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Jordan Public School District holds organizational meeting; board re‑elects officers, approves personnel and pay‑equity updates
Summary
At its organizational meeting, the Jordan Public School District board of education held a ceremonial oath, elected officers by acclamation, approved routine organizational items and personnel contracts, and deferred any change to board compensation after a brief discussion of pay equity and budget timing.
Board members of the Jordan Public School District recited the ceremonial oath of office and then opened the district's organizational and regular meeting.
In an otherwise procedural session, the board elected officers, confirmed routine financial and administrative authorities, approved a substitute principal arrangement and pay‑equity contract adjustments, and approved a set of personnel items after two members abstained because of a conflict.
The organizational items set routine authorities and dates the board uses for the year, while the personnel approvals and contract adjustments implement pay‑equity changes required by the state.
The board elected Deb Polly as chair by acclamation and named Molly Moniak vice chair, Lauren Pederson clerk and Corinne Hennen treasurer. The board approved a treasurer's bond for $100,000 in Corinne Hennen's name, designated depositories (Franzen Bank, Riverland Bank, MSBA Liquid Asset Fund, Hometown Bank and Minnesota Trust), and named the Henderson Independent as the district newspaper for legal notices. The board also confirmed that the superintendent and the finance director will retain investment authority and that the standard meeting schedule will remain the second Monday at 6:30 p.m. for regular meetings and the fourth Monday at 5:30 p.m. for workshops.
Superintendent (Renee) asked the board to designate the superintendent as the district's authorized representative to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) systems (MEGS) to file required finance and program reports; the board approved that designation.
On personnel and contracts, the board approved a memorandum of understanding to have Rose Karl Branson serve as substitute principal at the middle school while Principal Bakeberg serves in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The board also approved an update to the administrative assistant pay scale that reduces steps from 21 to 11 and a related adjustment to Local 284 that adds a step (from 10 to 11) so the district meets state pay‑equity review requirements. The Local 284 change was approved pending ratification by that bargaining unit.
The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes, monthly finances and a list of donations to school programs. Donations approved included $3,000 from Harold and Edith Schobert and smaller gifts to the Jordan High School band and other programs.
The board voted to approve a list of matters of employment moved from the consent agenda (coaching renewals, a Grade 1 teacher and a paraprofessional among other hires). Two board members abstained from that vote because their spouses were on the list of hires; the motion carried with five votes in favor and two abstentions.
Board members discussed whether to increase board compensation for the first time in about 15 years. Several members said the position requires a substantial time commitment; others said any increase should wait for clearer budget information. The board voted to keep the current compensation in place and agreed to revisit the matter later in the year once budget details are clearer.
Committee assignments for the year were approved with most members remaining in their prior roles and some minor adjustments to accommodate member availability. The board approved delegation of electronic funds transfer authority to the finance director and confirmed legal counsel (Ratzwig, Rosak & Maloney).
The meeting ended with routine administrative reminders (confidentiality and conflict of interest forms) and adjournment.
Votes at a glance - Elect chair: Deb Polly — passed by acclamation. - Elect vice chair: Molly Moniak — passed by acclamation. - Elect clerk: Lauren Pederson — passed by acclamation. - Elect treasurer and treasurer's bond ($100,000 to Corinne Hennen) — passed. - Approve depositories (Franzen Bank, Riverland Bank, MSBA Liquid Asset Fund, Hometown Bank, Minnesota Trust) and investment authority to superintendent and finance director — passed. - Designate Henderson Independent as official newspaper — passed. - Designate superintendent as district's authorized MDE representative (MEGS access) — passed. - Approve substitute principal MOU for Rose Karl Branson — passed. - Approve administrative assistant pay‑scale update (21 → 11 steps) — passed. - Approve Local 284 MOU (10 → 11 steps) pending ratification — passed. - Approve matters of employment (hires/coach renewals) — passed (5 yes, 0 no, 2 abstain). - Approve calendar, committee assignments, consent agenda (minutes, finances, donations) and EFT authority — passed.
The board did not change board compensation during this meeting; members agreed to revisit after updated budget information is available.
