All right. So, I would like to call the Rockford Area Schools Board of Education organizational meeting to order. It is 5:31. Like to start with the pledge of allegiance, please. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you so much. Uh, board roll call. Acting madame clerk.
>> Uh, Kevin Shave >> here. >> Uh, Ben Frasa is absent. Jamie Hilstrom here. >> Chris Morgan >> here. >> Jessica Johnson >> here. Gordy >> here. >> Thank you very much. Um, item number two
is a ceremonial oath of office. Um, we are all continuing members. None of us are new this goound. So, this is kind of a nice thing, but it's an honor that you're elected to guide the education of our community's children. As you recite the oath of office, you assume a tremendous responsibility as director of
our school district with the duties empowered by Minnesota legislature. This power puts you and the other members of our school board in position of being both morally and legally responsible for equitable quality education of every student in the district. In carrying out this responsibility, you will be asked to fulfill the role, vision, structure,
accountability, and advocacy. In providing vision, the board with extensive participation of the community envisions the community's educational future and then formulates the goals, defines the outcomes, and sets the course for the public schools. To achieve this vision, the board board establishes a structure and creates an
environment designed to ensure all students the opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a sound organizational framework. Because as a board, we must be accountable to the community. We must ensure a continuous assessment of student achievement in all conditions affecting the education of
our children. As board members, we serve as education's key advocate on behalf of students and our community schools to advocate the vision of our schools. Furthermore, we must strive to work together with the superintendent and the staff to lead the district toward fulfilling the vision we have created, fostering excellence for every student
in the area of academic skills and knowledge, citizenship, and personal development. Having previously signed the acceptance of office and oath of office, we hereby ask board members to publicly affirm their commitment to the oath of office. And we can recite this coral. We do not have to do it
individually. >> So we can start. Yep. I affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of this state and I will discharge faithfully the duties of the office of school board member in the
independent school district number 883 to the best of my judgment and ability. Thank you so very much for that. [clears throat] We will now move forward to the election of school board officers. Just have to make sure I'm in the right >> approval of the agenda.
>> Yeah, there we go. That's why I was going back to the agenda. So, Dr. Ridle Hoover, just making sure the agenda is in proper order for tonight's meeting. >> It is. The only thing I wanted to to to ask about um and this might be more of a question. Mike, you might um 6C CFO or
superintendent make deposits. Um currently, do you do any of the deposits or expenses so forth >> like directly in here? >> Yes. >> No, I just approve and work with Bridget on that. >> Okay. Got it. Okay. Christa and Sarah. >> Okay. Just wanted to make sure. Okay. So, C is in good order.
>> Good order. >> Excellent. So, with that, the agenda seems to be in order. So, I'd appreciate a motion to approve tonight's agenda. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Miss Johnson. There's a first. Can I have a second, please? >> I will second. >> Thank you, Mr. Morgan. The first and a second. Any discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. I >> post. That does carry unanimously. Next item are elections of officers to the school board. With that, we will begin with finding nominations for the chair. So, nominations are now
in order for the office of chair. Are there any nominations? Well, I would like to make a nomination of Jessica Johnson to be chair of the board. So, Jessica Johnson is nominated. Are there any other nominations for the
office of chair? Are there any further nominations for the office of chair? And lastly, are there any further nominations for the office of chair? Say it that many times. It's awesome, right? If there are no further nominations,
nominations for the office of chair are closed. As there are no other nominations for the office office of chair, board member Jessica Johnson is elected by acclamation. >> Thank you. >> [laughter]
>> Well done, sir. >> How do you feel? [laughter] All righty. Next is the position of vice chair. So, at this time, are there any nominations for the office of vice chair?
Accepting nominations. >> I would like to nominate Eric Gordy for vice chair. >> All right. Jamie Hilstrom has nominated Eric Gordy for [clears throat] the position of vice chair. [sighs and gasps]
Uh Eric Gordy has been nominated. Are there any other nominations for the office of a vice chair? Are there any other any further nominations for the office of vice chair? And are there any further nominations
for the office of vice chair? If there are no further nominations, nominations for the office of vice chair are closed. As there are no nominations for the office of vice chair, board member Eric Gordy is elected by acclamation to the
position of vice chair. Congratulations. >> All right. At this time, we'll move on to election of clerk. So, um, at this time I'll entertain nominations for the position of clerk. >> I'd like to nominate Jamie Hilstrom.
>> All right. Eric Gordy has nominated Jamie Hilstrom for the position of clerk. Jamie Hilstrom is nominated. Are there any other nominations for the office of clerk? Are there any further nominations for
the office of clerk? And are there any further nominations of the office of clerk? If there are no further nominations, nominations for the office of clerk are closed. As there are no other
nominations for the office of clerk, board member Jamie Hilstrom is elected by acclamation. Congratulations, Jamie. All right. And our last [clears throat] officer position is treasurer. So at
this time, I'll entertain motion to or um nominations for the position of treasurer. >> I make a motion to uh for Chris Morgan to be treasurer. >> All right. Kevin Shadine has nominated Chris Morgan for treasurer.
