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Eden Valley‑Watkins School Board approves contracts, accepts community donations and adopts employment resolutions
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Eden Valley‑Watkins School Board approved routine contracts and bills, adopted resolutions accepting multiple donations for school programs and facilities, and unanimously passed employment resolutions concerning a probationary teacher and a proposed termination.
The Eden Valley‑Watkins School Board on April 16 approved routine personnel and contract actions, accepted a slate of community donations, and adopted two employment-related resolutions during a 6:30–7:42 p.m. meeting at the district office.
Board Chair Jay Brovold called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and members approved the agenda on a motion by Member Ben Stommes, seconded by Charli Magedanz. The consent agenda — including minutes and personnel actions — was approved on a motion by Ann Lemke, seconded by Christina DeRose.
Business Manager Alisa Woolcott and Superintendent Mark Messman presented finance items and the board approved the April 16 bills (motion by Ben Stommes, seconded by Jen Evens). Fund totals reported in the minutes were: General Education Fund $990,526.02; Food Service Fund $87,351.20; Community Education Fund $55,692.25; Trust Fund $1,210.00, for a combined total listed as $1,134,779.40.
The board adopted a Resolution for Acceptance of Gifts after Member Ben Stommes introduced the resolution and Member Jen Evens seconded it. The minutes list multiple donors and designated purposes, including River of Life Church ($500 for weight room equipment); C4P ($1,090, Carolyn Beecher Scholarship); Watkins Lions contributions (multiple gifts including $5,000 to the New Eagle Kids Building, $4,500 to Summer Rec, and other designated donations); Wat‑Kim‑Valley VFW ($500 to Community Ed and $500 to Clay Trap); Eden Valley American Legion ($1,000); and other community sponsors.
Several personnel-related contracts and appointments were recorded in the minutes: a classified contract change for Maia Bahr (Cleaner, EVW Secondary), a classified contract for Colton Baumgarten (Special Education Assistant, EVW Secondary) and an extra‑curricular contract for Baumgarten as Jr. High Baseball Coach, a classified hire for Carl Jansen (District Maintenance Person), and an extra‑curricular contract for Cherice Vogel (Jr. High Softball Coach). The minutes also record a resignation from Zachary Olson (.4 FTE English Teacher, .6 FTE Paraprofessional) effective at the end of the 2024–25 school year.
Superintendent Mark Messman recommended and the board adopted a Resolution Relating to the Non‑Renewal of a Probationary Teacher; Member Ann Lemke introduced the resolution and Jen Evens seconded. The board also approved a Resolution Proposing Termination of Employment after that resolution was introduced by Member Ben Stommes and seconded by Nate Haag. Both resolutions were recorded as adopted unanimously by the full board; the minutes do not identify the individual(s) beyond the formal descriptions used in the resolutions.
The meeting concluded after routine board member updates and reports. The board listed agenda items for its next meeting, including a legislative update, summer projects and a review of transportation contracts. The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m. on a motion by Jen Evens, seconded by Christina DeRose.
What happens next: The minutes record adoption of these motions and resolutions; any personnel actions described as non‑renewal or termination will follow the district’s formal processes noted in the cited resolutions and applicable policies (specific next steps and timelines are not specified in the minutes).
