Regular Board Meeting
Independent School District No 561
April 15, 2025
Community Center
The school board Independent School District #561 met in regular session on Tuesday, April 15th, at 7:00 p.m. in the community center. The following members were present: John Lovly, Neil Jensen, Tim Hruby, Rozlynn Johnsrud, Joe Rubischko and Leah Bothum. Also present: Principal Carlson, Superintendent Loberg, Business Manager Kelsie Steiger-Krein, GEA Members – Mrs. Stephanie Olson and Ms. Amy Halvorson and ICS – Project Manager, Austin May.
A motion was made by Jensen, seconded by Johnsrud, to approve the April 15, 2025, meeting agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
ICS Project Manager, Austin May provided the board with a project and groundbreaking update.
A motion was made by Rubischko, seconded by Hruby, to approve the amended March 18, 2025 regular meeting minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Bothum, seconded by Lovly, to approve payments for checks #47299 – 47390 and wire payments as listed in report #3.1 A & B, as listed in report 3.1.1. Motion was carried unanimously.
Financial reports were reviewed. Superintendent Loberg reported the district shows an investment balance of $2,272,364.64 on March 31, 2025. (See reports #3.0 attached to the official board minutes).
Patron Concerns: None
Student Council Reports: None
Goodridge Education Association Report:
Ms. Amy Halvorson reported that grades K-6 recently attended the production of The Little Mermaid at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse in Bemidji and really enjoyed it. Ms. Halvorson provided the board with a summary of events for the recent Close Up trip. Mrs. Halvorson also thanked everyone for supporting the Close-Up trip and students who attended. Ms. Halvorson provided the board with an update on Prom and reported that the GEA is working on a retirement party for Mrs. Lois Anderson.
Classified Staff Report: None
Instructional Reports:
Principal Carlson provided the board with an update on the 2025-2026 Master Schedule. Principal Carlson provided the board with an update on the PSEO CTE classes.
Old Business: None
New Business:
A motion was made by Jensen, seconded by Bothum, to approve the list of graduates, as listed in report #8.3, contingent upon completion of graduation requirements. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Johnsrud, seconded by Lovly, to approve the bid from Northwest Service Cooperative for the administration of the district’s group health insurance as presented in report #8.1. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Loberg gave an update on a propane tank and infrastructure for the school. The board provided consensus to continue working with a supplier and installer on a propane tank and infrastructure for the school.
Personnel: None
Donations: None
Trustee Reports:
Member Johnsrud gave an update on the discussion with the NWRIC at the last meeting regarding Special Education needs for the district.
Open Forum:
Member Jensen said that the Elementary Spring Concert was very good.
Member Lovly thanked Superintendent Loberg for the time he has put into the propane tank and sales tax exemption bill for the building project. Member Lovly thanked Principal Carlson for all the work that she has put into the Master Schedule and School Handbook. Member Lovly also thanked Ms. Amy Halvorson for the work she put into the Close-Up trip.
Administrative Reports:
Principal Carlson gave an update on the upcoming 6th grade trip, prom, and graduation. Principal Carlson reported on potential School Handbook changes for next year and gave an update on some of the recent changes that were made for this school year.
Superintendent Loberg gave an update on the Groundbreaking Ceremony which will be on Thursday, May 22nd at 8:45AM. Superintendent Loberg provided the board with an update on the hearing he attended at the Capitol recently regarding the district’s sales tax exemption bill for building materials. Superintendent Loberg thanked Ms. Amy Halvorson and Mrs. Jen Sargent for leading and chaperoning the Close-up Trip. Superintendent Loberg also reported that Certified Negotiations will be taking place this spring/summer and he will inform the Certified Negotiations Committee when the first meeting is scheduled with the GEA Negotiators.
The next regular meeting was set for Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 at 8:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Attest:
John Lovly, Chairperson
Leah Bothum, Clerk