--- title: May 18, 2026 Minutes - Google Docs date: D:20260519143215+00'00' --- ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota May 18, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, May 18, in the Minnesota River Room at the Intergovernmental Center. Chair Sinning called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker, Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt, Liz Ratcliff, Erin Roberts and Shannon Sinning. Absent: None. Mrs. Ratcliff made a motion, and Ms. Roberts 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. Pratt, seconded by Ms. Roberts, and carried on a 7-0 roll call vote. Approval of Minutes of the May 4, 2026, regular Board meeting. Approval of May Bills totaling 12,311,633.94. Personnel : ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-AFFILIATED) Jessica Ahlers - Paraeducator Services Coordinator with Student Support Services beginning July 1, 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month, Non-affiliated position with an annual salary of $102,722. She will be eligible for Category III Benefits. ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Amanda Brown - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher at Prairie Winds Middle School beginning August 31, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. She will be placed at step 2 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Ethan Davide - Full-time (1.00 FTE) English Language Arts Teacher at West High School beginning August 24, 2026. He will be placed at step 5 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Kristin Enz - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning beginning August 24, 2026. She will be placed at step 10 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Rachel Guentzel - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher at Washington Elementary School beginning August 24, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. She will be placed at step 1 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. ## Minutes of May 18, 2026, School Board Meeting Christine Karst - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher at East High School beginning August 31, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. She will be placed at step 10 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Carrie Nolan - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher at Prairie Winds Middle School beginning August 24, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. She will be placed at Step 3 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Grace Rydeen - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Interventionist at MAPS Center for Learning beginning August 24, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. She will be placed at step 1 of the B+30 lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. Christopher Willette - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher at Washington Elementary School beginning August 31, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. He will be placed at step 8 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Elijah Brink - Summer Grounds Worker with the District for 8 hours per day/5 days per week beginning May 26, and ending August 28, 2026. He will be compensated at the rate of $15.50 per hour. This is in addition to his Physical Education Teacher assignment at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Raven Brown - ABE Teaching Assistant with the Adult Basic Education Summer Program for 2.25 hours per day/2 days per week beginning June 9 and ending July 29, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $17.00 per hour. This is in addition to her Special Education Paraeducator assignment at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Nathan Osborne - Summer Grounds Worker with the District for 8 hours per day/5 days per week beginning May 26, and ending August 28, 2026. He will be compensated at the rate of $15.50 per hour. This is in addition to his Physical Education Teacher assignment at Hoover Elementary and Rosa Parks Elementary Schools. Kirsten Skinner - Secretary to the Principal at West High School beginning May 18, 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month position. She will be placed at step 5, classification B22 of the Educational Secretaries Association salary schedule. Adyson Troldahl - Community Education Site Operations & Safety Associate at Lincoln Community Center for up to 15 hours per week beginning May 11, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $12.00 per hour. Kamiah Underland - ACES Child Care Associate at Franklin Elementary School for up to 20 hours per week beginning May 4, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $13.00 per hour. Melissa Vaubel - Health Care Paraeducator (LPN), site to be determined, for 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning September 8, 2026. She will be placed at classification B23, step 4, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. ## Minutes of May 18, 2026, School Board Meeting Peyton Zrust - ACES Child Care Associate at Washington Elementary School for up to 20 hours per week beginning May 4, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $13.00 per hour. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Dayna Aslesen - Increase in assignment as Student Success Coach at Bridges Community School from 4.58 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) and 6.67 hours per day/1 day per week (F) to 7.33 hours per day/5 days per week beginning April 22, 2026. Ava Boswell - Increase hourly rate to $17.00 as ACES Student Support Assistant at Rosa Parks Elementary School beginning August 18, 2025. This is in addition to her Building Supervisor assignment with Community Education. Joselyn Ellis - Increase in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Prairie Winds Middle School from 6.67 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 3.42 hours per day/1 day per week (TH) to 6.67 hours per day/5 days per week beginning May 7, 2026. This is in addition to her ACES Student Support Assistant Substitute assignment at Franklin Elementary School. Amanda M Kozitza - Decrease in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School from 4.83 hours per day/5 days per week to 4.33 hours per day/5 days per week beginning March 3, 2026. This is in addition to her Non-classroom Paraeducator assignment at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Grace Palmquist - Change in assignment from ACES Site Lead Substitute to ACES Student Support Assistant at Franklin Elementary School for 6-8 hours per day/5 days per week beginning May 19, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $18.00 per hour. Kristina Plonske - Change in assignment from Student Information Secretary to Secretary to the Principal