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Board approves pledge recitation, staff contract and AV funding; accepts donations
Summary
At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Bemidji Public School District board approved reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at monthly meetings, accepted community donations, ratified a support staff tentative agreement, committed funds for AV replacement and took several other routine actions.
The Bemidji Public School District Board of Education recorded several formal actions at its Jan. 27 meeting, including a 4–2 vote to begin reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at monthly board meetings and unanimous approvals for donation acceptance, resolutions and personnel agreements.
The most contested item was a motion to begin reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at board meetings starting Feb. 24, 2025, under a protocol proposing that participants stand, face the flag and place their hand over their heart while those who decline may abstain without judgment. The motion passed 4–2 after extended debate about separation of church and state, student bullying concerns and community expectations. Student representative Mackenzie told the board she has observed students being mocked when they sit during the pledge: "The kids definitely get made fun of just for being different if they sit during the pledge," she said.
Other actions carried with unanimous board support. The board accepted four community donations: $500 from the Bemidji Rotary Club and $800 from the Lions Club Foundation to the Bemidji High School Choir; $1,500 from Bemidji Gymnastics Club for Bemidji High School athletics; and $14,163 in classroom support from the Bemidji 30 for 1 Foundation. A motion to accept those donations passed with no opposition.
The board adopted two resolutions designating local education agency (LEA) representatives for federal programs: one designating the presenting staff member for a list of federal programs and another naming Colleen Cardenuto for Title programs and Impact Aid. The board also accepted a concurrence resolution from the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee endorsing the district’s program direction.
On technology funding, the board approved a resolution to establish a committed fund balance for audio-visual (AV) technology replacement and signaled preference for a hybrid approach centered on interactive display panels. The district presented a replacement-cost range of roughly $605,250 to $672,500; board members said a hybrid plan could be finalized once a dollar amount is committed. The resolution passed by roll call with unanimous support.
Labor and personnel actions: the board ratified a tentative agreement with the Bemidji Education Support Professionals bargaining unit covering two years, described by staff as totaling a 5.39% package cost over two years; the board also renewed Superintendent Olson’s contract for an additional three years. Both motions carried unanimously.
The board approved first readings of several revised policies — organization of grade levels, class size (policy and procedure combined), school district testing plan and curriculum development — advancing routine policy updates aligned with Minnesota School Boards Association language.
Board chair Wall opened and closed the votes and repeated the board’s procedure for public comment and motioning. The meeting concluded with reminders about upcoming events and routine district reports.
