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Hastings school board approves consent agenda, staff development plan and personnel report after split vote
Summary
At its May 20 meeting, the Hastings Public School District board approved a broad consent agenda, adopted the 2026–27 staff development plan, confirmed next year’s student representatives and approved a contested personnel report; trustees also heard curriculum and committee updates.
The Board of Education for Independent School District No. 200 met on May 20, 2026, at the Hastings Middle School Media Center and approved a series of routine and substantive items, including the consent agenda, the 2026–27 staff development plan and a personnel report that passed after a split vote.
Chair Carrie Tate called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. and Melissa Millner took roll. Superintendent Wehrkamp Herman presented the Raider Spotlight recognitions, naming Pete McGinnis Employee of the Year and announcing multiple student award recipients. Board members present were Philip Biermaier, Jessica Dressely, Elaine Mikel-Mulder, Melissa Millner, Carrie Tate and Mark Zuzek; Matt Bruns was absent.
The board voted unanimously to amend the agenda at the start of the meeting, removing the Personnel Report from the consent agenda so it could be considered as its own action. After committee and staff presentations, trustees approved a consent agenda that included meeting minutes, bills payable, grant and contract approvals, the Joint Maintenance Facility agreement with the City of Hastings, several field trip authorizations, an update to non-contract pay rates, and the addition of Policy 511 Fundraising Appendix A and Appendix B to the consent items.
Andrew Hodges, Director of Teaching & Learning, presented the district’s 2026–27 Staff Development Plan. Board member Mark Zuzek moved to approve the plan; Elaine Mikel-Mulder seconded the motion, which carried by recorded vote (5 ayes, 0 nays at the time the motion was taken).
The board appointed Leighton Morgan and Samantha Seaman as Student School Board Representatives for the 2026–27 school year; the motion to appoint, made by Melissa Millner and seconded by Philip Biermaier, passed unanimously.
The Personnel Report, taken as a separate action after the earlier agenda change, was the lone item to draw split votes. Board member Jessica Dressely moved to approve the report and Elaine Mikel-Mulder seconded. The motion passed with three ayes, one nay and one abstention; Philip Biermaier cast the lone vote against the motion and Mark Zuzek registered the abstention.
Other updates provided to trustees included an Elementary Curriculum “Updates in Practice” presentation by Andy Larson, Bonnie Whitehill, Hannah Munson and Hanna Thostenson and a curriculum proposal for third- and fourth-grade Functional Morphology introduced by Andy Larson. Jennifer Seubert, Director of Finance & Operations, reported on Building and Construction Fund projects, and Cathy Moen, Director of Human Resources, provided a legal data-request update. Board member Mark Zuzek reported liaison activity for ISD 917 and AMSD, and Elaine Mikel-Mulder gave a Community Collaboration Committee update.
Before adjourning, the board approved a resolution establishing dates for filing affidavits of candidacy and accepted April 2026 donations; both motions had votes recorded as in favor. Melissa Millner left the meeting early at 6:51 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Motion to amend agenda (remove Personnel Report from consent): moved by Mark Zuzek, seconded by Jessica Dressely — adopted 6–0. - Consent agenda approval (minutes, bills, grants, contracts, JMF agreement, field trips, MOUs, pay rates, Policy 511 appendices): moved by Elaine Mikel-Mulder, seconded by Jessica Dressely — adopted 6–0. - ISD 917 LTFM approval: moved by Mark Zuzek, seconded by Elaine Mikel-Mulder — adopted 6–0. - Appointment of 2026–27 Student School Board Representatives (Leighton Morgan, Samantha Seaman): moved by Melissa Millner, seconded by Philip Biermaier — adopted 6–0. - Approval of 2026–27 Staff Development Plan: moved by Mark Zuzek, seconded by Elaine Mikel-Mulder — adopted (vote recorded as 5–0 at time taken). - Resolution establishing dates for filing affidavits of candidacy: moved by Mark Zuzek — adopted (vote recorded as 5–0). - April 2026 Donations Acceptance Resolution: moved by Jessica Dressely, seconded by Philip Biermaier — adopted (vote recorded as 5–0). - Personnel Report approval: moved by Jessica Dressely, seconded by Elaine Mikel-Mulder — adopted 3 ayes, 1 nay (Philip Biermaier), 1 abstention (Mark Zuzek).
The board did not take additional public policy actions or adopt new policies beyond those listed in the consent agenda and readings. The next regular meeting date was presented by Chair Tate; with no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
