--- title: April 20, 2026 Minutes - Google Docs date: D:20260421134234+00'00' --- ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota April 20, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, April 20, in the Minnesota River Room - Intergovernmental Center. Vice Chair Pratt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker, Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt and Liz Ratcliff. Absent: Erin Roberts and Shannon Sinning. Mrs. Ratcliff 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. Recognition of Employees - The following employees were recognized and thanked for their years of service with the Mankato Area Public Schools. They will receive their certificate and award at a building event: 25-Year Awards ## Katherine Becker - West High School ## Curtis Doell - West High School ## Clarice Esslinger - Adult Basic Education ## Tania Fugazzi - Franklin ## Melanie Helling - Intergovernmental Center ## Eric Miller - Washington ## Kristin Moore - West High School ## Jennifer Reed - Bridges ## Matthew Ringhofer - Dakota Meadows ## Mark Szybnski - East High School ## Marla Trio - Eagle Lake ## Christopher Wollmuth - West High School The following employees were recognized for their years of service with the school district and the School Board provided special recognition during the meeting: 30-Year Awards ## Tony Broskoff - Central High School ## Deborah Kienholz - Eagle Lake ## Michelle Makela - Rosa Parks ## Staci Murphy - Hoover 35-Year Award ## Laurie Hagberg - East/West High Schools ## Julie Olsen - Bridges Community School ## Minutes of April 20, 2026, School Board Meeting The consent agenda items outlined below were approved on a motion by Mr. Baker, seconded by Mrs. Ratcliff, and carried on a 5-0 roll call vote. Approval of Minutes of the April 6, 2026, regular Board meeting. Approval of April Bills totaling $11,038,095.20. Personnel : ## APPOINTMENTS (NON-AFFILIATED) Zachary Blasing - Student Support Services Supervisor at Futures beginning July 1, 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month, Non-affiliated position with an annual salary of $102,722. He will be eligible for Category III benefits. Hanno Botha - Youth Mental Health Navigator with the District beginning July 1, 2026. This is a full-time, 12-month, Non-affiliated position with an annual salary of $91,052. He will be eligible for Category III benefits. Tatiana Garcia - Early Learning Engagement & Process Assistant Specialist at MAPS Center for Learning for 7.5 hours per day/4 days per week (M-TH) with a work year of 177 days beginning April 20, 2026. She will be compensated at the rate of $23.88 per hour, and will be eligible for Category II benefits. This is in addition to her Interpreter assignment with the District. ## APPOINTMENTS (INSTRUCTIONAL) Anna Ammerman - Full-tim…

## AGENDA ## Independent School District No. 77 ## Mankato, MN 56001 Monday, April 20, 2026 - 6:30 p.m. ## Intergovernmental Center - Mankato Room ## 1.CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL (6:30 P.M.) ## 2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA (6:30 P.M.) ## 3.EMPLOYEE CAREER RECOGNITION (6:35 P.M.) ## 4.CONSENT AGENDA (6:50 P.M.) ## A.Approval of Minutes of April 6, 2026, Regular Meeting ## B.Approval of April Bills ## C.Personnel ## 5.ADJOURNMENT (6:55 P.M.) ## School Board Members for 2026 ## Shannon Sinning, Chair Phone: 507-207-4023 E-Mail: ssinni1@isd77.org ## Term Ends December 31, 2026 ## Kari Pratt, Vice Chair Phone: 507-207-4025 E-Mail: kpratt1@isd77.org ## Term Ends December 31, 2026 ## Patrick Baker, Treasurer Phone: 507-207-4028 E-Mail: pbaker1@isd77.org ## Term Ends December 31, 2026 ## Erin Roberts, Clerk Phone: 507-207-4026 E-Mail: erober1@isd77.org ## Term Ends December 31, 2028 ## Elizabeth Hanke Phone: 507-207-4030 E-Mail: ehanke1@isd77.org ## Term Ends December 31, 2028 ## Christopher Kind Phone: 507-207-4027 E-Mail: ckind1@isd77.org ## Term Ends December 31, 2028 ## Liz Ratcliff Phone: 507-207-4029 E-Mail: eratcl1@isd77.org ## Term Ends December 31, 2028 ## Paul Peterson, Superintendent ## 10 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2 ## Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 387-1868 E-Mail: ppeter1@isd77.org ## School Board Regular Meeting ## 4. A. ## Meeting Date:04/20/2026 ## Prepared By:Paul Peterson, Superintendent ## Subject: ## Approval of Minutes of April 6, 2026, Regular Meeting ## Background: See attachment. ## Recommended Action: Recommend approval of the minutes and proceedings as attached. ## Attachments Minutes - April 6, 2026 ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota April 6, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, April 6, in the Minnesota Valley Room - Intergovernmental Center. Chair Sinning called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Members present at roll call: Patrick Baker (left 8:09-8:10 pm), Elizabeth Hanke, Christopher Kind, Kari Pratt, Liz Ratcliff, Erin Roberts and Shannon Sinning. Members absent: None. Mrs. Pratt made a motion, and Mrs. Ratcliff seconded, approval of the agenda together with a Personnel Addendum. The motion carried on a 7-0 voice vote. MAPS Student Spotlight : Kathryn Huisken - East High School MAPS Staff Spotlight : Mary Kate Lewis Piroso - Adult Basic Education Public Comment : Six people wished to speak. Information Reports : Reading/Literacy Curriculum Study presented by Director of Teaching and Learning Travis Olson, Roosevelt Principal Michelle Kruize, Washington Principal Ann Haggerty, 2017 Operating Referendum Renewal Process presented by Director of Business Services Amanda Heilman, and First Reading of Revised Policies presented by Director of Administrative Services John Lustig, Board Member Workshop/Committee/Student Reports. Winter Student/Staff Recognition presented by Activities Directors…