Residents of Deer Creek Township
Absentee Voting Location:
33500 County Highway 135
New York Mills, Mn
Polling place: Deer Creek Fire Hall 106 Main Ave. Deer Creek MN
Absentee Voting Dates February 6-March 9th
Call 218-640-0150 for an appointment on these dates
On March 7th Absentee location-33500 County Highway 135, N.Y Mills- Time: 10:00-12:00- drop off, vote, or pick up ballot
On March 9th Location will be the same and open from 3:00-5:00- drop off, vote or pick up ballot
March 10th Location will be the same-by appointment from 8:00am to 4:30 pm
March 10th 4:30-5:00 at absentee table at polling place, to drop off ballots only
March 10th -5:00-8:00pm at the absentee table at polling place to drop off or pick up agent delivery ballots
Published January 21, January 28, February 4, 2026
PRESS MINUTES
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 553
NEW YORK MILLS, OTTER TAIL & BECKER COUNTY, MN
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2025
CALL TO ORDER BY THE PRESIDENT- at 5:30 pm.
ATTENDANCE & DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM- All School Board Members except Ehnert, Superintendent A. Johnson, J. Brockway, M. Young-Lecoustre, M. Maki, and student representative D. Selander. Visitors D. Vomhof, D. Faysak and C. Koenen of the press.
SETTING THE AGENDA TO DETERMINE THE ORDERS OF THE DAY– Motion by Braukmann, Second by Seelhammer to approve the agenda as presented. Vote- u/c.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Kern to approve the 11/24/2025 Regular Meeting minutes. Vote- u/c.
BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND APPROVAL OF BILLS- Motion by Kern, Second by Schermerhorn to pay the Monthly Financial Claims per fund and the approved Electronic Fund Transfers for Minnesota State Withholding deposits and FICA/PERA/TRA/Annuity deposits. Vote- u/c.
STAFF/STUDENT PRESENTATIONS AND/OR VISITOR’S COMMENTS- Truth in Taxation Presentation by Superintendent Johnson at 6:01pm.
REPORTS- Business Office – Calendar Year end, New Contracts, Paid Leave, Administrative Report- Elementary – Benchmark testing, holiday events; High School- Holiday happenings; Superintendent Report- Winter weather, Activitie;, Technology- Department happenings; Transportation Report- Winter activities; B and G Report- Repair updates; Food Service- Update; Student Representative- Winter Events; School Board- Negotiations and Personnel 12/4/25, Superintendent Evaluation.
(Ehnert arrived 5:34)
CONSENT ITEMS- Motion by Geiser, Second by Braukmann to approve the consent agenda as follows: CONTRACTS: Lakeland Mental Health Center; MEETING DATES- Organizational Meeting – January 5, 2026 at 5:30; DONATIONS- Kenneth and Kim Nelson Charitable Lead Annuity Trust $25,000, Viking Coca Cola $500 to Scholarship Fund (Forwarded to Footprints), 29 boxes of teacher supplies from 3M, Ottertail Rod and Gun Club $4000 to Trap Team and $1500 to Fishing League. Vote- u/c.
NEW BUSINESS
OUT OF DISTRICT BUS REQUESTS- Motion by Seelhammer, Second by Schermerhorn to approve the out of District bus request for Willow Creek Drive, Henning. Vote-u/c.
ACCEPT 2025-26 COMPREHENSIVE ACHIEVEMENT AND CIVIL READINESS REPORT – Motion by Ehnert, Second by Kern to accept the 2025-2026 Comprehensive Achievement and Civil Readiness Report as presented. Vote- u/c.
SETTING THE 2025 LEVY FOR PAYABLE 2026-Motion by Braukmann, Second by Ehnert to certify the 2025 pay 2026 levy at $1,784,751.99. Vote-u/c.
REVIEW AND APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTIONS-Motion by Geiser, Second by Kern to approve job descriptions for FFA Assistant Advisor, BPA Assistant Advisor and Weight Room Coordinator. Vote u/c.
PERSONNEL CONSENT ITEMS- Motion by Seelhammer, Second by Schermerhorn to approve the Personnel Consent Agenda as follows: APPOINTMENTS- Volunteer Coaches A. Geiser- Girls Wr, S. Novak Boys Wr, and M. Weller Boys Wr; LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST- E. Altstadt End of March-May 2026, R. Haverland End of Feb-May 2026, T. Olson Dec 11-January 2026; EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT- M. Maki Contract Extension. Vote- u/c.
Motion by Geiser, Second by Braukmann to recess until 6:00. Vote u/c.
Reconvene at 6:01 for Truth in Taxation Presentation by Superintendent Johnson.
ADJOURNMENT– Motion by Seelhammer, Second by Geiser to adjourn at 6:11 pm. Vote- u/c.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Jodi Seelhammer, Clerk
Independent School District #553
Published February 4, 2026