Cannon Falls School Board re-elects chair, sets monthly meetings and approves routine administrative designations

The Cannon Falls School Board, at its organizational meeting, re-elected Clinton Shokush as board chair and approved a switch to one regular board meeting per month at 6 p.m. in the Cannon Falls boardroom on East Minnesota Street. The board also completed routine administrative actions including designating its official newspaper, depository banks and legal counsel, and confirming payroll and procurement authorizations.

Board business began with the nomination to keep Clinton Shokush as chair. An attendee who nominated Shokush said, “I would nominate Clinton Shokush to remain as board chair.” No other nominations were made and the board moved on to other organizational items.

On a substantive procedural change, the board voted to move from its existing schedule to one meeting per month. During discussion board members said a predictable monthly cadence would make it easier for the community to know when meetings occur and that special meetings could still be called for time-sensitive matters. An unidentified board member moved to adopt the one-meeting-per-month schedule; the motion passed by voice vote. The chair announced the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. in the Cannon Falls boardroom at East Minnesota Street.

The board designated the Cannon Falls Beacon as the district’s official newspaper and confirmed the district office as the official posting place for meeting notices. It also approved keeping its current depository rotation; the transcript lists the district office checking account at First Farmers and the activity account at Community Resource Bank.

Routine governance and administrative items approved included:

- Retaining outside legal counsel (transcript contains multiple spellings of the firm name). - Maintaining board member compensation at $1,250 per year, with negotiators receiving an additional $250 and alternate negotiators $125. - Authorizing facsimile (electronic) signatures for payroll and voucher checks in accordance with cited Minnesota statutes. - Continuing the superintendent’s authorization to approve purchases up to $10,000 for emergency or routine items.

The board also designated Jeff Sampson as the identified official with authority for the Minnesota Department of Education external user access recertification system (MDE recertification). That designation was approved by roll-call vote recorded as 5–0 in the transcript. The board noted Laurie Hanson (also referenced as Laurie Anderson/Hanson in the record) will be authorized to add and remove user names for Cannon Falls Area Schools, district 252.

Committee reports highlighted recent activity: RETEC funds were used to deploy security cameras and technology updates, the Ed Foundation continues to raise funds for nonbudget items, and transportation and facilities committees reported on the poor condition of the bus garage and plans to recommend vehicle purchases or repairs.

The meeting closed with a short presentation from the district’s new student reporter, Lily Nelson, who summarized recent student events including a successful food shelf drive and weekend athletics.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting transcript): - Adopt agenda — voice vote, “Motion carries.” - Nomination to retain Clinton Shokush as chair — nomination accepted, no opposing nomination recorded. - Adopt one meeting per month (6 p.m., Cannon Falls boardroom) — voice vote, motion carries. - Designate Cannon Falls Beacon as official newspaper — voice vote, motion carries. - Confirm official posting place (district office) — voice vote, motion carries. - Maintain depository schedule (First Farmers; Community Resource Bank) — voice vote, motion carries. - Retain legal counsel — voice vote, motion carries. (Transcript shows varying spellings.) - Maintain board salary structure — voice vote, motion carries. - Authorize facsimile signatures on payroll/voucher checks — voice vote, motion carries. - Superintendent purchase authorization up to $10,000 — voice vote, motion carries. - Designate Jeff Sampson as MDE LEA official — roll-call vote 5–0 (yes votes recorded in transcript).

What’s next: committee meetings on facilities, transportation and finance were scheduled to further develop recommendations (including options for bus/van purchases and possible bus garage repairs).