Northland Community Schools board adopts multiple policy revisions, service agreements and personnel hires

Board Chair Marc Ruyak called the Northland Community Schools (ISD #118) regular meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2025, in Room C113 at Northland High School. Five board members were present and two were absent.

The board approved a package of second-reading policy revisions, including Policy 506 (Student Discipline), Policy 514 (Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying), Policy 522 (Title IX nondiscrimination and grievance procedure), Policy 616 (School District System Accountability) and Policy 621 (Literacy and READ Act). Each revision was adopted by recorded motion and passed by the five members present; two members were absent. The minutes record motions and seconds for each policy vote but do not include substantive debate or verbatim remarks.

The board approved several service and partnership agreements for the 2025–26 year: a Professional Services Agreement with North Homes; a shared-services agreement with Deer River Public Schools for school psychologist services for Raina Heruth; and a three-year environmental, health and safety management services agreement with the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA), effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. An additional service agreement with Interquest Detection Canines (agenda item 10.14) was moved to the Sept. 10 meeting because the contract was not available for review.

On calendar and staffing matters, the board considered a proposal to move the last day of school for grades K–5 so teachers could complete LETRS training. The minutes show the final motion set the K–5 last day as June 4, 2026. The board also approved the 2025–26 Mentor Handbook for teachers and a PSEO agreement with MN North College.

Personnel actions recorded in the minutes included the hire of Stephaney Williamson as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher (MA, Step 11); Irving Vilina as lead custodian; Chris McNeil as at-will boiler operator; Steven Haase as custodian; Abbie Newman as AVID program advisor; and Charles Holm as assistant football coach. The board accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Bruce Schear, effective Aug. 22, 2025. All personnel motions passed with the five voting members present.

The board approved routine items including renewal of MSBA membership (including Boardbook), a "Back to School" advertisement for the Pine Cone Press, and acceptance of gifts and donations totaling at least $2,195 directed to athletic programs (including a $2,000 donation from the Longville Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce for the wrestling program).

The board also approved a resolution designating Mark Morrison as the Identified Official with Authority (IOwA) for ISD #118 to manage Education Identity Access Management (EDIAM) user access, and Tina Anderson as his proxy, consistent with Minnesota state enterprise identity and access management requirements.

The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. The board set its next regular meeting for Sept. 10, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Adoption of agenda (moved item 10.14 to Sept. 10; added item 10.17): passed 5–0, mover Bill Wake, second Terri Nystrom. - Consent agenda (minutes and June treasurer's report): passed 5–0, mover Aaron Ammerman, second Tyler Seifert. - Policy adoptions (506, 514, 522, 616, 621): each passed 5–0 (see minutes for mover/second for each line item). - Change K–5 last day to June 4, 2026: passed 5–0, mover Bill Wake. - Approve North Homes agreement, Deer River psychologist shared services, and IEA contract (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2028): each passed 5–0. - Approve PSEO agreement with MN North College and Mentor Handbook: passed 5–0. - Personnel hires and resignation listed above: each motion passed 5–0.

The minutes are a terse record of motions, seconds and vote tallies; they do not include extended discussion or direct quotes.