Blooming Prairie School Board

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT #756
BLOOMING PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA
DECMBER 16, 2024

A regular meeting of the School Board of 
Independent School District #756, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, was held in the High School Media Center on Monday, December 16, 2024, 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   Jon Sunde, Rodney Krell, Kelly Braaten,
Crystal Studer, Dean Meshke, Jenny Thurnau
ALSO PRESENT: 
Superintendent of Schools, High School Principal, Elementary Principal, Members of the BPTA, School Patrons, & Members of the Press
MEMBERS ABSENT:  Melissa Stoen
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Jon Sunde and seconded by Jenny Thurnau to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion carried. 
(6 Aye/0 Nay)
V. PRINCIPAL 
REPORTS
Reports given by Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Worke
VI. ITEMS ON WHICH BOARD ACTION IS 
REQUESTED
A. Minutes, Bills, 
Treasurer’s Report, 
Resignations/
Terminations, 
Maternity/Paternity Leaves
and Donations
Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Kelly Braaten to approve items in the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
B. Employment
Motion by Crystal Studer and seconded by Jenny Thurnau to approve 
Elizabeth Baird as an elementary 
paraprofessional. Placement will be at Step 9 of the paraprofessional schedule at $18.17 per hour with a start date of December 5, 2024. Motion carried. 
(6 Aye/0 Nay)
Motion by Jon Sunde and seconded by Dean Meshke to approve Tina Harms as an 
elementary 
paraprofessional. 
Placement will be at Step 1 of the paraprofessional schedule at $15.46 per hour with a start date of December 16, 2024. Motion carried. 
(6 Aye/0 Nay)
C. Volunteer Coaches
None at this time.
D. 2025-26 Calendar
Motion by Kelly Braaten and seconded by Jenny Thurnau to approve the proposed 2025-26 
calendar. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
E. Post-Secondary 
Enrollment Contract with Riverland
Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Crystal Studer to approve the post-secondary 
enrollment contract with Riverland Community College. Motion carried. (6 Aye/0 Nay)
F. Additional Building Project Contract 
Approvals
None at the time
G. Acceptance of Bids
None at this time.
H. Rejection of Bids 
None at this time
I. Equipment Purchases
Motion by Jon Sunde and seconded by Dean Meshke to approve the purchase of a new combi oven through Culinex instead of Hubert 
Company. (6 Aye: Sunde, Krell, Braaten, Studer, Meshke, Thurnau/0 Nay)
6:00 p.m. – Budget/Levy Review and Discussion Must Take Place
Prior to Final Levy 
Certification
J. Final 2024 Payable 2025 Levy Limitation 
Motion by Jon Sunde and seconded by Dean Meshke to approve the 
final levy limitation for 2024 payable 2025. 
Motion carried. 
(6 Aye/0 Nay)
VII. ITEMS OF 
INFORMATION AND/OR DISCUSSION ONLY
A.Rotation of School Board Officers
Noted that this is Jenny Thurnau’s last meeting 
after 17 years on the school board.
B. Building Project Financial Report
Mr. Staloch presented an update.
C. Committee Reports
A committee report was given for the following committees: Buildings and Grounds/Facilities, Education Foundation, Greenhouse, MSBA & MSHSL, & Technology.
D. Enrollment Data
Enrollment for the 
2024-25 school year 
per JMC as of 
December 9, 2024, was 327 at the elementary school (grades K-4) and 520 at the intermediate/high school (grades 5-12) with approximately 12 PSEO students.
E. Dates to Note
Dec 12 School Board Work Session at 6:00 a.m.
Dec 16 School Board Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Dec 20 Teacher Inservice/No School
Dec 23-Jan 1 Christmas Holiday Break
Jan 2 Classes Resume
Jan 16 School Board Work Session at 6:00 a.m.
Jan 20 Teacher Inservice/No School
Jan 21 School Board Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
Jan 24 End of 2nd 
Quarter/Early Release/Teacher Inservice
Jan 27 Start of 3rd Quarter
VIII. SUPERINTENDENT OR BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
-Strategic planning 
listening sessions are taking place with school staff. There is great
engagement and discussion happening.
-State budget projections are significantly less than the current year so we will keep a close eye on this.
-Thank you to Jenny Thurnau for serving 17 years on the school board.
-Jon Sunde shared that we as a school board do not have decision making abilities on parking on county road 46 behind the school.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Jon Sunde and seconded by Dean Meshke to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
Motion carried. 
(6 Aye/0 Nay)

Tentatively, the next 
Regular School Board Work Session will be held on Thursday,
January 16, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. in the High School Board Room.

Tentatively, the next Regular School Board Meeting will be 
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 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,
Crystal Studer
School Board Director
Independent School 
District #756
Blooming Prairie,
 Minnesota
2.5