By Watertown Current - July 30, 2026 in OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS – BOARD OF EDUCATION
FLORENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT #14-1
Budget hearing of the Florence School District #14-1 was called to order at 6:34 pm, July 13, 2026 by Chair Rislov. Other board members in attendance were Bach, Hlavacek, and Kahnke. Maag arrived at 7:00. Others present were Travis Schmidt (MS/HS Princ.), Mitch Reed (Supt.) and S. Sumner (Bus. Mgr.). Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was in attendance.
Handouts for the 2026-27 budget and means of finance were presented and reviewed. Regular board meeting was called to order at 7:27 pm.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to approve the agenda adding 5.8 3-year goals and changing 6.8 to only elem handbook changes approval. Motion carried.
Conflicts of interest: none
Motion by Bach, second by Hlavacek to approve the minutes of the June meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Maag to approve the following unaudited financial report. Motion carried. REVENUE RECEIVED DURING JUNE 2026: Local Sources – General Fund 29,533.36; Cap. Out. 21,962.95; SPED 13,405.13; Bond Red. 9,553.90; Food Serv. 6,220.38; DRED 700.00. County Sources – General Fund 1,603.61. State Sources – General Fund 226,172.25; SPED 20,529.00; Food Serv 653.13. Federal Sources- General Fund 106,312.00; Food Serv. 4961.75. CASH BALANCES JUNE 30, 2026: General Fund 899,216.67; Cap. Out. 464,727.17; SPED 120,585.72; Bond Red. 149,734.20; Cap. Proj. 1,269,214.99; Food Serv. 35,428.46; DRED 17,081.15.
There were no Forum questions to address.
A review of the sports co-op committee meeting was presented. Number of coaches in each sport was discussed. The start of Competitive Cheer and the Articles of Cooperation were reviewed. A plan was discussed as to how Henry will gain back some revenue for their lost concessions.
- Reed, supt., reported on the back-to-school inservice days (Monday & Tuesday, August 17th & 18th) including open house on the 17th which includes an immunization clinic along with much more information; the first day of school-Wednesday, August 19th; homecoming-October 2nd; back-to-school mailing; and the co-op sports parent/athlete meeting-August 4th. He congratulated Keaton Zubke on his 7th place finish at the National FBLA contest last month in San Antonio, TX.
Travis Schmidt, MS/HS princ. reviewed some updates that need to be made in the MS/HS Staff and Student Handbooks to Saturday School in conjunction with detention, OSS & ISS, cell phones, and other electronic communication devices. He stated that Abi Bloom will be the head volleyball coach. The co-op sports parent/athlete meeting will be August 4th. All AD paperwork will once again be done on-line.
Most students were able to get into the classes they wanted at NTHS. NESC’s new business manager started this month.
Supt. Reed reported that the 2-room addition is on track but the removal of the old unit ventilators and the installation of the new ones is not progressing as expected. At the next couple progress meetings discussion will take place on how the construction will impact the school days and what adjustments will be made as it moves along.
Shortly before the town’s 4th of July celebrations, it was discovered that the school owns a sizeable portion of the parking lot adjacent to the Sidetrack. After speaking with the school’s lawyer, he and Supt. Reed drafted an “Allowable Use” agreement for the event. A year long document will soon be developed.
A couple quotes for the repairs needed at the Country School House have been received with one still expected.
The concrete quote in the amount of $48,384.27 from Justin Weatherford was reviewed. It will address not only sidewalks, but drainage and a sizeable amount of landscaping.
KMI will be in to install the hardware for a center court American flag that will be donated.
The Watertown School will not be allowing our school to drop off students at the Boys & Girls club anymore. Supt. Reed is working on a plan to accommodate the needs of those families that are using the bus to drop off students that utilize the Boys & Girls Club’s facility and its services.
He reviewed some insignificant Elem Student Handbook revisions.
First reading of revised code C policies. It pertains to general school administration. Full language is on file in the business office and linked to the webpage.
Supt. Reed presented the first draft of a Community Gym Use Policy & Procedures. Discussion followed. After some revisions, it will be adopted in August.
Supt. Reed explained that the 2026-27 Master Calendar is short one day. A few different options were discussed.
