Hibbing school board accepts business manager’s resignation, issues reprimand and restores 2024–25 salary level

The School Board of Independent School District No. 701 (Hibbing Public School District) met in a special session on Dec. 17, 2025, and took three unanimous actions affecting district personnel and a bargaining-unit contract.

The board voted to accept the resignation of Alex Kaczor, the district’s business manager, effective Jan. 16, 2026. The motion was moved by Director Gabardi and supported by Director McLaughlin; it carried unanimously. The minutes do not list a replacement plan or interim assignment.

The board had gone into closed session at 11:37 a.m. to discuss allegations against an employee. After returning to open session at 12:55 p.m., the board voted to issue a letter of reprimand to the employee discussed in closed session and gave authority to Chair John Berklich to write the letter in consultation with the board attorney. That motion was moved by Director Jeff Polcher and supported by Director McLaughlin and carried unanimously. The public minutes do not name the employee or summarize the allegations.

At 12:57 p.m. the board moved into a second closed session related to a contract issue and returned to open session at 1:45 p.m. The board then voted to "go back to the original salary level for the 2024–2025 contract that was negotiated and approved with the bargaining unit and the school board." The motion was moved by Director Polcher, supported by Director McLaughlin and carried unanimously. The minutes do not specify the dollar amounts or the affected job classifications; the action restores the previously negotiated salary level rather than adopting a new increase.

The special meeting adjourned at 1:46 p.m. The minutes are signed by Chair John Berklich and Clerk Jeff Polcher.