Caledonia Public School District’s board members met Monday, September 15 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Boardmember Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call. All board members were present except for Chad Harms. District employees present included Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Principals John Wahlstrom and Nathan Boler, and Community Education Director Gretchen Juan.
Peterson warmly welcomed Phoebe Lampert, the new junior class student school board representative. The current senior class representative is Samantha Peters.
Adamson moved, seconded by Marschall to adopt the Agenda. Motion carried.
The board graciously accepted a number of generous donations from the following: Mat Club’s monetary donation for the purchase of singlets, a standup desk from Emplify Health, LifeVac Choking Device Kits from Carol Lynch, and Eitzen Lions Club’s monetary donation towards the Eagle Bluff field trip.
No Board Showcase or Public Comment took place.
The student school board representatives shared a brief update. Lampert introduced herself as a junior who is part of a variety of activities such as track, soccer, the Knowledge Bowl, and band. Peters informed that fall sports is going on. Thursday, September 18 will be Caledonia Middle/High School’s Career Fair held in the back parking lot. In addition, homecoming is approaching.
The board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda as there were no questions or concerns. The following received approval:
- Licensed staff substitute rates will increase to $150 per full day, while half-day rates will increase to $75. Retired CAPS teachers, and licensed substitutes who have worked more than 20 days with the district will then receive a rate of $160 per full day, and $80 per half day. These new rates take effect September 15, 2025.
- Support staff substitute hourly rates will increase to $14.75 per hour. Retired CAPS support staff, and other substitutes who have worked with the district more than 20 days will the receive $15.50 per hour. These new rates take effect September 15, 2025.
- The resignation of Paige Carmack as a CAPS Care aide and Robin Kuennen as a special education paraprofessional.
- The hiring of Dale Stafslien as a musical assistant, Noelle Crawford as a CAPS Care float aide, and Danielle Weber, Colten Welsh and Jordan Tornstrom as special education paraprofessionals.
Middle/High School Principal Boler updated everyone about the Career Fair being held at the Middle/High School on Thursday, as student school board representative Peters mentioned earlier. Boler acknowledged that 600 kids will be coming to Caledonia. The Career Fair will have 41 businesses/booths. “It’s a great opportunity for our kids to see what’s available locally,” shared Boler. Each year the school holds this event. Boler moved on to inform that homecoming will be held next week with the homecoming parade being held, Friday, September 26 at 2 p.m. Apart from events, the school’s benchmark report came out with scores revealing where the district is at for reading, math and science. The math and science data go in depth.
Elementary Principal Wahlstrom stated fun things have been going on at the elementary school. Students got to visit the school forest. Wahlstrom highlighted fifth grade teacher Emily Engan’s lesson for 9/11. The class learned of Welles Crowther – the “Man in the Red Bandana.” In addition, students got to walk up/down 17 flights of stairs. Wahlstrom informed that by the next board meeting, parent teacher conferences will have been held. He also gave a friendly shoutout to the new teachers and new staff in, “Everybody’s going above and beyond.”
Old Business
Peterson gladly shared the Strategic Plan now has an official action plan. He acknowledged this to be a big project and to follow through with it to see where it takes us.
There was no New Business or Board Member Reports.
The board closed the regular meeting around 6 p.m. then entered a closed session at appoximately 6:15 p.m. to discuss potential bond projects and the financing involved. The closed session ended at 7:52 p.m. with the regular meeting reopened and ajourning at 7:53 p.m.
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