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Little Falls school board approves staff leaves, facilities plan, playground and architect study
Summary
At its July 14 meeting, the Independent School District 482 board approved resolutions placing two employees on unrequested leave, adopted a 10-year facilities plan, authorized a $20,000 architect study for possible school consolidation, and approved playground equipment funded largely by a state DEED grant.
The Independent School District 482 Board of Education voted July 14 to place two staff members on unrequested leave, adopt its 10-year long-term facilities maintenance plan, authorize an architectural study into consolidating the district’s middle-school program, and approve new playground equipment for the Little Flyers child care program.
The board adopted three resolutions by roll call: placing Principal Leah Roski on unrequested leave effective June 30, 2025, placing teacher Shannon Larson on unrequested leave effective June 30, 2025, and approving the district’s 10-year long-term facilities maintenance plan for commissioner submission. All roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript were unanimous in favor.
The board also approved an action to partner with the architectural firm WITSETH to analyze whether middle-school functions could be moved into the high school. Board members discussed the need for architectural plans if remodeling costs exceed the state threshold referenced in the meeting; the initial study fee the board recorded in discussion was $20,000.
Separately, the board approved new playground equipment for Lincoln to serve the Little Flyers child care and preschool programs. District staff told the board that roughly 90% of the playground cost would come from a state DEED grant; the board transcript lists $240,000 as the portion paid from the DEED grant and lists the remaining $3,030,000 as coming from city resources. Board members were told installation would likely be underway in late summer with completion expected by about Oct. 1 if approved.
The meeting began with routine approvals of the agenda and a consent agenda that included personnel items, prior meeting minutes and financial transactions. The board also accepted several gifts, including three $250 donations from Wabash for robotics, DECA and a community schools event and a $7,500 donation to the Joan and Roger Fund for scholarships.
The actions taken on July 14 will be reflected in personnel files and in the district’s submission to the Minnesota Department of Education as required for the long-term facilities maintenance review. Several motions passed without further debate; the two personnel resolutions were read aloud and approved after the district confirmed no hearing requests had been filed within the 14-day window described in the notices read into the record.
Votes at a glance - Agenda approval: motion carried (voice vote). - Consent agenda (personnel, minutes, financial transactions): approved (voice vote). - Resolution: accept gifts (Wabash and Roger and Joan Thielen donation): adopted (roll-call vote: Mark: yes; Kelsey: yes; Julie: yes; Doug: yes; Dan: yes; Sharon Baloo: yes). - Action: partner with WITSETH to analyze high-school remodel/secondary consolidation; initial study fee quoted $20,000; motion by Kelsey, second by Dan; motion carries. - Action: approve playground equipment for Little Flyers childcare (90% DEED grant coverage); motion by Mark, second by Sharon; motion carries. - Resolution: place Principal Leah Roski on unrequested leave effective 06/30/2025 (written notice and no hearing requested within 14 days); adopted (roll-call; all yes). - Resolution: place teacher Shannon Larson on unrequested leave effective 06/30/2025 (written notice and no hearing requested within 14 days); adopted (roll-call; all yes). - Resolution: adopt 10-year long-term facilities maintenance plan (Minnesota statute referenced); adopted (roll-call; all yes).
What the board recorded in minutes The district read statutory notice language on the unrequested leave resolutions and confirmed no written hearing requests were received within the 14-day period described in the notices. The board directed that copies of the notices and the resolutions be placed in the employees’ personnel files as the meeting record requires.
Next steps and context District staff said the WITSETH study will be practical in scope and focused on classroom and instructional-space needs rather than adding new gyms or significant ancillary spaces. Any move toward consolidating grade configurations would require further study of funding mechanisms and follow-up decisions by the board. Playground procurement and construction timelines will begin when the vendor starts production; district staff estimated equipment delivery would begin within a few weeks after approval and installation could be completed by early October.
