CARRINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #49

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MAY 13, 2025

The regular meeting of the Carrington School District #49 School Board was held on May 13, 2025, at 4:00 PM. in the high school library. Present: Dr. Ben Garr, Joey Irmen, Tonia Erickson, and Joel Lemer. Absent: Angela Kutz. Kimary Edland recorded the minutes.

President Lemer called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM and declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. By consensus approval of the Pre-K handbook was added to the Agenda.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (all voting yes on voice vote) to approve the minutes from April 8, 2025.

Financial reports for the Activity Fund, Special Reserve, Building, Special Assessment, Capital Projects, General and Hot Lunch Funds were reviewed. It was moved by Irmen, seconded by Erickson and carried (all voting yes on voice vote) to accept the reports as presented.

It was moved by Garr, seconded by Erickson and carried (all voting yes on voice vote) to approve the check registers and payment of bills.

Adam Krause addressed the Board regarding his concern on the dress code policy in the student handbook.

Mrs. Helseth presented updates on elementary school happenings including Cardinal Way Award; benchmark fluency testing and 6th grade data; Dakota Assembly; 4th grade band open house; Ag in the Gym; field trips; field days; Progressive Ag Day; 1st grade tree planting; 6th grade middle school tour; millionaire lunch; 3rd grade flower planting; Pre-K registration and Best in Class Grant; and end of year activities.

Mr. Weber presented updates from the high school including state testing, VCSU math competition, FFA blood drive, Honors Night, State Music, spring concert, and art expo. He also reported that the MTSS team is finalizing testing dates and group organization and that he attended the region principal meeting.

Mrs. Helm reported that she attended the ag advisory meeting, Honors Night, elementary concert, Arts Expo, and that the teacher/staff appreciation was a huge success. She reported on the following extra-curricular resignations: Mark Pazdernik - girls head wrestling, Rick Christianson – assistant baseball, Megan Trautman - head volleyball, Todd Bickett - assistant football and boys basketball, Jason Otto – head boys basketball, April Berntson – JH girls basketball, and Jill Fandrich from varsity one act. She also reported that she has hired Kadyn Mehring as the head volleyball coach and Hannah Hagel as assistant; Justin Jensen as head girls wrestling coach and moved Karlee Griffin to assistant; Randy Hooey as head boys basketball coach and Brett McIlone as assistant; Aishee Hardy as head dance coach and Brinklyn Johson as assistant; and McKenzie Johnson as JH girls basketball coach.

Lunch Committee: Tonia Erickson reported on the meeting from April 24, 2025, where the committee discussed Mrs. Helm reaching out to families that owe money over $150.00 and update them on whether their child is taking from the ala carte and discussed purchasing meat from local farmers.

Transportation Committee: Mrs. Helm reported that the school purchased a 2023 Ford Expedition from Schmidt Auto Sales in Bismarck for $52,000 and a service contract for $3,465.00 and traded in the 2014 GMC Yukon for $10,000.00.

Finance Committee: A meeting to be scheduled later.

Facility Committee: A meeting was scheduled for May 27, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to approve the first reading of the elementary handbook.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Irmen and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to approve the second reading of the high school handbook.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to offer a contract to Hannah Gussiaas, BA,7 as an elementary teacher.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to offer a contract to Jaiden Wuori, BA,1 as middle school English teacher pending application approval from ESPB.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Irmen and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to offer a contract to Beth Mehus, BA,0, as Family and Consumer Science teacher, pending receiving her alternate access certificate from the American Board License.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to approve Jill Fandrich and Stacy Erickson as judges and Amber Trostad and Jane Fredrickson as clerks for the June 3, 2025, election.

The following bids were received for a new 36 passenger bus: Harlows -$160,500.00 with trade in credit of $10,000.00 for the 2018 32 passenger bus. I-State - $154,400 with trade in credit of $10,000.00 for the 2018 32 passenger bus. It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Irmen and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to accept the bid from I-State.

Discussion was held on the new elementary science and social studies curriculum. No action was taken.

It was moved by Irmen, seconded by Erickson and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to approve the first reading of the Pre-K handbook.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (roll call vote: Garr – yes, Irmen – yes, Erickson – yes, Lemer – yes) to enter into Executive Session at 6:25 PM for the purpose to discuss negotiations strategy for certified staff per NDCC section 44-04-19.1(9). It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to exit the Executive Session at 7:54 PM.

