Aitkin Public School Board meeting from August 15th

By Paul Vold kkin@rjbroadcasting.com (8/17/22)

(Aitkin, MN) — The Aitkin Public School Board meeting from Monday, August 15th was well attended with comments on the upcoming high school schedule, meal plans, and board member elections being addressed from the High School Media Library.

During the Public Comment Period, High School Junior Lexi Hills spoke to the Board about a change in the High School schedule for 2022-23 school year.

Members of the community about the August 8th Work Session meeting and comments that were aimed toward Board director Joe Ryan and voiced their support of him. Ryan spoke before the group in attendance in response to the previous meetings.

Later in the meeting, Superintendent Dan Stifter brought to the Board’s attention the 2022-23 Online Meal Application for free and reduced meals.

The Application was approved and the purchase of a new 77-Passenger Bus. Stifter also opened talks on the process for board member appointees.

The School Board did approve a Superintendent-recommended, Board approved fill-in for Dennis-Hasskamp’s open seat with a special election slated for February. The Board did move to table the minutes from the July 25th Regular School Board and August 8th Board Work Session meetings until review can be taken on the legalities of who records the minutes to make them official.

The Board did approve Fall Sports Coaches, Volunteer Coaches, the hiring of Craig Larson, and Dan Krueger as Special Education Teachers, and Sarah Vang as an Elementary Long Term Substitute Teacher. Approval was also given for the 2022-23 Student, School, and Staff Handbooks.

The Aitkin School Board will next meet for a Work Session on Monday, August 29th at 6:30pm from the Aitkin High School Media Center.