Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, August 18 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and led with the Pledge of Allegiance. All board members, principals John Wahlstrom and Nathan Boler, Superintendent Craig Ihrke, and Community Education Director Gretchen Juan were present.
No Warrior Pride, Board Showcase, or Public Comment took place.
Student School Board Representative Samantha Peters shared that Monday, August 18 had been the first day of school for the middle/high school. Sports such as volleyball, football, and soccer had begun. In addition, the upperclassmen had started preparing to begin their college courses.
The Consent Agenda received unanimous approval which included the resignation of Amy Stracener as a full-time special education paraprofessional. Also included were the following hires – Kailee Olerud as a full-time elementary student services teacher, Jeanine Johnson as a full-time Secretary II, Hayden Arians as a full-time CAPS Care teacher, and Shawn Bauer as junior high girls soccer coach. A number of full-time special education paraprofessionals also joined the team which included Barbara Wing, Robin Kuennen, Sandra Boenigk, Suzanne Wolff, Teyanna Ross, Autumn Beach, Katie Tornstrom, Katie Schleich, Dionne Schoh and Jadi Heaney.
Middle/high school Principal Boler informed everyone that day, August 18, had been the first day of school with the day being a busy one. Last week was in-service for the staff, which included trainings and lunches. Boler commented on the AI training in that “it was really good!” Board member Spencer Yohe questioned Boler about the high number of special education paraprofessional being hired. Elementary Principal Wahlstrom responded in that the amount of hires is high but there is a high need. Boler stated he met with Clover Schmitt, a director of Special Education, where IEPs were looked at to ensure the district was fully staffed.
Wahlstrom briefly shared that Monday and Tuesday were assessment days with the elementary school’s first official start date being Wednesday, August 20.
Community Education Director Juan shared that last Tuesday had been the preschool’s open house. She commented, “It was really good to meet all the parents.” Juan informed one new teacher is hired for the daycare, one staff will be going on maternity leave, and there had been an annual staff training.
Superintendent Ihrke and Business Finance manager, Barb Meyer provided their administrative reports briefly.
Old Business
Peterson stated that Goal #3 for the Strategic Plan included that CAPS students be involved in one service project during the school year. He added that there was a good head start on that. Principal Boler chimed in, the sixth grade class will do monthly contact with Claddagh Senior Living residents in the form of letters or in-person visits. Boler had reached out to Brownsville and Eitzen for ideas to keep things local. Boler noted he had a few leads but nothing locked in yet.
Peterson updated everyone about the HVED (Hawiatha Valley Education District) project in Winona, Minn. January 2026 is the expected move-in timeline with the project being two years behind schedule. Peterson informed that the mall has been found to have a leaking roof with mold in the walls. Board member Leigh King asked about obtaining a copy of the purchase agreement.
New Business
Board members, principals, and Ihrke discussed the current pay for licensed and non-licensed substitutes. Ihrke said local schools are outpacing the district in pay. Derek Adamson asked what the average pay rate for the local schools was, to which Ihrke responded roughly $150 a day for a substitute teacher. After the discussion the board considered to raise the substitute rate for teachers from $135 to $150 a day, with retired teachers earning $160 a day. The non-licensed substitute rate raised from $14.25 to $15 an hour, with retired non-licensed substitutes earning $16 per hour. Peterson noted to get the figures ironed out and put on the next Agenda.
With no other topics of discussion, the board meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
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