--- title: August 17, 2026 Minutes - Google Docs date: D:20260818135533+00'00' --- ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota August 17, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, August 17, in the Mankato Room at the Intergovernmental Center. Chair Sinning called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker, Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt, and Shannon Sinning. Absent: Liz Ratcliff and Erin Roberts (arriving at 5:05 p.m.). Mrs. Pratt 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. ## MAPS Staff Spotlight : Lexi Loomer - Communications Public Comment : No one wished to speak. Information Reports : Summer Programming Report presented by Melissa Brueske, Michelle Henderson, Zach Blasing, Karen Wolters, and Darcy Stueber; Secondary Redesign Update presented by Will Remmert; First Reading of Revised Policies presented by John Lustig; Annual Superintendent Evaluation presented by Shannon Sinning; Board Member Workshop/Committee Reports. The consent agenda items outlined below were approved on a motion by Mrs. Ratcliff, seconded by Mrs. Pratt, and carried on a 7-0 roll call vote. Approval of Minutes of the July 13, 2026, regular meeting. Approval of August Bills totaling $22,215,544.96. Personnel : ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-AFFILIATED) Jessica Dahlman - Career Development Specialist with the District beginning July 29, 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month, Non-affiliated position with an annual salary of $91,052 (prorated to $84,072.85 for 241 days for 2026-27). She will be eligible for Category III benefits. ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Mymique Baxter - Full-time (1.00 FTE) ADSIS Teacher at Dakota Meadows Middle School beginning August 24, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. She will be placed at step 8 of the PhD lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule. Zachary Benzkofer - Adjust salary placement as Special Education Teacher at East High School from B+15 step 4 to M step 5 beginning August 24, 2026, training August 17, 2026. ## Minutes of August 17, 2026, School Board Meeting Nicholas Campbell - Full-time (1.00 FTE) Business Teacher at West High School beginning August 31, 2026, and ending June 11, 2027. He will be placed at step 3 of the B lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. Robert Herndon - Part-time (0.355 FTE) Non-public School Counselor beginning August 24, 2026. He will be placed at step 2 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule, contingent upon obtaining licensure. Callie Jongbloedt - Full-time (1.00 FTE) School Psychologist at Futures beginning August 24, 2026. She will be placed at step 8 of the M lane on the Teachers Association salary schedule with an additional 10 contract days per year, contingent upon obtaining licensure. Amy Kol…