LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster School Board met in special session on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Supt. Office. The following members were present: James Diamond, Lacey Lupien, Justin Peterson, Jim Scalese, and Brittany Swenson. Also present were Superintendent Nicole Thompson, Dean of Students/Activities Director Mark Bernstrom, and Mendy Coffield. Absent: Matt Nordin.
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call.
Chairperson Diamond turned the meeting over to Supt. Thompson.
Supt. Thompson opened with discussion on the current Mission Statement and then possible new Mission Statements.
The group then brainstormed on Strategic Planning ideas: student knowledge, wellbeing, skills, and improvement. Goals for facility, activities, students, school offerings and staffing needs. Lastly discussed was systems, culture, instruction, and workforce.
The group will continue their planning at the next special meeting set for February 19, 2025.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson
Lacey Lupien, Clerk
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LANCASTER SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Supt. Office. The following members were present: James Diamond, Lacey Lupien, Justin Peterson, Jim Scalese, and Brittany Swenson. Also present were Superintendent Nicole Thompson, Dean of Students/Activities Director Mark Bernstrom, Teacher Rep: Lisa Rynning, Kittson County Enterprise reporter Miranda Peterson, and Mendy Coffield. Absent: Matt Nordin
Chairperson Diamond called the meeting to order and took roll call.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, the agenda was approved as presented.
On a motion by Swenson, second by Scalese, the consent agenda was approved as presented.
*The minutes of the October 16, 2024, regular was approved.
*Trial Balance Month-End Balance: $1,725,458.16.
*Payroll EFTs in the amount of $153,580.08.
*Monthly bills for the regular and the activity account in the amount of $68,750.10. Check numbers 43365-43411.
*Credit Card EFTs were $11,596.25.
*Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) in the amount of $146,942.42.
*The Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s report was reviewed.
Coffield noted that Region 1 was working on possible auto-generated reports to replace the Budget Comparison and Treasurer’s report; more details should be available next month.
Sara Niemela from Brady Martz joined via telephone to review the 2023/24 Audit Report. Niemela noted that while the District’s current fund balance is strong, enrollment numbers can change that balance quickly.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the 2023/24 Audit Report as prepared by Brady Martz.
On a motion by Diamond second by Swenson, and carried: WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 123B.02, Subd. 6 provides: “The board may receive, for the benefit of the district, bequests, donations, or gifts for any proper purpose and apply the same to the purpose designated. In that behalf, the board may act as trustee of any trust created for the benefit of the district, or for the benefit of the district, or for the benefit of pupils thereof, including trusts created to provide pupils of the district with advanced education after completion of high school, in the advancement of education.”; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 465.03 provides: “Any city, county, school district or town may accept a grant or devise of real or personal property to maintain such property for the benefit of its citizens in accordance with the terms prescribed by the donor. Nothing herein shall authorize such acceptance or use for religious or sectarian purposes. Every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full.”; and
WHEREAS, every such acceptance shall be by resolution of the governing body adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members, expressing such terms in full;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board of Lancaster Public School, ISD 356, gratefully accepts the following donations as identified below:
Donor Item Designated Purpose (if any):
United Valley Bank Classroom snacks Classrooms
KIDSON Cares $250 Donated to 6th grade to be used to
“pay it forward” to Angel Trees gift
in Kittson County
KIDSON Cares Movie and snack for grades 3-6
while at movie.
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
Aye: James Diamond, Lacey Lupien, Justin Peterson, Jim Scalese, and Brittany Swenson.
Nay: none
Absent: Matt Nordin
Whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly adopted.
Supt. Thompson praised the Paraprofessional Staff for their work on complying with the federal requirements for highly qualified status. The requirements are: two years of education, complete the competency grid or successfully complete he ParaPro test. All Lancaster School Paraprofessionals are highly qualified as of November 1st.
Non-Certified goals meetings are being conducted this week. This is done twice annually.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Swenson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, hires Chris LeDoux as Part-Time Bus Driver, effective November 15, 2024.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Swenson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, accepts the resignation of Brooke McNeill, as Part-Time Paraprofessional, effective January 23, 2025.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, acknowledges that all Bus and Type III Drivers have completed their annual training requirements for the 2024/25 school year.
Wage Statements were distributed to all employees.
RESOLUTION CANVASSING RETURNS
OF VOTES OF SCHOOL DISTRICT GENERAL ELECTION
On a motion by Lupien, second by Scalese, and carried: BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 356, as follows:
1. It is hereby found, determined and declared that the general election of the voters of the district held on November 5, 2024, was in all respects duly and legally called and held.
2. As specified in the attached Abstract and Return of Votes Cast, a total of 404 voters of the district voted at said election on the election of (three) school board members for four year term vacancies on the board caused by expiration of term on the first Monday in January next following the general election as follows:
Four-year term:
Michael Whitlock 404
Matthew Nordin 393
Justin Peterson 373
Write-ins: 20: Jan Weleski 1 Mike Steen 1
Lane Nordin 2 Jason Langerud 3
Katie Driscoll 1 Timothy Peterson 1 Ken Peterson 1 Randy Cedergren 1
Brad Homstad 1 DeeAnn Westerberg 1
Joey Wilebski 1 Chris Wallenberg 1
Nate Breyette 1 Tori Younggren 1
Patrick Anderson 1 Megan Hendrickson 1
Rebecca Whitlock 1
3. Whitlock, Nordin and Peterson, having received the highest number of votes, are elected to four year terms beginning the first Monday in January, 2024.
