--- title: February 2, 2026 Minutes - Google Docs date: D:20260203143108Z --- ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota February 2, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, February 2, in the Mankato Room in 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. Members absent: None. Ms. Roberts 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. MAPS Student Spotlight : Desmond Flintrop from Monroe Elementary School. MAPS Staff Spotlight : Ashlynn Montgomery from Prairie Winds Middle School. Public Comment : No one wished to speak. Information Reports : Annual American Indian Education Compliance Report presented by Jocelyn DeSutter; Secondary Redesign Update Report presented by Will Remmert; Board Member Workshop/Committee/Student Reports. The consent agenda items outlined below were approved on a motion by Mrs. Pratt, seconded by Mrs. Ratcliff, and carried on a 7-0 roll call vote. Approval of Minutes of the January 20, 2026, regular Board meeting. Personnel : ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Drew Burling - Part-time (0.50 FTE) Long-term Substitute Teacher at West High School beginning January 27, 2026, and continuing through the end of the 2025-26 school year. She will be placed at step 1 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Dawn Mills - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Special Education Teacher, site to be determined, beginning August 24, 2026, for the 2026-27 school year. She will be placed at step 10 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Evelyn Scheibe - Long-term Substitute Teacher at Prairie Winds Middle School beginning February 23, 2026, and continuing through the end of the 2025-26 school year. She will be placed at step 1 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## Minutes of February 2, 2026, School Board Meeting Emma Sill - Correction - Part-time (0.37 FTE) Medical Careers Teacher at West High School beginning January 20, 2026. She will be placed at step 8 of the B+15 lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Andie Albers - Teacher in Residence at Eagle Lake Elementary School for 7.33 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 12 and ending May 6, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $23.00 per hour. Madilyn Bodle - Teacher in Residence at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 7.33 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 12 and ending May 6, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $23.00 per hour. Luz Escalera - ACES Child Care Assistant at Franklin Elementary School for 1.5 hours per day/2 days per week beginning January 28, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Rose Kuhn - ACES Child Care Assistant at Jefferson Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/1 days per week beginning January 26, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Denise Moody - Cook Helper at Dakota Meadows Middle School for 6 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 26, 2026. She will be placed at classification A11, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Ubah Shire - Building Supervisor with Community Education on an as needed basis beginning February 1, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $18.00 per hour. This is in addition to the Out of School Time Navigator assignment with Community Education. Sophie Thomas - ACES Child Care Assistant at Monroe Elementary School for 1.5 hours per day/2 days per week beginning January 28, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.50 per hour. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Luisa Hernandez - Increase in assignment as Spanish Teacher from 1.00 FTE to 1.083 FTE for the second semester of the 2025-26 school year. ## REQUESTS FOR SALARY LANE ADVANCEMENT (INSTRUCTIONAL) In accordance with the terms of the agreement between the Mankato Teachers Association and the District, teachers have submitted their request for salary lane advancement. Each of these requests has been reviewed and a list of those qualifying for salary lane advancement for January of the 2025-26 school year is shown below. The salary lane advancements will be retroactive to January 1, 2026, of the 2025-26 school year. The Administration recommends that the Board approve the salary lane advancements. ## Minutes of February 2, 2026, School Board Meeting ## Name From To ## Monica Bjornstad B+15 M ## Claire Christianson B+15 M ## Renae Danberry B B+15 ## Summer Hornemann B B+15 ## Erika Kuhlers B B+15 ## Amy Luethmers B+15 B+30 ## Danielle Peterson M M+30 ## Sarah Peterson B B+15 ## Abigail Rannow B M ## Annakeiko Reichel M M+30 ## Amanda Shaw B+30 M ## Jeremy Steffensmeier M+30 M+45 ## Maria Stock B+15 M ## Katie Trembley M M+30 ## Katherine Westman M M+30 ## Brittany Wundermachen B B+15 ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Graham Christianson - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Futures from 4.5 hours per week/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 4.75 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) to 4.5 hours per