Blooming Prairie School Board

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #756
BLOOMING PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA
December 18, 2023

A regular meeting of the School Board of 
Independent School District #756, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, was held in the High School Commons on Monday December 18, 2023, at 5:15 p.m.
(Open Forum at 5:00 p.m.)
OPEN FORUM – None
I. CALL TO ORDER – CHAIRPERSON
II. PLEDGE OF 
ALLEGIANCE
III. ROLL CALL - CLERK Rodney Krell, Kelly 
Braaten, Crystal Studer,
Dean Meshke, Jenny Thurnau, Melissa Stoen
ALSO PRESENT: 
Superintendent of Schools, High School Principal, High School Associate Principal, Members of the BPTA, & Members of the Press
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jon Sunde
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Kelly Braaten to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay
V. PRINCIPAL 
REPORTS
Reports given by Mr. Worke & Ms. Mach
VI. ITEMS ON WHICH BOARD ACTION IS 
REQUESTED
A. Minutes, Bills, 
Treasurer’s Report, 
Resignations/Terminations, Donations
Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Crystal Studer to approve items in the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
B. Employment
Motion by Kelly Braaten and seconded by Melissa Stoen to approve the employment of Jacqueline Thompson as a paraprofessional with a start date of November 27, 2023. Placement to be at Step 3 of the paraprofessional schedule at $15.53 per hour. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
Motion by Crystal Studer and seconded by Jenny Thurnau to approve Tina Cisneros as an elementary secretary with a start date of November 27, 2023. Her pay will be $19.32 per hour. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
C. Volunteer Coaches
Motion by Dean Meshke and seconded by Crystal Studer to approve Tyler Archer as a volunteer wrestling coach. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
D. Calendar 2024-25
Motion by Melissa Stoen and seconded by Dean Meshke to approve the proposed calendar for the 2024-25 school year. It is noted that moving forward there might be a couple of adjustments made. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
E. Additional Building Project Contract 
Approvals
None at this time.
F. Acceptance of Bids
None at this time.
G. Rejection of Bids
None at this time.
H. Equipment 
Purchases for Building Project
None at this time.
I. Post-Secondary 
Enrollment Contract with Riverland
Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Kelly Braaten to approve the Post-Secondary 
Enrollment Contract with Riverland. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
J. Expense Claim Form Update
Motion by Melissa Stoen and seconded by Jenny Thurnau to approve the proposed changes to the Expense Claim Form. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
K. Dental Insurance
Motion by Kelly Braaten and seconded by Dean Meshke to approve the change in dental 
insurance companies. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)

6:00 p.m. – Budget/Levy Review and Discussion Prior to Final Levy 
Certification 
L. Final 2023 Payable 2024 Levy Limitation
Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Dean Meshke to approve the final levy limitation for 2023 payable 2024. (6 Aye/0 Nay) 
VII. ITEMS OF 
INFORMATION AND/OR DISCUSSION ONLY
A. Rotation of School Board Officers
There will be an 
organization meeting held in January.
B. Building Project 
Financial Report
An update was given by Mr. Staloch.
C. Committee Reports
A committee report was given for the following committees: Buildings and Grounds/Facilities, Education Foundation, Negotiations, & Staff Development.
D. Enrollment Data
Enrollment for the 2023-24 school year per JMC as of December 12, 2023 was 330 at the elementary school (grades K-4) and 528 at the intermediate/high school (grades 5-12) with approximately 13 PSEO students.
E. Dates to Note
Dec 14 School Board Work Session at 
6:00 a.m.
Dec 18 School Board Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Dec 22 Early Dismissal – Teacher Inservice
Dec 23-Jan 2 Christmas Break
Jan 11 School Board Work Session at 
6:00 a.m.
Jan 16 School Board Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
VIII. SUPERINTENDENT OR BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
-Mr. Staloch attended a law conference.
-Tyler is leaving Kraus-Anderson on December 29. They have someone in line to finish the project with us.
-A question was asked about our open 
enrollment percentage at our school, and it is approximately 20%.
-A question was asked about the new 
scoreboard.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Dean Meshke and seconded by Kelly Braaten to adjourn the meeting at 6:19 p.m.
Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)

Tentatively, the next Regular School Board Work Session will be held on Thursday,
January 11, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. in the High School Board Room.
Tentatively, the next Regular School Board Meeting will be Tuesday January 16, 2024 at
5:15 p.m. in the High School Media Center. (Open Forum begins at 5:00 p.m.).
A complete copy of the official minutes may be found in their entirety in the official minute
book located in the superintendent’s office at the high school; 
however, they will not be available until approved by the School Board.

Respectfully Submitted,

Melissa Stoen
Clerk of the School Board
Independent School 
District #756
Blooming Prairie,
 Minnesota

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