Staples-Motley school board approves hires and policies, accepts $13,510 in donations and moves to closed session for superintendent review

The Staples-Motley School Board met Aug. 18 at the district office and, chaired by Freeman, approved a series of personnel actions, policy updates and financial items before moving into a closed session for the superintendent's performance review.

Chair Freeman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the board recorded a quorum with members Wright, Frisk, Reeck, Trout and Reese present. The board approved a last-minute addition to the agenda (motion by Board member Reeck, second by Board member Reese) and then adopted the agenda (motion by Board member Wright, second by Chair Freeman).

Under the consent agenda, the board accepted the resignations of nine staff members: Marly Simmons (HS math teacher and coach), Angie Tyrrell, Michael Hager, Amanda Keplin, Francesca Hanson, Debra Eagle Tail, Rebecca Gonzalez (assistant volleyball coach), Tony Schotzko (JH football coach) and Jace Thompson (JH football coach). The board also approved hiring or staffing changes for 12 positions, including Kristi Odden (elementary special education teacher), a change for Melissa Wright's assignment, and multiple paraprofessional and assistant coaching hires (motion by Board member Frisk, second by Board member Trout). The consent motion carried.

The board approved a resolution to accept grants and donations totaling $13,510.32 (motion by Board member Frisk, second by Board member Reese). Business Manager Hill presented the financial report and the board approved July disbursements (noted totals: General Fund $862,396.29; Construction Fund $94,498.00; Debt Service $326,240.00; Food Service $7,276.05; Community Service $14,090.59; Fund 21 student activities -$14.99) and July receipts (General Fund $528,491.30; Food Service $33,271.76; Construction Fund $84,690.73; Debt Service $112,399.20; Community Service $17,036.53; Fund 21 $873.00). Motions to approve the disbursements and receipts carried.

Buildings & Grounds Director Peterson gave a cabinet-level presentation; the meeting minutes note the presentation but the transcript does not include substantive detail about its content.

On staffing and program changes, the board approved adding a .62 FTE School Readiness teacher for the 2025-26 school year (motion by Board member Reeck, second by Board member Frisk). The board also approved several administrative items from the policy committee: a package of MSBA policies with minimal changes (policies 414, 418, 501, 503, 515, 515F, 516, 516.5, 524, 534, 621, 704, 709 and 806) and the 2025-26 MS/HS and Elementary handbooks (motions carried).

Reports were received from Elementary Principal Koenigs, MS/HS Principal Ferdon, Activities/Community Education Director Ahrendt (including CEAC minutes from Aug. 14, 2025), SMEA Representative Evans and Superintendent Tappe; the minutes record that reports were made but do not provide expanded text in the transcript.

Near the close of the meeting the board voted to move into a closed session for the superintendent's performance review under Minnesota Statute section 13D.05, subdivision 3(a) (motion by Board member Reeck, second by Board member Reese). The minutes show the closed session was called to order, the board later reconvened in open session, and then adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

Upcoming dates noted by the board include the first day of the 2025-26 school year for grades 2-12 on Sept. 2 and for kindergarten and first grade on Sept. 3; a policy committee meeting on Sept. 10; and the next regular board meeting on Sept. 22 at the district office.