Matt Heggernes was nominated and confirmed as the new board chair by acclamation. Ken Mattson was similarly elected as the vice chair and treasurer, again by unanimous consent.

Further into the meeting, the board tackled the scheduling of future meetings, a topic that prompted a thoughtful discussion on accommodating staff and student activities. An amendment was proposed to shift regular meetings from the fourth Thursday to the fourth Wednesday of each month. Despite some hesitance from a member, who expressed a preference against Wednesdays, the amendment was accepted. This change aims to reduce conflicts, particularly with holidays, as meetings in November and December will now occur on the third Wednesday.

In terms of financial management, the board authorized the superintendent and business manager to invest surplus funds and borrow as necessary, as well as to pay claims that could not be deferred. These authorizations were passed without opposition. Additionally, Neighborhood National Bank and Trust Minnesota School District Liquid Fund Asset Fund Plus were designated as depositories for 2026, further securing the district’s financial operations.

The board also addressed committee assignments, emphasizing the importance of active representation in various district advisory meetings. While a member noted scheduling conflicts, others expressed interest in participating due to the educational benefits these meetings provide. The next advisory meeting was confirmed for March 16.

Moreover, the board reviewed policy 209, which addresses the code of ethics and other duties. This review was aimed at updating the school board handbook, with a focus on ensuring annual revisions. The policy committee was suggested to handle these revisions before presenting them to the full board.

In the realm of auditing, the board approved Bergen KD for auditing services for the fiscal year 2025-26. Despite inquiries about the need for competitive bidding, it was clarified that auditing services are classified as professional services, exempt from such requirements. This decision was informed by past challenges in securing new auditors and satisfaction with the current firm’s performance.

The meeting concluded with logistical updates, including an upcoming calendar committee meeting and an MSB leadership conference. A notable change was made to the January board meeting, rescheduled from January 21 to January 28.