Central Cass School Board affirms policies, approves service contracts and accepts business manager’s retirement

Central Cass School Board President Joe Morken called the April 13, 2026, regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the district office conference room. The board approved several personnel contracts and service agreements, affirmed and amended district policies, and accepted the resignation/retirement of Business Manager Pam Utt, effective June 30, 2026.

The board first amended the agenda to add three new-business items — reaffirmation of Governance Policy SE-8, approval of a G&R Control preventative maintenance agreement, and a retirement/resignation item — and to remove the Wellness Committee request from unfinished business. Kyle Schultz moved to amend the agenda and Shannon White seconded; the motion passed on a roll call vote with all members recorded as voting yes.

On the consent agenda, the board approved the March 16 regular meeting minutes, the financial statement, the list of bills paid, the food service report and the student activity report. Paul Olsen made the motion and Troy Roesler seconded; the consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Personnel and service agreements Shannon White moved and Kyle Schultz seconded to approve a teaching contract for Erik Peterson for the 2026–2027 school year; the motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote.

Kyle Schultz moved and Paul Olsen seconded to approve a 2026–2027 purchase-of-service agreement with Fargo Cass Public Health for nursing services; that motion also passed unanimously.

Policy actions The board affirmed a set of existing policies — DGH (Breaks), DHAB (Title I Qualifications Notification Requirement), DIB (Review of Material in Teacher Personnel Files), DKBA (Separation of At-Will Employees), DKBB (Contracted Staff Resignations & Request For Release From Contract), DKBD (Teacher Discharge For Cause), DKDA (Early Retirement), and DKEA (Exit Interview) — on a unanimous roll call vote following a motion by Paul Olsen and second from Shannon White.

Separately, the board moved to amend several policies on first reading and to waive the second reading in order to expedite adoption under board policy BDA. The amendments affect DGHA (Lactation/Breastfeeding); DHA (Licensure; Savings Clause); DI (Personnel Records); and DJA (Substitute Teachers). Shannon White moved and Kyle Schultz seconded. Paul Olsen cast the sole dissenting vote; all other members voted yes and the motion carried.

The board also affirmed two board regulations — DI-BR (Personnel Records Review Procedure) and DKBB-BR (Granting a Release From Contract) — on a unanimous vote.

Additional approvals and personnel note Troy Roesler moved and Paul Olsen seconded to reaffirm Governance Policy SE-8, Superintendent Expectation: Focus on Strategic Priorities; the board approved the reaffirmation unanimously. Paul Olsen moved and Troy Roesler seconded to approve the G&R Control Preventative Maintenance Agreement for 2026–2027; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.

Joe Morken moved and Shannon White seconded to accept the resignation/retirement of Business Manager Pam Utt effective June 30, 2026, and the board thanked Utt for her years of service; the motion carried with all members voting yes.

The board set its regular May meeting for Monday, May 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the district office conference room and adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

Meeting materials attached to the agenda included Governance, Planning and Joint Reorganization committee minutes, school board election certification and SRD materials; the board received the SRD report prior to the meeting.