Milaca school board approves personnel changes, two administrator contracts and accepts $1,750 grant

The Milaca Public School District Board of Education on March 16 approved a broad consent agenda that included multiple personnel hires and resignations, transfers of district funds, and routine business, and it approved two administrator contracts for 2025–2027.

Chairperson Aimee Struffert called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and the board unanimously approved the meeting agenda after adding several items, including a presentation on the proposed 2026–27 calendar by Superintendent David Wedin. Wedin presented the calendar and the minutes note that a recent survey showed high satisfaction with the proposal.

The board then approved the consent agenda by a 6–0 vote. The consent items included approval of the minutes from the Feb. 17 regular meeting and February checks and wires; transfers from PMA/MN Trust to First National Bank totaling $2,100,000 across four dates in February; multiple personnel actions including hires (examples: Blaze Kooiman‑Nelson, student cleaner; Eric Novak, Custodian Class II; Cara Colpitts, food server/dishwasher), coaching assignments and pay rates, and several accepted resignations. The board recorded several staff leave requests and took a first reading of Policy 507.5 on school resource officers. The district also approved an overnight FFA trip to the Minnesota State FFA Convention in St. Paul, April 19–20, 2026, and a one-year land lease with Brad Bekius from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027.

In a separate motion, the board approved the Treasurer's Report (motion by Jere Day; second by Nathan Neuhart), carried 6–0.

The board adopted a formal resolution to accept gifts and donations under School Board Policy 706 and Minnesota Statute 465.03, accepting a $1,750 Paul Arens State High School League grant to Milaca High School. The resolution was moved by Jennifer Corrow and approved by roll call (vote recorded: corrow, day, grieser, larsen, neuhart, struffert in favor; C. Eggen absent).

The board also approved two administrator contracts: the 2025–2027 Community Education Director/Facilities Manager contract and the 2025–2027 Food Service Director contract. Both contracts were approved unanimously.

Reports from building and district staff noted recent assessments and extracurricular successes: the high school administered NAEP and ACT tests in early March and music ensembles earned Superior ratings at the large group contest (the Symphonic Band reportedly earned three perfect scores). The elementary principal reported strong PreK and kindergarten registration, projecting 88 kindergarten students and a historically large three‑year‑old screening group. The Language Arts Team at Milaca Elementary recommended adopting the Wonders Language Arts Curriculum after reviewing research and quotes.

Community Education reported implementation of the Arux registration system for summer programming and staffing plans to address a shortage in night custodial coverage. The Activities Director highlighted winter athletics accomplishments and the district’s move toward cashless ticketing.

Superintendent Wedin also noted the successful completion of the third quarter and recent community events, including Music In Our Schools and the Pre‑K/Kindergarten registration night. Board members extended condolences to families of former board member Ron Rinkel and former school nurse Connie Lund, and to a Hensley family loss.

The board adjourned at 7:05 p.m. (motion by Jennifer Corrow; second by Sara Larsen).