Orono Schools — Transcript
Monday, February 23, 2026
Schuman Elementary Flood Response and Restoration
Superintendent's Report on Excellence
Federal Single Audit Reports 2024-25
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (APAC) Compliance Report
Board Member Updates (Finance, Legislative, Community Engagement)
Votes (9)
Motion to reorder agenda (move item 8A)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:00:23] · Seconded by Unknown [00:00:25]
A motion was made to move item 8A, 'Schuman Elementary flood response team recognition,' to be the next item on the agenda to prioritize the recognition.
Schuman Elementary Flood Response Team Recognition
Dr. Flesher led a session to express gratitude and recognize numerous staff, students, community members, and external partners for their outstanding work during and after the catastrophic water event at Schuman Elementary. Recognition certificates and 'excellence pins' were distributed to those present, and specific individuals and organizations (Mayo, Daily Electric, World Architects, Shoreline Fire Department, City of Orno) were publicly thanked for their collaborative efforts which enabled school to resume on time.
Consent Agenda Approval
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:12:56] · Seconded by Unknown [00:13:00]
The board considered and approved the consent agenda, which included routine matters such as approving minutes from a previous meeting, personnel recommendations, accepting donations totaling $12,12.39, and approving various financial reports and transfers for January 2026.
Superintendent Report on Excellence
Dr. Flesher presented a lengthy report detailing a wide array of student achievements. This included recognition for visual artists selected for exhibition, numerous 7th-grade students advancing to the regional History Day competition, the speech team's third-place finish in a large team category, an innovative 5th-grade 'cave experience' module, and significant athletic successes including state qualifiers and team placements in Alpine/Nordic skiing, basketball, dance, hockey, swimming/diving, and wrestling.
Board Members Questions and Comments
Board members provided various updates: Tim reported on finance and facilities items including tennis courts, lease levy capacity, and flood follow-up. Wendy Lensgard shared insights from the curriculum and accountability council meeting and an update on the legislative session, noting it's a policy year with visible tensions at the Capitol. Sarah Borchers reported on the meet and confer committee, Orno Foundation for Education, and the Special Education Parent Partnership Committee (SEPPPC), extending an invitation for community involvement in the latter.
Motion to reorder agenda (move item 8B)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:37:30] · Seconded by Unknown [00:37:35]
Dr. Flesher requested to temporarily move the APAC compliance item down the agenda, acknowledging that the APAC chair, Katie Andell, was attending a band concert and might arrive later.
Schuman Elementary Flood Update
Nick Tainter, Chad Aishan, and Dr. Adam Lamparski provided a comprehensive update on the Schuman Elementary flood. They detailed the discovery of the flood, the immediate, round-the-clock response by staff and contractors, and the successful efforts to reopen the school on January 5th. The update also covered ongoing restoration, including temporary heating, indoor air quality monitoring, and future plans for mechanical systems, flooring, cabinetry, and gym floor replacement, with a goal for full restoration by the next school year. The speakers lauded the collaborative spirit and strong relationships with external partners.
Federal Single Audit Reports 2024-25
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [00:48:40] · Seconded by Unknown [00:48:45]
Nick Tainter presented the 2024-25 Federal Single Audit Report, explaining its necessity for federal expenditures over $750,000 and confirming a "clean audit opinion" with no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, specifically concerning the child nutrition program. He attributed this success to the diligent work of Jackie Doma, Lauren Spoke, and Rachel McQuiston, and noted a delay in the federal compliance supplement's issuance as well as an upcoming increase in the audit threshold to $1 million.
APAC Compliance / American Indian Parent Advisory Committee Report
Katie Andell, the APAC Chair, presented a comprehensive report on the committee's achievements, including meeting grant goals like 100% graduation and increased MCA scores, successful community engagement events (e.g., wild rice soup tasting, Nina Olirri's book presentation, community weaving project), and maintaining strong inter-district relationships. She introduced Dr. Leslie Lach, the new American Indian Cultural Liaison, and outlined exciting future initiatives such as a native student graduation ceremony and the establishment of a Three Sisters Garden, highlighting the profound personal impact of these programs on students, including her own children.
Notable Quotes (17)
Um as the board and community are aware, Schuman Elementary experienced what was described as a catastrophic water event over winter break and there were so we had so many helpers and we wanted to say thank you.
I just wanted to mention that um we were able to start school in January on time and I truly believe your work saved our building for our school community and our students.
I also last wanted to sh thank Shoreline Fire Department for helping us in the middle of the night on a cold January night. Um and the city of Orno who did the same in December.
As the smallest large team, their third place finish reflects the depth, talent, and strength of our speakers across the board.
And Breakout Edu is an educational game-based learning kit that harnesses the excitement of escape rooms and infuses them with academic content for the classroom.
The girls are having a remarkable season. We hope you will all turn up for the game.
I think the big things for um you all to know a reminder you know this but a reminder is that it is not a budget year so a lot of policy um the other is that there is um report that it is visibly tense at the capital right now um and yet they're going to have to pass bipartisan legislation.
If you are a parent of a child with um that is in special education in any capacity, you are welcome to come to these meetings. They're very um um welcoming and sharing of u best practices that is really helpful from the parents that are there.
I just want to make sure that everybody understands that these two are are are the ones that are really put in all the efforts and they're they're leading through um a disaster of this nature. Um was second to none.
But I think from day one, and I think Adam, you would agree with me, that our goal was to get students back in the classroom um on January 5th when they came back in the building, get them back in in their classroom, uh get them back in a clean classroom, get them back in a safe space, um and in a good learning environment.
The insurance company from our understanding said everything that you have been doing in those first crucial days was exactly what you should have been doing. You the team was incredibly professional and incredibly efficient and working really well together and um and that's from a huge insurance company.
I am proud to say that we had uh received a clean audit opinion um as well as no uh significant deficiencies reported in internal controls or no material weaknesses. It's what exactly what you want to hear when you get these reports.
A big I want to show a big thank you to uh Jackie Doma as well as Lauren Spoke. um both of our leaders of the child nutrition program ensuring that we're compliant with all the rules and regulations of the federal government.
This 2025 2026 school year has really set in motion I think the most exciting year that we've had.
It no longer applies and native students look just like everybody else and that's validating enough to say that you it is who you are and you don't have to defend it because it is just a fact.
This is such an incredible representation of our community and these little straggling strands and some of us are in started in our process and some of us are finishing and some of us are neat and perfect and some of us are a little all over the place, but together we hold each other up and we're stronger together and we provide this beautiful tapestry.
We have funds and so it's fun to share those messages and share those funds with families that are involved on not involved at all on the impact committee involved interested. Um it's great to just do what the funds are set out for which is to give to those families.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Previous meeting minutes approved by the board.
Recommendations approved as part of the consent agenda.
Financial report approved as part of the consent agenda.
Financial transfers approved as part of the consent agenda.
Financial registers (Bill voucher, EP, EFT, Capital One transaction) approved as part of the consent agenda.
An independent audit report required for federal expenditures exceeding $750,000, specifically reviewing the child nutrition program.
An accompanying document to the federal single audit report.
A federal document that caused a delay in the issuance of the 2024-25 Federal Single Audit Report.
Published book by Nina Olirri, presented at Orno High School, discussing native identity.