001It's been like four years. I know. I was at a show for years. It's super great over there. >> Let's get started. bounced back. >> Good evening. Let's call the meeting of Lake Park Outlaw School Board to order. Let's start with roll call. Marge >> here. >> Cole >> here. >> Jade >> here. >> Sarah >> here. >> Aaron >> here. Susan here. Uh, let's start with 1.3 pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? Any discussion? Agenda is approved. 1.5 seating the new school board member, Megan
002Hernandez. Hello everyone. Um I, Megan Hernandez, hereby accept the office of school board member of school district independent school district number 2889 for a term beginning November 24th, 2025 and expiring the first Monday of January in 2029. And for the second part, I Megan Hernandez swear and affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of this state and that I will discharge faithfully the duties of the office of the school board member of the independent school district number 2889 to the best of my judgment and ability. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. Coming up to the table. Welcome to the school board. Just like that, we have a full board. Megan, do you have to go? >> No. >> Okay. Madam Chair, um I just want to It's a real pleasure to
003have Megan on the school board. I had the pleasure of helping coach her many years ago. So, welcome to the school board. >> Uh 2.0 public comments. Do we have any comments tonight? >> Okay. And thank you for all being in attendance. Those uh 4.0 staff reports elementary principal Uh yeah, just uh four things for me tonight. Uh first of all, grandparents day. I do appreciate or thank you to the board members that were able to make it. I know you're all busy and you have things going on. Hopefully you were there and able to witness the the amazing awesomeness that is grandparents day at LP Elementary School. Uh I know I was blown away being at my first year this year. I far exceeded anything I could have dreamed or dreamt it to be.
004So thank you to all the staff uh for making that happen. It is truly a one-of-a-kind event. Uh the other thing I wanted to talk about briefly is Red Ribbon Week. Uh that also happened around that time uh in October. Um students since we didn't meet uh last month, just talking about it now, but students were able to be introduced to a myriad of things. Uh they had lessons on anti-bullying as well as making safe choices. We had uh entities from uh Detroit Lakes uh community college. one of the colleges there come out and talk to the kids. So, it was also a really cool event that that occurred all week. So, I know Lisa Mloud is is a big part of that. Lisa's here tonight. So, thank you to her for making that happen.
005Uh also a wonderful thing. Uh new this year, we did have a Halloween parade. I'm not sure if you were aware of that. Uh it seemed to go really well. Uh even though the weather was not ideal, we had a lot of people show up and it was it was really cool for us to parade outside and and let the families and community members see all of our wonderful costumes, although mine was a tad scary. So there was that. Uh then finally, just conferences. Uh I can proudly say that we were able to reach all 301 of our families uh during conferences, if not the two days, uh the following days. uh able to have that communication with the families just to make sure that everyone was on the same page and and we could
006tell them how awesome that their kids are. So, those were kind of the four things that I wanted to highlight today. Uh you can look in the board packet and see the upcoming events. Again, like any of those things you want to uh be a part of, we're more than happy to have you. >> Thank you very much. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. 4.2 too middle school principal. >> Um yeah, just a couple things. This week we're kind of doing a fun end of the studio update. We're doing um advisory versus advisory and minute to win it games. And so the um studios created their own minute to win it games. And we're kind of competing with each other and building some teamwork and school spirit and friendly competition with each other. And we have a
007phone that they all get the advisory get. So, the students are pretty excited on competing with each other. Um, and then the next three weeks we're focusing on like um a lot of functional skills, organization, and things like that right before Christmas. And then we're going to try doing a um heritage Christmas um when one of our studios. So, we're going to research some different heritages and build some Christmas things around those um for Christmas theme this year. And then for parent teacher conferences, we had 53 parents attend and then we did reach out to a lot of parents afterwards um the ones that were not able to attend. So we had a pretty good turnout for middle school. >> Thank you Vick. Uh then we have 4.3 the secondary principal. >> Good evening. Uh
008the last board meeting we uh talked about what is the false the high school and middle school. Uh so we had Lakes Country come in. Uh Naomi and Stacy Almarez came from Lakes Country. Uh they asked us to get a diverse population of our students who uh about 20% of our population was chosen to go have a a survey with her. Uh it was mainly on what is the policy school, what is the climate, what is the culture, uh what makes you successful, what can we do to help you. Uh so we have those results back. Uh we're working with the student council, National Honor Society, our PBS team on uh she's going to come back in a week and present that to us and what can be the next steps moving forward. Uh what
009we talked about how do we get students back into our building. Uh so that is kind of the main theme of of this focus group and then we're going to continue working with our student uh schoolboard members uh to have that that conversation and continue it moving forward. Uh in my packet it has our Raider snapshots and hopefully you've been able to connect there. Every Friday at the high school we will post uh kind of what our story of those throughout the week of learning in the classroom but this week it'll be up here really up for some entertainment tomorrow. Our uh National Honor Society did a food drive and I think it was rigged but I do believe I'm getting a pie to the face tomorrow. So, little uh things like that will be
