Regular Board Meeting
Independent School District 564 – Board of Education
November 10, 2025
6:00 p.m.
DSC Board Room
A Regular Meeting of Independent School District #564 Board of Education was held on Monday, November 10, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the DSC board room. The following board members were present: Ryan Walseth, Misty Hempel, Mike Spears, Michelle Westerman, and Jared Kainz. John Syvertson and Lindsay Gregory were absent.
Staff members present were: Dr. Chris Mills, Angie Dahlen, Josh Watne, Chuck Lundgren, Ronnie Skallet, and Amber Severson.
Also present were: April Scheinoha, Anissha Cloud, James Fairbanks, Kyle Larson, Chalina Gibbs, Kaleb Mehrkens, and Mikaleena Bernier.
The pledge of allegiance had previously been recited at the Work Session. 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 Misty Hempel and seconded by Michelle Westerman to approve the November 10, 2025 agenda, as presented. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Jared Kainz and seconded by Mike Spears to approve the minutes of the October 27, 2025 regular school board meeting, as presented. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mike Spears and seconded by Ryan Walseth 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 30484-30515
Northern State
Activity Fund 20697-20709
Border State
Business Checking
Account 146018-146125
Border State Wire
Account N/A
Total $ Amount
$2,793.20
$46,899.28
$367,412.90
$497,758.38
Public Comment: None
Presentations:
A. Ronnie Skallet presented an update on the transportation department. We currently have 23 buses, nine vans and cars, two trailers (one of which is needing replacement soon). We’re running 10 regular routes plus one Special Ed route putting on approximately 160,000 miles last year. We currently have 3 halftime drivers, 9 full-time drivers and one sub. We have 3 people in the process of getting their license, but we still need many more. The 2 mile rule has transitioned fairly well, not many complaints. 632 students are being transported regularly, including St. Bernards and St. John’s.
B. Amber Severson and 3 of her students presented the board with an update on the Native American program. James, Kyle, and Chalina presented the board with information about the Orange Rock Project which brings awareness to those affected by Boarding Schools. Language Table-Learning Ojibwe through Rosetta Stone, Repetition & Games. American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) meets monthly to discuss student success and cultural relevancy. They toured White Earth Tribal College, Leech Lake Tribal College, UMC, and BSU. They participated in the 2025 Homecoming Parade. The leadership Council at LHS is finding more ways to make positive changes. Upcoming events: Powwow, Literacy Nights, Snow Shoe Making, and Moccasin Making.
Reports:
A. Committee Report:
Athletic Advisory Committee-The discussion was surrounding the Heart of the Lakes Conference Affiliation. The Coaches Association will discuss this as well before a decision is made.
B. Student Report:
Kaleb and Mikaleena reported on LHS Activities and upcoming events. Skating club was in St. Cloud, girls hockey started last week, all winter sports start this week, Veterans Day assembly on 11/11, FFA Parliament procedure contest on 11/12, Rotary Scholarship Essay is due on 12/1, Key Club is doing a fundraiser for the Humane Society– it is a grade based competition and the winner gets to pie someone else in the face.
C. Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Chris Mills discussed his notes from 10/28-11/10. Discussion items were strategic planning, marketing for bus drivers, MSAB Winter Conference, Mental Health Partnership with Sanford. Enrollment update-1671; K-12 on 11/1.
Recognitions:
A. Congratulations to the Prowler Football Team who finished second in Section 8AAA against DGF, their first appearance in the championship game since 2013.
B. Congratulations to Curtis Griffin who placed 65th out of 160 competitors at the State Cross Country Meet, improving his time by 13 seconds from last year’s state.
C. Congratulations to the Prowler Swimming Team who won the North Border Conference Championship and will begin sections on November 7.
D. Congratulations to Shawna Spears who has been selected as the Girls Tennis Coach Of the Year for Section 8A.
E. Congratulations to Erica Westphal who has been selected as the Assistant Girls Tennis Coach Of the Year for Section 8A.
F. Recognize the Donation from TRF Touchdown Club to the Section Football Fan Bus for $500.
G. Recognize the Donation from Jason Aarestad of Kenny’s Flooring to the Section Football Tickets for $500.
Business Action Items:
A. A motion was made by Michelle Westerman and seconded by Mike Spears 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 Brandan Munroe, Bus Driver, effective October 24, 2025.
2. Approve the employment of Skylar Weiland, Special Education Paraprofessional, effective November 11, 2025.
3. Approve the employment of Kenton Wolford, Prowler Broadcasting Specialist, effective September 2, 2025.
B. A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Jared Kainz to approve the assignments for the following Targeted Services positions. Motion carried.
