The M-C School board accepted Superintendent Gary Kuphal’s resignation/retirement, effective June 30, 2026, at the November 18 regular school board meeting.
Kuphal said in his resignation letter, “The district, which includes the board, staff, students, and the community, have been extremely supportive of our school and of me, and I have truly enjoyed my work here.”
The board approved a motion for the negotiation committee to meet with the administration to develop a process to determine the next superintendent and present it at the December meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Chairman Chris Miller. Other board members present were Jason Marquardt, Dustin Tollefsrud, Traci Livingood, Diane Wilder and Amber Tripp. Board member Mark Weidemann was absent.
The meeting agenda, with one addendum, and the minutes from the October 21 school board meeting were unanimously approved.
The consent agenda was approved with thanks to the generous donors. The agenda included: 2024-2025 Budget; Claims Report; hiring Dee Peterson as a Special Education paraprofessional; $150 from First Southeast Bank for the milk break fund; $250 from Mabel Lions Club for the cheerleaders’ help at Steam Engine Days; $200 from Sarah Mengis to help pay for the state football fan bus in memory of Dylan Delaney; $500 from the Mabel Lions Club to help pay for the state football fan bus; $500 from the Mabel American Legion to help pay for the state football fan bus; approval of the 2025-26 advisor and winter coach list; extended Tyler Augedahl leave of absence from eight to 12 weeks.
The following students were acknowledged at the meeting for their accomplishments in fall sports:
Volleyball: All-Conference: Kinley Soiney, Ella Halverson, Braylee Stortz, Gwenyth Rein and Honorable Mention Lauren Burke; Player of the Year, Hardest Worker, Most Valuable Player, and School Record Holder (2,205 Kills, 450 Blocks): Kinley Soiney; Academic All State Award: Tylar Wenthold; Academic All Conference Awards: Kinley Soiney, Isabella Torgerson, Tylar Wenthold, Ella Halverson, Braylee Stortz, Gwenyth Rein, Kaci Wangsness, Lauren Burke, Kaylee Kleppe, Ally Austin; Most Improved: Gwenyth Rein; Teammate Award: Tylar Wenthold.
Football: Academic All State Award, Most Valuable Defensive Player, and Defensive Player of the Year: Isaac Underbakke; All Conference Awards: Darian Hershberger, Treyson Tollefsrud, Mason Yoder, Isaac Underbakke, Kenneth Hutchinson, Jayce Austin, Kale Tollefsrud, Milton Hutchinson, Kale Eiken, Nathan Nordsving, Mason Swenson, Michael Kime; Most Valuable Scout Player: Treyson Tollefsrud; Most Valuable Offensive Player, Prepared Hardest Award, and Offensive Player of the Year: Kale Tollefsrud; Most Valuable Player: Kale Tollefsrud, Isaac Underbakke; Most Valuable Lineman: Milton Hutchinson; Most Improved Player: Josh Whitney; All District Team: Darian Hershberger, Kale Tollefsrud, Kenneth Hutchinson, Milton Hutchinson, Isaac Underbakke and Honorable Mention Kale Eiken and Brevyn Tollefsrud.
Fall Trap Shooting: Academic All Conference Awards: Lindsey Williams, Whitney Williams, Victoria Snyder, Raechelle Tollefsrud, Shawn Swenson, Mason Swenson; Top 5 Shooters: Shawn Swenson, Hunter Kelly, Mason Swenson, Carter Hershberger, Reid Liddiard; Shooting Rookie of the Year: Charlie Blagsvedt; Most Improved: Zaidon Washington.
Cheerleading: Academic All Conference Awards: Savannah Phillips, Ava Ryan, Kelsie Woxland; Most Improved: Raelynn Tollefsrud; Most Spirited and Most Dedicated: Savannah Phillips; Sportsmanship Award: Ava Ryan.
Both Principal Michelle Weidermann and Superintendent Kuphal expressed to Student Representative Darian Hershberger that the school, students, parents and community are very proud of the football team. The last year the trophy was brought home was in 1981.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the superintendent’s recommendation not to “top off” the Minnesota Paid Leave.
- Approved the Paraprofessional (Education Support Professionals) Master Agreement. It was noted that the negotiations went very smoothly.
- Took no action on Policy 712 – Video Recording Other than on Buses since it was the first reading. The only change is that the word “normally” is removed from the following: Video surveillance will not be used in bathrooms or lockers rooms.
- Approved the Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Report. Principal Weidermann said it would be posted on the school website.
- Approved a Post Prom Fundraiser. The parents of the junior class will be holding a candle fundraiser Saturday at the community center and will be setting up a table during basketball games to sell candles.
On December 3 the school board will hold its annual joint board meeting with the city of Mabel and city of Canton’s City Councils.
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