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Bemidji board rehired two teachers, adopted 2025–26 goals and approved multiple policy updates
Summary
On Aug. 17 the Bemidji Public School District board unanimously approved a resolution rehiring Madison Lampton and Jackson Lindsay, adopted three district goals (including a 2% MCA target and a FY2027 budget balance goal) and approved first readings/updates for several district policies aligning with state statute and MSBA guidance.
The Bemidji Public School District board unanimously approved a slate of personnel actions, district goals and first readings of multiple policy updates at its Aug. 17 regular meeting.
Jordan Hickman presented a resolution to rehire two teachers who had been released in the spring, naming Madison Lampton and Jackson Lindsay. After a motion, second and a roll-call vote, board members Frenzel, Akas, Manakee, Haugen, Longboatner, Wall and the Chair recorded "yes," and the resolution passed unanimously.
Superintendent Olsen presented the district’s proposed 2025–26 goals and the board approved them by voice vote. The goals include: a 2% recommended increase in MCA math and reading scores with an added student-growth element based on FastBridge assessments; a goal to stabilize enrollment year-over-year; and a financial goal to balance the fiscal-year 2027 budget.
The board also considered and approved first readings or updates to a set of policies to align district language with state law and MSBA guidance. Highlights include:
- Student transportation safety: adds active-transportation/pedestrian-safety training for grades K–3 to match state statute and removes prior deadline language.
- Student medication and telehealth: incorporates MSBA updates and a state good-faith clause for epinephrine (commonly an EpiPen) use.
- Mandated reporting updates: minor changes to statutory references for reporting child neglect and abuse.
- Drug-free workplace/drug-free school: updates reflecting state statute language limiting penalties for people enrolled in a tribal medical-cannabis program under specific provisions.
- School weapons policy: clarifies the definition of dangerous weapons and notes the state requirement to electronically file after-action reports for active-shooter incidents or threats.
- School meals policy: clarifies that students eligible for free or reduced meals must be served a meal regardless of meal debt and allows purchase of second meals.
- Protection and privacy of pupil records: adds a specific carve-out permitting the district to share directory/contact information for special-education students with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for postsecondary planning and coordination.
Board members recorded unanimous support for each motion; no motions failed or were tabled. Several items were presented as first readings or routine policy maintenance; no substantive policy controversies were recorded in the transcript.
Votes at a glance:
- Agenda approval: carried unanimously (voice vote).
- Consent agenda acceptance: carried unanimously (voice vote).
- Resolution to rehire Madison Lampton and Jackson Lindsay: carried unanimously (roll-call recorded Yes: Frenzel; Yes: Akas; Yes: Manakee; Yes: Haugen; Yes: Longboatner; Yes: Wall; Chair Yes).
- 2025–26 district goals (academic, enrollment stabilization, financial goal for FY2027): carried unanimously (voice vote).
- First readings/updates to transportation safety, medication/telehealth, mandated reporting, drug-free workplace, weapons, meals, and pupil-records policies: each carried unanimously (voice votes as recorded).
The board adjourned at the close of the meeting. A work session is scheduled for Sept. 15 with an agenda that may include levy adoption (if necessary) and an enrollment trends presentation.
