--- title: April 20, 2026 Minutes - Google Docs date: D:20260421134234+00'00' --- ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota April 20, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, April 20, in the Minnesota River Room - Intergovernmental Center. Vice Chair Pratt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker, Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt and Liz Ratcliff. Absent: Erin Roberts and Shannon Sinning. Mrs. Ratcliff made a motion, and Mr. Kind seconded, approval of the agenda together with a Personnel Addendum. The motion carried on a 5-0 voice vote. Recognition of Employees - The following employees were recognized and thanked for their years of service with the Mankato Area Public Schools. They will receive their certificate and award at a building event: 25-Year Awards ## Katherine Becker - West High School ## Curtis Doell - West High School ## Clarice Esslinger - Adult Basic Education ## Tania Fugazzi - Franklin ## Melanie Helling - Intergovernmental Center ## Eric Miller - Washington ## Kristin Moore - West High School ## Jennifer Reed - Bridges ## Matthew Ringhofer - Dakota Meadows ## Mark Szybnski - East High School ## Marla Trio - Eagle Lake ## Christopher Wollmuth - West High School The following employees were recognized for their years of service with the school district and the School Board provided special recognition during the meeting: 30-Year Awards ## Tony Broskoff - Central High School ## Deborah Kienholz - Eagle Lake ## Michelle Makela - Rosa Parks ## Staci Murphy - Hoover 35-Year Award ## Laurie Hagberg - East/West High Schools ## Julie Olsen - Bridges Community School ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting The consent agenda items outlined below were approved on a motion by Mr. Baker, seconded by Mrs. Ratcliff, and carried on a 5-0 roll call vote. Approval of Minutes of the April 6, 2026, regular Board meeting. Approval of April Bills totaling $11,038,095.20. Personnel : ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-AFFILIATED) Zachary Blasing - Student Support Services Supervisor at Futures beginning July 1, 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month, Non-affiliated position with an annual salary of $102,722. He will be eligible for Category III benefits. Hanno Botha - Youth Mental Health Navigator with the District beginning July 1, 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month, Non-affiliated position with an annual salary of $91,052. He will be eligible for Category III benefits. Tatiana Garcia - Early Learning Engagement & Process Assistant Specialist at MAPS Center for Learning for 7.5 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) with a work year of 177 days beginning April 20, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $23.88 per hour, and will be eligible for Category II benefits. This is in addition to her Interpreter assignment with the District. ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Anna Ammerman - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Science Teacher at Dakota Meadows Middle School beginning August 24, 2026. She will be placed at step 8 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Madilyn Bodle - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher, site to be determined, beginning August 24, 2026. She will be placed at step 1 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. Duy Linh Nguyen - Temporary assignment as ABE Teacher with the Adult Basic Education Program at Lincoln Community Center for 2.25 hours per day/3 evenings per week (T-TH) beginning April 1, and ending May 28, 2026. He will be placed at step 1 of the M lane on the ABE Teacher salary schedule. This is in addition to his ABE Teaching Assistant assignment at Lincoln Community Center. Jordan Petersen - Night School Teacher at Central High School for 2.5 hours per day/2 nights per week (T/TH) beginning April 14, and ending April 21, 2026. He will be compensated according to his placement on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Isabelle Richards - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher at Hoover Elementary School beginning August 24, 2026. She will be placed at step 3 of the B+30 lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting Alexis Sorbo - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher, site to be determined, beginning August 24, 2026. She will be placed at step 5 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Kayla Vitti - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher, site to be determined, beginning August 24, 2026. She will be placed at step 2 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Dayna Aslesen - Student Success Coach at Bridges Community School for 4.58 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) and 6.67 hours per day/1 day per week (F) beginning April 10, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Brandon R Lang - ACES Child Care Assistant at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/2 days per week beginning April 20, 2026. He will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Ellie Thompson - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute on an on-call basis beginning April 27, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. The following will be Paraeducators with the Middle School Summer Enrichment Program for 4.5 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) beginning July 6 and ending July 30, 2026. They will be compensated according to their placement on the Minnesota School