Mabel-Canton Student and Parent Extracurricular Handbook following its second reading.
•Approved the 2026-27 fundraising list.
•Approved the 2026-27 fall coaches and year-long advisors. Principal Michelle Weidemann said the district is still looking for advisors for Drama Club, Speech, and concessions. Those openings will be advertised in the newspaper along with open teaching positions.
•Unanimously approved Resolution #26-08 on write-in votes by roll call.
•Unanimously approved the contract with Innovative Therapy Services for speech services.
•Discussed the school board election filing window and the MDE Back-to-School Conference.
•Held the first reading of Policy 524, Internet, Technology, and Cell Phone Acceptable Use and Safety Policy and held the first reading of Policy 524.5, Personal Electronic Communication Devices Policy. The change is that the section on cell phone use was deleted in Policy 524 and inserted into Policy 524.5.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
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