MINUTES
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 553
NEW YORK MILLS, OTTER TAIL & BECKER COUNTY, MN
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
JUNE 23, 2025
CALL TO ORDER BY THE PRESIDENT- at 4:30 pm. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
ATTENDANCE & DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM- All School Board Members except K. Ehnert and D. Geiser. Superintendent A. Johnson, J. Brockway, D. Vomhof and visitors B. Dunrud, A. Paavola, D. Geiser, 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 follows. Vote- u/c.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES- Motion by Schermerhorn, Second by Kern to approve the 5/19/2025 Regular Meeting minutes. Vote- u/c.
BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND APPROVAL OF BILLS- Motion by Seelhammer, 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.
REPORTS – Administrative Reports- Activities-transition of new AD, fall sports begin in August, Athletic trainer, two VB coach openings, all other fall coaching positions filled. Elementary- reports, Literacy plan, Title 1, orders, READ Act requires a new assessment that could indicate dyslexia, new secretary begins 8/25. Superintendent- graduation went well, changes to Driver’s Ed–will now be a six week mini class for freshmen, working on online payments through SchoolPay, Lucille’s bench will have a concrete pad provided by her family, ICS Listening Sessions have gone well but looking for more input, Legislative update-Will receive 2.74% this year and 3% on the general formula for next two years but the State is cutting funding for library aid and student support. Business Office-audit August 4. School Board- Budget and Facilities- reviewed current and revised budget for FY25. FY26 doesn’t look good. Curriculum, Instruction and Policy- 400.9L setting fees, pricing for 25-26. Reviewed HS and Student Activity Handbooks.
Ehnert and Geiser arrived at 4:37 and 4:38.
OLD BUSINESS- None.
CONSENT ITEMS- Motion by Geiser, Second by Kern to approve the consent agenda as follows: CONTRACTS- The Village EAP, SchoolPay; MEMBERSHIPS-MSBA Membership, Lakes Country Service Cooperative PD4Me. Vote- u/c.
NEW BUSINESS
CALL FOR MILK BIDS FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Seelhammer to call for milk bids for the 2025-2026 school year. Vote- u/c.
CALL FOR GAS QUOTES FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR- Motion by Ehnert, Second by Schermerhorn to call for gas quotes for the 2025-2026 school year. Vote- u/c.
BUDGET REVISION 2024-2025 BUDGET-Motion by Geiser, Second by Seelhammer to approve the 24-25 budget revision as presented. Vote- u/c.
REVENUE EXPENDITURE
01 General $10,926,974 01 $11,620.538
02 Food Service $788,750 02 $833,144
04 Community Service
$314,708 04 $406,731
07 Debt service $1,176,104 07 $1,226,000
INTERIM BUDGET FOR 2025-2026 YEAR- Motion by Ehnert, Second by Seelhammer to approve the interim budget for the 2025-2026 year as follows. Vote- u/c.
REVENUE EXPENDITURE
01 GENERAL FUND $11,557,299 $12,154,664
02 FOOD SERVICE $805,750 $851,076
04 COMMUNITY SERVICE $297,262 $403,648
07 DEBT SERVICE $1,264,605 $1,224,000
DESIGNATION OF AN IDENTIFIED OFFICIAL WITH AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATION IDENTITY ACCESS MANAGEMENT-
Member Seelhammer, introduced the following designation and moved its adoption, which motion was seconded by Member Kern: The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Professional Educator Licensing Standards Board (PELSB), and Office of Higher Education (OHE) require annual designation of an Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for each local education agency that uses the Education Identity Access Management (EDIAM) system. The IOwA is responsible for authorizing, reviewing, and recertifying user access for their local education agency in accordance with the State of Minnesota Enterprise Identity and Access Management Standard, which states that all user access rights to Minnesota state systems must be reviewed and recertified at least annually. The Identified Official with Authority will authorize user access to State of Minnesota Education secure systems in accordance with the user’s assigned job duties, and will revoke that user’s access when it is no longer needed to perform their job duties. The Director recommends the Board authorize Adam Johnson, Superintendent, ajohnson@nymills.k12.mn.us, and to act as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for New York Mills Public School, Independent School District #553.
Upon vote being taken on the foregoing designation, the following voted in favor thereof: Geiser, Braukmann, Seelhammer, Ehnert, Kern, Schermerhorn, and Mursu and the following voted against the same: none whereupon the designation was declared duly passed and adopted.
FIRST READING OF POLICY 400.9L- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Schermerhorn to approve the first reading of Policy 400.9L. Vote- u/c.
FIRST READING TO REVIEW HIGH SCHOOL AND STUDENT ACTIVITY HANDBOOKS- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Geiser to approve the first reading of the High School and Student Activity Handbooks. Vote u/c
NAMING RIGHTS IN RECOGNITION- Motion by Seelhammer, Second by Kern to approve the Naming Rights in Recognition of the New York Mills JV Baseball Field to Blake’s Field. vote u/c.
PERSONNEL CONSENT ITEMS- Motion by Ehnert, Second by Geiser to approve the Personnel Consent Agenda as follows: APPOINTMENTS- E. Niemi-Assistant Football Coach, T. Olson-Junior High Volleyball Coach, O. Leising-Elementary Administrative Assistant, K. Lueders-Special Education Teacher, J. Johnson-School Nurse. RESIGNATIONS-K. Boen-Cook, A. Walz- Teacher, J. Kunza- Teacher. vote u/c.
ADJOURNMENT– Motion by Seelhammer, Second by Schermerhorn to adjourn at 5:04 pm. Vote- u/c.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Jodi Seelhammer, Clerk
Independent School District #553
Published August 6, 2025