Winona Area Public Schools board elects officers, designates bank and legal counsel and affirms administrative authorizations
Loading...
Summary
At its organizational meeting the Winona Area Public School District board elected officers, approved the 2026 meeting calendar and stipends, authorized Merchants Bank as the district depository, designated multiple law firms after an RFP, and approved administrative financial delegations and publishing arrangements.
The Winona Area Public School District board held its organizational meeting and approved a slate of routine but consequential administrative actions including officer elections, banking and legal designations and procedural authorizations.
Nancy Denzer was nominated and approved as board chair after nominations opened for officer positions; the board also approved a vice chair, clerk and treasurer as part of the annual organization of officers. The board adopted the 2026 meeting calendar after a short discussion in which Director Watkins noted the district’s Thursday meeting schedule can conflict with community events.
The board authorized Merchants Bank as the district’s depository for checking, payroll and related accounts and reviewed collateral and FDIC coverage. Director Slavy referenced Minnesota requirements that deposits above the FDIC limit be collateralized; the board later adopted the banking resolution by roll call.
On legal services, the superintendent reported the district issued an RFP in November and received three proposals. "We did go through a request for a proposal process this year," the superintendent said, noting the district set the RFP to allow selection of multiple firms by specialty and that proposed rates were substantially similar across respondents. The board voted to authorize the use of multiple firms, naming Ratwick, Rossek & Maloney and Squires, Walzberger & Mace among the providers the district may contact.
Not all board members were unreserved in their support. Director Simon stated, "My biggest concern is I'm not happy with Ratwick, clearly," and urged the board to consider counsel who will protect board-driven transparency rather than favoring administration. The motion to designate the firms nevertheless passed.
The board also: approved monthly board stipends unchanged at $125 for members and $150 for the chair; confirmed committee assignments; appointed Saris Lobby (director of finance) as deputy clerk and deputy treasurer and named Casey Lewis as second deputy clerk; authorized the director of finance or designee to make required electronic fund transfers; and temporarily authorized use of 2025 facsimile signatures on accounts until updated officer signatures are implemented.
On legal publishing, the board discussed limitations on electronic publication under current state practice and the shrinking frequency of some local newspapers. After discussion the board designated the Winona Post as the district’s official legal publication for the year.
All formal votes recorded in the meeting minutes were approved as noted in the roll call and voice votes recorded by the clerk. The organizational meeting adjourned, and the board proceeded to its regular agenda.
