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Mesabi East board approves $1.14 million in payrolls and several personnel moves; elects Walt Hautala as chair
Summary
At its June 7, 2021 regular meeting the Mesabi East School Board approved payrolls and bills totaling $1,140,479.74, accepted donations, approved personnel actions including two salary-lane changes and a maintenance hire, approved MSHSL membership and MSBA dues, and entered a closed session on pending athletic-field litigation.
The Mesabi East School Board approved payrolls, bills and transfers totaling $1,140,479.74 and completed a series of personnel and governance actions at its June 7, 2021 meeting in the Media Center in Aurora.
Director LaFrenier moved and Director Baudhuin seconded approval of the agenda, and the board voted unanimously to adopt it. During the consent agenda the board approved payrolls, bills and transfers in the amount of $1,140,479.74 and several sets of minutes; that consent motion was moved by Director Worshek, seconded by Director Hautala and passed unanimously.
The board accepted the withdrawal of Cyndi Worshek as school board chair effective May 17, 2021; Director Hautala moved to accept the withdrawal and Director LaFrenier seconded. Following nominations for chair — a nomination for Amanda Gross and a nomination for Walt Hautala — Director Baudhuin rescinded the nomination for Gross after stating she was not interested; by voice vote Director Walt Hautala was declared chair effective June 7, 2021.
On personnel matters the board approved two salary-lane changes, both effective for the 2021–2022 school year: a change for Jered Anderson from BA to BA + 12 (moved by Director Undeland, seconded by Director LaFrenier) and a change for Heather Seppala from BA to BA + 12 (moved by Director Undeland, seconded by Director Baudhuin). The board also approved hiring Richard Craven as a Maintenance/Grounds/Bus Driver at 40 hours per week, Step 1, effective June 16, 2021 (motion moved by Director Undeland and seconded by Director LaFrenier).
The board approved a resolution to retain membership in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) for the 2021–2022 school year; Director Hautala moved the resolution and Director Undeland seconded. A roll-call vote recorded ayes from Directors Hautala, Undeland, Baudhuin, LaFrenier and Worshek, and the motion passed. The board also approved renewal of MSBA association dues and policy services for 2021–2022 in the amount of $5,200 (motion moved by Director Worshek).
Directors accepted multiple monetary donations earmarked for school needs and student activities, including $500 for soil for the greenhouse; $40 to purchase a cap and gown; $200 and $50 for prom prizes; $150 earmarked for prom; and $1,100 earmarked for the Class of 2022 prom. The acceptance motion was moved by Director Baudhuin and seconded by Director LaFrenier and carried unanimously.
The board accepted, with appreciation, the resignation of Special Education Paraprofessional Jennifer Donabauer effective June 4, 2021 (motion moved by Director LaFrenier and seconded by Director Undeland).
Board reports were provided to members under separate cover and were not read into the minutes.
Late in the meeting the board voted to enter a closed session at 7:25 p.m. under attorney–client privilege to discuss pending litigation related to the athletic field, citing Minn. Stat. Sec. 13D.05, Subd. 3(b); the minutes show the meeting reconvened at 7:25 p.m. The board set its next regular meeting for July 13, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium and adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda (payrolls, bills, minutes): approved (moved by Director Worshek; seconded by Director Hautala); recorded outcome: unanimous (5–0). • Acceptance of chair withdrawal (Cyndi Worshek): approved (moved by Director Hautala; seconded by Director LaFrenier); outcome: unanimous (5–0). • Election of chair (Walt Hautala declared): approved by voice vote; outcome: unanimous (5–0). • Salary-lane change, Jered Anderson: approved (moved by Director Undeland; seconded by Director LaFrenier); outcome: unanimous (5–0). • Salary-lane change, Heather Seppala: approved (moved by Director Undeland; seconded by Director Baudhuin); outcome: unanimous (5–0). • Hire of Richard Craven (Maintenance/Grounds/Bus Driver): approved (moved by Director Undeland; seconded by Director LaFrenier); outcome: unanimous (5–0). • MSHSL membership resolution: approved (moved by Director Hautala; seconded by Director Undeland); roll-call ayes: Hautala, Undeland, Baudhuin, LaFrenier, Worshek. • MSBA dues renewal ($5,200): approved (moved by Director Worshek); outcome: unanimous (5–0). • Donations accepted: approved (moved by Director Baudhuin; seconded by Director LaFrenier); outcome: unanimous (5–0). • Resignation of Jennifer Donabauer: accepted (moved by Director LaFrenier; seconded by Director Undeland); outcome: unanimous (5–0). • Motion to enter closed session under Minn. Stat. Sec. 13D.05, Subd. 3(b): approved (moved by Director Baudhuin; seconded by Director LaFrenier); outcome: unanimous (5–0).
The minutes record no public comments. The minutes do not include further detail from closed-session discussion, consistent with the statutory citation in the motion.