010in our building tomorrow. Um the fine arts, a big shout out to our fine arts this last week and if you were able to attend the Little Mermaid, outstanding job by our students and our advisor. Uh a lot of work just like a sport leading up to that piece and uh it was a my opinion a very fine performance that our our students were able to put on. Uh I put in there a flex day schedule. We are uh with the read coming out with screeners with different interventions that we're we are working with our students to help them be successful. Uh we have a hard time finding enough time in our schedule. So each Wednesday we're adding in a flex time for students that need extra help uh with the screeners. Uh that's the
011requirements. Uh mainly focusing on ELA and math. uh also working with our MCA scores providing them with the supports that they need. Then we also got a lot of kids that what they need like to win, what they need is they're in sports, they're in different activities, they're knowledgeable. So, how do you find enough time in a day so they can be in all of them? So, we're able to have some knowledgeable practice training for uh FFA upcoming state uh events. So, little things like that where that we're incorporating into the flex schedule. Uh some career opportunities, our 11th and 12th graders went to Barnesville. So they had about 30 different vendors that were there. Last week they went to Watton. Our 10th graders next week will go to the Harbingham and there is about
012hundreds and hundreds of different opportunities there. Uh just trying to find find a niche for each one of them. So that is what is happening at the high school. >> Thank you Mr. Y. >> Uh next we have 4.4 the technology director. >> Yeah madam chair. He's not here this evening, but I do want to just mention, you know, he's constantly running around trying to get uh our internet going and everything else. I think he does a really nice job for our district. I appreciate his hard work. Um I know just recently, it was last week, we got another 100 new iPads or Chromebooks, excuse me, that was part of the budget. It's not an added cost. Uh so we finally get that figured out as well, too. So, >> okay. Did he have one?
013>> Uh, he didn't have one. So, I went to the next. >> Thanks. >> Uh, 4.5, the activities director. >> He's at practice. He's going to be coming in with one of our student leaders here soon. >> Okay, >> sounds good. Thank you. Uh, 4.6, the transportation director. Everybody read his board report. He's not here tonight. >> No, he's not here. And I just want to reiterate too, he does a nice job. It's hard to uh you know, make sure all the routes are are going and everything else. And I I'll talk a little bit at the end um on my report exactly about weather related calls. I will use Matt extensively, but I'll talk about that at the end. So, thank you. >> Sounds good. And 4.7 building and grounds. >> Yeah, we've uh
014it's never a dull moment in building and grounds. Of course, this time of year, um, we're getting a concession stand outside, borderized. We did a few took our volleyball down over here. We got a few cracks repaired before the weather hits. Um, the biggest thing that this fall, we did have our uh third year or three-year fire um inspection at both schools, which I consider with the help of all of our uh teachers and staff, we did excellent. Uh we had eight violations, but uh the majority of those pretty quick fixes. We do have only one left in this building, and that's our door down on the end of the building. Um it's got to get replaced. Has to be a all doors have to be able to open with four pounds of pressure. So,
015but they got that one. That's the only thing left at the elementary, the high school. We had some unique calls there that I hadn't ever had theater curtains brought up before, but we had to find specific what the curtains were made out of, where they sprayed. Uh, we got that handled, found the right paperwork for that that we've got 12 years ago, and we're good till 32. It's good for for 20 years. Um the other one, um our greenhouse has to get a sprinkler system put into it since the it is attached to our high school. The law says if you're going to be insured for a sprinkler in every room, then the greenhouse qualifies as a room. We have two different bids coming up for that. And then our third one, which we just
016had done three years ago, but the wrestling mats take up 22% of our wrestling wall space. We're allowed up to 20 with the mats that we have in there. So, his first direction was, well, you have to tear them all down and start over. And I just asked this last week. I said, "If we figure out this and we can get it under 20% or 22% to 20%, is that legal?" And he said yes. So now we're working with Jim and I need to get with Landon and if we can just maybe shrink a couple mats off each corner, something like that. Even if they put them up during practice, lean them against the wall so they're there, they just can't be attached um to to meet con. So, it's definitely a learning experience, but
017again, my uh my hats off to all our teachers and staff did a great job. >> Would you mind touching base on the the gravel pure rock or whatever >> in the back? >> Yeah, >> we did get uh uh Wesland finally come over and they smoothed out all our holes. Um got a little bit of gravel spread around, got our dumpsters put over into the right spot off our cement. Um which is huge for deliveries. Um, again, it's we've had it even in our building ground committee. Um, endless things we could do back there to make it easier for that. Um, I even thought about posting a speed limit sign for our trucks. It's mainly the weight coming off of the paved area into that gravel. And when you're in the trucking business that
018whether you see it or not, that weight just keeps bouncing back and forth. So, it ruts up our back every year. Now, I'm just hoping for a good freeze. We'll keep the nice path with we have on there and then hopefully uh it will continue. So, >> thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Question, >> Madam Chair, if I can. >> I just want to give a comment on the really good-looking new rugs and the entryways. I really like them. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And I appreciate the creativity with the wrestling mats. >> Yeah, that would have been a right around 30 35,000 if we would had to rematch. >> Yes. Okay. 5.0 consent agenda. Can I get a motion to approve our consent agenda? So moved. >> Can I get a second? Sorry.
