STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF OTTER TAIL PROBATE DIVISION
Court File No. 56-PR-26-828
NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of
Leslie G. Konley,
Decedent
It is Ordered and Notice is given that on June 9, 2026*, at 8:45 a.m., a hearing will be held in this Court at 121 West Junius Avenue, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the Will of the Decedent dated, April 19, 2007, (“Will”), and for the appointment of Prudence L. Konley, whose address is 44542 W. Little McDonald Drive, Dent, MN, 56528 as Personal Representative of the Estate of the Decedent in an UNSUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the Personal Representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate including the power to collect all assets, to pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and to do all necessary acts for the Estate.
Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.
*Your appearance is not required at this hearing. If there is an objection to this petition, you will be notified of another hearing date and time.
Dated: 4/13/26 BY THE COURT
Kevin Miller
Judge of District Court
Trisha Mernitz
Court Administrator
Attorney for Petitioner
AmyAnn W. Mursu
Lakeview Trust & Estate Law, PLLC
89 Bay View Road
Ottertail, MN, 56571
Attorney License No: 0335204
Telephone: (218) 367-5253
FAX: (218) 319-7078
Email: amy@lakeviewestatelaw.com
Published May 13, May 20, 2026
PRESS MINUTES
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 553
NEW YORK MILLS, OTTER TAIL & BECKER COUNTY, MN
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026
CALL TO ORDER BY THE CHAIR- at 5:30 pm.
ATTENDANCE & DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM- All School Board Members plus Superintendent A Johnson, M. Maki, M. Young, and B. Dunrud. Visitors B. Weller, D. Vomhof, D. Faysak and C. Koenen of the press.
SETTING THE AGENDA TO DETERMINE THE ORDERS OF THE DAY– Motion by Seelhammer, Second by Ehnert to approve the agenda as presented. Vote- u/c.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES- Motion by Kern, Second by Braukmann to approve the 2/23/2026 Regular Meeting minutes. Vote- u/c.
BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND APPROVAL OF BILLS- Motion by Geiser, 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- Winter sports ended, Spring sports begin, Elementary Report- Spring Events, High School Report- Group trips and Reality Fair, Superintendent Report- Legislative Proposals, Technology- Upgrades and Updates, Transportation- Prep for Spring transportation, Building and Grounds- Door Systems and budget containment, Food Service Report- Student Representative- Activities and Group trips. Business Office Report- FY2027 Budgets and Reductions, School Board- Committee Meetings: Negotiations and Personnel 3/3/26, Budget and Facilities 3/3/26, Curriculum, Instruction, and Policy 3/17/26, Workshop 3/17/26 Minutes.
OLD BUSINESS-
Motion by Braukmann, Second by Seelhammer to approve the second reading of policy 203.5, 206, 208, 210, 510L and 722. Vote u/c.
CONSENT ITEMS- Motion by Kern, Second by Schermerhorn to approve the consent items as follows: MEETING DATES- Workshop April 20, 2026, 5-7 pm for Facilities Community Input; DONATIONS- $250 from Larry Hodgson for BPA, $6,745 from Arvig Enterprises, Inc. School Partnership Program (Donation period Jan 24-Dec 25), $1,000 from Ottertail Rod and Gun Club for library books, $500 from East Ottertail Dark House and Angling Club for Trap Team. Vote u/c.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION REDUCING AND DISCONTINUING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS
.5 Elementary Teacher, .6 Elementary Teacher, .4 Elementary Teacher, .4 Pre-Kindergarten Teacher, .67 High School ELA Teacher, 2.0 Elementary MTSS Paraprofessionals, 1.0 Cleaner, 1.0 Physical Education Paraprofessional, 1.0 Media Center Paraprofessional, .5 Secretary, .5 Business Manager, .2 Community Education Assistant, 1.0 Special Education Teacher, .25 Gifted and Talented Teacher, 1.0 YET Room Paraprofessional. Approved.
RESOLUTION NONRENEWING PROBATIONARY TEACHER- 1.0 FTE Teacher. Approved.
RESOLUTION NONRENEWING PROBATIONARY TEACHER- 1.0 FTE Teacher. Approved.
RESOLUTION NONRENEWING PROBATIONARY TEACHER- 1.0 FTE Teacher. Approved.
RESOLUTION NONRENEWING PROBATIONARY TEACHER- 0.5 FTE Teacher. Approved.
RESOLUTION PROPOSING PLACEMENT OF A CONTINUING CONTRACT/TENURED TEACHER ON UNREQUESTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE- 8. FTE Teacher. Approved.
OUT OF DISTRICT BUS REQUESTS- Motion by Ehnert, Second by Geiser to approve the out of district bus request for Bretz Court, Wadena. Approved. u/c
FFA OVERNIGHT STAY- Motion by Schermerhorn, Second by Kern to approve the FFA State Convention overnight stay April 19-21, 2026. Vote- u/c.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORTS- High School BET, March 5, 2026, Elementary BET February 24, 2026
PERSONNEL CONSENT ITEMS- Motion by Geiser, Second by Kern to approve the Personnel Consent Agenda as follows: APPOINTMENTS- K. Kawlewski-Volunteer SB Coach, G. Brasel-Jr. High SB Coach, J. Rudnitzki-Homebound Teacher, G. Esala-Co-Assistant BB Coach, T. Geiser-Co-Assistant BB Coach, T. Briard- Assistant SB Coach; RESIGNATIONS- K. Dittmann-YET Room Paraprofessional, M. Maki-Business Manager, A. Esala-6th Grade Teacher, T. Dale- English Teacher, S. Maki-Building and Grounds, M. Marsh-District Office Secretary, Z. Christenson-Head Boys Basketball Coach. LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST-C. Brooks-March 4-April 13, 2026; TERMINATION OF CONTRACT- Z. Christenson-Paraprofessional; REQUEST FOR TIME OFF W/O PAY- E. Niemi-2 Days in March Vote u/c.
ADJOURNMENT– Motion by Seelhammer, Second by Schermerhorn to adjourn at 5:50 pm. Vote- u/c.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Jodi Seelhammer, Clerk
Independent School District #553
Published May 13, 2026