--- title: February 17, 2026 Minutes - Google Docs date: D:20260218143152+00'00' --- ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota February 17, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Tuesday, February 17, in the Minnesota River Room at the Intergovernmental Center. Chair Sinning called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker, Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt, Liz Ratcliff, Erin Roberts, and Shannon Sinning. Members absent: None. Mrs. Ratcliff made a motion, and Mrs. Pratt seconded, approval of the agenda together with a Personnel Addendum. The motion carried on a 7-0 voice vote. The consent agenda items outlined below were approved on a motion by Mrs. Ratcliff, seconded by Mr. Kind, and carried on a 7-0 roll call vote. Approval of Minutes of the February 2, 2026, regular Board meeting. Approval of February Bills totaling $22,816,120.45 Personnel : ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Andrea Brinkman - Part-time (0.167 FTE) Music Teacher at West High School beginning February 9, and ending May 21, 2026. She will be placed at step 10 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Amy Kranz - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning beginning August 24, 2026, for the 2026-27 school year. She will be placed at step 3 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Marcus Kruger - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education K-12 DAPE Teacher, site to be determined, beginning August 24, 2026, for the 2026-27 school year. He will be placed at step 10 of the M+30 lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Carrie Nolan - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher at Prairie Winds Middle School beginning January 29, 2026. She will be placed at step 1 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Mary Deschneau - ACES Child Care Assistant at Monroe Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/1 days per week beginning February 9, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. ## Minutes of February 17, 2026, School Board Meeting Rogan Kelling - Special Education Paraeducator at Monroe Elementary School for 5.5 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH), 4 hours per day/1 day per week (M), and 4.5 hours per day/1 day per week (F) beginning February 9, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Elan Litt - ACES Child Care Assistant at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/3 days per week beginning February 9, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Trista Marsolek - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Washington Elementary School for 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning February 9, 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. Kalie Osowski - ACES Student Support Assistant at Monroe Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/1 days per week beginning February 4, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $16.00 per hour. Rachel Stock - ACES Child Care Assistant at Monroe Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/2 days per week beginning February 4, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Anastasia Carter - Voluntary decrease in assignment as ECFE Parent Educator at MAPS Center for Learning from 321 annual hours (0.223 FTE) to 186 annual hours (0.129 FTE) beginning December 1, 2025. This is in addition to her Early Learning Social Worker assignment. Chantell Drummer - Increase in assignment as Early Childhood Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning from 997 annual hours (0.69 FTE) to 1033 annual hours (0.717 FTE) beginning February 23, 2026. Deanna Hofmeister - Increase in assignment as ECFE Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning from 135 annual hours (0.094 FTE) to 195 annual hours (0.135 FTE) beginning February 23, 2026. Mary Mccuskey Simpson - Voluntary decrease in assignment as ECFE Parent Educator at MAPS Center for Learning from 749.5 annual hours (0.52 FTE) to 734.5 annual hours (0.51 FTE) beginning February 23, 2026. Evelyn Scheibe - Adjust start date to February 6, 2026, as long-term Substitute Teacher at Prairie Winds Middle School. Kristine Schimek - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Early Learning Parent Educator at MAPS Center for Learning from 169 annual hours (0.117 FTE) to 151 annual hours (0.105 FTE) beginning February 23, 2026. ## Minutes of February 17, 2026, School Board Meeting ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Peyton Berreman - Increase hourly rate to $15.25 as ACES Child Care Assistant at Monroe Elementary School beginning February 2, 2026. Stella Byrd - Increase in assignment as Early Learning Classroom Aide at MAPS Center for Learning from 3 hours per day/3 days per week (T-TH) to 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (T-TH) and 2 hours per day/2 days per week (M/F) beginning January 19, 2026. Mercy Emery - Adjust start date to February 3, 2026, as Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Ashlyn Guse - Increase hourly rate to $15.50 as ACES Child Care Assistant beginning February 16, 2026. This is in addition to her ACES Site Lead Substitute assignment. Marissa Herbst - Increase hourly rate to $15.75 as ACES Child Care Assistant beginning February 16, 2026. This is in addition to her ACES Site Lead assignment at Hoover Elementary School. Madeline Kempenich - Increase hourly rate to $15.50 as ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute beginning February 16, 2026. Maya Kopp - Increase hourly rate to $15.25 as ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute beginning February 2, 