4. The school district clerk is hereby authorized to certify the results of the election to the county auditor of each county in which the school district is located in whole or in part.
CLERK’S CERTIFICATE AS TO ABSTRACT AND RETURN OF VOTES CAST
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
) SS
COUNTY OF KITTSON )
I, the undersigned, being the duly qualified and acting Clerk of Independent School District No. 356 (Lancaster), State of Minnesota, do hereby certify that I have carefully compared the attached copy of the Abstract and Return of Votes Cast in the November 5, 2024 election, with the original thereof on file and of record in my office and the same is a full, true and complete copy thereof.
WITNESS MY HAND officially as Clerk of said School District this 13th day of Novembe , 2024.
Lacey Lupien, School District Clerk
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF
ELECTION AND DIRECTING SCHOOL DISTRICT CLERK TO
PERFORM OTHER ELECTION RELATED DUTIES
On a motion by Lupien, second by Scalese, and carried: BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 356, as follows:
WHEREAS, the board has canvassed the general election for school board members held on November 5, 2024.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 356, State of Minnesota, as follows:
1. The chair and clerk are hereby authorized to execute certificates of election on behalf of the school board of Independent School District No.356 to the following candidates:
Michael Whitlock
Matthew Nordin
Justin Peterson
who have received a sufficiently large number of votes to be elected to fill vacancies on the board caused by expiration of term on the first Monday in January next following the election, based on the results of the canvass.
2. The certificate of election shall be in substantially the form attached hereto.
3. After the time for contesting the election has passed and the candidate has filed all campaign financial reports required by Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 211A, the clerk of the school board is hereby directed to deliver the certificates to the persons entitled thereto personally or by certified mail.
4. The clerk is hereby directed to enclose with the certificate a form of acceptance of office and oath of office in substantially the form attached hereto.
WITNESS MY HAND officially as Clerk of said School District this 13th day of November, 2024.
Lacey Lupien, School District Clerk

Dean/AD Bernstrom informed the board that he and KC AD Carr are working through the One Act Play salary; Kittson Central does a percentage of salary and Lancaster has a set amount on the salary schedule.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Swenson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Custodian Designations, Officer and Advisor List for the Student Activity Funds for the 2024/25 school year.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Scalese, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Student Activity Fundraising requests and financial information for the 2024/25 school year, submitted to date.
On a motion by Swenson, second by Lupien, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the Student Activity Fund balances as of October 31, 2024.
On a motion by Scalese, second by Peterson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the 2024/25 Field Trip Log as presented.
Radon testing will be conducted this winter; this is required every five years.
Bernstrom presented the Dean of Students / Activities Director Report:
a. The end of the 1st quarter was on November 1st. The Honor Roll has been finalized and will be out later this week.
b. FCCLA submitted a Thank You for the district’s support of their recent trip.
c. The Veterans’ Day Program was well performed and well attended.
d. Parent Teacher Conferences will be held November 19th and 21st.
e. Five Sophomores will attend the Team-Up Leadership Conference on November 26th.
f. The Winter Concert will be held December 5th.
g. Hoops for Heart is scheduled for December 12th; the students have started working on their pledges.
h. Unified Bowling is this week at TRF.
i. Knowledge Bowl season is coming soon.
j. Volleyball did very well at state and was able to max out their season. Girls’ Basketball and Hockey started Monday; Boys’ Basketball starts next week. Elementary Basketball is set to begin December 2nd. Red Lake Falls does not have a team, so Girls’ Basketball is looking to schedule a game to replace that one. Fall sports changed to winter sports rapidly.
Thompson presented the Superintendent Report
a. It was noted that Policy #714 states our district will strive to maintain a minimum assigned general fund balance of 10% of the annual budget. We are above that percentage at this time.
b. The PBIS Team has some new members this year. They have added a few new events – Halloween Dance party and Clue Mystery, World Kindness Day activities (Kindness chain in K-3, grades 4-6 Kindness Bingo).
c. The Community Ed Report was reviewed. Chester Fritz and Pickleball were two new events this year.
On a motion by Peterson, second by Swenson, and carried: Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education of Independent School District 356, approves the 2023/24 Community Education Annual report as presented.
d. Region 1 Joint Powers Board Nomination information was distributed.
e. January board meeting date (MSBA Conference)
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec.18th at 7:00pm. This will be the truth in taxation meeting and also the final budget will be set for 2024/25.
The January board meeting date was set for Wednesday, January 22nd as the third Wednesday is whe board members are gone to the MSBA conference.
Diamond adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
James Diamond, Chairperson
Lacey Lupien, Clerk
(November 27, 2024)
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