019Uh, any discussion? Any discussion? Consent agenda is approved. Um all of our approval of minutes. Did you want me to read the contract approvals and resinations? >> Uh yeah, please. Thank you. >> 5.6 contract approvals. We have Amy Nelson and ECSE school readiness par professional. Tegan Thundstrom, Raider Care. Emma Bjorki, Raider Care, Grace Overbull, Raider Care. Justin Meyer, elementary school parrofessional. Cassandra Larson, elementary school paraprofessional. Eric Laundry, part-time elementary school custodian. Rachel Kohler, elementary school paraprofessional and fall music co-coordinator, Hannah Mohler. And in girls basketball, we have a head coach of Kaylee Capuch. Uh JV McKenna Anderson, C team coach Grant Inger, J uh JH coach Megan Klein, JH coach Megan Hernandez, boys basketball, head coach Landon Schultz, JV coach Brandon Wilmore, C team coach Joe Conrad. Wrestling we have a head coach of Matt
020Nelson, assistant coach at Chris Lesard, and assistant coach of Eric Peterson. Wonder to have wonderful to have them all join and some of them for doing another year. >> Madam Chair, I just want to add this because I've seen this happen before. Um we have a new board member who is going to be paid by the school district for coaching. I just want to make sure that I think it's appropriate that that board member if it affects them I think they should maybe abstain from that particular vote so there doesn't look to be any conflict of interest. Not saying that I don't trust board members, but perception may or may not always be reality. So, I would like to throw that out there, Madam Chair. Thank you. >> Uh 5.6. Can I get a motion
021to approve all contracts? >> Make a motion. >> Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Everybody in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Everybody is opposed say nay. And if you're abstaining, just say abstain. I um contract approvals pass. 5.7 recommend resignations and retirements. Can I get a motion to approve resignations and retirements? >> So moved. >> Uh can I get a second? >> Second. >> Um and resate and resignations we have Reese Hansen school readiness ECSE par professional. Um all those in favor say I. All those opposed say n. I >> I uh all those opposed. Motion passes. Uh 6.0 recognitions. We have donations tonight. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the donations? I'll >> make a motion. >> Can I get a second? >> Second. Sounds good.
022Any discussion? Uh, robotics, we have Lake Park Fire Department, $5,000. Jean Hos Foundation, $3,000. Team Foundation, $3,000. In corporate sponsorship sponsorship, we have Medpac Incorporated, $500. Mabel's Merkantile, $500. Ask Lever meets $400. Stacy Scott Counselor Realy $500. Me Michelle Pier $500. Wgles $500. Venom Products, $500. In volleyball, volleyball after hours fundraiser, we have Raider Booster Club, $750. Stacy Scott Counselor Realy, $100. Dewey septic service, $500. Northwestern Bake, $100 for volleyball student activities. In school supplies and student aid, we have Charity Aid Foundation, $264 for school supplies. Corrant Lutheran, $238 for elementary school assistance. CAF, $132 for school supplies, BTD, $1,500 in student assistance. In miscellaneous, we have Bell Bank for $25 for custom card donation. We have team Foundation for $5,000 for school readiness donation and grant for program support. And team foundation, we have
023$295 for Steam. Any other discussion? Thank you everyone. >> Absolutely. >> Yes. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you for being so generous and supporting our district. >> Okay. All those Yeah, I Okay, I said that. Did I have something I can read on this one? Okay. Uh then the motion passes and we are on to nothing in old business. We have new business. We have elementary PBIS a presentation. You guys want me to? So, first of all, we want you guys to know what our PBIS program here at the elementary school is. It's a schoolwide positive behavioral intervention and supports. It's a practiced pro proactive team-based framework for creating and sustaining safe and effective schools. And the purpose of our program here at the ele the elementary is to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and equity in our
024students to improve social, emotional, and academic outcomes for all students to create a positive environment and reward students for positive behaviors. And our motto here at the elementary school is respectful, responsible, and ready. And our team members are Ryan, Britney Nordic, who couldn't make it tonight, is our community member. Myself, Kristen Frank, >> Lisa Mloud, uh Ellie Molson was here. Uh she's a sixth grade teacher. She could not make it either. Uh myself, >> Tammy Teach couldn't make it. She's our musical um um music teacher here. >> I'm Beth Ammerson, first grade teacher. Wilson also first grade and Brassa preschool. >> Um Jackie um Godfrey fills in for our wind staff and Steve Mo Moser is stellar. >> Yep. >> All right. So, our tier one systems and supports for all students. So, this supports
025every kid in the elementary school. Um the first one in there is is one that you'll probably see a lot of the kids coming home, the green slips. um they get them if they do something that is respectful, responsible, and ready. There's a different a lot of different options underneath uh each of them. And then the new this year um is our um wagon. I think we're going to name it the Bragg wagon. Um so kids can put their green stuff um they cut the bottom off um they get it signed by Mr. Johnson um and then they cut the bottom off and then they put it in here and then they get um nominations for announcements or different things like that. Um we also have a green slip day. um one day out of
026the year we pick um one name out of our bucket so each each classroom teacher has a bucket and then they get to choose something like um to be on announcements with Mr. Johnson um lunch with the principal designing our own t-shirt um we get to also use the 3D printer. Miss Godfrey has been um really pumping out the 3D printings lately. So um that's some of the things that they can choose from the green slips. >> Awesome. Um next up we have coins. This is another schoolwide um students receive coins for quick recognition of positive behaviors that they exhibit. Um and each classroom teacher has a coin tube that they go into. And so it's they work towards class goals. So they have four different markings on the coin tube that once you meet
027the first one, you get to do a class up room celebration. Um and one of them is like extra recess of freezies. Another one is pajama day with stuffed animals, popcorn, and a movie. And then the last one is teachers choice. So, it's just another um way to recognize students doing positive things and celebrate as a class and kind of build that community. >> Sure. >> Principal. >> Well, we don't have a principal. You want to go to do this? >> Sure. Okay. >> Um these are our positive postcards. Each student in the school gets two a year. And so one is their from their uh classroom teacher and then the second one is from kitchen staff, parent support, learning teachers, so forth. And it's just another positive way to let the kids know that