2026. Haylee Palmer - Increase in assignment as Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning from 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (M-W) to 6.5 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) beginning January 12, 2026. Grace Palmquist - Change in assignment from ACES Site Lead at Hoover Elementary School to ACES Site Lead Substitute on an on-call basis beginning January 2, 2026. Tayler Penning - Increase hourly rate to $15.25 as ACES Child Care Assistant at Jefferson Elementary School beginning February 16, 2026. Toni Roberts - Change in assignment from Kitchen Float Cook Helper with the District to Cook Helper at East High School for 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning February 9, 2026. She will be compensated according to her placement on the Minnesota School Employees Association salary schedule. Lauren Swanson - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at East High School from 6.75 hours per day/5 days per week to 6.75 hours per day/3 days per week (W-F), 3.25 hours per day/1 day per week (M) and 5.5 hours per day/1 day per week (T) beginning February 9, 2026. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (INSTRUCTIONAL) Jessica Dowd - Special Education Teacher at Prairie Winds Middle School, has requested unpaid leave beginning February 6, and continuing through the end of the 2025-26 school year. ## Minutes of February 17, 2026, School Board Meeting Jessica Kingston - Teacher currently on Board-approved leave has requested unpaid leave for the 2026-27 school year. Abigail Miller - Adjust start date to February 6, 2026, for Board-approved leave. Michael Shores - Teacher currently on Board-approved leave has requested unpaid leave for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. Renee Unger - Teacher currently on Board-approved leave has requested unpaid leave for the 2026-27 school year. Christina Woodside - Teacher currently on Board-approved leave has requested unpaid leave for the 2026-27 school year. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Bridgette Ketter - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Washington Elementary School, has requested unpaid leave beginning February 3, and returning to work on April 3, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Rebecca Heinze - Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 26, 2026. Mary Mccuskey Simpson - Elementary Teacher currently on leave, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day for this assignment will be May 26, 2026. She will continue as ECFE Parent Educator at MAPS Center for Learning. Linette Moyer - ECFE Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 20, 2026. Sadie Nelson - Special Education Teacher at Rosa Parks Elementary, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 26, 2026. Colleen Newman - Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Interventionist at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 27, 2026. Joyce Petersen - Intervention Teacher at Rosa Parks Elementary School, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 26, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Kelly Chiet - Childcare Assistant Teacher at Lincoln Logs Learning Center, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 5, 2026. Carrie Nolan - Special Education Paraeducator at Prairie Winds Middle School, has submitted a resignation in order to accept the Teaching position. The last day for this assignment will be January 28, 2026. ## Minutes of February 17, 2026, School Board Meeting Josie Robertson - Early Learning Classroom Aide at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be January 30, 2026. ## Addendum ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Shelby Homan - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Interventionist at MAPS Center for Learning beginning February 23, 2026, for the 2025-26 school year. She will be placed at step 1 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Hawa Abdillahi - ABE Teaching Assistant with the Adult Basic Education Program at Lincoln Community Center for 4.25 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) beginning February 23, and ending May 14, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $17.00 per hour. Roni Christensen - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at SUN for 5.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning February 16, 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. Elsa Gonzalez - ACES Child Care Assistant at Franklin Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/2 days per week beginning February 10, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $16.25 per hour. Jane Ikonitski - Special Education Paraeducator at Monroe Elementary School for 4 hours per day/3 days per week (M-W) beginning February 16, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Marin Johnson - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute on an on-call basis beginning February 17, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Madison Mattson - Student Success Coach at Bridges Community School for 2.667 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) beginning February 11, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Lauren McAlpine - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute on an on-call basis beginning February 19, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Elise Muehlenhardt - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Futures for 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning February 16, 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. Kalie Osowski - ACES Student Support Assistant