Employees Association salary schedule. ## Pierre Ellis ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Nickole Duvernay - Change in assignment from Special Education Paraeducator, classification B22, to Health & Wellness Paraeducator, classification B22.5, at Prairie Winds Middle School beginning April 6, 2026. She will be compensated according to her placement on the Minnesota School Employee Association salary schedule. Tammy Fienen - Increase in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Prairie Winds Middle School from 6.83 hours per day/3 days per week (M/TH/F) and 5.5 hours per day/2 days per week (T/W) to 6.83 hours per day/5 days per week beginning May 4, 2026. Bryn Hacker - Increase in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School from 2.25 hours per day/2 days per week (M/W), 5.5 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH), and 6.5 hours per day/1 day per week (F) to 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning May 4, 2026. This is in addition to her ACES Site Lead Substitute and ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute assignments. Katey Isaacson - Increase in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School from 4.25 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 3 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) to 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 6 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) beginning May 4, 2026. ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting Luke Pollema - Increase in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School from 2.25 hours per day/5 days per week to 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning May 5, 2026. Abigail Teigen - Change in assignment from Special Education Paraeducator, classification B22, at Franklin Elementary School to Health & Wellness Paraeducator, classification B22.5, at SUN beginning March 31, 2026. She will be compensated according to her placement on the Minnesota School Employees Association salary schedule. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (INSTRUCTIONAL) Zachary Blasing - Special Education Teacher at Dakota Meadows Middle School, has submitted a request for unpaid leave in order to accept the Student Support Services Supervisor assignment beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Hanno Botha - Elementary School Counselor at Monroe Elementary School, has submitted a request for unpaid leave in order to accept the Youth Mental Health Navigator assignment beginning with the 2026-27 school year. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-AFFILIATED) Sandra Kinsella - Administrative Assistant to the Director of Facilities, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 15, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Pamela Becker - ABE Teacher with the Adult Basic Education Program at Lincoln Community Center, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 14, 2026. She will continue as an ABE Teacher Substitute. Linda Bosworth - ABE Teacher with the Adult Basic Education Program at Lincoln Community Central, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 14, 2026. She will continue as an ABE Teacher Substitute. Joshua LaFave - Special Education Teacher at West High School and ESY Teacher, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be July 24, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Eliana Anastasia - ACES Child Care Assistant at Hoover Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be April 30, 2026. Madilyn Bodle - Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School, has submitted a resignation in order to accept the teaching assignment. The last day for this assignment will be May 18, 2026. Bridgette Ketter - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Washington Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 3, 2026. Hannah Meyer - Secretary to the Principal at West High School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 1, 2026. ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting ## TERMINATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Madyn Fowler - ACES Child Care Assistant at Washington Elementary School, effective April 6, 2026. Said Hassan - Evening Custodian at Lincoln Community Center, effective April 6, 2026. Takreed Sarameh - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute, effective April 9, 2026. ## Personnel – Addendum ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Andrea Melchior - Full-time (1.00 FTE) 2nd Grade Teacher at Jefferson Elementary School beginning August 24, 2026, training August 11, 2026. She will be placed at step 10 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. Caleb Wissmann - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher, site to be determined, beginning August 24, 2026. He will be placed at step 6 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Addisyn Heller - Community Education Site Operations & Safety Associate at Lincoln Community Center for 10-15 hours per week beginning May 1, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $12.00 per hour. This is in addition to her Student Associate Worker assignment at Central High School. Marina Honnette - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute at Washington Elementary School on an on-call basis beginning May 4, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Noreen Neville - Kitchen Float Cook Helper with the District for 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning August 25, 2026. She will be placed at classification A11, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Madyson Sellner - Health & Wellness Paraeducator INSITE for 6.25 hours per day/5 days per week beginning May 7, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22.5, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. This is in addition to her ACES Site Lead Substitute assignment. Alexandria Spencer - Kitchen Float Cook Helper with the District for 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning April 20, 2026. She will be placed at classification A11, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Toni Hames - Continue as part-time (0.50 FTEs) Secondary Mentor Coach (TOSA) and part-time (0.50 FTEs) AVID Teacher at East High School ending June 30, 2028. ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Stone Bridges - Increase hourly rate to $15.75 as ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute beginning May 16, 2026. This is in addition to his Early Learning Classroom Aide assignment at MAPS Center. Rachel Guentzel - Change in assignment from Paraeducator Substitute to Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Washington Elementary School for 7 hours per day/5 days per week beginning April 20, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22.5, step 2, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Kaitlyn Heller - Increase hourly rate to $16.50 as ACES Student Support Assistant Substitute beginning May 1, 2026. This is in addition to her Early Learning Classroom Aide assignment at MAPS Center for Learning. Noura Kurdi - Change in assignment from ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute and ACES Student Support Assistant Substitute to ACES Student Support Assistant Substitute beginning April 1, 2026. Sophia Matarrese - Change in assignment from ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute and ACES Student Support Assistant Substitute to ACES Student Support Assistant Substitute beginning April 1, 2026. Julia Roering - Increase hourly rate to $15.75 as ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute beginning May 1, 2026. This is in addition to her ACES Site Lead Substitute assignment. Madison Rothbauer - Change in assignment from ACES Child Care Assistant to ACES Student Support Assistant Substitute at Kennedy Elementary School on an on-call basis beginning May 1, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $16.00 per hour. This is in addition to her ACES Site Lead Substitute assignment. Azlee Schaefer - Increase hourly rate to $17.00 as ACES Student Support Assistant at Franklin Elementary School beginning May 16, 2026. This is in addition to her Building Supervisor assignment with Community Education. Alexa Wellner - Increase hourly rate to $15.25 as ACES Child Care Assistant at Kennedy Elementary School beginning May 16, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Kay Dedinsky - Long-term Substitute Teacher at Franklin Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary Schools, has submitted a resignation. The last day for this assignment will be May 1, 2026. She will continue as a Substitute Teacher with the District. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Addison Clarey - ACES Child Care Assistant at Eagle Lake Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 1, 2026. ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting Luz Escalera - ACES Child Care Assistant at Franklin Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 18, 2026. Rahmo Hassan - Student Navigator at East and West High Schools, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be April 16, 2026. Ellie Heltemes - ACES Child Care Assistant at Kennedy Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 18, 2026. Monysona Kem - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be April 13, 2026. Faith Mosher - Cook Helper at Prairie Winds Middle School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 21, 2026. Jake Stensvad - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 5, 2026. Brenna Thomas - ACES Student Support Assistant Substitute and ACES Site Lead at Bridges Community School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be December 25, 2025. There being no further business to consider, Mrs. Ratcliff moved and Mr. Kind seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was declared adjourned at 6:41 p.m., on a 5-0 voice vote. ## Clerk ## Attest: ## Chairperson ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting ## SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota April 20, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, April 20, in the Minnesota River Room - Intergovernmental Center. Vice Chair Pratt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker, Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt, and Liz Ratcliff. Absent: Erin Roberts and Shannon Sinning. 1. Ratcliff/Kind approval of agenda with personnel addendum. 5-0 2. Recognition of Employees for Years of Service 3. Baker/Ratcliff approval of Consent Agenda Items: Approval of Minutes of the April 6, 2026, regular meeting; Approval of April Bills, Personnel. 5-0 4. Ratcliff/Kind adjournment at 6:41 p.m. 5-0 ## Independent School District No. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota ## By: Erin Roberts The complete minutes and all documents relating to this meeting are on file and available for review in the Superintendent’s Office, 10 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2 and on-line at www.isd77.org . ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting