OFFICIAL SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES I.S.D. #466, BOARD OF EDUCATION 5:00 PM REGULAR BOARD MEETING JANUARY 23, 2023
DASSEL-COKATO HIGH SCHOOL
MEDIA CENTER
“In partnership with our communities and families, we will educate and inspire all learners to maximize their potential, promote lifelong learning, and become contributing members of society”
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District No. 466 (Dassel-Cokato, Minnesota) was duly held in the Dassel-Cokato High School Media Center, Cokato, Minnesota, on Monday, January 23, 2023.
Board Acting Chair Sangren called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
The following members were present: Sangren, Miller, Halverson, Bohnsack, Engh, Kantola. The following were absent: none.
The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance.
Motion by Bohnsack, seconded by Miller, to accept the agenda as printed. Motion carried unanimously.
Sangren welcomed the 2023 student representative, Dylan Seaberg. Seaberg introduced himself and the many activities that he is involved in and the excitement he has to be the school’s representative this year.
Board Acting Chair Sangren opened the floor for discussion of the Chair nomination. Both Bohnsack and Engh shared. After discussion Sangren asked for nominations for the Board Chair. Miller nominated Bohnsack and Kantola nominated Engh. Sangren made two more calls for nominations and closed nominations. Sangren called for a roll call vote for Board Chair; Engh, Kantola, and Halverson voted for Engh and Bohnsack, Sangren, and Miller voted for Bohnsack.
Bohnsack shared about how he desired the role as Board Chair but more importantly he understood the need to get to work and continue to improve the district as a whole, He asked Miller to Rescind her nomination of Board Chair. Miller Rescinded her nomination of Bohnsack.
Sangren again opened up for additional board chair nominations. After making two more calls for nominations he closed nominations. Engh was elected by Acclamation.
Motion by Sangren, seconded by Bohnsack approving payment of bills as presented including payroll, hand payables, and contingency totaling $3,886,379.65. Motion carried unanimously. (A complete list of bills is available from the District Office for review.)
Communications / Open Forum: None
Courtesy & Respect Award: Recipient was unable to attend and will be invited to a future meeting.
Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC) Report: None – Next meeting will be February 23rd
MAWSECO Report: December Meeting they approved Melissa’s contract for three years. Next meeting will be Tuesday January 24th.
SEE Report: Released the proposed budget from governor Walz. SEE Capital Day coming up February 2nd.
Community Education Report: None
Business Manager’s Report: Executive Director of Finance and Operations Palmer reviewed January expense report. Discussed the Increase with the REC center from prior years, purchase of ViewPoint for administrators to use, and stop arm camera purchase that Dassel Cokato will be getting grant reimbursement for.
Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Raymond discussed how it was great to have the full board participate in the MSBA Leadership week and build the team to help move the district forward. He shared his appreciation for the time they gave for the district away from work and family time.
Principals Report: Community Services Director Lang shared that Community Ed’s Mid winter launch happens February 3rd. Early childhood is still in discussion about wrap around care and was working on the 3rd session of PreK Screening. Elementary schools have the Junior Achievement Teams (DECA) in their buildings working and learning with the elementary students and have been hosting BINGO for books. Middle School has continued to host many concerts, district spelling bee, and having activity day on January 27th. High School conferences were held at the beginning of January and registration for next year will begin at the End of January. Betsy took a group of ALC students to help deliver meals on wheels to several people. SPED will be hosting the Unified Basketball tournament February 24th and all SPED students PreK to 9th grade received a donation of MN Twins stocking hats.
Student Representative Report: Seaberg shared that DECA would be participating in regionals and the Student Council would be selling Singing Grams in upcoming weeks.
Motion by Halverson, seconded by Sangren approving all consent items including minutes from December 12, 2022 Regular Board Meeting and January 9, 2023 Re organizational meeting and work session. Approval of Wire Transfers; December 13th for $125,000, December 15th for $825,000, December 28th for $250,000, December 30th for $800,000, January 5th for $175,000, January 11th for $475,000, and January 13th for $750,000. Personal Items; Approval of lane changes effective 1/1/2023 for Angela Correll from BA+30 to BA+45, for Laura Peterson from BA to BA+15, for Samantha Streed from BA to BA+15, Approve additions to the Winter 2023 Community Education Instructors. Rec Hockey: Steve Koivisto, Abe Niemela, Mark Kivisto, Shawn Schroeder, Kaitlyn Ryynanen and Firearms Safety: Kambria Raisanen, Approval of up to 5 weeks FMLA leave for Amy Streich beginning approximately 5/11/2023 through 6/5/2023, Approval of Rick Loge as Boys Swim Coach, Employment of Dean Carlson as a Sub CDL Bus Driver effective 1/19/2023. Acceptance of Donations From: Dassel Cokato Wrestling Booster Club – $1,888.50 for additional coaching staff, Farm-Rite Equipment Inc – $41,500 for Rec Center Scoreboard Donation, B & P Drywall – $5,000 for Scoreboard Donation, Bohnsack Family Dentistry – $200 for Coaches Clothing, Meeker County – $2,200 Grant for HS and MS Mental Health, Greg Holt – $2,000 for Scholarship Fund, Wright Hennepin Coop – $1,200 for Scholarship Fund, Box Tops for Education – $35.30 for Dassel Elementary, Cokato Dairy Queen – $183.50 to Cokato Elementary, Cokato Dairy Queen – $183.50 to Dassel Elementary, Imagen Dental Partners LLC – $500 for Activities Advertising. Motion carried unanimously.
Policies 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, & 427 were presented for a first reading. They all saw minor changes recommended by MSBA due to changes in statute and case law.
Engh took a moment to express the district’s condolences and to remember the life of Cokato Elementary special education paraprofessional Kristie Martinson who worked in the Dassel Cokato district for over 30 years.
Being no further business, Board Chair Engh adjourned the meeting at 6:01 PM.
Cindy Miller, Clerk
Published in the Enterprise Dispatch, March 24, 2023. |

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