Board member Chris Morgan is nominated. Are there any other nominations for the office of treasurer? Are there any further nominations for the office of treasurer? Are there any further nominations for
the office of treasurer? If there are no further nominations, nominations for the office of treasurer are closed. As there are no nominations for the office, no further nominations for the office of treasurer. Board
member Chris Morgan is elected by affirmation. Congratulations, Treasurer Morgan. [clears throat] All right, moving on to committees and boards. 5A, renewal of memberships,
just trying to catch up here. All right, Dr. Ralver, anything to discuss on those? You know, these are our typical memberships we've had for several years, my my entire time here. Okay. >> They're basically annual renewals for
what we've been doing. >> All right. Everybody feel anybody have questions or comments regarding any of these? They are all beneficial to our district. All right. So, at this time, I will entertain a motion to approve
these memberships, the renewal of these memberships. >> Mayor Gordy, make a motion for renewal of memberships as presented. >> All right. Got a first by Vice Chair Gordy. >> I'll second. >> Second by Treasure Morgan.
Any other comments, questions? Right. At this time, take a vote. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed? Passes unanimously. All right. Next, we have
our school board member um committees and we did review these um in November. >> Um we have one minor change we want to make. Yeah, I would uh
there's some unfinished business um with Northwest Suburban Integrated School District that it would not be fair to pass that along to Miss Prasa. Um so I would like to continue to be the
Northwest Suburban representative um for the Rockford area schools and I know Mr. Morgan was going to be the alternate. Um, and Miss Prasa not being present at this meeting today. Um,
[clears throat and cough] I would just like to um, based on unfinished business and Beth and I had talked about that one time earlier and she was not opposed to me continuing on with what was going on. >> I'm okay if
you want mention [clears throat] um, M. Raza as the alternate >> because we can always establish the alternate at another date when Beth is here >> or yeah can tag into that was one I was >> so the okay so the only removal would be
Beth from that line and we for now leave Chris >> leave >> in that position as alternate >> um and allow a conversation between Beth and Chris or put both of them as >> alternate can make it that wouldn't be a bad idea either an option >> you know what I would just just put them
both as I've already done that on that spreadsheet. >> Okay, perfect. So, the only change would be then Miss Prasa moving down to the alternate line joining Mr. Morgan. >> Yeah, I don't think that's a bad idea. I think that's actually a good thing. >> Works [clears throat] great. >> So, any other anybody after reviewing
and stuff have any concerns about committees they're on or anything like that? We're good with what we decided. >> Yep. >> All right. Well, then with um that change uh for Northwest Suburban, um I
would take a motion to accept our committees board committee assignments as we as discussed. >> I will motion to approve as presented with that change. >> All right. Chair Morgan has >> second and director Shadine second that.
Any other questions or comments? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed passes unanimously. Thank you. All right. Next,
efficient and effective operations. So, we are on delegate statutory duties of clerk to administrative staff. This is something we do every year. This is just giving staff the ability to do the things assigned to the clerk,
which is kind of important. So, um, any other questions or anything about that? All right. At this time, I will, uh, accept a motion. >> I, I will make a motion to delegate delegate the statutory duties of clerk to the administrative staff.
>> Eric Gordy second. >> We have Hilstrom first and Gordy second. Any other questions or comments? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed? Passes unanimously.
Next, uh, delegate secretary duties of treasure. Same as what we did with the clerk. Um, any other questions or comments regarding any of this, anybody? Okay. At this time, I'll entertain a motion. >> I have a motion to delegate statuto
duties of the treasur to the CFO. [laughter] All right. >> First by Treasurer Morgan. >> I'll second. >> Second by Cler Hilstrom. All right. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor signify by saying I.
>> Those opposed? Passes unanimously. All right. A resolution authorizing CFO or superintendent to make deposits, pay expenses, invest, and transfer funds in the best interest of the district.
And we're all set on that. >> Yeah. Although I'll probably never do any of those things, [laughter] but there's always a second person there. >> You have to have a second. All right. All right. All right. Um, any other questions by anybody? Any comment? All right. Um, at
this time, I entertain a motion. >> A motion to authorize CO or superintendent to do all of those things. [laughter] >> We have a first. >> I'll second. >> Second. Director Shadine. All right. Any other
questions or comments? All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. Passes unanimously. >> That's a resolution. Do we have >> Oh, it is. Sorry, that's my bad. That's roll call. You're exactly [clears throat] right. Roll call. >> Uh Chris Morgan.
>> Hi. >> Kevin Shadine. >> Hi. >> Jamie Hilstrom. I >> Jessica Johnson. >> Hi. >> Eric Gordy. >> Hi. >> Passes unanimously. >> It does pass unanimously. Thank you for catching that. >> Next one is a resolution as well.
