Photo by Kaitlin Longhauser
Caledonia Area Public School board members met Monday, December 16 at Caledonia Elementary School in room #162. Board member Mike Peterson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m., led with the Pledge of Allegiance, then conducted roll call. Board members present included Derek Adamson, Tim Gunn, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Daniel Small, Spencer Yohe and Peterson himself. School district employees present included Superintendent Craig Ihrke, Middle/High School Principal Nathan Boler, and Elementary Principal John Wahlstrom. Community Education Director Gretchen Juan was absent.
Board member Yohe moved, seconded by Adamson, to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
The board graciously approved two generous monetary donations, one in Memory of Curtis Schroeder the First President of the Caledonia Chapter FFA, and the other from Ring & Run. The Curtis Schroeder donation will be applied towards the student FFA activity account while the Ring & Run donation will be applied to the Milk Fund and library.
A representative from Clifton, Larson Allen, LLP briefly joined the board meeting virtually to discuss the school district’s audit report. “Thank you all for having me this evening,” the representative started off with. Caledonia Area Public School district was given a clean audit. Board member Adamson moved, seconded by Marschall, to accept the school audit report as presented. Motion unanimously carried.
The Truth in Taxation Hearing for the 2025 budget and levy was discussed. Board member Peterson moved, seconded by Small, to adopt the final levy certification for 2025 in the amount of $2,511,818.15. Motion unanimously carried.
No participants spoke during Public Comment.
The Consent Agenda received full board approval with one item in the consent agenda-#902 Approval of the Use of School District Facilities and Equipment Policy being moved to Action Item C. Items that received approval on the Consent Agenda included:
• Minutes from the November 18 regular board meeting.
• 2024-2025 licensed seniority list and 2024-2025 support staff seniority list.
• The request to have Spencer Hackler designated as the district’s LEA Representative for special education meetings.
• Resignation of Ryan Pitts as assistant football coach and Tricia Babinski as assistant school musical advisor.
• The hiring of Fisher Klatt as the Juvenile Detention Center teacher at $27,242.25 beginning December 6, 2024. In addition, the hiring of Maggie Gillespie as a full-time special education paraprofessional beginning December 16, 2024.
Next, the board moved onto the three Action Items. Action Items A and B received unanimous approval.
In regards to Action Item C, #902 Use of School District Facilities and Equipment Policy, board member Gunn addressed his concerns. He said he was concerned about the hourly fees and with nonprofits having to pay an hourly fee to use the tax funded facility. Peterson brought up the fee chart so all board members present could see the amounts listed. In order to rent a classroom, the hourly fee would cost $8. However, to rent the school auditorium or gymnasium the hourly fee would cost $25. The board decided to table this item until January’s meeting; this way the district’s Community Education Director, Juan, can provide more information.
Administrative Reports
Middle/High School Principal Boler shared that term 2/semester 1 is coming to an end. Boler continues to work on evaluations and on the master schedule for the next school year.
Principal Wahlstrom gave a shout out to Heidi Myhre, the elementary school’s music teacher. Myhre worked with elementary students to put on a Christmas concert. Wahlstrom acknowledged that it takes creativity to come up with the songs and skits for kids to do. Wahlstrom moved on to share how the elementary school held dress-up days to show holiday spirit. The staff took part in undercover dress-up days where staff would wear certain colors or themes without letting students know beforehand. The 4th and 5th grade students caught on. Wahlstrom shared, “It was a blast!”
Superintendent Ihrke presented his report. Ihrke briefly discussed a recent water main situation that occurred but was thankfully resolved quickly.
Ihrke and other superintendents met with Minnesota State Representative Greg Davids a couple of weeks ago to discuss childcare and the PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Options) program. PSEO is a program that allows high school students to earn college credits while still in high school. Some students have informed that the PSEO classes are easier compared to high school courses. Some students have also informed that PSEO courses did not prepare them for actual college courses down the road. Board member King chimed in to state that some colleges do not even accept PSEO credits earned as college credits. One of the student school board representatives shared that if a student attends college out of state then those credits will less likely transfer. Wahlstrom added that with AP (Advanced Placement) courses, a student had to pass an exam in order to receive college credit.
Prior to the board meeting’s adjournment, board members thanked member Small for his service. “Thank you very much for your service!” said Superintendent Ihrke. Small expressed, “It’s been a privilege to work with all of you.” Small stated he has enjoyed his five years serving on the Caledonia Area Public Schools school board.
The board meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
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