--- title: January 20, 2026 Minutes - Google Docs date: D:20260121165855+00'00' --- ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota January 20, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Tuesday, January 20, in Room 104 in East High School. Chair Sinning called the meeting to order at 5:35 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. Pratt 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 Mr. Kind, seconded by Mrs. Ratcliff, and carried on 7-0 roll call vote. Approval of Minutes of the January 5, 2026, Regular Board meeting. Approval of January Bills totaling $11,597,124.51. Personnel : ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Kasey Hassig - Teacher in the Elementary Excel After School Program for up to 2.25 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) beginning December 16, 2025, and ending April 7, 2026. She will be compensated according to her placement on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Ter Biel - Interpreter for the District on an on-call basis beginning January 5, 2026. He will be compensated at the rate of $25.00 per hour. Graham Christianson - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Futures for 4.5 hours per week/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 4.75 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) beginning January 21, 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. Skylar Frolke - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at SUN for 6.75 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 12, 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. Ella Haggerty - Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning for 3 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 26 and ending May 18, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and ## Minutes of January 20, 2026, School Board Meeting the Minnesota School Employee Association. This is in addition to her ACES Child Care Assistant assignment at Roosevelt Elementary School. Madison Huper - ACES Child Care Assistant at Roosevelt Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/2 days per week beginning January 16, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Jean Bosco Ntirenganya - MLL Paraeducator at East High School for 6.5 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 21, and ending May 20, 2026. He will be placed at classification B21, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Danielle Steckler - Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning for 3 hours per day/1 day per week (F) beginning January 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. This is in addition to her Early Learning Classroom Aide assignment. Marlee Whittlef - Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning for 5.25 hours per day/1 day per week (M) and 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (W-F) beginning January 12, 2026. She will be placed at classification B22, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Mitchel Pomije - Increase in assignment as Contract Substitute Teacher at East High School from 0.50 FTEs to 1.00 FTEs beginning January 20, 2026. Sarah Thursby - Increase in assignment as English Language Arts at East High School from 1.00 FTEs to 1.083 FTEs for the 2nd semester of the 2025-26 school year. Amber Waibel - Increase in assignment as English Language Arts at East High School from 1.00 FTEs to 1.083 FTEs for the 2nd semester of the 2025-26 school year. Jennifer Wade - Change in assignment from Long-term Substitute Teacher to Contract Substitute Teacher at Monroe Elementary School beginning August 27, 2025, and ending May 26, 2026. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Joselyn Ellis - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Prairie Winds Middle School from 6.67 hours per day/5 days per week to 6.67 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 3.42 hours per day/1 day per week (TH) beginning January 13, 2026. Danielle Fisher - Correction - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Futures from 6.75 hours per day/5 days per week to 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (M/T/TH) beginning September 26, 2025. Jace Liebl - Adjust start date to January 7, 2026, as Student Success Coach at West High School. ## Minutes of January 20, 2026, School Board Meeting Jace Liebl - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Student Success Coach at West High School from 4.25 hours per day/2 days per week (M/W) and 6.75 hours per day/3 days per week (T/TH/F) to 6 hours per day/3 days per week (T/TH/F) and 3.75 hours per day/2 days per week (M/W) beginning January 12, 2026. Elizabeth Miedtke - Increase in assignment as Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Prairie Winds Middle School from 7 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 4.75 hours per day/1 day per week (TH) to 7 hours per day/5 days per week beginning January 12, 2026. Amalia Sanchez - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Early Learning Classroom Aide at MAPS Center for Learning from 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 6 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) to 3 hours per day/4 days per week (M/T/TH/F) and 5 hours per day/1 day per week (W) beginning January 12, 2026. Piper Sandvik - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Early Learning Classroom Aide at MAPS Center for Learning from 6.25 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) beginning January 12, 2026. Lisa Smith - Increase in assignment as Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator from 6.5 hours per day/3 days per week (T–TH) at MAPS Center for Learning to 7.25 hours per day/3 days per week (T-TH) at MAPS Center for Learning and Eagle Lake Elementary School beginning January 13, 2026. Danielle Steckler - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Early Learning Classroom Aide at MAPS Center for Learning from 6 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) to 3 hours per day/2 days per week beginning January 12, 2026. This is in addition to her Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator assignment. Abigail Thole - Increase in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 6.75 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) and 4.5 hours per day/1 day per week (F) to 6.75 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) beginning January 12, 2026. