SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES
FULDA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026 - 6:00 P.M. HIGH SCHOOL BOARD ROOM
The Board of Education meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Loren Carlson.
Members present were Jason Appel, Kayla Clarke, Loren Carlson, Marcie Ash, Paul Duerr, and Doug Clarke. Absent was Brian VanderBeek. Others present were Superintendent Mike Pagel, Community Education Director Susan Lee, Brittany Timmerman, Laura Cheadle, Nan Henning, Mike Kunerth, Tim Dibble, Kraig Onken, Kevin Onken, Shelly Onken, Nick Henning, Stan Kramer, and Maria Ahlers.
Motion by Paul Duerr, seconded by Jason Appel to approve the agenda with the addition of item 4.Q. – Consideration/Approval of letter of desire to negotiate from MSEA and item 8.E. – Consideration/Approval of calling a Special Board Meeting. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Pagel highlighted the Consent Agenda, which included the following items: Minutes from Regular Board Meeting Feb 9, Bills, Activity Fund Report and Financial Reports. Mr. Pagel walked through the Fund 06 bond information/building fund. Acknowledged outgoing open enrollments for R. Kramer and F. Reith. Mr. Pagel highlighted that neither student has ever started in our buildings. Approved building usage request from Southern Lights Volleyball for practices. Approved request for leave of absence from Logan Fagen. Approved contract for long-term substitute teacher – Paige Roberts. Approved resignations from One-Act Play director (Davina Ethridge) and Head Girls Basketball Coach (Andrew Oakland). Approved letter of retirement from Machelle Nolt. Approved letter of intent to negotiate from Superintendent Michael Pagel. Approved Building Usage Agreement with Solid Rock Church for the Elementary Gym through October 31, 2026. Approved contract for long-term substitute food service/paraprofessional Tami Wiener. Approved contract for long-term substitute paraprofessional – Olivia Wiener. Approved contract for Social Media Assistant – Carly Junco. Approved letter of resignation from Preschool Teacher – Melissa Kramer. Approved letter of desire to negotiate from MSEA. Motion by Kayla Clarke, seconded by Paul Duerr to approve the Consent Agenda. Voting in favor: Paul Duerr, Kayla Clarke, Jason Appel and Marcie Ash. Opposed: Doug Clarke. Motion carried.
Open Forum - Nan Henning talked about open enrollment to MCC and asked why it’s happening. Talked about schools needing to consolidate. Suggests using a mediator to run the upcoming joint school board meeting with MCC - Mike Kunerth is looking to the future as well and predicts that enrollment could go down as much as 30%. Also spoke with the MCC board and wants the joint meeting to happen.
- Shelly Onken noted that information on the internet ranks Fulda’s scores lower than MCC. Most parents want the best education for their students. Hopes the board is open to discussions with MCC.
Community Ed Report – Susan Lee
• The pool attendance for the month was 40 swimmers
• Aquacise attendance was 82 for the month
• Open gym averages about 12 per week, will finish up in March
• Defensive driving and Estate Planning in March both had enough sign ups to hold the class
• Have been in contact with Summer Rec staff from last year, will know in the next week or so if they plan on returning this summer Activities Director – Greg Erdmann
• Congratulations to Kaston Clarke for earning 6th place at State Wrestling!
• Congratulations to the Fulda BPA chapter for State qualifiers
• Updated participation numbers for spring sports – 61 FHS students participating
• Highlighted upcoming events
• Recommendations for Spring coaches
• Outlined 9th Grade Governance modifications Elementary Report – Brett Perish
• Thank you to staff for their continued hard work and dedication!
• Staffing – need LT Sub Para to cover medical leave and Preschool Teacher for 26-27
• Updated enrollment numbers – K-6 = 156, Preschool = 48
• Spring Conferences – 92% attendance
• Capti ReadBasix screening conducted in February, results expected at the end of the month
• Testing updates
• Updated activities since last meeting
• Highlighted upcoming activities
• Thank you to American Legion for sponsoring students to Legionville
• Thank you to the Presbyterian Church, Tami Wiener, and Susan Lee for food in lounges during evening conferences
• Thank you to a Preschool parent for art supply donations
• Thank you to Fulda Education Foundation for donation to Elementary PBIS program • Fast Bridge testing showed 79% of students are on track to meet grade level goals in Math and 77% on track for Reading High School/Superintendent Report – Mike Pagel
• High School
• Thank you to all staff for continued professionalism and dedication
• High School enrollment = 142 + 3 Full-time PSEO (up one from last month)
• Updated on activities that have taken place since last meeting
• Spring conferences showed good participation
• Upcoming activities
• Continuing performance evaluations for teachers
• Ongoing and upcoming assessments at High School
• Working on staffing/curriculum options for 26-27 year
• HS Student scheduling beginning the first week of April
• Will be attending MN School Administrators Conference March 19 & 20
• Bus driver appreciation day Feb. 18th – Thank you to Fulda bus drivers!
