Orono Schools — Transcript
Monday, September 14, 2026
School Year Start & Achievements
Financial Reporting Excellence & Oversight
Capital Improvement Projects & Planning
District Enrollment Trends
Orno Foundation for Education Annual Gift
Superintendent's Strategic Goals for 2026-2027
Discovery Center Kitchen Remodel Project
Nordic Ski Cooperative Agreements Restructuring
Community Education Program Review and Future Initiatives
Votes (4)
Orno Foundation for Education Annual Gift Presentation
Dissent: None
Katie Hollererman, outgoing chair, and Molly Hollererman, student volunteer, presented a gift of $700,711 from the Orno Foundation for Education. The funds are earmarked for various crucial district initiatives including general fund support for class sizes and AP courses, literacy, character education, educator excellence, and safety and security enhancements (e.g., new camera system). Molly shared insights into the positive student impact, particularly regarding the College and Career Center.
Approval for Discovery Center Kitchen Remodel Project Bid
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [During vote] · Seconded by Board Member [During vote]
Nick Tainter, Director of Business Services, presented details on the Discovery Center kitchen remodel project, which aims to enable on-site meal preparation. The project is funded by excess federal food service dollars. Following a bidding process with seven companies, Daring Pearson Group of Rogers, Minnesota, was identified as the lowest responsible bidder for a total contract of $365,570. The project is expected to start in January and be completed by late February with minimal disruption.
Resolution of Dissolution for MHSL Cooperative Sponsorship Agreement with Delano Schools (Nordic Ski)
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [During vote] · Seconded by Board Member [During vote]
The board discussed the necessity of dissolving the existing MHSL cooperative sponsorship agreement for Nordic Skiing with Delano Public Schools. This action was a precursor to establishing a new, expanded cooperative agreement that would include Rockford Area Schools, following their request to join the program.
Approval of New MSHSL Cooperative Sponsorship Agreement for Nordic Skiing with Delano and Rockford Schools
Dissent: None
Moved by Board Member [During vote] · Seconded by Board Member [During vote]
Following the dissolution of the previous agreement, the board considered and approved a new MSHSL cooperative sponsorship agreement for Nordic Skiing. Under this new agreement, Orno Public Schools will serve as the host school, with both Delano Public Schools and Rockford Area Schools participating as districts, effective for the 2026-2027 school year.
Notable Quotes (7)
The foundation's tireless fundraising efforts help the Orno schools to not choose between program options for our students, but rather enhance our students experiences through investing their in their education.
This 700,711 is a reflection of a community that believes deeply in its schools and continues to invest in its students and educators.
These numbers represent real things that students will experience every day. whether it's having supported t-shirts to or teachers, feeling safe at school, receiving a scholarship at scholarship night, or having resources that help us figure out what we want to do after graduation.
As a reminder to our broader community, we are unable currently to cook at the discovery center. um we prepare all of the meals at other kitchens and then bring them over on a daily basis. So this will add significant value to our programs and primarily we're able to utilize excess federal food service dollars to to support the project.
At the end of the day, Daring Pearson Group from Rogers, Minnesota submitted the low bit base bid in the amount of $354,000. A selection of alternates does not affect who will uh be the low bidder. We did have one alternate that was um included and that was also uh in conjunction with Darren Pearson's bid um to additional work on kitchen casework demolition and that was $11,570 which we're also recommending for um accepting as well.
Consequently, the existing cooperative with Delano needs to be dissolved prior to entering into the new cooperative sponsorship agreement with both schools. The first item is the dissolusion of the partnership with Delano and the second item is the approval resolution to enter into a new partnership with both Delano and Rockford.
I move to approve the MSHSL cooperative sponsorship agreement for Nordic Skiing Boys and Girls with Orno Public Schools acting as the host school and Delano public schools and Rockford area schools as participating districts effective for the 2026 2027 school year.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
The financial report for which Orno received the ASBO Certificate of Excellence.
Proposed strategic goals for the Superintendent for the upcoming school year.
Resolution to dissolve the existing Nordic Ski cooperative with Delano Public Schools.
Resolution to approve a new Nordic Ski cooperative with Orno, Delano, and Rockford area schools.