week/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 2.5 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) beginning January 26, 2026. Hailey Hoppe - Adjust end date to May 6, 2026, as Teacher in Residence at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Chloe Murray - Increase in assignment as Non-classroom Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School from 2.167 hours per day/4 days per week (T-F) to 2.167 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 12 and ending May 18, 2026. Carlese Ronning - Increase in assignment as Non-classroom Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School from 2.167 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) to 2.167 hours per ## Minutes of February 2, 2026, School Board Meeting day/2 days per week (T/TH) and .75 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) beginning January 12 and ending May 18, 2026. Tahura Tari - Increase in assignment as ABE Teaching Assistant with the Adult Basic Education program at Lincoln Community Center from 1 hour per day/4 days per week (M-TH) to 2 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) beginning January 13, and ending May 8, 2026. This is in addition to her Childcare Aide assignment at Lincoln Logs Learning Center. Tahura Tari - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Childcare Aide at Lincoln Logs Learning Center from 3.5 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) to 2.5 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) beginning January 13, and ending May 8, 2026. This is in addition to her ABE Teaching Assistant assignment at Lincoln Community Center. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (INSTRUCTIONAL) Kristina Kullman - Extend Board-approved leave through the end of the 2025-26 school year. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Madilyn Bodle - Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School, has submitted a request for unpaid leave in order to accept the Teacher in Residence assignment beginning January 12, and returning to work on May 7, 2026. Hailey Hoppe - Extend Board-approved leave, returning on May 7, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Colleen Geffe-Dahle - Kindergarten Teacher at Monroe Elementary School, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 26, 2026. Kim Strand - Speech Language Pathologist with the District has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 26, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Danica Schmidt - Kitchen Float Cook Helper at West High School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be January 23, 2026. Julie Sonnek - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Prairie Winds Middle School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be January 26, 2026. ## Addendum ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Allyson Gotz - Contract Substitute Teacher at Monroe Elementary School beginning January 30, 2026, and continuing through the end of 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) Aunika Barten - Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning for 2 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 30, and ending May 18, 2026. She will be ## Minutes of February 2, 2026, School Board Meeting placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Sabrina Corbin - Special Education Paraeducator at Franklin Elementary School for 6 hours per day/5 days per week beginning February 4, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Mercy Emery - Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 4.83 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) 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. This is in addition to her Non-classroom Paraeducator assignment. Kaya Marie Enneking - ACES Child Care Assistant at Washington Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/2 days per week beginning February 2, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Sienna McConville - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Washington Elementary School for 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 2 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) beginning February 5, 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 assignment at Eagle Lake Elementary School and ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute assignment. Ashley Neeser - Special Education Paraeducator at Monroe Elementary School for 6.75 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) and 3.25 hours per day/1 day per week (F) beginning January 29, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. This is in addition to her Paraeducator Substitute assignment. Luke Pollema - Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 2.25 hours per day/5 days per week beginning February 2, 2026. He will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. ## REQUESTS FOR SALARY LANE ADVANCEMENT (INSTRUCTIONAL) In accordance with the terms of the agreement between the Mankato Teachers Association and the District, teachers have submitted their request for salary lane advancement. Each of these requests has been