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Hannah Meyer - Extend Board-approved leave, returning to work March 5, 2026. Margarita Santillan - Cook Helper at Monroe Elementary School, has requested unpaid leave beginning January 15 and returning to work on January 28, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Denise Geistfeld - ADSIS Teacher at Rosa Parks Elementary School, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be May 27, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Tatiana Garcia - Rescind acceptance as Early Learning Classroom Aide. She will continue as Interpreter for the District. ## Minutes of January 20, 2026, School Board Meeting Sharon Soliz-Arndt - Student Success Coach at Rosa Parks, District Interpreter, and Youth Sports Coach, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be January 16, 2026. ## Personnel – Addendum ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Emma Sill - Part-time (0.37 FTE) Medical Careers Teacher at West High School beginning January 20, 2026. She will be placed at step 10 of the SPEC lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Claire Beaudette - ACES Site Lead at Franklin Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/2 days per week beginning January 1, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $18.75 per hour. This is in addition to her ACES Child Care Assistant assignment at Franklin Elementary School. Carli Bennett - ACES Site Lead at Hoover Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/3 days per week beginning January 1, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $18.75 per hour. This is in addition to her ACES Child Care Assistant assignment at Hoover Elementary School. Marissa Herbst - ACES Site Lead at Hoover Elementary school for 3-4 hours per day/2 days per week beginning January 1, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $18.75 per hour. This is in addition to her ACES Child Care Assistant assignment at Hoover Elementary School. Katey Isaacson - Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 4.25 hours per day/3 days per week (M/W/F) and 3 hours per day/2 days per week (T/TH) beginning January 12, 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 ACES Child Care Assistant assignment at Washington Elementary School. Olivia O'Hara-Hulett - Early Learning Classroom Aide at MAPS Center for Learning for 4 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) and 2 hours per day/1 day per week (F) beginning January 16, 2026. She will be placed at classification B21, step 1, in accordance with the agreement between the District and the Minnesota School Employee Association. Anastasiia Palm - ABE Teaching Assistant at Lincoln Community Center for 2.25 hours per day/3 days per week (T-TH) beginning January 20, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $17.00 per hour. This is in addition to her ABE Teaching Assistant Substitute assignment. Sidney Rousselow - ACES Child Care Assistant at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/1 day per week beginning January 16, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Kelsey Surrett - ACES Child Care Assistant at Rosa Parks Elementary School for 3-4 hours per day/1 day per week beginning January 16, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $15.00 per hour. ## Minutes of January 20, 2026, School Board Meeting ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Cheryl Menke - Increase in assignment as Spanish Teacher at West High School from 1.00 FTEs to 1.083 FTEs for the 2nd semester of the 2025-26 school year. Amanda Sellner - Increase in assignment as Science Teacher at Dakota Meadows Middle School from 0.60 FTE to 1.00 FTE beginning January 21, 2026. Michael Sipe - Increase in assignment as Social Studies Teacher at West High School from 1.00 FTEs to 1.083 FTEs for the 2nd semester of the 2025-26 school year. ## CONTRACT ADJUSTMENTS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Bryn Hacker - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Rosa Parks Elementary School from 5 hours per day/5 days per week to 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) beginning January 12, 2026. Adella Maisuk - Voluntary decrease in assignment as Special Education Paraeducator at Monroe Elementary School from 6.75 hours per day/3 days per week (T-TH) to 2.25 hours per day/2 days per week (M/W), 4.75 hours per day/1 day per week (TH), and 6 hours per day/1 day per week (F) beginning January 21, 2026. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (INSTRUCTIONAL) Ruth Stark - Medical Careers Teacher at East High School, has requested unpaid leave beginning January 21, 2026, and continuing through the end of the 2025-26 school year. ## REQUESTS FOR LEAVE (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Tessie Durham - Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning, has requested unpaid leave beginning December 8, 2025, and returning to work on February 16, 2026. ## RESIGNATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Andie Albers - Early Learning Special Education Paraeducator at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation in order to accept the Teacher in Residence assignment. The last day for this assignment will be beginning January 9, 2026. Rachel Guentzel - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Washington Elementary School, has submitted a resignation. The last day for this assignment will be January 16, 2026. She will continue as a Paraeducator Substitute. Sophia Hooverson - ACES Child Care Assistant Substitute, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be January 15, 2026. Charles Jansen - Warehouse Clerk at MAPS Center for Learning, has submitted a resignation for the purpose of retirement. The last day of employment will be February 6, 2026. Kyle Reedstrom - Student Success Coach at Bridges Community School, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be February 6, 2026. ## Minutes of January 20, 2026, School Board Meeting Amelia Sumner - Health & Wellness Paraeducator at Futures, has submitted a resignation. The last day of employment will be January 16, 2026. ## TERMINATIONS (NON-INSTRUCTIONAL) Jace Franklin - Kitchen Float Cook Helper at Dakota Meadows Middle School, effective January 16, 2026. There being no further business to consider, Ms. Roberts moved and Mrs. Pratt seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was declared adjourned at 5:36 p.m., on a 7-0 voice vote. ## Clerk ## Attest: ## Chairperson ## Minutes of January 20, 2026, School Board Meeting ## SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota January 20, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Tuesday, January 20, in Room 104 in East High School. Chair Sinning called the meeting to order at 5:35 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. Pratt/Roberts approval of agenda with personnel addendums. 7-0 2. Kind/Ratcliff approval of Consent Agenda Items: Approval of Minutes of the January 5, 2026, regular meeting; Approval of January Bills; Personnel. 7-0 3. Roberts/Pratt adjournment at 5:36 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 January 20, 2026, School Board Meeting