028they're doing an awesome job. We're thinking about them. Um and we're here for them. So just positive reach out to the student. >> Well, you kind of missed the Raider rally. >> Yeah. So, we're kind of in charge of our Raider rally and this year we're doing a little bit different. We have our first one tomorrow and what we're going to do is have a schoolwide assembly where we um and we're going to do one at the end of each trimester and we have three Rs, respectful, responsible, and ready. So, this first one is to celebrate schoolwide respect. So, what we have asked teachers to do is they've each selected um a male and female student from their class that they have feel they've demonstrated the trait of respect and they will be recognized um
029in front of the school tomorrow with a certificate. They'll get to participate in in some activities and we'll just celebrate our Friday a little bit. >> We have comes over. Yes. And then NHS comes over um with some students and they coordinate the games. So >> we also do staff appreciation and staff recognition throughout the year with the PBIS team. So, we've done um treats that go around with the cart and teachers can pick a drink and a snack to eat. We've done um lots of different meals. >> Meals meals at conferences. We do a day of meals. We brought in a breakfast um treats for everyone when they come in and fill out our survey for us. >> We have to feed them. >> Yes. Um >> um program um this year we um
030have seven mindsets for one more year. Um so that's the program that we use the state. Um that's a policy by the state is that we have to have a a social emotional learning program and that's what we we have chosen to use this year again. Um I really like it. Um and the kids really seem to enjoy it. it seems like it's more practical world things like they watch a couple videos on um you know with this this week we're talking about gratitude so uh impos or being possible everything is possible it's one of the the units so things like that um K12 or pre prek12 or prek I think it's prek12 >> um so we teach prek6 here so >> second step >> oh second step um that's another program and we actually
031purchased that before I started here. So, we actually have the digital um we're able to log into those. But, um what I do is I do the bullying prevention education. So, I go into the classrooms um like every other month to present those lessons to work on the bullying prevention. Um that we do have the lessons available. So then if we need to supplement anything on seven mindsets or if I need to work with students individually on that then we have access to that program. Also, >> we um hold monthly team meetings um every month. Last Friday of every month, we get together and talk about how things are going, change things that didn't go so well. Um the schoolwide behavior screener and then we also do um a program here training. It's called TCIT
032um teacher child interaction training. And that's been doing really great this year. just the whole program is really the focus on the positive instead of what kids are doing wrong. So we still address what they're doing wrong and and and they still have consequences for that, but we really want to focus on what kids are doing right. And one thing just like when we've talked about all those incentives that we do, we all work concessions, do presentations, go out and get donations. So none of that has been funded by the school district. Um, in the past we've asked for um I think they had approved a couple years ago up to $200 that they would give us. I mean, we've we fundraised we had $5,000 coming into this year in our account and that's all
033been completely fundraised by the team members. So, it's not funded at all by um by the district funds. So, just wanted to reiterate that or or share that part of it, too. Um so, that's tier one goes to 100% of our kids all the time. There are some that that just doesn't quite work with. So, we need to move into the tier two and that's up to about 15% of our kids. And so, some of the things that we do with those students is Lakes Crisis comes in and does some small groups um on we have banana splits for kids whose parents are separated or friendship skills or different things that kids can participate in. Those are free groups that come from Lakes Crisis. They do that all the Becker County schools um in the
034area. We have a bit team behavior intervention team that meets with teachers to help with specific classroom or student behavioral needs. So we can either give them some ideas or interventions to try. If that's not working, then we can move into the next step, which would include things like the Raider ready room where kids can be scheduled in there for some scheduled or unscheduled breaks, some social skills time. We've got a check-in checkout program that we're meeting with kids on specific goals to say, you know, let's remember to work on respect today or and we'll have real specific goals. That team includes um myself, our stellar person, our principal Amanda Snyder is our MTSS coordinator. Um, we bring in Mark Iverson who's our school psychologist. I think there's Am I missing anybody else on the
035team? Um, Abby sometimes comes from Lake Agassy. And so we have a team of people who all really focus. Justin Hoskins actually who was our performance EBD teacher is on that team a lot of times. So we've got a lot of minds that are coming together to work on specific skills um that we can work with kids on. We make that referral either to the problem solving team or the behavior intervention team um and then work on that in a systematic way to hopefully provide interventions to teachers and students that can help them be more successful. If not, that would move into that tier three system where we' continue more intensive interventions and that might lead then to a special ed referral um and looking at special ed services. But we've done everything we could
036to meet those needs. Um and and hopefully find that the kids don't have a disability, but we're able to find a way that they can learn better. Um we've got our win academic interventions um through the MTSS program, jumping back up to the small groups with school social worker with myself. And so either I meet with small groups of kids or individually on different skills that they may need. That can come from teacher referrals, that can come from parent referrals. Sometimes it comes from the kids themselves saying, "I need some help with some of these things." Um, and then we've got our Raider ready room, like I mentioned. Um, we've got that check-in, checkout, student contracts that we do with them. We work on attendance stuff with them. We do a lot of sensory tools.