at Prairie Winds Middle School beginning July 1, 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month position. She will be placed at step 6, classification B22 of the Educational Secretaries Association salary schedule. Kristine Rude - Decrease in assignment as Health & Wellness Paraeducator at INSITE from 7 hours per day/5 days per week to 6.5 hours per week/5 days per week beginning May 1, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-AFFILIATED) Emily Bartels - ACES Site Specialist at Lincoln Community Center, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be August 28, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Barbara Enderle - Physical Education Teacher at Franklin Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 26, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Andie Albers - Adjust end date to May 15, 2026, as Teacher in Residence at Eagle Lake Elementary School. ## Minutes of May 18, 2026, School Board Meeting Micah Allen - Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 8, 2026. Cheryl Ellstrom - Cook Helper at Prairie Winds Middle School, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 21, 2026. Owen Finch - Special Education Paraeducator and Non-classroom Paraeducator at Bridges Community School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be July 24, 2026. Rachel Guentzel - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Washington Elementary School, has submitted a resignation in order to accept the teaching position. The last day for this assignment will be May 18, 2026. Hailey Hoppe - Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 18, 2026. Laird Keeton - ACES Child Care Assistant at Franklin Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 15, 2026. Eleanor McDonough - Special Education Paraeducator at Kennedy Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 18, 2026. Jose Martinez - Evening Floating Custodian with the District, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 4, 2026. Madeline Saye - Student Success Coach at Kennedy Elementary, has submitted a resignation. The last day for this assignment will be May 14, 2026. She will continue as ACES Child Care Assistant at Kennedy Elementary School. Sherise Williams - Cook Helper at West High School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 5, 2026. Barry Zimmerman - Day Custodian at East High School, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be July 6, 2026. ## TERMINATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Stalyn Kirkman - Special Education Paraeducator, effective May 5, 2026. ## Personnel - Addendum ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Britt Cline - Full-time (1.00 FTE) MAPS Preschool Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning beginning August 31, 2026. She will be placed at step 3 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## Minutes of May 18, 2026, School Board Meeting Lejla Hashmi - Part-time MAPS Preschool Teacher at MAPS Center for Learning for 904.5 annual hours (0.628 FTE) beginning August 31, 2026. She will be placed at step 4 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Nina Nordstrom - Part-time (0.80 FTE) Elementary Art Teacher at Bridges Community School and Jefferson Elementary School beginning August 24, 2026, training August 11, 2026. She will be placed at step 1 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. Pamela Schmidt - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Art Teacher at Dakota Meadows and Prairie Winds Middle Schools beginning August 24, 2026. She will be placed at step 10 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Lacey Schreurs - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher at Futures beginning August 24, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. She will be placed at step 1 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Haden Peterson - ACES Child Care Associate at Franklin Elementary School for up to 20 hours per week beginning May 18, 2026. He will be compensated at the rate of $13.00 per hour. Savannah Smith - Health & Wellness ESY Paraeducator at Futures for 4.5 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) beginning June 1 and ending June 18, 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 Special Education Teacher assignment. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Sarah Chambers - Increase in assignment as Elementary Music Teacher from 0.767 FTE at Bridges Community School and Washington Elementary School to 0.80 FTE at Bridges Community School and Jefferson Elementary School beginning August 31, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. ## RESIGNATIONS (ADMINISTRATIVE) Joseph Johnson - Assistant Principal at West High School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be June 30, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Kay Dedinsky - Adjust end date to May 18, 2026, as Long-term Substitute Teacher at Franklin Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary Schools. Todd Hanselman - Special Education Teacher at Prairie Winds Middle School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be May 26, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Amy Desantiago - Early Learning Classroom Aide and Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day for this assignment will be May 14, 2026. She will continue as a Paraeducator Substitute. ## Minutes of May 18, 2026, School Board Meeting Lacey Schreurs - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Futures, has submitted a resignation in order to accept the Teaching position. The last day for this assignment will be May 20, 2026. ## TERMINATIONS (NON-AFFILIATED) Morgan Schreiner - ACES Site Specialist at Lincoln Community Center, effective May 14, 2026. ## TERMINATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Amira Johnson - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at SUN, effective May 18, 2026. 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 5:31 p.m., on a 7-0 voice vote. ## Clerk ## Attest: ## Chairperson ## Minutes of May 18, 2026, School Board Meeting ## SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota May 18, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, May 18, in the Minnesota River Room at the Intergovernmental Center. Chair Sinning called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker, Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt, Liz Ratcliff, Erin Roberts and Shannon Sinning. Absent: None. 1. Ratcliff/Roberts approval of agenda with personnel addendum. 7-0 2. Pratt/Roberts approval of Consent Agenda Items: Approval of Minutes of the May 4, 2026, regular meeting; Approval of May Bills; Personnel. 7-0 3. Ratcliff/Kind adjournment at 5:31 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 May 18, 2026, School Board Meeting