West Fork Community School District Board Minutes

Official Proceedings – Regular Meeting – July 21, 2025 – unapproved

        The West Fork Board of Education met for its regular meeting in the Library in Sheffield. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Board President, Holly Henricks. Board members present: Grant Petersen, Travis Butler, Amber Marzen and Erin Suntken.  Also present were Superintendent Mike Kruger, Middle/High School Principal Daren Huisenga, Elementary Principal Ashley Flatebo, and West Fork Board Secretary Lacey Pueggel.

Visitors:

Butler made a motion to approve the Agenda, Minutes from June 16, 2025, June 2025 Bills, July 2025 Bills, and June 2025 Financials; seconded by Marzen. Motion carried 5-0.  

        Principals Report:

1. Updates to Handbooks
2. Update to After School Program

        Superintendent Report:

1. Buildings are fully staffed after filling custodial positions today at interviews
2. Wellness Center Lease meeting with Synergy
3. SAI is the first week in August
4. State Softball tomorrow
5. NIACC Ground Breaking took place in Hampton for the new Academy

OPPA! Food Service Report:

1. Update to staff and welcome

Old Business:

        Summer maintenance is in full force, and they are making good progress.

        New Business:

Following discussion, Marzen made a motion to approve the Following items: 1) Teacher Retention & Recruitment; 2) Mental Health; 3) State Supplemental Aid; 4) Drop-out & At-Risk; 5) School Safety;  6) Student Achievement; and 7) Parent and Family engagement, as the District’s IASB Legislative Priorities; seconded by Petersen. Motion carried 5-0.

Petersen moved to approve the 28E Sharing Agreement with Belmond-Klemme for a shared Social Worker; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

        Marzen moved to approve the Central Rivers AEA Service Agreement for the 25-26 school year as presented; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 5-0.

        Mr. Huisenga and Mrs. Flatebo presented the board with Student Achievement Data. The board helped the administration set a goal of 80% proficient for Reading and 75% for Math and Science for the 2025-2026 school year.

Butler moved to approve the second reading of Board Policy 503.09, Use of Personal Electronic Devices by Students; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Suntken moved to approve the first reading of Board Policies 505.05 and 507.09; seconded by Marzen. Motion carried 5-0.

Suntken moved to approve the Open Enrollment requests as presented; seconded by Petersen. Motion carried 5-0.

Following discussion, Marzen moved to approve the 2025-2026 school fees with no changes to fees from the previous year; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 5-0.

Following discussion, Marzen moved to approve the 25-26 Employee Handbook, Sub Handbook, Coach Handbook, Para/Associate Handbook, MS/HS Student Handbook, Elementary Handbook and the Preschool Handbook; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve a contract with Eva Gutierrez to serve as a Shared Social Worker with Belmond-Kelmme; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve a contract with Jill Rowe to serve as the Elementary Library Interventionist; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve a contract with Abbie Emhoff to serve as MS/HS Student Support Services; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve a contract with Corey Smith to serve as a 6th Grade Teacher; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve Paula Craighton to serve as the MS/HS Administrative Assistant; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve Denise Shreve to serve as the Wellness Center Administrative Assistant; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve a contract with Todd Hopes to serve as an evening custodian at the Rockwell Campus; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve a contract with Keaton Wilson to serve as an evening custodian at the Sheffield Campus; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Butler moved to approve a Volunteer Coach Football contract with Peterson Jean-Pierre; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 5-0.

Marzen moved to approve the resignation of Amber Hanig, Kitchen manager; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 5-0.

        Marzenmoved to approve the resignation of Michelle Volk, Paraeducator/After School Program Coordinator; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 5-0.

        Following discussion, Marzen moved to approve the Band Fundraisers as presented; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 5-0.

        Marzen moved to approve the updates to the Copier Lease with Access Systems; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 5-0.

Next Board Meeting: August 18, 2025, at 5 pm in Rockwell.

Suntken moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 pm; seconded by Petersen.  Motion carried 5-0.

______________________________                                              _______________________________

Board President – Holly Henricks                                                    Board Secretary – Lacey Pueggel