Clearbrook-Gonvick School Board September 15, 2025
School board meeting September 15
The Clearbrook-Gonvick School Board met in regular session on Monday, September 15.
The Minnesota School Boards Association has designated September as Minnesota School Board Recognition Month. Before the meeting started Superintendent Grow recognized the school board members who serve countless hours for the benefit of the district. Treats were supplied to the members before the start of the meeting. The board works with a 12 million dollar budget with 111 employees.
Mr. Bettin gave a short Spotlight on Education with the Band and Choir trip to Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Homecoming week has been set for October 6 to 10 with coronation on Monday, October 6 at 2:30 in the afternoon. The parade will be in Gonvick on Friday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Principals’ report
Josh Tharaldson stated that the Open House went well and feedback from families and staff will be used for minor changes to more forward.
FastBride screening will be done for new students in reading and math.
6th to 9th grade enrollment data includes; Grade 6-30, Grade 7-52, Grade 8 -39 and Grade 9 -50.
There will be no school on October 16 and 17 for the EM Break.
Superintendent Report
Ryan Grow asked if the board members had communicated with their townships on the upcoming referendum. There is a town hall meeting coming up on September 23 at the school for the public.
Tharaldson met with Scouting America and with Sanford coming in to talk about careers in the Health Care field. This is free to the district.
The MSBA leadership meeting will be January 15 and if any board members are going they should let Grow know to get hotel reservations as they go very fast.
The state legislature levy numbers at the present time looks like there will be a decrease of $291,000 from last year for the district payable in 2026.
The indoor air quality system is running. There needs to be some changes to the balance with the 62 different heat pumps. Some rooms are hotter than others.
Enrollment report was not yet complete as there are still students coming and going.
The negotiations with the staff has been meeting with language being the main item. With school just starting there were other things to be done.
The Consent Calendar was approved. $496,223.63 for non-payroll and $202,195.65 for payroll for a total of $698,419.28 for the month. Some items were $53,646.00 for Naylor Heating and Refrigeration; $40,588.27 for RA Morton Construction Managers; $37,397.00 Gast Construction Co Inc., $21,106.25 Bessler Electric; $16,220.00 Boyer Mechanical; $11,256.00 Houghton Mifflin Co.; $7,439.03 Johnson Controls; $6,678.51 ATSR; $5,9541.27 Holler Commercial Floors; $5,228.09 Clearwater-Polk Electric; Pond Construction & Trucking $6,200,00; T&K Outdoors Inc. $2,816.89; Farmers Publishing Co. $1,189.94 and Garden Valley $1,035.98. The bill for Superior Transportation Service comes at the end of the month so that was not available..
The board set the preliminary levy 2025 payable 2026 at the maximum limit..
The Clearbrook -Gonvick board scheduled a Truth in Taxation Meeting for December 15, 2025. Same as regular board meeting.
New Business…
They hired Julie Brossart as a special Education Paraeducator at Step 6 for $18.46 an hour. She had also been a Special Ed teacher.
Two FMLA leave requests were granted. One for Bailey Watne unpaid until April 7. One for Jamie Hamnes who will be returning January 5. She will be using 24 PTO Days.
They approved three Salary Lane Advancements. One for Abigail Ek from BA10 to BA 20. One for Stacey Mendick from BA40 to MA 10 and one for Peyton Dingmann from BA to BA 30.
Steve Marsh was hired as Junior High Girls basketball coach for the season at Step C $2,280.00.
The board appointed election judges for the November 4, 2025 School District Bond Referendum Special Election. Named were Lucie Thonmpsoin, Head Election Judge with Gary Prosser, Joy Walberg, Jessica Solee (King), Linda Nordlund, Eileen Lien, Sheryll Petterson, Lori Larson, Nancy Thorson, Stephanie Anderson and Bonnie Engen. All polling will be done at the Clearbrook Community Center.
The next meeting will be held October 20 at 7:00 pm.