at Monroe Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/1 day per week beginning February 4, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $16.00 per hour. ## Minutes of February 17, 2026, School Board Meeting Brenna Patterson - ACES Child Care Assistant at Monroe Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/2 days per week beginning February 17, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Thomas Rykhus - Coffee Shop Associate at West High School for 2 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 20, and ending May 21, 2026. He will be compensated at the rate of $11.41 per hour. Trevor Sheldrup - Coffee Shop Associate at West High School for 2 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 21, and ending May 21, 2026. He will be compensated at the rate of $11.41 per hour. Jake Stensvad - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute on an on-call basis beginning February 16, 2026. He will be compensated at the rate of $15.25 per hour. Johanna Thompson - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Washington Elementary School for 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning February 16, 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. Cade Williamson - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Futures for 7.5 hours per day/2 days per week (M/F) and 4.5 hours per day/1 day per week (W) beginning February 9, 2026. He will be placed at classification B22.5, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Mallory Howk - Change in assignment from 5th Grade Teacher at Franklin Elementary School to Elementary Mentor Coach (TOSA) at Bridges Community School and Washington Elementary School beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2030. Kelsey Nelson - Change in assignment from 4th Grade Teacher at Eagle Lake Elementary School to Elementary Mentor Coach (TOSA) at Eagle Lake Elementary and Monroe Elementary Schools beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2030. Angela Timmerman - Increase in assignment as ECFE Parent Educator at MAPS Center for Learning from 849.5 annual hours (0.59 FTE) to 863.5 annual hours (0.60 FTE) beginning February 23, 2026. Megan Van Beek - Voluntary decrease in assignment as ECFE Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning from 275 annual hours (0.19 FTE) to 251 annual hours (0.17 FTE) beginning February 23, 2026. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Anastasiia Palm - Increase in assignment as ABE Teaching Assistant at Lincoln Community Center from 2.25 hours per day/3 days per week (T-TH) to 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (T-TH) and 4.25 hours per day/2 days per week (M/F) beginning February 23, 2026. She will be eligible for 6-3-2 benefits. ## Minutes of February 17, 2026, School Board Meeting Carlese Ronning - Increase in assignment as Non-classroom Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School from 2.167 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) and .75 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) to 2.167 hours per day/5 days per week beginning February 2 and ending May 18, 2026. Elizabeth Vars - Increase hourly rate to $15.50 as ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute beginning February 2, 2026. Myzel Williams - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Dakota Meadows Middle School from 5 hours per day/2 days per week (M/T) and 4.5 hours per day/3 days per week (W-F) to 4 hours per day/2 days per week (M/T) and 4.5 hours per day/3 days per week (W-F) beginning February 9, 2026. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (INSTRUCTIONAL) Celena Brandel - Extend Board-approved leave, returning on March 27, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Rebecca Brudwick - 5th Grade Teacher at Hoover Elementary School, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 27, 2026. Nicole Dwinell - Teacher currently on leave, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 26, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Olivia O'Hara-Hulett - Early Learning Classroom Aide at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation. The last day for this assignment will be February 11, 2026. She will continue as an Early Learning Classroom Aide Substitute. Lauren Swanson - Special Education Paraeducator at East High School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 10, 2026. Isaac Wadd - Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 20, 2026. ## Approval of Agreement Regarding Discontinuation of Employment There being no further business to consider, Mrs. Pratt moved and Mrs. Ratcliff seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was declared adjourned at 5:33 p.m., on a 7-0 voice vote. ## Clerk ## Attest: ## Chairperson ## Minutes of February 17, 2026, School Board Meeting ## SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota February 17, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Tuesday, February 17, in the Minnesota River Room at the Intergovernmental Center. Chair Sinning called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker, Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt, Liz Ratcliff, Erin Roberts, and Shannon Sinning. Members absent: None. 1. Ratcliff/Pratt approval of agenda with personnel addendum. 7-0 2. Ratcliff/Kind approval of Consent Agenda Items: Approval of Minutes of the February 2, 2026, regular meeting; Approval of February Bills; Personnel; Approval of Agreement ## Regarding Discontinuation of Employment. 7-0 3. Pratt/Ratcliff adjournment at 5:33 p.m. 7-0 ## 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 February 17, 2026, School Board Meeting