ISD 2184 School Board
meets Aug. 28
MINUTES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184,
ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA
A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on August 28, 2025, at 5:15 p.m.
The following members were present: Ryan DeBates, Michael DeBates, Zach Nolz, David Wrigg, Heather Johnson and Tim Jarchow. Absent was Eric Hartman Also present: Craig Oftedahl, Terry Eernisse, Stacy Gillette, Becky Rahm, Tom Rops, Madeline Gumto, April Wallace and Mavis Fodness - Rock County Star Herald.
Vice-Chairperson Tim Jarchow opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion made by Michael DeBates, second by Zach Nolz, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion unanimously carried.
Administrative reports were given.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, second by Zach Nolz, to approve the July 24, 2025, School Board meeting minutes as presented. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Michael DeBates, second by Zach Nolz to approve the donation received for the month. Motion unanimously carried.
The motion for adoption of the Resolution was made by Member Zach Nolz, duly seconded by Member Michael DeBates.
The vote on adoption of the Resolution was as follows:
Aye: Ryan DeBates, Heather Johnson, Michael DeBates, Tim Jarchow, Zach
Nolz
Nay:
Absent: Eric Hartman
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.09, subdivision 5b establishes that a school board must fill by board appointment at a regular or special meeting any vacancy on the school board other than a vacancy of an ill or absent member as set forth in subdivision 4. The appointment shall be evidenced by a resolution entered in the minutes and shall be effective thirty (30) days following adoption of the resolution.
WHEREAS, a vacancy exists in the office of school board member with a term expiring the first Monday in January 2026; and
WHEREAS, the vacancy occurred January 1 or afterwards in the third year of the vacant term or on any date during the fourth year of the vacant term;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 2184, (Luverne Public Schools) State of Minnesota, as follows:
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 123B.09, subdivision 5b, David Wrigg is hereby appointed to fill the vacancy and to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. The appointment shall be effective thirty (30) days after the adoption of this resolution unless a valid petition to reject the appointee is filed with the school district clerk pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 123B.09, subdivision 5b (b) within that thirty (30) day period.
Whereupon, said Resolution was declared duly adopted by Independent School District No. 2184, (Luverne Public Schools), State of Minnesota, this 28th day of August 2025.
Business Manager Terry Eernisse reviewed the District and Student Activity checks. Motion made by David Wrigg, seconded by Heather Johnson to approve payment of the bills as presented in the amount of $768,793.37; with payroll in the amount of $232,642.96; for a grand total of $1,001,418.33. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Zach Nolz, seconded by David Wrigg to receive the Student Activity report showing the balances as of July 31, 2025. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by David Wrigg, seconded by Michael DeBates, to give authorization for Craig Oftedahl, Terry Eernisse, and Meghan Elgersma to wire transfer depositories. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by Heather Johnson, to approve the lunch prices for 2025-2026 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Heather Johnson, seconded by Michael DeBates, to approve the substitute pay of $170 a day for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by David Wrigg, to approve the bus driver physical reimbursement up to $105 for physicals. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by Zach Nolz, to approve the transportation rates for the 2025-2026 school year.
-Regular Route - $100 per day
-Sioux Falls Route - $100 per day
-Pipestone Route - $100 per day
-Preschool Route - $50 per day
-Activity Trips - $23 per hour ( trips until they are punched out)
-Overnight Pay - 75 per day
Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by David Wrigg, second by Zach Nolz, to approve the Minnesota School Board Association membership dues of $5,866 for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, second by David Wrigg, to approve the Minnesota Rural Education Association membership dues of $2,310 for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Zach Nolz, seconded by David Wrigg, to approve Craig Oftedahl as the MDE Identified official with authority to authorize user access to the MDE website. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Heather Johnson, seconded by Ryan DeBates, to approve Terry Eernisse’s at-will contract as Business Manager for $86,520.00 for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Zach Nolz, seconded by David Wrigg, to approve Meghan Elgersma’s at-will contract as Administrative Assistant/ Payroll Clerk for $54,075.00 for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Zach Nolz, seconded by Ryan DeBates, to approve Cory Schmuck's at-will transportation director contract for $30,750.00. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by David Wrigg, to approve the hiring of Jim Ouverson as part time Transportation Coordinator at $23 an hour. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Zach Nolz, seconded by Heather Johnson to accept the retirement of Cindy Reu as of August 14, 2025. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Michael DeBates, seconded by Zach Nolz, to accept the resignation of Cole Meester as assistant track coach effective July 29, 2025. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by Heather Johnson, to approve Deb Remme as volunteer tennis coach. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Zach Nolz, seconded by Heather Johnson, to approve Mike Maurer as volunteer 9th grade football coach. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by Michael DeBates, to approve Zach Ahrendt as volunteer varsity football coach. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by David Wrigg, seconded by Michael DeBates, to accept the retirement of Chris Nowatzki as of September 19, 2025. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by Heather Johnson, to accept the hiring of Chris Nowatzki as art teacher under the memorandum of understanding for the remainder of 2025-2026 school year starting September 23, 2025. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by David Wrigg, seconded by Michael DeBates, to approve the hiring of Cheryl Stratton as bus driver for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by Zach Nolz, to approve the hiring of Don Sandbulte as bus driver for the 2025-2026 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Committee reports were given.
The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed. Motion made by Ryan DeBates, seconded by Zach Nolz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried.
Dated: August 28, 2025 Michael DeBates, Clerk
(10-02)