reviewed and a list of those qualifying for salary lane advancement for January of the 2025-26 school year is shown below. The salary lane advancements will be retroactive to January 1, 2026, of the 2025-26 school year. The Administration recommends that the Board approve the salary lane advancements. ## Name From To ## Dawn Clauson M+30 M+45 ## Minutes of February 2, 2026, School Board Meeting ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Stella Byrd - Increase in assignment as Early Learning Classroom Aide 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. Tammy Fienen - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Prairie Winds Middle School from 6.75 hours per day/5 days per week to 6.83 hours per day/3 days per week (M/TH/F) and 5.5 hours per day/2 days per week (T/W) beginning February 2, 2026. Kennedy Macke - Increase in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at East High School from 6.83 hours per day/1 day per week (M), 2 hours per day/2 days per week (T/W) and 2.75 hours per day/1 day per week (TH) to 5.25 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 12, 2026. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (INSTRUCTIONAL) Katelyn Wilson - Extend Board-approved leave through the end of the 2025-26 school year. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-AFFILIATED) Crystal Jaren - Central Registration Specialist with the District, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 13, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Samuel Barnes - Special Education Teacher at East High School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be January 30, 2026. Brenda Walter - 1st Grade Teacher at Eagle Lake Elementary School, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 27, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Allyson Gotz - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Monroe Elementary School, has submitted a resignation in order to accept the Contract Substitute position. The last day for this assignment will be January 29, 2026. Angelica Morales Rodriguez - ABE Teaching Assistant and ABE Homeschool Liaison with the Adult Basic Education Program, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be January 30, 2026. Payton Pietsch - Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 2, 2026. The following resolution was moved by Mrs. Ratcliff and seconded by Mr. Kind and carried on a 7-0 roll call vote: ## RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATIONS WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 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 the benefit of pupils thereof, including trusts created to ## Minutes of February 2, 2026, School Board Meeting 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 and 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 Mankato Area Public Schools, ISD77, gratefully accepts the following donations as identified below: ● Scheels donated the following: ## ○ $1,000 for West High Girls Lacrosse Program ## ○ $1,000 for West High Boys Hockey Program ## ○ $1,000 for West High Girls Hockey Program ● Todd & Amy Loosbrock donated Adaptive Chair ($1,389 value) for Mankato Area Public ## Schools ● SPX - Quality 1 Hr Foto donated Gold Stripe Replacement in Gym ($1,224 value) for East ## High School ## ● Robert Chesley donated $11,000 for Central High School ● Dr. & Mrs. Robert J. Olson donated $500 for West High Girls Soccer Program ● MinnStar Bank donated $500 for West High PBIS Program ● Dunkin’ donated 7 dozen donuts ($104.93 value) for West High PBIS Program ● Vivront LLC donated $500 for MAPS Nutrition Services Angel Account Program ● Spotlight Dance Company donated $250 for West High Orchesis Program On December 17th at 2:00pm, forty eight (48) bids were received for the Mankato Area Public Schools 2026 IAQ/HVAC Project at Elementary School (see page(s) __________). The administrative team and Kraus Anderson, our Construction Manager, recommend that the bids as submitted by Kellington Construction Inc. in the amount of $287,000.00 for the base bid on work scope 06-A Carpentry be accepted by the School Board. IAQ LTFM will be used to fund this project, and this project will be part of the FY26/FY27 budget. Mrs. Ratcliff made a motion to accept the bid as recommended and Mr. Kind seconded the motion. The motion carried on a 7-0 roll call vote. ## Minutes of February 2, 2026, School Board Meeting A tentative agreement was reached between District 77 and the Mankato Association of Principals on January 16, 2026. Mr. Baker made a motion to approve the agreement and it was seconded by Mrs. Pratt. The motion carried on a 6-1 (Hanke) roll call vote. There being no further business to consider, Ms. Roberts moved and Mrs. Ratcliff seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was declared adjourned at 6:50 p.m., on a 7-0 voice vote. ## Clerk ## Attest: ## Chairperson ## Minutes of February 2, 2026, School Board Meeting ## SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota February 2, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, February 2, in the Mankato Room in 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. Members absent: None. 1. Roberts/Pratt approval of agenda with personnel addendum. 