School Board Elects Leadership, Approves Construction Bid
The Independent School District 834 School Board elected new leadership and approved a construction contract during its organizational meeting Tuesday evening.
Ellison Sherman was elected board chair, with Andrew Theander as vice chair, Katie Hawker as clerk, and Pete Kellenberg as treasurer. All positions were filled unanimously by the seven-member board, which also swore in three members including two newcomers Sarah Gersich and an unnamed director Parker.
The board approved a $2.9 million earthwork contract to Park Construction Company of Minneapolis for the new Lake Elmo Elementary School project. Facilities director Mark said the contractor was selected as the lowest responsible bidder among nine submissions and will begin site work in early February. The remaining 38 work scopes for the project will be presented at the board's next meeting January 21.
Lake Elmo Elementary Principal Katie Pong-Toa presented an overview of the school's programs and challenges. The school serves 719 students in both English and Spanish immersion programs, making it the district's largest elementary school and operating above capacity. Pong-Toa highlighted staffing shortages, particularly in paraprofessional positions, as a significant challenge requiring administrative staff to fill gaps in specialized programs.
The board also reviewed its legislative platform for the upcoming session, focusing on education funding requests including full funding for literacy initiatives and addressing unfunded state mandates. The platform will be finalized at the next meeting and presented to area legislators at a breakfast meeting January 31.
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Full analysis
Votes (6)
Election of Board Chair
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Kelzenberg [8:00]
The board conducted the election for the Chair position. Following a nomination, a roll call vote was held.
Election of Board Vice Chair
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Hawker [9:03]
The board conducted the election for the Vice Chair position. Following a nomination, a roll call vote was held.
Election of Board Clerk
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Sherman [9:48]
The board conducted the election for the Clerk position. Following a nomination, a roll call vote was held.
Election of Board Treasurer
Dissent: None
Moved by Director Hawker [10:37]
The board conducted the election for the Treasurer position. Following a nomination, a roll call vote was held.
Approval of New Lake Elmo Elementary Earthwork Bid
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Sherman [51:54] · Seconded by Director Thelander [51:57]
The board considered and approved the earthwork bid for the new Lake Elmo Elementary School. The bid from Park Construction Company was selected as the lowest responsible bidder, within budget, and on schedule, enabling site work to begin in early February.
Motion to Enter Closed Session
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Sherman [1:16:32] · Seconded by Director Hacker [1:16:38]
A motion was made to transition into a closed session of the meeting. The purpose was to receive confidential legal advice related to pending litigation involving a student, in accordance with state statutes governing attorney-client privilege.
Notable Quotes (4)
so we look at them because you know some are high some are low but in terms of overall we are we are on budget and on time excellent so we're in a good spot good thanks
I think with the split legislature right now you are not going to have any chance in of getting that that law changed so if we're going to have the law on the books all right then at least provide us support for it from a funding mechanism
based on a lot of a lot of work that goes between that action and and expulsion but if you're gonna mandate that we can't take that decisive action then you fully fund it or give us that control back
pursuant to the attorney client privilege and Minnesota stat statute section 13 d05 subdivision 3B and 2 A3 I move to go into close session to discuss to receive confidential legal advice on pending litigation involving a student
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
The School Board's Code of Ethics, which board members are required to review and sign.
Legal justification cited for entering a closed session to discuss confidential legal advice.
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Other Topics from This Document
School Board Organizational Elections
School Board Committee Assignments
School Board Member Compensation Review
Review of Board Member Code of Ethics
Lake Elmo Elementary School Principal's Update
Legislative Platform for Advocacy
Also from this meeting
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