The Grand Forks Public Schools Board of Education on Aug. 11 approved a series of administrative and procurement items, adopted multiple policy changes (many required by recent state law), and received a finance committee update on construction contingencies.

Key votes at the meeting included the board’s approval to release a contracted staff member from his 2025–26 teaching contract with liquidated damages, selection of beverage and fuel vendors, acceptance of a filtration supplier for district HVAC units and adoption or amendment of a large set of district policies.

The board voted unanimously to grant a release from contract for Evan Peterson, dean of students at Valley Middle School. Superintendent Dr. Brenner presented a resignation letter dated for an effective date of Aug. 15, 2025; the district noted that liquidated damages equal to 3 percent of the contract were enforceable under policy DKB B E and that the assessed amount is $1,851.18. The motion to grant the release and enforce the liquidated damages was moved by Larson, seconded by Dr. Lund, and passed by roll call, 9–0.

On procurement, the board approved selected beverage products from competing bids by Pepsi and Coca‑Cola as a line‑item award; the board’s packet identified a recommended product-by-product selection in an attached summary. The motion to approve the recommended beverage products was moved by Cleven and seconded by Dr. Hodak and passed 9–0. The administration explained that the bids were line-item offers and that vendors understood that the district might select some products from one vendor and other products from the other.

The board accepted two fuel proposals for vehicle refueling: B1 Inc., doing business as Gateway Senex, was approved for priority in-town refueling and Circle K Holiday Corporation was approved for other in-town and out-of-town refueling. The motion (moved by Palmasino, seconded by Manley) passed by roll call, 9–0.

District staff also recommended Technics Filtration as the supplier for HVAC filters across the district for a total cost of $105,178.15; the board approved that procurement (motion moved by Dr. Lund, seconded by Cleven) by a 9–0 vote.

The policy review committee presented a long list of recommended policy actions. The board adopted many policies on first reading and waived second readings where the committee recommended doing so. Among items adopted were new or amended policies on virtual schooling and virtual instruction (ABAD, GACA), student devices and electronic communications (FFI), wellness policy adjustments (ABEA) and a batch of additional policies and amendments that the packet lists by code (GACB; GACE; FFK; ACCB; FG A; DCCA; FFE; FCAA; DDBD; GABE; BCAA; BCBA; BBA; KAAC; GAAD). Several motions to adopt specific policies carried unanimously, and the board voted to rescind Policy 5640 because it was superseded by newly adopted language. The board also approved a board regulation (FFK‑BR) as amended.

The finance committee reported that it had approved a small change order of $125,045 for irrigation and backstop adjustments at a construction site; committee members noted the project continues to run with significant owner contingency remaining and that funds would likely be needed later to tear down the old Valley building. Committee members said change-order authority rests with the finance committee, so no board action on that item was required.

Board members discussed board compensation (policy BDD) at length and asked the policy review committee to return with a recommendation. The committee will take the topic up at its Sept. 11 meeting and the full board will take public feedback at the Aug. 25 school board meeting. Board members expressed interest in a two‑year review cycle tied to other district budgeting timelines and requested comparative compensation data that committee staff had prepared from peer districts.

The meeting packet and motions record the mover/second and roll‑call outcome for each action; where specific contract or bid attachments were referenced, the board approved the recommendations as outlined in the packet. Several items before the board were discussion only and required no vote.

Ending: Board members recessed for a scheduled tour of Valley Middle School; the district indicated it will return to the board with follow-up information on facilities planning and the energy‑savings report.