037They have breaks that can be um, you know, students that have like, you can see they're starting to get a little amped up. We can give them I had a student in there today that, you know, I've got a yellow break card. So, then they come in and work with sensory stuff to just calm down and talk about what was going on. So, they're ready to go back in the classroom and learn. Um, and then tier three is that top 5% that none of those systems are working. And so we get more intensive with them. We have Steve Moer here with Stellar Human Services over at the high school at Zach Pretty. Um, and we can refer kids. Those those two individuals provide um 100% of our services here. So they're one um full-time in
038our school district. They don't serve any of the out any outside kids at all. And they can do some individual small group sibling stuff. We're working on trying to get families um stuff with them, but there really isn't any family counseling um in home family counseling in the in all of Becker County right now. They can do more intensive individual time with me and then again more services in our raider ready room and then if none of those things are working, we've got a lot of data in place to show that you know what, we probably need to move to um an evaluation for special and look at those services first. >> That's our PBIS. Any questions? System in a nutshell. >> Any questions? >> No questions, but I appreciate what you're doing. >> Thank
039you. >> Protection and intervention is key. So, thank you. >> I just want to say it like this is a phenomenal group of people. There's a reason why this school is a PBS school of excellence. um they've kind of just touched on the tip of the iceberg as far as what they do and their forward thinking and their thought processes and all of the ways that they uh build school climate in this building. But it's a phenomenal group of people and and I appreciate them. I just wanted the board to know that that they are amazing. So, >> thank you. Thank you guys. >> Thank you for all your help. >> Quick question. Don't you present at other places? Do you want to touch base on that a little bit? We have in the past
040done um I've been on the team since u my first year here back in 14 15 I think it was this is my 12th year and so we've moved to I can't ambassador school >> um so we've presented at MSUM we >> presented at Biji at different um high or different schools for teams that are just getting started with that we've presented like at the school social work association >> um we the brain conference so we've done a lot of that and as an ambassador school, we actually get paid to go up and do that. And so then that money comes in um to our district for our PBIS team. And so we're considered an ambassador school again. We've had some change over in some of our staff. So I'm kind of the lone remaining.
041Anna has done a couple presentations. I think Kristen has done a couple too. >> Beth Beth has. >> Yeah. And Rachel has too. So we just need to kind of >> we just need to make sure that we put our right foot forward here. >> Yeah. But we'd like to keep going with those presentations because I think we've done some really good things. It's taken a lot of I mean every year we just improve and make some changes on it. So >> yeah. >> You Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Well, thank you very much, >> Madam Chair. I do want to mention one thing about the green slips. Um sometimes I I've just Mr. Johnson was just out of the office, you know, other part of the hall or something and students come and
042say brought me these green slips. I'm like, what do I do with these green slips? And I can just see their expression like who's this guy? Why isn't Mr. Johnson here to sign these? So, nice work everybody. And the postcards, I love the postcard idea. Um, when I was a principal, he used to send postcards out quite a bit and I think that's a great idea. So, thank you for everything you do for our students here in the elementary. >> Yes. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Then we have 8.2 Sam's Meals for many time presentation. >> Did you do me that? >> No. Mr. >> Uh, well, I email my computer's going to die unless there's a dog. She's got it. >> Okay. Okay. Oh, I could probably Yeah. so I don't lose track.
