Kittson Central Board Meeting Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Kittson Central Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
8:00 PM Central
Boardroom
444 N. Ash Ave
Hallock, MN 56728
Mark Johnson: Present
Crisa Mortenson: Present
Andrew Muir: Present
Mike Olsonawski: Present
Amanda Pinnock: Present
Eric Ristad: Present
Molly Sobolik: Present
Present: 7.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Also present were Sarah Younggstrand, Ed Lehrke, Mrs. Carr, Margie Holmgren and Stephanie Hanson.
2. Reflection
Molly Sobolik talked about how important our student section at games is and that they have been very respectful with their cheers and behavior.
3. Approval of Agenda
Administration recommends a motion to approve the agenda as presented. This motion, made by Crisa Mortenson and seconded by Mike Olsonawski, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
4. Approval of Minutes
Administration recommends a motion to approve the August 27, 2025 minutes. This motion, made by Andrew Muir and seconded by Amanda Pinnock, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
5. Approval of Financial Reports
Administration recommends a motion to approve the financial reports and bills as presented. This motion, made by Mark Johnson and seconded by Crisa Mortenson, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
The bills have been audited and found correct and were ordered to be paid. Non-payroll checks of $259,387.35. Activity Fund Balance of $132,623.65. Payroll Electronic Fund Transfers/misc of $124,722.96. Total Wires in the amount of $170,347.13. Payroll Check in the amount of $1,824.15. Visa Credit card payment of $546.34. Donations of $56,312.87. The board extends a thank you to Shirley Rydberg, American Crystal, Kittson County Enterprise, Emily’s Dance
show, Ottertail Power and Summer Theater for their donations.
End of the month balances:
01 $2,567,603.99
02 $10,070.75
04 $37,664.35
06 $105,574.55
07 $298,444.68
08 $52,925.56
21 $132,836.16
Total $3,667,518.30
6. Communications Reports
6.1. Superintendent Report
Superintendent Johnson talked about it being Minnesota School Board Recognition Month and wanted to extend a thank you to the board members and all they do for the school district. The sound system has been updated in the main gym and will be used tomorrow night for the first time at the volleyball game. October 3rd is the first early out of the year. The teacher inservice is revamping the teaching instructional model. Second chance breakfast is going very well. There have been over 180 students served. The behavior matrix is going well. Mrs. Carr has been getting submissions on JMC to help the teachers with getting students on the right path with behavior. It is also a very good tool for documentation as well.
6.2. Principal/Activities Director Report
Mrs. Carr talked about Grandparents Day which is coming up on Friday. The schedule is a little different this year as the lunch schedule for the students has been updated from last year. We tried an alphabetical process a couple of years ago, but it was just too challenging to make work. JMC is going well and staff is working through any challenges they may be having. Parentsquare is up and running now after having issues syncing with JMC. This will be the platform teachers will use to communicate with parents. She has posted a few of the advisor openings and has had some interest expressed. Homecoming is next week with Coronation on Monday at 7:30pm. Football has a 5 and 0 record so far. They are having a successful season. The region has stated there will be no week zero for football next year. Volleyball has a home game tomorrow and it’s parents night. They are 11 and 7 for the year so far. There have been some hockey game schedule concerns with only having 17 games. There are no teams with availability to add one with us. She has an appeal to the MSHSL to help with getting more games. Ms. Pura has arrived and is getting settled in.
6.3. Building and Grounds Committee Report
There was a building and grounds committee meeting two weeks ago, and they are looking into two different options for the arena room at this time.
7. Old Business
8. New Business
8.1. Snow Removal Bids
Administration recommends accepting Jackson Klein’s bid for snow removal. This motion, made by Andrew Muir and seconded by Mark Johnson, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
8.2. Driver’s Education Fees
Administration recommends a motion to raise the driver’s education fees to 350 . This motion, made by Molly Sobolik and seconded by Andrew Muir, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
8.3. General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds
Administration recommends a motion approving a RESOLUTION STATING THE INTENTION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION FACILITIES MAINTENANCE BONDS, SERIES 2026A, IN THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $625,000 AND TAKING OTHER ACTIONS WITH RESPECT THERETO. This motion, made by Mike Olsonawski and seconded by Amanda Pinnock, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
8.4. First Reading of Policy 447, 447.1, and 448.
Administration is recommending a motion to accept the first readings of Policy 447, 447.1, and 448. This motion, made by Crisa Mortenson and seconded by Mike Olsonawski, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
8.5. Discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate
There was discussion on the Portrait of a Graduate and the portrait they came up with was presented to the board.
8.6. Proposed Levy Certification
Administration recommends a motion to that the School Board of Independent School District No. 2171 certify the proposed property tax levy for taxes payable in 2026 at the maximum amount permitted by law. This motion, made by Mark Johnson and seconded by Crisa Mortenson, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
8.7. Sale of School Property
A recommendation to sell the property in a bid process. This motion, made by Amanda Pinnock and seconded by Molly Sobolik, Carried.
Mark Johnson: Yea, Crisa Mortenson: Yea, Andrew Muir: Yea, Mike Olsonawski: Yea, Amanda Pinnock: Yea, Eric Ristad: Yea, Molly Sobolik: Yea
Yea: 7, Nay: 0
9. Adjournment – Next meeting is October 23.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:26pm
Stephanie Hanson
Recording Clerk
(November 5, 2025)
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