Aitkin School Board approve Chair, Vice Chair; talks OSHA Mandate at January 10th meeting

By Paul Vold kkin@rjbroadcasting.com (1/13/22)

(Aitkin, MN) — The Aitkin School Board meeting from Monday, January 12th established their 2022 Board and conducted other organizational matters from the High School Media Center.

Before conducting business for the meeting, current Board Chair Dennis Hasskamp called attention to the tragic passing of students Westin Justen and Isaac Fulton before the Board.

During the Public Comment period, Allison Ryan of the Aitkin Farmer’s Market Food Hub spoke to the Board about the District’s Farm2School food partnership.

Superintendent Dan Stifter opened talks on Policy 491 concerning OSHA Mandate.

Superintendent Stifter recommended the first and second readings of the policy, which would include the gathering of vaccination status of employees if/when the policy would be implemented for either a mandatory vaccination or testing and masking policy. The Board was considerably against the policy and the readings as well.

The Board voted Dennis Hasskamp as Board Chair, Noel Bailey as Vice Chair, Jeremy Janzen and Cindi Hills as Co-Clerks, and Kevin Hoge as Treasurer. Meeting on the 3rd Monday except in January and February at 6:30pm was designated, the Aitkin Independent Age as the official school district newspaper, Business Manager Heather Hipp to sign on all bank accounts, and the 2022 Committee Assignments. The Board also gave approval for directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions.

Approval was also given to hire Jessica Palm as an Administrative Assistant for the Athletics Director and Stipends for Concessions and Ticket Manager.

The Aitkin Public School Board will meet on Monday, February 7th at 6:30pm from the High School Media Center.