The Board toured the building.

The next regular meeting of the School Board is Tuesday, June 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM

Adjourn at 8:20 PM

Joel Lemer, President

Kimary Edland, Business Manager

CARRINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #49

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MAY 27, 2025

A special meeting of the Carrington School District #49 School Board was held on May 27, 2025, at 7:30 PM. in the high school library. Present: Angela Kutz, Dr. Ben Garr, Joey Irmen, Tonia Erickson, and Joel Lemer. Absent: none. Kimary Edland recorded the minutes.

President Lemer called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and approved (all members voting yes on voice vote) to approve purchasing the new elementary science curriculum from Savvas at an initial cost of $71,700.00 and the new social studies curriculum from Savvas at a cost of $12,725.00.

Josey Skytland, technology director, reviewed the current technology plan and updates that are needed to the Macbooks and I-pads. It was moved by Kutz to approve the plan that includes purchasing new I-pads for grades PK – 9 and keeping the Macbooks for grades 10 – 12. Motion fails from lack of a second. It was moved by Erickson, second by Irmen and carried (roll call vote: Kutz – no, Garr – yes, Irmen – yes, Erickson – yes, Lemer – yes) to approve the four-year technology plan beginning the 2025-2026 school year as presented (see attached) which includes purchasing new I-pads for grades PK –12, at a total cost of $387,643.85 with 4-year an annual lease payment at 0% interest to Apple.

Discussion was held on the secure door system, weight room plans, and two classroom floor designs. It was moved by Garr, seconded by Irmen and carried (roll call vote: Kutz – no, Garr – yes, Irmen – yes, Erickson – yes, Lemer – yes) to approve having YHR draw up preliminary plans for a secure entrance and two classrooms.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Irmen and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to approve the second reading of the elementary handbook. The Board recessed at 9:09 PM and reconvened at 9:16 PM.

It was moved by Irmen, seconded by Erickson and carried (roll call vote: Kutz – yes, Garr – yes, Irmen – yes, Erickson – yes, Lemer – yes) to enter into Executive Session at 9:18 PM for the purpose to discuss negotiations strategy for certified staff per NDCC section 44-04-19.1(9). It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Irmen and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to exit the Executive Session at 10:14 PM.

The next regular meeting of the Carrington School Board is June 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

Adjourn at 10:16 PM

Joel Lemer, President

Kimary Edland, Business Manager

CARRINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #49

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

JUNE 4, 2025

A special meeting of the Carrington School District #49 School Board was held on June 4, 2025, at 7:30 PM. in the high school library. Present: Angela Kutz, Dr. Ben Garr, Joey Irmen, Tonia Erickson, and Joel Lemer. Absent: none. Kimary Edland recorded the minutes.

President Lemer called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and declared a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Joel Lemer reviewed the changes to the Teachers Negotiated Agreement for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years that were agreed upon between the Board negotiation team and the CEA. It was moved by Kutz, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to approve the Teacher Negotiated Agreement as presented.

It was moved by Irmen, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to issue teaching contracts for the 2025-2026 school year.

Discussion was held on the Pers benefit and salary for the classified staff. It was moved by Kutz, seconded by Garr and carried (roll call vote: Kutz – yes, Garr – yes, Irmen – no, Erickson – yes, Lemer – yes) to keep the Pers benefit as is and to offer a 4% raise for the 2025-2026 school year and a 4% raise for the 2026-27 school year.

It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting aye on roll call) to enter into Executive Session at 8:26 PM for the purpose to discuss negotiations strategy for the administration, Dean of Students, and technology Director per NDCC section 44-04-19.1(9). It was moved by Erickson, seconded by Garr and carried (all members voting yes on voice vote) to exit the Executive Session at 9:00 PM.

It was moved by Kutz, seconded by Garr and carried (roll call vote: Garr – yes, Irmen - yes, Erickson – yes, Kutz – yes, Lemer - yes) to approve a 5% raise for the administration, Dean of Students, and technology director for the 2025-2026 school year and a 4% raise for the 2026-27 school year.

By consensus, the Board increased the substitute pay per day from $160.00 to $170.00.

The next regular meeting of the Carrington School Board is June 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM.

Adjourn at 9:08 PM

Joel Lemer, President

Kimary Edland, Business Manager

Board Meeting Minutes

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