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Wahpeton board approves $798,208 in General Fund claims, $278,568 in Building Fund claims and adopts policy updates
Summary
At its Aug. 13 meeting the Wahpeton School Board unanimously approved more than $1 million in claims across funds, adopted a package of updated policies on first reading (waiving second reading), set adult meal prices for 2025–26 and approved several enrollment and non-tuition agreements.
Vice President Kathy Dimmer presided over the Wahpeton Public Schools board meeting on Aug. 13, 2025, where members unanimously approved a series of routine but consequential actions ahead of the 2025–26 school year.
The board approved claims against the General Fund totaling $798,208.24 after a motion from Board member Matt Dockter, seconded by Board member Matt Vetter. The board separately approved Building Fund claims totaling $278,568.18 on the same motion pattern; both votes were recorded as 8-0 in favor. The board’s membership present for those votes were Kathy Dimmer, Matt Dockter, Lisa Graves, Andrea Zalewski, Michelle Nelson, Matt Vetter, Brooke Hills and Robb Dohman; Jake Kubela was absent.
The board also moved several personnel- and policy-related items. Andrea Zalewski moved to approve the staff handbooks for certified staff, classified staff and substitute teachers; Michelle Nelson seconded and the motion passed 8-0. The board set adult meal prices for the 2025–26 school year at $3.70 for breakfast and $4.45 for lunch after a motion by Lisa Graves, seconded by Brooke Hills; the vote was 8-0.
On federal funding, the board approved the 2025–26 Consolidated Application Budget covering Title I, Title IIA and Title IV following a motion by Michelle Nelson and a second from Robb Dohman; the motion carried unanimously.
In a paired set of motions intended to streamline district policy, the board first voted to rescind an older set of policies covering school board elections and terms, patriotic exercises, suspension and expulsion (including related regulations), student conduct and discipline, student education records and privacy, and accommodations for students with allergies. The board then approved the adoption of a new or revised set of policies covering child-safety liaison work, school board elections and terms, patriotic exercises, suspension and expulsion (and regulations), protection for student victims of sexual offenses, student conduct and discipline, student education records and privacy, and accommodations for students with allergies. Matt Vetter moved and Andrea Zalewski seconded the motions; both carried 8-0. The board waived the usual second reading under board policy BDA to expedite the policy adoption process.
The board reviewed policy exhibit BBA-E1 (Election Notice Letter) as part of that packet.
Several student placement items were approved: a non-tuition agreement allowing an eighth-grade Wahpeton student to attend Fairmount for 2025–26 (moved by Brooke Hills, seconded by Lisa Graves); non-tuition agreements for a family from Hankinson to attend Wahpeton (moved by Matt Dockter, seconded by Andrea Zalewski); an open-enrollment approval to allow that Hankinson family to continue at Wahpeton from 2026–27 onward (moved by Robb Dohman, seconded by Michelle Nelson); an open-enrollment approval for a senior from Fairmount to attend Wahpeton (moved by Michelle Nelson, seconded by Lisa Graves); and an open-enrollment approval for a kindergarten student from Richland #44 (moved by Brooke Hills, seconded by Matt Vetter). All votes on those items were 8-0.
The board adjourned at 7:25 PM after a motion by Andrea Zalewski and second by Michelle Nelson that carried unanimously.
Next scheduled meetings and committees were noted on the board calendar, including the next regular board meeting on Sept. 10, 2025.
