Organizational Meeting
Independent School District 564 – Board of Education
January 13, 2025
5:30 p.m.
DSC Board Room
A Special Organizational Meeting of Independent School District #564 Board of Education was held on Monday, January 13, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the DSC board room. The following board members were present: Ryan Walseth, Misty Hempel, John Syvertson, Mike Spears, Lindsay Gregory, and Jared Kainz. Absent were: Michelle Westerman.
Staff members present were: Dr. Chris Mills, Angie Dahlen, and Sara Olson.
Also present were: Dave Hill.
Board Chair Walseth called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Chair Walseth confirmed that a quorum was present.
A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Mike Spears to approve the January 13, 2025 agenda, as presented. Motion carried.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Mills led the Board of Education in administering the School Board Member Oath of Office. This oath affirms their commitment to supporting the Constitution of the United States and the State of Minnesota and to faithfully discharge their duties as members of the School Board of ISD #564. MSBA 202 School Board Officers policy and MSBA 209 Code of Ethics policy were also reviewed.
Chairperson Walseth Reviewed the Nominations and Elections Procedures.
Chairperson Walseth called for nominations for the position of Chairperson. Misty Hempel nominated Ryan Walseth for Board Chairperson. The board voted on the nomination with a majority vote to accept the election of Ryan Walseth as Board Chairperson. Motion carried.
Chairman Walseth called for nominations for the position of Vice Chairperson. John Syvertson nominated Misty Hempel for Vice Chair. The board voted on the nomination with a majority vote to accept the election of Misty Hempel as Vice Chair. Motion carried.
Chairman Walseth called for nominations for the position of Treasurer. Mike Spears nominated John Syvertson for Treasurer. The board voted on the nomination with a majority vote to accept the election of John Syvertson as Treasurer. Motion carried.
Chairman Walseth called for nominations for the position of Clerk. John Syvertson nominated Mike Spears for Clerk. The board voted on the nomination with a majority vote to accept the election of Mike Spears as Clerk. Motion carried.
MSBA Officers’ Workshop schedule:
Virtual sessions:
Choose one session from Part A and one from Part B. Attendance at both Part A and Part B is required to receive attendance credit.
● Part A: 6 pm to 9 pm Wednesday, February 12, 2025
● Part A: 9 am to noon Thursday, February 13, 2025
● Part B: 6 pm to 9 pm Wednesday, February 19, 2025
● Part B: 9 am to noon Thursday, February 20, 2025
In-person session:
● 9 am to 4 pm Saturday, March 1, 2025 (Location TBA)
Workshop fees:
$210 for advance registration ($230 for late registration)
Please let Angie know if you are interested in attending.
A motion was made by John Syvertson and seconded by Misty Hempel authorizing to designate the Clerk duties. Upon a roll call vote, the following voted in favor of: Hempel, Syvertson, Kainz, Walseth, Spears, and Gregory. Westerman was absent. Motion carried.
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes §123B.14, Subd. 1. empowers the School Board to assign the duties of the office of Clerk of the School Board to one person in the Office of Business Affairs of the School District.
WHEREAS, the School District has decided to assign the duties of the Clerk to one person in the Office of Business
Affairs.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Executive Assistant to the School Board & Superintendent of the School District is designated by the School Board of Independent School District No. 564 to perform the duties of Clerk of the District.
A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by Jared Kainz authorizing to designate the Treasurer duties. Upon a roll call vote, the following voted in favor of: Hempel, Syvertson, Kainz, Walseth, Spears, and Gregory. Westerman was absent. Motion carried.
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes §123B.14, Subd. 1. empowers the School Board to assign the duties of the office of Treasurer of the School Board to one person in the Office of Business Affairs of the School District.
WHEREAS, the School District has decided to assign the duties of the Treasurer to one person in the Office of Business Affairs.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Business Manager of the School District is designated by the School Board of Independent School District No. 564 to perform the duties of Treasurer of the District.
A motion was made by John Syvertson and seconded by Lindsay Gregory authorizing the approval to employ legal counsel for the school district. Upon a roll call vote, the following voted in favor of: Hempel, Syvertson, Kainz, Walseth, Spears, and Gregory. Westerman was absent. Motion carried.
Recommendation: Designate Pemberton Law as the legal counsel for ISD 564 for 2025.
