Little Falls board approves 2025 administrative authorizations, special-education van purchase and a resolution to study budget cuts

The Little Falls Community Schools Board of Education on Jan. 6 elected officers for 2025 and approved a series of administrative housekeeping motions — including official signatures, facsimile signatures, depositories, and delegations of investment and payment authority — and a motion to purchase a special-education transportation van. The board also passed a resolution directing the superintendent to identify and recommend reductions, eliminations or modifications to district services and positions for the 2025–26 school year.

Why it matters: the votes set the district's operational authorities and spending processes for the calendar year while creating a formal process to consider cuts for 2025–26. The superintendent-led review could lead to later personnel or program changes if the administration finds revenues cannot cover planned operations.

Key votes and outcomes - Election of officers: The newly seated board members took the oath of office and the board elected Doug Dahlberg as chair; Sharon (last name not specified in the transcript) was elected clerk and Mark (last name not specified) was elected treasurer. The votes were recorded by roll call and each position carried by unanimous roll call of present members. - Board member remunerations: The board considered amendments to the annual remuneration schedule. The board voted to maintain a $300 monthly stipend for board members and to pay $25 for committee meetings and $50 for full board work sessions; the motion was approved after discussion and an amendment to the original proposal. - Administrative authorizations: The board authorized official signatures for the chair, clerk, treasurer, superintendent and business office manager for 2025; authorized facsimile signatures where necessary; designated the Morrison County Record as the district's official newspaper; and authorized the superintendent and board chair to contact attorneys licensed in Minnesota as needed (current counsel named in the meeting: Pemberton Law). All motions carried by voice vote. - Financial delegations and processes: The board delegated authority to the business manager and/or superintendent to invest district funds not immediately needed, authorized execution of related investment documents, approved payment of district obligations in advance of board approval, designated official depositories (Little Falls Pine Country Bank, Little Falls Bridal State Bank and others approved by the investment advisor), authorized electronic fund transfers, and approved the superintendent to expend funds within board-approved budget guidelines. Those motions carried by voice vote. - Purchase of special-education transportation van: The board approved purchase of an 8-passenger van with a wheelchair lift to serve special-education transportation needs. The meeting materials and an agenda statement referenced a not-to-exceed price of $91,000; during the motion one speaker said "not to exceed $191,000" before the motion was approved. The board carried the motion. (See clarifying details below about the discrepancy in the recorded motion text.) - Disposal/quotes on surplus vehicles: The board authorized seeking quotes to sell four district vehicles (including older buses and smaller passenger buses) because several vehicles no longer pass state inspection. Motion carried by voice vote. - Cooperative-sports changes: The board approved dissolution of the wrestling cooperative including Pillager (Pillager will form its own program) and then approved a sponsorship to continue wrestling with Swanville only. The board also approved dissolution of the boys-soccer cooperative with Long Prairie, which is starting its own boys program next year. Those motions carried by voice vote. - Gifts accepted: The board adopted a resolution accepting donations to district programs, including an anonymous $12,000 donation to the district's care closet; $500 from Teresa Welters and $300 from CommonSpirit to the robotics program; Helping Hands donations of clothing/personal-care items (approximate value $200); and a Morrison County Toys for Tots donation of equipment and supplies valued at about $1,200. The resolution passed by roll call. - Resolution on reductions for 2025–26: The board passed a resolution directing the superintendent to identify and recommend elimination, reduction or modification of services, staff positions, programs and offerings for the 2025–26 school year as needed due to the district’s financial condition. That resolution was approved by roll call (recorded votes: Kelsey Herzog — yes; Mark — yes; Dan — yes; Julie Lemire — yes; Doug Dahlberg — yes; [chair] yes).

Discussion vs. formal action: Most items on the agenda were routine annual authorizations with limited discussion. The remuneration change was debated and amended before a vote. The resolution authorizing superintendent recommendations for 2025–26 generated more substantive discussion because it explicitly contemplates possible staff and program reductions; it passed by roll call.

What the board did not decide tonight: The board reviewed, but did not adopt, a final 2025–26 school calendar (two draft calendars were presented for review). The board received a presentation from Habitat for Humanity and district staff about a possible school–Habitat partnership (no formal board action on that topic was taken at this meeting).

Ending: Board members said they will review the budget impacts of the remuneration change at the next meeting and may revisit details; the superintendent and staff will bring back recommended edits or reports as needed at future meetings.