1. Targeted Services – Beginning November 10, 2025
a. One (1) Coordinator – up to 75 hours (CES) – Rhonda Johnson
b. One (1) Coordinator – up to 75 hours (FMS) – Jamie Bakken
c. Up to Twelve (12) Gr. K-5 Teachers – up to 45 hours each (CES) – Julie D. Olson, Rhonda Jonson, Kristine Wheat, Julie K. Olson, Kylie Skime, Deonne Bakken, Tanya Loe, Susan Finger, Marcy Helling, Darla Hegge, Megan Largis, Malena Hanson, Paula Praska and Karlyn Norlin
d. Up to Two (2) Teachers – up to 45 hours each (FMS) – Darci Geiser and Jamie Bakken
e. Up to Two (2) Paraprofessionals – up to 45 hours each (CES) – Jodi Anderson, Marcia Peterson and Sarah Moose (special education)
C. A motion was made by Jared Kainz and seconded by Michelle Westerman to approve the following 2025-26 Extra-Curricular Assignments. Motion carried.
1. Jon Hams-Boys Basketball-HS-Head
2. Dominic Kruse-Boys Basketball-HS-JV
3. Riley Henrickson-Boys Basketball-HS-9th Gr
4. Will Anderson-Boys Basketball-MS-8th Gr
5. Kenton Wolford-Boys Basketball-MS-7th Gr
6. Paula Praska-Girls Basketball-HS-Head
7. Lacey Stennes-Girls Basketball-HS-JV
8. Shawna Spears-Girls Basketball-MS-8th Gr
9. Laura Fay-Girls Basketball-MS-7th Gr
10. Kyle Anderson-Boys Hockey-HS-Head
11. Jon Bushy-Boys Hockey-HS-Asst
12. Brady Meunier-Boys Hockey-HS-JV
13. Brett Johnson-Girls Hockey-HS-Head
14. Matt Knutson-Girls Hockey-HS-Asst
15. Katie Nelson-Girls Hockey-HS-JV
16. Kenny Geiser-Wrestling-HS-Head
17. Dale Rystad-Girls Wrestling-HS-Head
18. Mark Davis-Wrestling-HS-Asst. Level 2
19. John Motta-Wrestling-HS-Asst. Level 1
20. Brian Kasprick-Wrestling-HS-Asst. Level 1
21. Sam Lane-Wrestling-HS-Asst. Level 1
22. Nicole Ferguson-Wrestling-HS-Asst. Level 1
23. Ben Hruby-Wrestling-HS-Asst. Level 1
24. Jenni Lane-HS-Asst. Level 1
25. Benjamin Malacko-Wrestling-MS-Head
26. Jason Schuster-Middle School-AD
27. Brayden Johnson-Weightroom-HS-Winter
28. Jason Boyer-Speech-HS-Head
29. Rachael Evenson-Speech-HS-Asst
30. Sommar Kemnitz-Concessions-HS
D. A motion was made by Michelle Westerman and seconded by Misty Hempel to approve the 2025-27 Master Agreement with the Thief River Falls Education Association as negotiated. Kainz abstained. Motion carried.
E. A motion was made by Mike Spears 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, Spears, Westerman, and Kainz. Syvertson and Gregory were absent. Motion carried.
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
Touchdown Club $500
Jason Aarestad/
Kenny’s Flooring $500
Designated Purpose (if any)
Football Section Championship fan bus
Football Section Championship tickets
Public Comment: None
Policies:
A. A motion was made by Misty Hempel and seconded by Michelle Westerman to approve the following Policy updates as recommended by MSBA. Motion carried.
1. 417 – Chemical Use and Abuse
2. 507.5 – School Resource Officers
3. 513 – Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design
4. 519 – Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies
5. 601 – School District Curriculum and Instruction Goals
6. 612.1 – Development of Parent and Family Engagement Policies for Title I Programs
7. 616 – School District System Accountability
8. 621 – Literacy and the Read Act
9. 709 – Student Transportation Safety Policy
10. 306 – Administrator Code of Ethics
11. 606 – Textbooks and Instructional Materials
12. 712 – Video Recording Other Than on Buses
13. 722- Public Data Requests
Other:
A. Board Chair Walseth read the Review Evaluation of Superintendent Mills (attached).
B. Each board member will begin meeting with Superintendent Mills quarterly beginning in March.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Ryan Walseth, Chair
Mike Spears, Clerk