Regular Board Meeting
Independent School District 564 – Board of Education
October 27, 2025
6:00 p.m.
DSC Board Room
A Regular Meeting of Independent School District #564 Board of Education was held on Monday, October 27, 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, Chuck Lundgren, Laura Fay, and Kayla Lian.
Also present were: John Hoffman, Henoc Preciado, Abby Randall, April Scheinoha, Nora Fay, Kora Fuhrer, Ellie McDermott, Kaleb Mehrkens, and Ike Olson.
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 Michelle Westerman and seconded by Lindsay Gregory to approve the October 27, 2025 agenda, as presented. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Lindsay Gregory and seconded by Misty Hempel to approve the minutes of the September 22, 2025 regular school board meeting, as presented. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by John Syvertson to approve the payments as submitted and on file in the School District Business Office as follows. Motion carried.
Account Name Check Range
Northern State
Imprest Fund
Account 30427-30483
Northern State
Activity Fund 20659-20696
Border State
Business Checking
Account 145841-146017
Border State Wire
Account N/A
Total $ Amount
$11,180.96
$15,373.30
$925,052.38
$1,136,455.77
A motion was made by John Syvertson and seconded by Mike Spears to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Motion carried.
Public Comment: None
Presentations:
A. Josh Watne presented an update on the school year at Franklin Middle School. He was joined by students Kora Fuhrer and Nora Fay. They talked about the house system, Monday meetings, and how they do a weekly kindness challenge. They had the fall Dactivity for the end of Quarter 1 and Thursday will be dress up day for Halloween.
B. Kayla Lian presented updates from Lincoln High School. She talked about the 8 period day, flex time where students can make up any work missed with their teachers, the iPads are going better, but some of the students are still struggling. The Homecoming parade went amazing, it brought everyone together and was a good culture builder. MTSS-academic, behavior, social emotional, meeting kids where they are at, DIRS-111 incidents in 23-24, 31 incidents in 24-25, and county partnerships.
C. President Hoffman from Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College introduced himself to the board. The board asked him what BSU is doing to recruit teacher candidates, how they are meeting the needs of non-traditional teacher candidates to gain licensure, and what are the main detractions that prevent college students from entering the teaching profession. He said that their Teacher Prep programs are up 11%. Students not getting paid for student teaching is a main detraction, but the state is working on programs to help.
Reports:
A. Committee Report:
Finance Committee-The finance committee met to discuss online payments/purchases for Activities, options for the new FMLA paid leave, business contract with SMS Services.
Policy Committee-The policy committee met to discuss the criteria for homeschool students being permitted to go on trips with the school. It was decided that if the student has been involved in the activity (orchestra, band, etc.) for a number of years they would be permitted to go along on the trip.
B. Student Report:
Ellie, Kaleb, and Ike reported on LHS Activities and upcoming events. $670 was raised for the Humane Society at the Halloween carnival, $670 was raised for the Humane Society at the Halloween carnival, Key club will host the trunk or treat and their bingo event on Thursday. Athletes of the week were Curtis Griffin-Cross Country, Wyatt Nelson-Football, Faith Hartman-Swimming, Kaitlyn Jahn and Olivia Schuster-Tennis. Robotics competed in their conference championship where they were awarded all conference first alliance honors and finished the event in fifth place. College App Day had a great turnout, National Honor Society inducted 3 seniors and 15 juniors, Unified PE bowling on Wednesday.
C. Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Chris Mills discussed his notes from 9/27-10/27. Discussion items were strategic planning, marketing for bus drivers, school calendar for 2026–27, school/city/county meeting, mental health partnership with Sanford update, and staffing for DAPE services. Enrollment update-1670; K-12 on 10/1.
Recognitions:
A. Congratulations to the Prowler Girls Tennis Team on their Section 8A Championship Title.
B. Congratulations to Braylee Wienen & Piper Greene on advancing to the MN State Tennis Tournament.
C. Congratulations to the Prowler Girls Tennis Team on their Minnesota State Tournament Consolation Win.
D. Congratulations to Braylee Wienen & Piper Greene on their Minnesota State Tournament Consolation Win.
E. Congratulations to Lindsay Gregory on being elected to the MSBA Delegate Assembly.
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 Helen Anderson, Physical Education and Developmental/Adapted Physical Education Teacher, effective October 1, 2025-May 26, 2026.
2. Approve the employment of Allyson Hopperstad, Medical Careers Teacher, effective October 20, 2025-May 26, 2026.
3. Approve the employment of Mi’Reya Gibbs, American Indian Coordinator, effective October 13, 2025.
4. Approve the employment of Tiffany Nelson, Cleaner, effective September 29, 2025.
5. Accept the resignation of Logan Gilbertson, Cleaner, effective October 23, 2025.
6. Accept the resignation of Krystal Carlson, Pool Director, effective upon hiring of replacement.
7. Accept the resignation of Cathy Cash, Purchasing Agent, effective upon hiring of replacement.
B. A motion was made by Michelle Westerman and seconded by Jared Kainz to approve the leave of absence for Carmen Collins, Paraprofessional, FMS, from October 20, 2025 through approximately November 14, 2025. Motion carried.
C. A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Lindsay Gregory to approve Madison National Life as the district leave administrator for Minnesota Paid Medical Leave effective January 1, 2026. Motion carried.
D. A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by John Syvertson to approve to cancel the contract for Business Management Support Services with SMS, effective November 30, 2025, and continue with ongoing support on an as needed basis at the rate of $150/hr. Motion carried.
E. A motion was made by Michelle Westerman and seconded by John Syvertson to approve the Agreement of Services with NWRIC for DAPE Consultant Services at the rate of $85/hour from October 13, 2025 – May 29, 2026. Motion carried.
Other:
A motion was made by John Syvertson and seconded by Michelle Westerman to enter closed session for the Superintendent evaluation at 7:34. Motion carried unanimously. After a brief recess the closed meeting began at 7:43.
The Thief River Falls School Board went into closed session for evaluation of Dr. Chris Mills.
A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by Michelle Westerman to end the closed session at 9:13. Motion carried.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Ryan Walseth, Chair
Mike Spears, Clerk