7-0 ## 2. MAPS Student Spotlight - Desmond Flintrop ## 3. MAPS Staff Spotlight - Ashlynn Montgomery 4. Public Comment – No one wished to speak. 5. Information: Annual American Indian Education Compliance Report; Secondary Redesign Update Report; Board Member Reports. 6. Pratt/Ratcliff approval of Consent Agenda Items: Approval of Minutes of the January 20, 2026, regular meeting; Personnel. 7-0 7. Ratcliff/Kind acceptance of gift. 7-0 8. Ratcliff/Kind approval of construction bids for Eagle Lake. 7-0 9. Baker/Pratt ratified 2025-2027 Principal Agreement. 6-1 (Hanke) 10. Roberts/Ratcliff adjournment at 6:50 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 2, 2026, School Board Meeting ## Kraus-Anderson Construction Company ## 501 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Office 612-332-7281 | www.krausanderson.com | Fax 612-332-0217 Building enduring relationships and strong communities January 15, 2026 ## Mr. Scott Kaminski ## Mankato Area Public Schools ## 10 Civic Center Plaza ## Mankato, MN 56002 ## RE: MAPS Eagle Lake Elementary ## Contract Award Letter ## Dear Mr. Kaminski: This letter is concerning the contract awards for the above referenced project that was bid on December 17, 2025. Kraus-Anderson has verified bidders and we submit the following lowest responsible bidders and their total bid amount: Work Scope Contractor, City, State Bid Amount ## WS ## 06-A Carpentry Kellington Construction Inc. ## Minneapolis, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $287,000.00 $287,000.00 ## Total Base Bid: $ 287,000.00 Contract Total: $ 287,000.00 Contracts previously approved are attached just behind this letter, totaling $ 4,095,070.00 We have also enclosed the Bid Tabulation sheets that reflect the bids received. If you have any questions regarding this information, please do not hesitate to contact me at 507.649.7491. Very truly yours, ## KRAUS-ANDERSON ® ## CONSTRUCTION COMPANY ## Mike Hayes ## Assistant Project Manager ## Kraus-Anderson Construction Company ## 501 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Office 612-332-7281 | www.krausanderson.com | Fax 612-332-0217 Building enduring relationships and strong communities December 29, 2025 ## Mr. Scott Kaminski ## Mankato Area Public Schools ## 10 Civic Center Plaza ## Mankato, MN 56002 ## RE: MAPS Eagle Lake Elementary ## Contract Award Letter ## Dear Mr. Kaminski: This letter is concerning the contract awards for the above referenced project that was bid on December 17, 2025. Kraus-Anderson has verified bidders and we submit the following lowest responsible bidders and their total bid amount: Work Scope Contractor, City, State Bid Amount ## WS ## 01-J ## Final Cleaning Everest Cleaning Systems ## LLC ## Saint Paul, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $31,134.00 $31,134.00 ## WS ## 03-A Concrete Robert W. Carlstrom Co., Inc. ## Mankato, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $43,046.00 $43,046.00 ## WS ## 07-H Roofing Kato Roofing, Inc. ## Mankato, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $107,905.00 $107,905.00 ## WS ## 08-F ## Exterior Glass & Glazing United Glass, Inc. ## Brooklyn Park, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $10,950.00 $10,950.00 ## WS ## 09-A Drywall Pietsch Construction Inc. ## Madelia, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $159,000.00 $159,000.00 ## WS ## 09-B ## Tile Commercial Flooring ## Services, LLC ## Eagan, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $15,224.00 $15,224.00 ## WS ## 09-C Ceiling & ## Acoustical ## Treatment Palmer-Soderberg, Inc. ## Rochester, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $182,400.00 $182,400.00 ## WS ## 09-D Flooring – Resilient & ## Carpet ## Rickway Carpet ## North Mankato, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $25,000.00 $25,000.00 Work Scope Contractor, City, State Bid Amount ## WS ## 09-K ## Painting Mulcahy Nickolaus LLC ## Oakdale, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $46,875.00 $46,875.00 ## WS ## 21-A ## Fire ## Suppression J.F. Ahern Co. ## Menomonie, WI ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $67,069.00 $67,069.00 ## WS ## 23-B ## Combined ## Mechanical Malterer Mechanical, Inc. ## Mankato, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $2,618,760.00 $2,618,760.00 ## WS ## 26-A ## Electrical Wolf River Electric ## Isanti, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $733,707.00 $733,707.00 ## WS ## 31-A ## Site Clearing & ## Earthwork Steve James Excavating, Inc. ## Owatonna, MN ## Base Bid: ## Total Contract: $54,000.00 $54,000.00 ## Total Base Bid: $ 4,095,070.00 Contract Total: $ 4,095,070.00 Work scope not included: 06A Carpentry & Demolition Approximate amount: $287,000.00 We have enclosed the Bid Tabulation sheets that reflect the bids received. If you have any questions regarding this information, please do not hesitate to contact me at 507.649.7491. Very truly yours, ## KRAUS-ANDERSON ® ## CONSTRUCTION COMPANY ## Mike Hayes ## Assistant Project Manager