Annual Organizational and Regular Monthly Meeting Monday, January 12, 2026 5:30 PM

Rushford-Peterson Schools Forum Room, 1000 Pine Meadows Lane, Rushford, Minnesota 55971

Chris Grindland: Present, Matt Helgemoe: Present, Jeff Michel: Present, Ken Sawle: Present, Carl Schollmeier: Present, Nancy Snyder: Absent, Amy Woxland: Present.

1.           Call to Order
2.           Pledge of Allegiance
3.           Roll Call
4.           Adoption of Agenda

Move to adopt agenda as presented. This motion, made by Ken Sawle and seconded by Jeff Michel, Passed.

5.           2026 ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING BUSINESS

5.A.        Chairperson Nominations and Election

Nominate Amy Woxland for chairperson by Chris Grindland. This motion, made by Chris Grindland and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

5.B.        Election of Officers

1.           Nominations for Vice Chairperson
2.           Nominations for Treasurer
3.           Nominations for Clerk

Nominate Chris Grindland as Vice Chairperson by Jeff Michel. This motion, made by Jeff Michel and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

Nominate Ken Sawle as Treasurer by Carl Schollmeier. This motion, made by Carl Schollmeier and seconded by Jeff Michel, Passed.

Nominate Matt Helgemoe as Clerk by Jeff Michel. This motion, made by Jeff Michel and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

5.C.        Set meeting dates and times for 2026

4.           Third Monday of the Month at 5:30PM
5.           Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – 5:30PM due to Presidents’ Day and Election Canvas

Move to set regular monthly meetings for the Third Monday of every month at 6:00PM in the forum room. February’s meeting will be moved to February 17, 2026 due to President’s Day. This motion, made by Chris Grindland and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

5.D.        Set Salaries for Board Members for 2026

The 2026 Board Member Salaries will be $1,700 per year for Chairperson, $1,250 per year for Vice Chairperson, Clerk, and Treasurer. $1,200 per year for Directors. Out-of-District meeting pay will be $35 for a half-day and $75 for a full-day. This motion, made by Chris Grindland and seconded by Matt Helgemoe, Passed.

5.E.         Name The Fillmore County Journal as the Official Newspaper of the District

Move to make Fillmore County Journal the official newspaper. This motion, made by Jeff Michel and seconded by Matt Helgemoe, Passed.

5.F.         Name Rushford State Bank as the Official Depository of the General Fund. Name Merchants Bank, Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund Plus as Deposit and Investment Accounts.

Name Rushford State Bank as the Official Depository of the General Fund. Name Merchants Bank and Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund Plus as Deposit and Investment Accounts. This motion, made by Chris Grindland and seconded by Ken Sawle, Passed.

5.G.        Name Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney as the District’s Legal Counsel.

Designate Ratwik, Roszak and Maloney as Legal Counsel. This motion, made by Chris Grindland and seconded by Jeff Michel, Passed.

5.H.        Authorize Business Manager Toni Oian, HR & Payroll Manager Megan Boyum and Superintendent Ben Bernard to invest cash reserves and make electronic transfers.

Move to authorize Business Manager, Toni Oian, HR & Payroll Manager, Megan Boyum, and Superintendent Ben Bernard to invest cash reserves and make electronic transfers. This motion, made by Jeff Michel and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

5.I.          Designate the accounting and clerical duties of Board Clerk and Board Treasurer to District Office Staff (Toni Oian, Business Manager, Megan Boyum, HR & Payroll Manger, and Jodi Peters, Administrative Assistant)

Move to designate the accounting and clerical duties of Board Clerk and Board Treasurer to District Office Staff (Toni Oian, Business Manager, Megan Boyum, HR & Payroll Manger, and Jodi Peters, Administrative Assistant). This motion, made by Chris Grindland and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

5.J.         Discuss and approve Committee Assignments and Designated Representatives

Move to keep committee assignments the same as 2025 with the exception that Ken Sawle will replace Amy Woxland on the R-P Foundation Committee. This motion, made by Jeff Michel and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

6.           Public Comments
7.           CONSENT AGENDA (roll call vote)

Approve the consent agenda items as presented. This motion, made by Ken Sawle and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

7.A.        December 15, 2025 Regular Monthly Meeting and Truth in Taxation Minutes

7.B.        Donations in the amount of $4,271.44

7.C.        Hand Payables, Wires & Payroll Liabilities in the amount of $296,621.91

7.D.        Payroll in the amount of $311,735.15

7.E.         Board Bills in the amount of $2,308,592.17

7.F.         FUND SUMMARY REPORTS

7.G.        PERSONNEL:

6.           Hires:
7.           Gabrielle Schwanke – MS/HS Paraprofessional
8.           Leave of Absence:
9.           Brenda Thelen – 1/12/26-4/3/26
10.           FUTURE BUILDING BOND UPDATE

8.A.        Building Bond Informational Meeting Schedule:

                – Wednesday 12/17/2025 at 7:00 PM at the school.

                – Wednesday 1/7/2026 at 7:00 PM at the school.

                – Wednesday 1/21/2026 at 7:00 PM at the school.

8.B.        Resolution Appointing Election Judges (Roll Call Vote)

Approve Resolution Appointing Election Judges as presented. This motion, made by Matt Helgemoe and seconded by Jeff Michel, Passed.

9.           OLD BUSINESS

9.A.        Second reading and Approval of the following policies:

Approve the second reading and adoption of the following policies: 424 – LICENSE STATUS 528 – STUDENT PARENTAL, FAMILY, AND MARITAL STATUS NONDISCRIMINATION 535 – SERVICE ANIMALS IN SCHOOLS. This motion, made by Jeff Michel and seconded by Chris Grindland, Passed.

10.         NEW BUSINESS

10.A.      First Reading of Policies:

Approve the first reading of the following policies: 701 – ESTABLISHMENT AND ADOPTION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET 701.1 – MODIFICATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET 702 – ACCOUNTING 703 – ANNUAL AUDIT 704 – DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF AN INVENTORY OF FIXED ASSETS AND A FIXED ASSET ACCOUNTING SYSTEM 705 – INVESTMENTS 706 – ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS. This motion, made by Ken Sawle and seconded by Jeff Michel, Passed.

11.         ADMIN REPORTS

11.A.      Superintendent Report

11.B.      Elementary Report

11.C.      Middle School / High School Report

11.D.      Activities & Community Education Report

11.E.      Student School Board Representative

11.F.      Student School Board Report

12.         BOARD COMMUNICATIONS

12.A.      Hiawatha Valley Education District Report

13.         INFORMATION: The next school board meeting will be Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6:00pm in the Forum Room.
14.         ADJOURNMENT

Move to adjourn at 6:02 PM. This motion, made by Jeff Michel and seconded by Carl Schollmeier, Passed.

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