043I'll just start talking and once that gets up. So, first of all, I'm Andrew. Uh I wear many hats for LPA um the band director, but for this um I'm also one of the NHS adviserss and I mostly lead the uh Sam's Meals for Mini, which is run by NHS. Um so, a little bit of the history. Sam's Meals for Many is a kind of like a nonprofit that started uh with one of our former uh students, Sam Bestie. Uh he graduated I think 23 or so. Um >> years now. >> Yeah, it's been a couple years. And he noticed um when he was in elementary going to school here that there were students over the holiday break that uh needed help with food cuz they weren't getting, you know, at home and they weren't
044getting their needs met. And so he raised a little bit of money and the first year he fed two families. >> Yeah. He came to me as like a fourth grader and said, "Miss Mloud, I want to do a thanks or a Christmas meal for a family over Christmas break. So you need to get me a family and I'm going to raise money at my church." And he came to me about a week before and said, "Actually, I need you to get two families because I raised too much money for one family, so I want two." So that was how we started. And then it jumped from two, I think it was like seven the next year, 10 the next year. And we actually for the past three or four years have been doing 70
045families that we've been feeding the the food for. So, >> and we feed them meals for about eight or nine days. So, and it's multiple meals a day. So, um we've kind of reached the point now where we're trying to raise about 20 to $30,000 a year. Um cuz 70 families times about $400 and so it's about $28,000 a year. So, um, uh, going back to that other slide. Sorry, there's >> I don't know if you can make it bigger. Um, but yeah, we feed families over the whole break. Um, and this we didn't this year it's still it's a little bit longer of a break, but we're going to do about nine meals again. Um, and it's about the same number of families. Um, we you just kind of never know each year. It
046could be more, could be less, but it's going to be the same this year. You can go to the next slide. I don't know if you can make it bigger or not, but >> I wasn't able to make it bigger. >> Okay, that's fine. Um, so you kind of see in the pictures of the next slide, they get about three boxes worth of food, some a bag full of perishables, and then some toiletries and stuff. Um, and they get some other things, too, but that's the things that Sam's Meals provides for each family. Um, and the day we give all of that out, it's NHS students. We get the day before we go to uh Costco and uh Cashwise where we order all the food and we get a donated uh refrigerated trailer, truck and
047trailer to come up and we fill that thing up full of food and we bring it to the high school and the next day all the NHS NHS students uh pack boxes and that morning is is organized chaos. So we get 70, you know, hundreds of boxes filled and then that afternoon start delivering them to families so they get it for the break. Um, and yeah, it's a it's uh that would be, you know, if any of you are wanting to help that day, that morning, if you want to come get your hands dirty, um, it's at the high school. We we take up the that loading bay in the custodial area. >> Yeah. >> Andrew, I'll help again. So, this this Wednesday, >> it's no December. I got the date later on in the
048presentation. >> Um, >> 17th. >> Uh, there's a couple things I in the next slide. It's kind of I wanted you guys as the board to kind of know some specific things. All the funds when NHS took it over, all the funds got handled now by the school district. So, before it was like its own entity. >> It was the corrat ran the funds through there. the banking side of it was done by the church, but now it's all through the school district. So, um, just so you guys are aware of that. And so, all the funds we raise, we it's all through Sam's Meals and all of that, but then it's distributed that way. Uh, we use the high school, we use our facilities. Um, the NHS students are the primary, like they help,
049I'm just facilitating. They plan the meals, they reach out to businesses for donations. um they when it comes I bring a couple up with the day that we grab all the food and get it all packed so they can see that process and then the day we're packing those kids just they work and they work so hard. It's um it's a very special day. Um and then Lisa and our counselors, they they help they're the bridge between us and the um families who need it. Um and so that's that's the part that we don't necessarily decide but you help figure that out for us. So um so yeah and ways you guys can help awareness you know um that's partly why I wanted to share this with you guys is you know tell the community
050tell businesses we need funding we need you know awareness so people know that this is a thing. Um, all donations, we are asking you send cash or check to the school. Uh, checks made out to the school and Sam's meal in the memo line. And packing day is Thursday the 18th. That's when we we'll get all of this. Um, and then we start delivering them about noon or 1:00 of that day, depending on when we get done. Um, I don't know. The one thing that I wish students could see, but they don't get to see is when the families come to pick up food. um just the impact that we make on the community. I don't think that I mean there's a lot of things we do that impact the community. I think this is
051one of the biggest things we do and for National Honor Society that's like that's why you're in National Honor Society. You're helping the people around you that need it the most. And um yeah, I wish the kids could see that because it's yeah, it's why we do this. >> I like to ask families for just to send me a text that's what it means to them or or what they think. And so I get some really nice sometimes it's a whole paragraph or just a couple sentences and stuff. And so I like to share that with the kids and school board and everybody just so everybody is aware what impact it makes on families. But we just really worry about the confidentiality because it's a small community and so we have people coming in. Some
