Riley Knutson with Smith Schafer presented the Mabel-Canton school’s financial summary for the school year ending June 30, 2025, at the October 21 school board meeting. Board members present included Jason Marquardt, Dustin Tollefsrud, Traci Livingood, Amber Tripp, and Mark Weidemann. Diane Wilder was absent.
Knutson announced that the school received an unmodified “Clean” opinion, meaning that an independent auditor found the school’s financial statements to be free from significant errors.
At the conclusion of Knutson’s presentation, he provided a summary of the district’s financial positions as of June 30, 2025. The General Fund showed revenues exceeding expenditures by $274,391, while the Food Service Fund reported a surplus of $24,084. The Community Service Fund recorded expenditures exceeding revenues by $37,500, yet its overall fund balance remains strong at $250,356, which Knutson noted is very healthy compared to other districts. Additionally, the Debt Service Fund balance had a balance of $298,661, and the Building Construction Fund balance held $8,950,101.
Following the presentation, the board unanimously approved the 2025 financial audit.
The board unanimously approved both the meeting agenda and the minutes from the September 16 board meeting.
The consent agenda was approved in one unanimous motion, including:
- Approval of the 2024-2025 budget, showing that 14.8% of the budget’s revenues have been received and 15.8% of the budget has been spent;
- Approval of the claims report totaling $172,084.23;
- Acceptance of the 2025-26 advisor and winter coach list, including Russel Larson, Jeff Rein, Adam Wilder, Jordan Larson, Cory Wilson, Nick Nichols, Tyler Larson, Jon Wangsness, Tessia Wangsness, Amy Kampschroer and Heather Kleiboer;
- Approval of extended leave for third grade teacher Tyler Augedah and choir/art teacher Stephanie Morken;
- Acceptance of $500 donations from Hanson Glasrud Memorial for the M-C Booster Club and from Scheie WELCA to be used for milk money. The two organizations were thanked for their generosity.
PreK-12 Principal Michelle Weidemann and Superintendent Gary Kuphal presented their reports to the board.
The highlight of Weidemann’s report was the suicide prevention program held earlier this month. After watching the documentary My Ascension about Emma Benoit, attendees had an opportunity to ask questions of Benoit, who survived a suicide attempt at age 16, and Ryan and Jennifer Hegge of Kasson, Minn., whose son died by suicide in 2020. The Hegges were also financially responsible for bringing the program to M-C. Weidemann emphasized that the overriding message was “watch out for each other.”
Weidemann reported on the school’s FFA program, noting that the school is back into judging and that it has been a quite a few years since the students participated in judging competitions. Eleven students competed in general livestock, theory, and horse teams in Stewartville. “They are starting out strong, you know, they’re new to it, but placing really well,” said Weidemann. Six students are headed to the National Convention at the end of October.
Kuphal reminded the board that the joint board meeting with the Mabel City Council and the Canton City Council is scheduled for December 3.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Insurance Trust proxy for the upcoming election of the trustee John Karger;
- Approved Resolution 26-03 of Governing Board Supporting Form A application to MSHSL Foundation;
- Approved the two-year Administrative Assistants working agreement;
- Approved the two-year nurse’s working agreement;
- Approved an additional special education paraprofessional for 6.75 hours per student day in the kindergarten classroom;
- Nominated Jason Marquardt for election to the Southeast Service Coop Board of Directors;
- Declined to take any action on the Minnesota Rural Education Association Board nomination.
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