Hibbing school board reorganizes leadership, approves 2024 audit and routine business

The School Board of Independent School District No. 701 (Hibbing Public School District) met Jan. 8, 2025, in the high school board room and reorganized leadership, approved the fiscal year 2024 audit and completed routine business.

Board members elected John Berklich as chair and confirmed officer assignments for the year after newly elected directors Berklich, Galatz and McLaughlin had taken the oath of office. Director Polcher moved the chair election; Director Gabardi seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Subsequent motions confirmed Polcher as clerk and McLaughlin as treasurer and chair pro tem; all carried unanimously.

The board approved a series of fiscal and administrative resolutions. Director McLaughlin offered and the board adopted a resolution authorizing a $100,000 blanket bond to cover board members and district employees. Director Gabardi sponsored a resolution setting board member salaries at $400 per month for regular meetings and the chairperson at $450 per month, with $50 for additional negotiation or special meetings beginning in the 2024–25 contract year. The Mesabi Tribune was designated the district’s official newspaper for publishing proceedings and legal notices. The board also set regular meeting dates and times (first Wednesday after the first Monday each month at 3:30 p.m., with a second meeting two weeks later unless a holiday intervenes).

Directors approved procedural authority allowing the Business Manager to prepay certain claims to capture discounts and to make electronic fund transfers, with monthly reporting to the board. The board approved Corporate Authorization Resolutions listing district depositories including Park State Bank, MN Liquid Asset Fund, PMA Financial Network, Robert W. Baird & Company, Security State Bank — Hibbing, U.S. Bank — Hibbing and Wells Fargo Bank — Hibbing.

Sterle & Co. presented the fiscal year 2024 audit; the board moved to approve the audit financial report and the motion carried unanimously. In consent and personnel actions, the board approved claims of $946,036.28, electronic fund transfers totaling $734,948.61 and payrolls totaling $2,683,948.95. The board accepted the resignations of Sven Pieper as head girls’ soccer coach and James Plese Jr. as head boys’ track coach and approved hiring Elisha Otonichar as a 1.0 FTE Title I teacher at Lincoln Middle School (effective Jan. 6, 2025) and Hailee Eleven as a pupil support assistant (30 hours/week, effective Jan. 9, 2025).

The board appointed Squires Waldspurger & Mace P.A., Colosimo, Patchin, Kearney & Brunfelt, Ltd., and Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A. as school district legal counsel for 2025. It approved a donations resolution and a workers’ compensation resolution to allow school board members to be covered under the district policy.

Board members approved final payment #1, in the amount of $72,883.80, to Harbor City Masonry Inc. for completed brick repair work at Lincoln Middle School. The board also adopted Policy 617 (Credit for Learning) and Policy 806 (Information Security).

Appointments to external and internal committees were confirmed: Directors Gabardi and Polcher were named representatives to the Minnesota State High School League; Chair Berklich was designated legislative liaison to the Minnesota School Boards Association; Director Galatz was appointed to Title I Parent Advisory and Community Education advisory roles; Director Polcher to the District Health and Safety Committee; and Directors McLaughlin and Gabardi to the Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Committee. Directors Polcher, McLaughlin and Chair Berklich were named to the Negotiations Committee; Gabardi and Polcher to the AD Committee; and McLaughlin, Gabardi and Berklich to the Finance Committee.

Director McLaughlin reported that parent registration night was successful and noted new cafeteria furniture. Activities Director James Plese updated the board on booster club communications, attendance and grade-check policy, expanded social media focus for activities, website updates, cashless payment options and winter sports plans, including Hockey Day Minnesota. Special Programs Director Nathan Lutzka updated the board on a special education audit, third-party billing and work with North Homes to manage costs.

The board approved a joint meeting with the City of Hibbing for Feb. 5, 2025, at 3:45 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and also approved changing the regular Feb. 5 meeting start time to 2:00 p.m. in the high school boardroom. Director Polcher moved to adjourn at 5:10 p.m.; Chair Berklich seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Meeting attendance was recorded as Directors McLaughlin, Polcher, Gabardi, Galatz, Chair Berklich and Student Representative Ariana Ellis present; Director Egan and Student Representative Sara Cowles were absent.