052people are fine and they wouldn't care who puts it in their car and and it's no problem. But there are some that just are very touchy about it and just really want to be careful and and cognizant of of making sure that we're not telling who's getting those meals. >> Yeah. So, if you got any questions questions, >> sorry, >> is there like how do families sign up for this? How do they know if maybe they're new to the community or just haven't needed it in the past but may need it now? How do they get this information and sign up? What I send home is um in like Octoberish I send home something or I send it out to the teachers to send home and it's actually it's about we have like five different
053giving trees in the community and so I send out for winter gear which is that BTD donation for $1,500 that's specific to winter gear and then it has the giving trees and then the Thanksgiving food program at March kind of runs and then we ask them if they want that and if they also want the Sam's meals for many. So, I kind of do that all on one sheet and then I've Melissa thank I mean it's amazing because she put together a spreadsheet that other people can read besides just me now. Um and that's how we ask people and then Jamie works at the high school because we don't send it home to all the high school but she's got her, you know, ear to the ground on what's going on and we reach out
054to those newer families that we can tell um and and we'll call people or text people just to say, "Hey, we've got this program. Is this something that you would be interested in?" So, um, and I think word of mouth has gotten out there a lot, too. So, then we'll get people that will call us or text us and ask us about it. So, if you have somebody that you know of in the community, we start out with it being um, district families so that their kids within our district, um, there's been a couple times where we ended up having people that had to back out at the last minute. So, we've contacted some of the local churches, too, and maybe done like a shut in or or like an elderly couple or something that
055that needed some food. So occasionally some of the meals have gone to that too. >> Yeah. I I just want to say I have a I just thank you for carrying this torch. I mean Sam is a joy bringer. I mean he is he is a kid. She's not a kid now anymore. He's in college. But man um what you guys are doing is phenomenal and I love this. >> He had a dream and just the fact that it's continuing and that was when they said well we you know when Sam left we needed to get it through the school because the bestie family just couldn't keep it up within that church. Although the church still is a huge huge supporter financially and all kinds of stuff with it too. So >> there's a couple
056business a lot of businesses around very they help out a lot with this. Um so >> yeah I appreciate I kind of reiterate what Cole said as well. I got to give a lot of credit to the NHS students too. I think that's great great thing for them to work on. It's great on their resume and hopefully that'll take them into when they become adults and everything else. So please tell NHS students thank you from us. Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you >> Madam Chair. Um if I may I think >> you can 8.3 superintendent report. >> Yeah. So madam chair I'm just so excited to see Mr. Schultz walk in with our two new student board representatives. Um, Mr. Schultz, I know you asked. >> Did you have a little
057activities report as well too or no? >> Um, I can answer any questions about it. I I don't want to eat up too much time, but um, if you got any questions, feel free to ask. But, um, Brody Hansen, Junior, Brooke I junior, as well. Um, both both very active with a lot of activities here at our school. Um, sorry for getting over here so late. We just kind of finished up our practices and stuff like that. So, um I just wanted to bring them here, introduce them to everybody, um before they have to go do more activities. >> Mr. Meyer, would you um maybe have them come up and step up and just say hi and because I know how much they really like to I know how much they really like to talk
058in front of people. So, or they can do it from there. >> So, Dr. Burquest and I we we met with Brooke and Brody and Lily Bach is not able to be here. Uh but they we've had great conversations and like Mr. Schultz said they're great leaders in our school. Uh have a lot of leadership capabilities. Uh speaking in front of people, they're very nervous. There's going to be like a thousand people here, but there's not quite a thousand. So, but if you can introduce kind of what what do you do in the school? >> Uh I'm Brookie. I'm a junior. I play basketball, volleyball, and softball. And yeah, that's I'm just involved with a lot of activities in school. And yeah, >> I'm Brody Hansen. I'm in football, track, basketball. of an NHS pay
059>> and yeah, we're meeting again on next Wednesday and then we're going to start having those conversations and on kind of what the going over the surveys of what qualities our students can bring to them and then they're going to start working with other national honor society student council pay uh and then just different students and we are not here without them. Uh so giving them the voice of choice. So really looking forward to what uh this could be. >> Mr. Meyer, Madam Chair, if I may, I I really enjoyed our conversation last I think it was last week and I'm I'm really excited for these two individuals here to um be part of the school board. So I want to thank you again, you two for helping out. Okay. >> Yes. Thank you very
060much. And we look forward to working with you. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Schultz. >> And then we have 8.3, the superintendent report. >> Yeah, I tell you what, Madam Chair, I'll just make it rather quick here, but first of all, wow. It's all I got to say tonight. The word keeps going in my head. Wow. It started with the donations. I mean, for a district our size to receive all those donations donations, it's incredible. Um, wow. Great presentation by PBIS. >> Yes. >> Awesome presentation. Obviously, and then awesome presentation on Sam's meals. You can see that we have educators here, right? They don't just educate during the day, right? They give of their time after school, before school. So, I the wall just kept pulling through my head. So, thank you
061to all the educators here. Um, I would like to hand out a uh something. Some of you probably were wondering Oh, thank you. You know, there are certain times throughout the school year that we could potentially go for an operating referendum or B bond referendum. I just thought I'd share this with everybody. Um, of course I received a little help from somebody to get me this information, but if you look at this, um, pastor, there's some extras there if anybody wants. >> Okay, so there's happens to be a timeline for 2026 special elections, right? Um, I just thought I'd share with you different things, but um, you can see adoption resolution calling an election. Okay, February 10th, there's one coming up. There's one in April. There's one in May. There's one in August. And there's
