Election of new officers for the 2026 year was at the top of the agenda for the Monday night Fulda School Board meeting. Loren Carlson was voted in as the new chairman, Kayla Clarke as vice chair, Marcie Ash as clerk, and Brian VanderBeek remains the treasurer.
Salaries for the newly voted- in officers, were approved at: chair - $1,600, clerk - $1,500, and the vice chair, treasurer and directors at $1,400 per year. Committees are: Capital Outlay/ Buildings/Safe: Paul Duerr, Doug Clarke, and Brian VanderBeek; Community Ed and Athletics: Paul Duerr, Kayla Clarke, and Marcie Ash; District Planning Committee: Doug Clarke, Paul Duerr, and Jason Appel; Fulda Foundation (Ex-officio) is Mike Pagel; Nobles County Collaborative - Loren Carlson; Teacher Committees: Jason Appel, Kayla Clarke, and Marcie Ash; Negotiations - Other: Doug Clarke, Loren Carlson and Brian VanderBeek; Staff Development and Tech: Doug Clarke, Loren Carlson and Brian VanderBeek.
Appproval was given to the track and field team for two upcoming fundraisers that will include a Hoagie Sale this coming spring to take place prior to planting, and a Chuck a Duck fundraiser as a split the pot.
Megan Oslund was hired as the ECFE Coordinator/Early Childhood Teacher from January 1 through May 31, 2026.
Cody Ross has been hired as a full-time custodian.
“Nana’s Naughty Nickers” has been chosen as the spring play for the Fulda Community Players. The performance is scheduled for the weekend of Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22nd.
The board unanimously approved a resolution directing the administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions and reasons therefore.
Fifty cents was approved as the standard mileage rate for the district for 2026. Part-time/casual employees 2026 hourly rate is $11.46. Community education/Pool Pay rates were set at Lifeguards: $11.46 and $12.46 for the WSI Certified Lifeguard. Open gym supervisor pay was set at $12.25/hour and Men’s League Supervisor also at $12.25 per hour.
Matt Saxman presented an update regarding the FHS Theatre Department’s production of “The Little Mermaid”. Along with that, he asked about the future of theatre facilities, and what the board’s plans are (once the elementary school is demolished) for theatrical productions as the current addition/new building plan does not show accommodations for a theatre stage.
He pointed out that the elementary gymnasium is, although antiquated, the best choice for theatre that Fulda currently has. He, along with an interested group of area citizens are willing to research the possibilities of retaining that portion of the elementary school. They will be investigating possible grants, community support, and non-profit status, etc. The board assured Mr. Saxman that they are willing to discuss this in further detail.
On the agenda, under new business, was the consideration/approval of proceeding on the Building Project Bidding Process. This item was tabled until more information is brought to the board by InBylt. A special board meeting was scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. in the Conference Room at Fulda High School.
The next monthly meeting of the Fulda School Board will be on Monday, February 9th, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the high school.