• Thank you to Fulda Presbyterian Church for providing lunch during conferences
• Community Play performance coming up in March
• Superintendent
• Building update o The design is 99% set, will go out March 20th and 27th for contractors o Bid awarding is set for May 7th o Highlighted alternative bid items Board of Education Reports None Recognition of District Groups/Supporters
• Congratulations to Kaston Clarke who placed 6th at the State Wrestling Tournament • Congratulations to State BPA qualifiers
• Thank you to Mrs. Nolt for many years of service
• Thank you to Mr. Oakland for years of service to our district
• Thank you to Mrs. Kramer for work in Preschool this year
• Thank you to the Fulda School Bus Drivers and Substitutes – February 18th was School Bus Driver appreciation day
• Thank you to Fulda American Legion for sponsoring students to Legionville
• Thank you to Fulda Presbyterian Church for providing staff with lunch during conferences • Thank you to a Preschool parent for art supply donation
• Thank you to Fulda Education Foundation for donation to Elementary PBIS program Old Business None New Business Motion by Doug Clarke, seconded Paul Duerr to approve authorizing the school district administration to advertise for summer employment positions. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Doug Clarke, seconded by Kayla Clarke to approve the 2026-27 school year calendar. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Pagel outlined 2026-27 SWWC Service Coperative Contracts. Contracts show an overall increase of 6%. Motion by Paul Duerr, seconded by Jason Appel to approve 2026-27 SWWC Service Cooperative Contracts. All in favor. Motion carried.
Discussed revisions to Fiscal 2025-26 budget. Motion by Marcie Ash, seconded by Paul Duerr to approve 2025-26 revised budget. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Paul Duerr, seconded by Kayla Clarke to call a joint Special Board Meeting with MCC to discuss the future of our schools on Monday March 30th at 7:00 pm at the MCC School Auditorium. All in favor. Motion carried.
Loren Carlson would like to have a couple of board members meet with Mr. Pagel prior to board meetings to be better prepared.
Motion by Paul Duerr, seconded by Kayla Clarke to adjourn. All in favor. Motion carried.
Adjournment at 6:48 PM __________________________ Marcie Ash, Clerk _________________________________ 20c
FULDA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL JOINT MEETING WITH MURRAY COUNTY CENTRAL MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026 - 7:00 P.M.
MCC HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
The Board of Education meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by MCC Chair, Tony Clarke.
Fulda Board Members present were Doug Clarke, Loren Carlson, Brian VanderBeek, Kayla Clarke, Jason Appel, Paul Duerr and Marcie Ash. MCC Board Members present were Tony Clarke, Brent Miller, Robin Gilbertson, Lauren Biegler, Heather Hoekman, and Kathryn Hoffman. Others present were Fulda Superintendent Mike Pagel, MCC Superintendent Joe Meyer, Gary Lee from MSBA, and many from the public. The meeting was also livestreamed on Christiansen Broadcasting.
Mr. Lee started with introductions.
Motion by Brent Miller, seconded by Loren Carlson to approve the agenda as presented. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Pagel and Mr. Meyer each gave a brief “State of the District” presentation including history of the district, current demographics of the student populations, financial information, program highlights, and goals of the district.
Mr. Lee outlined different models of collaborating with another district.
• Joint Powers Agreements (JPA): Under MN Statute §471.59, two or more districts can jointly exercise any power common to them. This is the most common method for sharing specific services (e.g., special education cooperatives or joint purchasing) without losing local autonomy.
• Reorganizational Agreements: These involve formal changes to district boundaries or governance. This includes Consolidation (merging two or more districts into one new entity) or Dissolution and Attachment (closing one district and attaching its territory to another).
• Shared Resource Agreements: Informal or formal contracts to share specific staff (like a shared Superintendent or business manager) or facilities to reduce overhead costs.
• Consolidation: Under MN Statute §123A.48, Consolidation is a permanent joining that legally ends the existence of the original districts. o The Plan: A consolidation platform must be developed involving the school boards of the affected districts. This includes current levy and referendum authorities. o Operating Referendums: The plan specifies whether existing operating levies will be revoked, replaced by a new unified rate, or if the highest existing rate will apply to the entire new district. o Debt Service (Bonds): Typically, remains the responsibility of the taxpayers within those original boundaries unless the consolidation plan and the voters agree to distribute the debt across the entire newly formed district. o Approval by Commissioner: The proposed plan must be submitted to the Commissioner of Education for approval to ensure it is educationally and economically sound. o Voter Approval: Majority of the combined voters (or voters in each specific district, depending on the plan) must approve the merger via a ballot. o Election of New Board: Once approved, a new school board must be elected to represent the newly formed district.
Board members from both districts asked questions and spoke of previous sharing agreements between our districts. Both boards voiced their willingness to entertain these options as part of a proactive strategy to address current and future challenges ensuring that student success remains the primary focus of any potential agreement. Motion by Loren Carlson, seconded by Brian VanderBeek to adjourn. All in favor. Motion carried.
Adjournment at 8:02 p.m.
Marcie Ash, Clerk ____________________________ _________________________________ 20c
