The Board of Education of Independent School District No. 299, Caledonia, Minnesota, met in a regular school board meeting in the elementary building room #162. The meeting was called to order by School Board Chair Mike Peterson at 5:35 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. The school board members present were Derek Adamson leaving at 6:40 p.m., Julie Augedahl leaving at 6:15 p.m., Chad Harms, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Mike Peterson, Spencer Yohe, and school board student representatives Phoebe Lampert and Samantha Peters. Also present were Craig Ihrke, Nathan Boler, John Wahlstrom, Gretchen Juan, Barb Meyer, Karen Schiltz, Kaitlin Longhauser, Renee Stokman, Kaylee Stokman, and Caya White.
Moved by Derek Adamson, seconded by Spencer Yohe to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Melissa Marschall, seconded by Julie Augedahl to accept the school audit report as presented by Clifton, Larson, Allen, LLP. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Derek Adamson, seconded by Leigh King to adjourn the regular school board meeting for the Truth in Taxation meeting at 6:14 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Spencer Yohe, seconded by Derek Adamson to open the Truth in Taxation meeting at 6:14 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. A Truth in Taxation Hearing was held, and a presentation was shared during this hearing. There were no community members in attendance to ask questions during the hearing. Moved by Melissa Marschall, seconded by Spencer Yohe to close the Truth in Taxation meeting at 6:22 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Derek Adamson, seconded by Leigh King to re-open the regular school board meeting at 6:22 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Melissa Marschall, seconded by Derek Adamson to adopt the final levy certification for 2026 in the amount of $2,511,818.19. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Leigh King, seconded by Julie Derek to approve the following consent agenda items: approval of November 17, 2025, Regular School Board Minutes; approve the electronic transfers and bills due and payable amounting to $748,224.96 along with electronic transfers from MSDLAF to Merchants Bank in the amount of $800,000.00; approve the 2025-2026 licensed seniority list and the 2025-2026 support staff seniority list as presented; accept the resignation of Zach Hauser as the assistant baseball coach effective immediately with thanks for his service and dedication in this role; ratify the hiring of Hailey Gavin as a full-time CAPS Care Teacher at III/6 years at $18.33 per hour beginning December 1, 2025; and approval of tasking Superintendent Ihrke with applying for another three years of permission to do a Flexible Learning Year Application. If approved, the School District would have the ability to start prior to Labor Day in the next three school calendars. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Member Spencer Yohe introduced the following Resolution Establishing Combined Polling Places for Multiple Precincts and Designating Hours During Which the Polling Places Will Remain Open for Voting for School District Elections. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Melissa Marschall and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Derek Adamson, Chad Harms, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Mike Peterson, and Spencer Yohe. The following voted against the same: None. Absent was Director Julie Augedahl. Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Member Spencer Yohe introduced the following Resolution Directing the Administration to Make Recommendations for Reductions in Programs and Positions and Reasons Thereof and moved its adoption. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Derek Adamson and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Derek Adamson, Chad Harms, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Mike Peterson, and Spencer Yohe. The following voted against the same: None. Absent was Director Julie Augedahl. Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Moved by Spencer Yohe, seconded by Derek Adamson to hold an organizational school board meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. in room #106 of the elementary building. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Leigh King, seconded by Melissa Marschall to approve the Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR) Annual Summary report as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Spencer Yohe, seconded by Derek Adamson to approve the Math Wizards advisor position. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Spencer Yohe, seconded by Mike Peterson that the Caledonia Area Public School District #299 will not permit the use of PTO, sick or vacation to supplement (“top off”) wages while employees are receiving benefits through the Minnesota Paid Leave program. Motion carried by a unanimous vote. Moved by Spencer Yohe, seconded by Chad Harms to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote.
These minutes are only a summary and complete minutes are available at the school district office or on the school district website at www.cps.k12.mn.us
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