All right. Resolution authorizing the use of >> basim. Is that correct? >> Um, signature on payroll and voucher checks. >> I will make a motion to authorize the
use of facility facimile silk on payroll and voucher checks. >> You think we say this once a year? [laughter] >> I will second. >> We have a first. We have a second. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor signify by saying >> I also roll call. It's a resolution. >> Oh, it's a resolution. Yep, you're
right. I I haven't mentioned that before. >> Uh Jamie Hilstrom I. Chris Morgan. >> Hi. >> Jessica Johnson. >> Hi. >> Eric Gord. >> Hi. >> Kevin Shadine. >> Hi. >> Passes unanimously. >> Does pass unanimously. All right. Set compensation for board members.
>> We are not making any changes this year. Correct. >> All right. Anybody have any questions? All right. >> Okay. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to approve. >> I will make a motion to approve comp board compensation.
>> All right. >> Second. >> Second. We have a first. We have a second. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Those opposed. Passes unanimously. time and place of meetings.
All right. So currently time and place we have 5:30 set for our work sessions on even months and regular meetings will be at 6:30 on regular or on even months and then um odd months we start both
work session and regular at 5:30 because they are on different dates first Monday and third Monday of the month. any of those dates pop out for anybody that we need to >> I know we moved one because of the MA summit in November
>> and they can be changed along the way we've done that >> and we've done that. >> Yeah. >> What's the earliest date we can do a truth and taxation? >> The earliest date? >> Yeah. >> I don't know. >> I think we could do it sometime in November. I thought it was That had to
be after after November 15, I thought. >> Yeah. I can't believe I don't remember that. Yeah. From >> just saying December 21 is getting rather close to a >> Yeah. >> interesting time of no school. >> Yes. >> So maybe when we get there, we can explore moving that date.
>> Yeah. Something we should look at. >> This This last year we did do the week [clears throat] prior. Yeah. We did on the >> I think it was the 14th. >> Yeah. Somewhere on that. We could go to the 14th on that. Yeah, >> Courtney and I talked about that one. >> Just a thing to consider.
>> The work session and the regular meeting we talked a little bit about >> Yeah, in this last year we didn't have a work session because we did >> the year before either. Let's say >> because we figured everything out in November. >> So we may not even need a work session in >> the November one always tends to be
later just with the MA summit. So then that work se or the work session comes pretty quickly right after typically. Only thing would be is it will be a board election year. >> Yes. >> And if we have new members, we may need that work session in December, >> right?
>> To do organizational discussion. >> True. True. >> But we can keep the work session there on the we could keep it on the 7th or we could stack December on the 14th. >> So things to think about.
>> Yep. Yep. >> Okay. So with that discussion, I'll make a motion to approve the time and place of meetings as presented. >> I'll second first by vice chair Gertie, second by clerkstrom.
Any other questions or comments? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Those opposed? Passes unanimously. All right. Next. Designate official media outlet. >> I know.
>> Do we have one? >> We do. [laughter] >> We do. >> We have the drummers. Is that who we're or Ray County Journal Press? >> Journal Press. >> County Journal Press. >> And we did get quotes from them. and our previous paper and the previous one was still astronomically more. >> Yeah. >> So,
>> all right. Perfect. >> Be nice when that uh legislation goes through. We can just put it online >> only in Shakip or wherever. >> Right. >> Can we get on McDonald when he comes in about getting that up for us? >> We did that last year, too. >> All right. So, I'll make a motion to for
the official media outlet as presented. >> All right. We have first. I will second that. Any other questions or comments? Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Those opposed passes unanimously. All
right. Official deposit uh depositories, Bank West, PMA Securities, and Associated Bank. Um any other changes or questions? They may have questions on any of that.
All right. This time I'll entertain a motion. I'll make a motion to designate the official depository as was in the packet. >> All right, we have a first. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Any other questions or comments? Okay, all those in favor signify by saying I.
>> Those opposed? >> Passes unanimously. All right. And official legal counsel. Okay. So we have Kenya engraven Ratwick Ross Zack and Maloney PA and then
Squires Wallsburgger and Mace PA. >> We've used all three of them. We we we've gone >> they all kind of >> different things but we've used mostly we've used um >> Squares >> Squares Walberger and Mace and uh Mick has worked with us on several things
recently including I'm still waiting to get back on the um >> retirement retirement. >> Okay, perfect. I was going to ask you about that. >> All right. Perfect. That's great. Any other questions on this one? All right. At this time, I entertain a motion. >> I'll motion to approve designated
official legal counsel. >> All right. We have a first. I will second that. Any other questions or comments? Okay. At this time, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed? Passes unanimously.
All right, >> board and superintendent updates. Um, board of education work session, Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the district office boardroom. And regular meeting of the board of education, Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
at 6:30 p.m. in the district office boardroom. Also, following today, go ahead. We are having a roundt with our local representatives following this meeting starting at 6:30.
>> Y 6 next year. [laughter] We're too efficient. Great. >> Eric wanted six. I said, "Let's go 630." He was right. Put [laughter] it on the record. >> I know. Look at this. We're like >> recorded. >> Also, the MSBA. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yes. Um MSBA conference is the
>> 15th. the 15th and 16th. >> 15th and 16th >> down at the Minneapolis Convention Center. >> All right. Are anything else? All right. At this time, I'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> Gordy.
>> First, I will second that. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I those opposed passes unanimously and we are done at 5:54