062one in November. Okay, these are different times. There is so much information. Let's just say the district, not saying we are, but let's just say the district has to go up for a referendum. There's certain parameters or timelines that we need to look at every single school year. Those are the only times that we can do it. And the research out there says that on a major election like November 3rd coming up here, there's going to be the election for the governorship, right? You don't really want to do a referendum on a major election because everybody comes out on a major election. I'm being transparent and honest here. Um it's probably not a good time to ever have an election. Okay? So, I just wanted to share that with you in case anybody was interested
063in seeing that. Um, you know, I want to reiterate, too, you're more than welcome to come to lunch someday. Stop by, sit in the sit in the cafeteria with the elementary students or with the high school students, please. I'll buy you lunch. Okay? If you're interested in coming and seeing what goes on at lunch, that's great. Uh, also, um, besides that, you know, if you want to come and check out the school, you don't have to call me ahead of time. You can just do that. Mike Z's got a great handle on where things are at. You want to work with Mike, that's fine. Just want to throw that out there. >> A classroom, that's fine, too. >> Yeah. >> Teach for an afternoon. >> I want to give you an update. I did have
064a communication with a company called Full Mine. Full Mind. I'm actually going to meet with Mr. Zick and Mr. Meyer sometime this week. uh possibility of offering some uh Ojiway language and or culture second semester we might be able to do that. Remember that's a grant comes out of the American Indian fund. It won't come out of the general ed fund. I had a very good conversation with the gentleman in charge and actually they offer other classes as well. It's a Minnesota certified instructor. Okay. And he did say if we want to partner up with other school districts it' probably be cheaper. So, I just want everybody to know that I haven't forgot about that. Want to move forward on it. And also, they have other things, too. They offer American Sign Language. They offer
065Spanish and different languages like that. So, if this works out second semester, this might be something that we could potentially partner up for next school year to offer opportunities for our students. For example, I'm really passionate about offering a language for our students. We don't currently offer that and I think that would be a great opportunity. Obviously, we have to do the best bang for our buck, be fiscally responsible, but if I can get other some partner schools, that would be great. So, I want to everybody update on that. Um, I tell you what, thank you to all the teachers and the administrators and the administrative assistance. The conference week was really long, right? And I just want to I want to I appreciate I want to thank everybody was able to go walk around
066both buildings. Um sometimes I just wave. People are like what's he waving? I'm just saying hi. Uh but thank you because it's it's a lot of work getting ready for conferences. So I appreciate that. Um we do have a meeting Wednesday at 2:00. Now I want everybody to know I did send an email out to all staff members. I believe I've um included everybody. And so that meeting will take place at 2:00 and Wednesday in Lake Park just so everybody knows. I have communicated with the union groups on that to let them know. And um once the meeting is done, staff can take off and get ready whoever whatever time that is, get ready for their Thanksgiving Day break. Um, last but not least, one of the hardest decisions a superintendent has to make besides
067all the CO stuff was weather related calls. Okay, weather related calls. I just want everybody to know that I'm not going to make the call on my own, but I am responsible for the call. If it's a mistake and the weather people mess up, which they will, I take full responsibility, me, for any calls. I would rather take heat for making a poor call than take heat for somebody getting hurt or killed. Matter of fact, you look up that teacher up there, >> Karen Cipher. Yeah. >> There's a lot of of poor weather conditions. So, I just want everybody to know that. Am I always going to make the right call? Absolutely not. We have some weather coming in tomorrow. I've been on with the National Weather Service on some webinar, receive information. I'll communicate
068with our bus transportation, local law enforcement, and other superintendents from the storm usually come from the west. So, I just want everybody to know that if parents call up and they say, "What was he thinking?" have them call me because I will I will defend the answer. Again, I'm not going to always be right, but I want to be make the best decision possible for the information I have at that time. That's all I have, Madam Chair, unless board members have anything that they want to ask. >> Any questions >> or comments? >> Comments. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. 9 point uh succeeding meetings we have 9.1 schoolboard meeting December 15 2025 5:00 p.m. Lake Park Ottabon High School Media Center and 9.2 truth and taxation hearing December 15 2025 6:00 p.m. Lake
069High School Lake Park Ottabon High School Media Center. >> Madam Chair, one last thing. The truth and taxation meeting by law cannot start till six o'clock or after >> at 5:00. I'm 99.9% sure we're going to have the audit report on that day. Remember, I didn't want to draft. We have to prove it. So, we're looking at that. That'll probably take up a majority of the board meeting on that night. So, >> thank you. >> Sounds great. >> Thank you, board. >> Thank you. >> Meeting is adjourned. Let me give her my >> Okay. Okay, that's the only Okay. Just making sure that >> it's not it's not it's usually going to be the fourth one. Mr. >> No, I will. Here's the truth. She actually did tell me and I just kind of Sorry.
070anything. >> Yeah. It's my fault. I left my house. I was like and that's why I was like >> Wednesday. Is that what's going on?