Regular Board Meeting
Independent School District 564 – Board of Education
August 11, 2025
6:00 p.m.
DSC Board Room
A Regular Meeting of Independent School District #564 Board of Education was held on Monday, August 11, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the DSC board room. The following board members were present: Ryan Walseth, Misty Hempel, John Syvertson, Mike Spears, Michelle Westerman, Jared Kainz, and Lindsay Gregory.
Staff members present were: Dr. Chris Mills, Angie Dahlen, Josh Watne, and Kayla Lian.
Also present were: April Scheinoha.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. Board Chair Walseth called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Clerk Spears confirmed that a quorum was present.
A motion was made by Lindsay Gregory and seconded by Michelle Westerman to approve the August 11, 2025 agenda, as presented. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Lindsay Gregory to approve the minutes of the July 28, 2025 regular school board meeting, as presented. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by John Syvertson to approve the bills as submitted and on file in the School District Business Office. Motion carried.
Public Comment: None
Recognitions:
A. Recognize the donation from Sports Boosters Golf Tournament to the Activities Department for $4000.
B. Recognize the donation from Northern Motors to the LBLS Program for $2500.
Reports:
A. Committee Report: Policy Committee
Michelle Westerman gave an overview of the topics that were discussed at the meeting on 8/11. A detailed report will be given at the meeting on 8/25.
B. Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Chris Mills discussed his notes from 7/28-8/10. All staff welcome back on 8/26, Homecoming on 9/26 with parade & tailgating, Joint City/County/School meeting on 10/20, CTE site visit on 8/12 & Arctic Cat Internships.
Business Action Items: A. A motion was made by Jared Kainz and seconded by John Syvertson to approve the consent agenda as presented, and as appropriate, per negotiated contract, salary and benefits, and an acceptable background check. Motion carried.
Personnel:
1. Approve the employment of Amy Purcell, Visual Arts Teacher, FMS, effective August 25, 2025.
2. Approve the employment of Kennedy Bakke, Lifeguard, effective August 4, 2025.
3. Approve the employment of Benjamin Malacko, Social Studies Teacher, FMS, effective August 25, 2025.
4. Approve the employment of Kenton Wolford, Business Teacher, LHS, effective August 25, 2025.
5. Approve the employment of Erica Osowski, Special Education Teacher, effective August 25, 2025 – May 26, 2026.
6. Approve the employment of Michael Magnusson, Special Education Teacher, effective August 25, 2025 – May 26, 2026.
7. Approve the employment of Tanya Mickolio, Special Education Teacher, effective August 25, 2025 – May 26, 2026.
8. Approve the employment of Shelby Erickson, Special Education Teacher, effective August 25, 2025 – May 26, 2026.
9. Approve the employment of Martha Rivera, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective September 2, 2025.
10. Approve the employment of Jodi Nehring, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective September 2, 2025.
11. Approve the employment of DreAnn Neadeau, Cultural and Academic Student Support Specialist, effective September 2, 2025.
12. Approve the employment of Kalei Moan, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective September 2, 2025.
13. Approve the employment of Sebastian Calderon Isarraraz, Latchkey Student Assistant, effective August 18, 2025.
14. Approve the employment of Angela Li, Latchkey Student Assistant, effective August 18, 2025.
15. Accept the resignation of Maylie Solberg, Special Education Paraprofessional, CES, effective July 28, 2025.
16. Accept the resignation of Brianna Eddy, Special Education Paraprofessional, CES, effective August 25, 2025.
17. Accept the resignation of Ken Wiggs, Elementary Music Teacher, CES, effective August 1, 2025.
B. A motion was made by Michelle Westerman and seconded by Mike Spears to approve the Leave of Absence without pay request for James Dahlstom from November 26, 2025 – December 10, 2025. Motion carried.
C. A motion was made by Lindsay Gregory and seconded by Jared Kainz to approve the Resolution to Accept the donations received for the benefit of the district as designated. Upon a roll call vote the following voted in favor of: Walseth, Hempel, Syvertson, Spears, Westerman, Kainz, Gregory. Motion carried unanimously
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 123B.02, Subd. 6 provides: “The board may receive, for the benefit of the district, bequests, donations, or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the same to the purpose designated. In that behalf, the board may act as trustee of any trust created for the benefit of the district, or for the benefit of pupils thereof, including trusts created to provide pupils of the district with advanced education after completion of high school, in the advancement of education.”; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 465.03 provides: “Any city, county, school district or town may accept a grant or devise of real or personal property and maintain such property for the benefit of its citizens in accordance with the terms prescribed by the donor. Nothing herein shall authorize such acceptance or use for religious or sectarian purposes. Every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full.; and
WHEREAS, every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the by the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Thief River Falls Public School District, ISD 564, gratefully accepts the following donations as identified below:
Donor Item
Sports Boosters $4000
Northern Motors $2500
Designated Purpose (if any)
Activities Department
LBLS
Other:
Congratulations to Dr. Mills on being ba=named to the MSBA Compensatory Revenue Task Force
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Ryan Walseth, Chair
Mike Spears, Clerk