During the second quarter of each school year, the Mabel-Canton School Board hosts a joint board meeting with the Mabel and Canton city councils. This year, the joint board meeting was held on Tuesday, December 2, at the Mabel-Canton High School.
The joint board meeting is an initiative implemented during Superintendent Gary Kuphal’s tenure at M-C. At the end of each joint board meeting, Kuphal asks attendees if they would like to hold another joint board meeting in 2026. Once again, all those in attendance agreed that it is a worthwhile meeting and should be held again next year.
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Chairperson Chris Miller. With a quorum of school board members present, Miller asked for a motion to approve the agenda, which was unanimously approved.
Superintendent Kuphal thanked everyone for attending. From the city of Mabel were City Clerk Karen Larson and Councilmember Valeria Arnold. Representing the city of Canton was City Clerk Anne Koliha. Mabel-Canton school board members in attendance included Mark Weidemann, Diane Wilder, Chris Miller, Dustin Tollefsrud and Amber Tripp. Also in attendance were PreK-12 Principal Michelle Weidemann and Superintendent Kuphal.
Topics of discussion included the M-C construction bond referendum, M-C solar project, the superintendent position, and street projects in both Mabel and Canton.
Superintendent Kuphal explained that while it may appear as if nothing is happening with the school’s construction project, much is occurring behind the scenes. The school is currently in the design and development phase. Superintendent Kuphal and Principal Weidemann have been meeting every two weeks with both Kraus-Anderson, the construction team, and ISG, the architecture firm. Four groups comprised of school staff members have been meeting to discuss the redesign of the lobby, boys and girls locker rooms, special education rooms, and the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) addition. The group took a short, guided tour to hear about the proposed changes to the school’s entrance, ag shop, and hallway, plus the group also got to view the architectural drawings. They also saw the flooring and paint colors that had been selected. Bids should be going out in the next two weeks, with bids expected to be opened in February. Construction is scheduled to start next summer, with the possibility of some work being started in the spring if weather permits.
Chairperson Miller said it is “exciting to see all this stuff.”
Superintendent Kuphal gave a quick update on the school’s solar project, explaining that the school received a grant that the panels will be installed on the elementary roof next summer.
Superintendent Kuphal announced the school board accepted his resignation/retirement letter. A committee comprised of board members is currently developing the hiring process with the goal of advertising the position in January or February and interviews in March, April or May.
Both Canton and Mabel have large street projects scheduled to begin in 2026. Canton City Clerk Koliha mentioned that every street in Canton will be torn up over the next two years at some time or another as every street will be affected. She stressed that the underground infrastructure in Canton is old. The city will also be drilling a new well, constructing a well house, and building a new sewer plant at the same time. Koliha said that the project is funded by “a little of everything” including a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Rural Development. Residents will not see an impact to the levy as she has built up the account over the years.
The two county roads – Maple and Prairie – that run through Mabel will be torn up. City Clerk Larson said that Mabel will be going out to bid in early 2026. She confirmed that the street project in Mabel will not impact the town’s levy. Utility rates may be impacted.
Councilmember Tollefsrud thanked the cities for supporting the school’s sports program.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
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