--- 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 obtainin…

## AGENDA ## Independent School District No. 77 ## Mankato, MN 56001 Monday, May 18, 2026 - 5:30 p.m. ## Intergovernmental Center - Minnesota River Room ## 1.CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL (5:30 P.M.) ## 2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA (5:30 P.M.) ## 3.CONSENT AGENDA (5:35 P.M.) ## A.Approval of Minutes of May 4, 2026, Regular Meeting ## B.Approval of May Bills ## C.Personnel ## 4.ADJOURNMENT (5:40 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 ## 3. A. ## Meeting Date:05/18/2026 ## Prepared By:Paul Peterson, Superintendent ## Item Type: ## Subject: ## Approval of Minutes of May 4, 2026, Regular Meeting ## Background: See attachment. ## Recommended Action: Recommend approval of the minutes and proceedings as attached. ## Attachments Minutes - May 4, 2026 ## SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES ## INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 77 ## Mankato, Minnesota May 4, 2026 The School Board of Independent School District No. 77 met in regular session on Monday, May 4, in the Mankato Room - 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. 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 : Thilamar Them- Prairie Winds Middle School. MAPS Staff Spotlight : Brittany Ward - Washington. Public Comment : No one wished to speak. Information Reports : Coordinate Early Intervening Services (CEIS) Report presented by Samanatha Steinman; Jefferson Elementary School Forest Report presented by Melissa Brueske and Jesse Pigman; Language Access Plan Report presented by Travis Olson; Board Member Workshop/Committee/Student Reports. Public Hearing for 2017 Operating Referendum Renewal Plan. Amanda Heilman provided background information. Chair Sinning declared the public hearing open. No Citizens wished to speak and Chair Sinning closed the hearing. The consent agenda items outlined below were approved on a motion …