At the August 13, 2025, meeting school board meeting, board members Josh Thompson, Tom Keefe, Katie Priebe and Mark Johnsrud were present. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Shane McBroom, elementary principal and Eric Nelson, high school principal. Board members David Sowinski and Jill Harstad were not present.
Reports
Principal McBroom shared the names of the three new staff members. They are Jessica Kral, elementary special education and first grade teachers, Claire McGinn and April McBroom. Back to school conferences will be on the Thursday before Labor Day and the Tuesday after Labor Day. Both Harris and McBroom also thanked the CEF (Chatfield Education Foundation) for the work they put in on the ATV ride and their continued support for Chatfield Schools.
High school principal Eric Nelson stated that this school year the high school retained all of its teachers which sets the building up for a great deal of continuity from last year. This year 38 CHS juniors and seniors will be taking classes through Minnesota State Community and Technical Colleges (M State) eCHS program. This program offers virtual post-secondary courses to students throughout Minnesota. Taking courses through M State as opposed to regional online PSEO providers will save the district about $100 per credit hour, or $300-400 per course. Courses begin September 2 instead of the typical August start date for other PSEO providers. He presented the winter gym schedule protocol that is a plan for gym usage which was shared with the Board Activities Committee meeting before the board meeting. The plan focuses on the challenges the school is seeing with limited gym space, particularly in the period of November through March. The plan prioritizes competition and events along with 7-12 athletics training but still offers opportunities for other users.
Referring to his 2025-2026 superintendent goals, Harris gave an update on the 10-year facility maintence/update plan. He will be consulting with ISG for facilitation services and has started an outline of projects that will be the basis for planning. He will also be reviewing the format and effectiveness of head coach and activity director evaluation practices.
Consent Items
The board approved the following items:
- Minutes of the July 9 meeting and special meeting;
- New hires: Madison Scheevel, ninth grade volleyball coach; Jeremy Daggett, eighth grade boys basketball coach;
- Resignations: Cailey Rindels, ninth grade volleyball coach; Jon Sutherland, JV softball coach;
- Job postings: ninth grade volleyball coach;
- The high school and elementary student handbooks and the high school discipline matrix;
- Leave of absences for: Kelsey Lueck, Katie Meyer and Angie Brogan for maternity leave from September to December;
- Long term substitutes: Kate Johnson, Hallie Larson and Brittany Agrimson;
- CCTV contracts: Damon Lueck, CCTV Director; Andy O’Connor, CCTV Coordinator/Volunteer Coordinator for football; Lynda Karver CCTV Volunteer Coordinator for fine arts and public meetings and Elizabeth Allen, CCTV Volunteer Coordinator for volleyball;
- Winter assistant coaches: Ryan Kivimagi, Josh Whalen and Jon Sutherland – girls basketball; Damien Nickelsen, Scott Schmaltz, Jeff DeBuhr and Josh Berhow – boys basketball; Sean Trewin, Chad Curry, Jason Goetzinger and Savannah Vold- wrestling; and Kyra Throckmorton and Kayle Bernau – dance.
Discussion items
A discussion was held about who will operate the concessions since the junior class no longer will need the funds. Superintendent Harris said that this is still in the planning stages but will offer it to all clubs, teams and school programs, etc. This will be firmed up once all the details and options are finished.
Action items
Under action items the board approved the 2025 MSBA Updates (Technical) and the 2025 MSBA Updates (Substantive), activity fund raisers, and 2024-2025 donations. They set the Truth in Taxation Hearing date for December 10, 2025 at 7 p.m. and removed Policy 617 School District Ensurance of Preparatory and High School Financing. The state repealed the legislation that this policy was intended to support. It is no longer on the MSBA website. Lastly, they approved the Reimbursement Resolution for Lease Financing. This resolution provides an opportunity for the district to recapture operating capital funds spent on the press box project when the track is resurfaced; specifically, the replacement of the fence and the installation of the walkway. This resolution will remain effective for FY26 and FY27. The amount of recapture is up to $48,000.
The meeting was adjourned.
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