A DNR approved aeration system will be in operation throughout the winter beginning November 29, 2025 on Marion Lake located at 38913 Cozy Cove Rd. Dent MN 56528. This will result in open water extending approximately 50 feet outward and 50 feet wide. The purpose of the aeration system is to prevent ice push onto shoreline area of property during winter. Be aware of thin ice and open water. Please be careful when traveling in area. Contact Nate Tobkin with concerns 218 640 2309 or contact local DNR officer.
Published December 3, 2025
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 553
NEW YORK MILLS, OTTER TAIL & BECKER COUNTY, MN
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025
CALL TO ORDER BY THE CHAIR- at 5:30 pm. Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE & DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM- All School Board Members, Superintendent A. Johnson, J. Brockway, M. Young-Lecoustre, M. Maki, B. Dunrud, D. Selander. Visitors D. Vomhof, D. Faysak, B. Weller, T. Saewert, M. Wattenhofer, L. Christenson (ICS), M. Ondralek (ICS), D. Miller (ICS), A. Strong of Eide Bailly (virtual) 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 Ehnert, Second by Kern to approve the 9/22/25 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.
PRESENTATIONS AND VISITOR’S COMMENTS- PRESENTATIONS- Eide Bailly 2025 Audit (virtual), ICS Facility Update.
REPORTS- Business Office Report- Historic Enrollment, Audit complete; Elementary- Teacher Workshop, Eagle Academy; High School- Fall conferences, Teacher workshop; Superintendent- ALICE Safety Training, Fund balance decrease; Technology- Security door/camera updates, AI committee; Transportation- DOT Random Inspection, Student Safety Training; Building and Grounds- New scoreboard JV BB Field, Fire Marshall inspection; Food Service- Commodity info, Possible healthy snack machine; Student Representative- Rachel’s Challenge presentation; Activities- Fall Sports wrap-up, MSHSL grade/participation/coaching requirement; School Board- Personnel and Negotiations 9/23/25 and 10/7/25, Superintendent Review.
OLD BUSINESS-
SECOND READING OF POLICIES 601.3L, 516L, 202L, 205 AND 212.1L.- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Seelhammer to approve the second reading of policies 601.3L, 516L, 202L, 205 and 212.1L. Vote u/c.
CONSENT ITEMS- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Seelhammer to approve the consent agenda as follows: DONATIONS- F&M Bank- $5000 FB scoreboard, Perham Health- $5000 FB scoreboard, NYM Lions Club- $5000 BB scoreboard, EOT County Ag Society- $250 FFA; MEETING DATES- Workshop 11/11/2025, 6:30pm. Approved. Vote-u/c.
NEW BUSINESS
ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE- Motion by Ehnert, Second by Kern to approve and submit the assurance of compliance with state and federal law prohibiting discrimination. Vote- u/c.
ACTION TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT AND REVIEW OF THE FY25 AUDIT- Motion by Ehnert, Second by Geiser to acknowledge receipt and review of the FY25 Audit as presented. Vote- u/c.
WRESTLING OVERNIGHT TRIP- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Schermerhorn to approve the overnight trip for B Squad Wrestling, December 19, 2025. Vote u/c.
WRESTLING OVERNIGHT TRIP- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Kern to approve the overnight trip for A Squad Wrestling, January 9, 2026. Vote u/c.
ESTABLISHING COMBINED POLLING PLACES- COMBINED POLLING PLACE: NYM City Hall 28 Centennial 84 Drive W. New York Mills, MN 56567 and COMBINED POLLING PLACE: Spruce Grove Township, Wolf Lake Lions Community Hall, 103 North Manninen Avenue, Wolf Lake, MN.
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE APPLICATION TO MSHSL FOUNDATION- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Kern to approve grant application. Approved. Vote u/c.
LETTER TO MSHSL AND MDE REGARDING FEDERAL TITLE IX VIOLATION- Motion by Braukmann, Second by Seelhammer to approve the letter written to MSHSL and MDE. Vote u/c.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORTS- High School BET-October 14, 2025, Elementary BET October 22, 2025.
PERSONNEL CONSENT ITEMS- Motion by Seelhammer, Second by Schermerhorn to approve the Personnel Consent Agenda as follows: APPOINTMENTS- M. Stevens- Behind the Wheel Instructor, D. Geiser- Head Girls Wrestling Coach; LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST- M. Bachim- Extend leave to 1/16/26; REQUEST FOR TIME OFF W/O PAY- B. McManigle- 10/23, 10/28, 11/3 and 11/4, A. Wright- 3/23-3/27/26. Approved. Vote u/c.
ADJOURNMENT– Motion by Geiser, Second by Schermerhorn to adjourn at 7:13 pm. Vote- u/c.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Jodi Seelhammer, Clerk
Independent School District #553
Published December 3, 2025