WHEREAS, from time to time problems arise which require consultation with legal counsel;
WHEREAS, the School Board may not have time to meet specifically to hire legal counsel for a particular circumstance that has arisen and, therefore, a general authorization to contract legal counsel is necessary;
WHEREAS, the School Board reserves the right to hire any legal counsel of its choice for any particular matter;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District #564 as follows: That the Superintendent or School Board designee be and hereby is authorized to contact legal counsel as needed.
A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by John Syvertson to designate the THIEF RIVER FALLS TIMES as the official newspaper for School Board business for 2025. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jared Kainz and seconded by Misty Hempel to schedule the following Regular Board Meetings in 2025, unless changed by formal action, with a suggested starting time of 6:00 p.m. and Special Board Meetings scheduled by Board action as necessary. If a School Board Meeting is canceled for any reason, including inclement weather, the make up date will be the following day, same location and time. Motion carried.
January 13 & 27
February 24
March 10 & 24
April 28
May 12 & 27 (Tues)
June 23
July 28
August 11 & 25
September 8 & 22
October 27
November 10 & 24
December 8
A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Jared Kainz to approve the following procedure as outlined by MSBA. Motion carried.
M.S. 123B.195 BOARD MEMBERS’ RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT
Notwithstanding section 471.88, subdivision 5, a school board member may be newly employed or may continue to be employed by a school district as an employee only if there is a reasonable expectation at the beginning of the fiscal year or at the time the contract is entered into or extended that the amount to be earned by that officer under that contract or employment relationship will not exceed $20,000 in that fiscal year. (This does not include board and negotiator’s salaries). Notwithstanding section 122A.40 or 122A.41 or other law, if the officer does not receive majority approval to be initially employed or to continue in employment at a meeting at which all board members are present, that employment is immediately terminated and that officer has no further rights to employment while serving as a school board member in the district.
A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by Misty Hempel to approve the Resolution to designate the following depositories: Border Bank, Bremer Bank, Northern State Bank, MN Liquid Asset Fund, and PMA Financial Network. Upon a roll call vote, the following voted in favor of: Hempel, Kainz, Walseth, Spears, and Gregory. Westerman was absent.
Syvertson Abstained from the vote. Motion carried.
A motion was made by John Syvertson and seconded by Lindsay Gregory to approve the delegation of authority to make electronic funds transfers to the following District employees: Janet Wiskow and Christy Sorenson, and SMS employees: Tanya Monson-Ek and Kim Moske. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Mike Spears to discuss 2025 School Board Salaries. After discussion, a further motion was made by Ryan Walseth and seconded by John Syvertson to take no increase for the 2025 School Board salaries. Motion carried.
Chairperson – $4,824
Vice Chairperson – $4,193
Clerk – $3,905
Treasurer – $3,905
Directors – $3,675
Lead Negotiator – $894
Negotiators – $785
The Following 2025 Proposed Board Assignments were reviewed with no proposed changes at this time:
Athletics & Activities Group
Jared Kainz
John Syvertson
Ryan Walseth
CTE Advisory Group
Mike Spears
Lindsay Gregory
Community Education Advisory Group
Misty Hempel
Michelle Westerman – ALT
Continuing Education Group
Lindsay Gregory
Crisis Planning Team
Mike Spears
Michelle Westerman
Curriculum Advisory Group
Misty Hempel
Lindsay Gregory
ECFE Advisory Board
Michelle Westerman – ALT
John Syvertson
Facilities Committee
Mike Spears
John Syvertson
Ryan Walseth
Finance Committee
Mike Spears
John Syvertson
Ryan Walseth
MEC Outreach
Jared Kainz – ALT
Ryan Walseth
Meet & Confer Outreach
Mike Spears
Misty Hempel
Jared Kainz
MSBA Outreach
Ryan Walseth
MSHSL Outreach
Ryan Walseth
Multicultural Advisory Group
Lindsay Gregory
Negotiations Committee
Michelle Westerman
John Syvertson
Ryan Walseth
NW ALC Advisory Group
Mike Spears
Lindsay Gregory
Policy Committee
Misty Hempel
Michelle Westerman
Lindsay Gregory
Staff Development Advisory Group
Michelle Westerman
Jared Kainz – ALT
Strategic Planning Committee
Mike Spears
Misty Hempel
Michelle Westerman
Jared Kainz
John Syvertson
Ryan Walseth
Lindsay Gregory
Technology Advisory Group
Ryan Walseth
Transportation Committee
Misty Hempel
Jared Kainz
John Syvertson
Wellness
Jared Kainz
The meeting was adjourned at 5:59 p.m.
Ryan Walseth, Chair
Mike Spears, Clerk