New 3-year goals were presented and reviewed. They encompass school environment & culture, student support, academic support, and student engagement. Discussion followed.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Hlavacek to approve payment for the following 2025-26 budget expense bills. Motion carried. Active Heating – serv 507.30; Advantage RVs & Graphics – supp 255.00; Co-op Architects – serv 2522.86; Creative Rewards – awards 177.50; Florence School Trust & Agency – refs, supp, FS food, crim bkgd cks 14926.59; Gross Brothers Construction – serv 7,326.83; Hillyards – supp 167.28; T. Hyatt -milg 112.00; KMI – serv 3643.88; Lindner Music – serv 145.00; Menards – supp 94.83; Office Peeps – supp 40.03; Olson’s Pest Technicians- serv (2 mo) 250.00; QuickCare – DOT physicals 340.00; M. Reed – milg 134.40; SDHSAA – supp 22.10; Sentry – construction pmt 147,436.78; Sheyenne Transport – bus serv 7943.89; Sioux Valley Co-op – gas, diesel & DRED gas 964.16; Twin Valley Tire- 2 tires (mini bus) 567.45; Watertown Lawn & Garden – supp 65.00; Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to supplement the Capital Projects budget by using the Capital Outlay Certificate proceeds in the amount of $1,425,000. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Kahnke to approve the 2026-27 co-op sports stipends which reflect a 1.4% increase to all stipends except the Athletic Director as the two amounts will be added together less $750. Florence will employ the one Athletic Director and the $750 will be assigned to a new stipend of Game Manager to be used in Henry for the coordination of their home games. Motion carried.
With no further old business, Chair Rislov declared the 2025-2026 board dissolved.
Scott Maag and Cory Rislov was administered the Oath of Office.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Maag to nominate Cory Rislov as 2026-27 chair. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Bach to cease nominations and that a unanimous ballot is cast for Cory Rislov. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Hlavacek to nominate Jon Kahnke as 2026-27 vice chair. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Hlavacek to cease nominations and that a unanimous ballot is cast for Jon Kahnke. Motion carried.
Chair Rislov appointed Kahnke with Maag as alternate to the NESC board; Bach with Hlavacek as alternate to the NTHS board; Rislov and Maag to teacher negotiations, and Kahnke and Rislov as representatives on the Co-op Sports committee.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag that the school board adhere to the ASBSD’s school board member code of ethics. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to approve membership in Associated School Boards of SD. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to set board member compensation at $130/meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Hlavacek to hold the board meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the school conference room. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Kahnke to follow Roberts Rules of Order for parliamentary procedure. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Hlavacek to require a majority vote of the whole board to pass a motion. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to designate Minnwest Bank as the official depository; Tom Linngren as legal counsel, The Watertown Current as the official newspaper; Sherri Sumner and Mitchell Reed as custodian and deputy custodian of funds respectively; Sumner & Rislov or Reed and Kahnke as authorized signers of disbursements and to authorize Sumner to invest surplus funds in financial institutions. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to appoint Mitchell Reed, Supt., Travis Schmidt, MS/HS Princ., and Sherri Sumner, Bus. Mgr. as purchasing agents. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Bach to credit interest earned from all funds except Capital Outlay and Capital Projects to General Fund. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Maag to designate superintendent to institute school lunch program agreement and to serve as Food Service director. Motion carried. Lunch and breakfast prices will be set in August.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to appoint Mitchell Reed as Homeless Liaison, Truancy Officer, Director of Federal Programs, Public Records, and Civil Rights Compliance with Paula Florey appointed as Section 504 Director. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Bach to authorize the superintendent to close school in emergency situations and to set a chain of command in the superintendent’s absence (Travis Schmidt, Sherri Sumner, Paula Florey). Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to adopt the state rates of .70/mileage or .315/mileage if an employee chooses to drive their own car when a school vehicle is available; and $6/breakfast, $14/lunch, and $20/supper for meal per diem. The Out-of-State meal per diem will be honored for advisors only in the event that they travel out-of-state. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to set the business Manager bond at $50,000. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Hlavacek to approve membership in Northern Plains Insurance Pool (NPIP) which provides employee health, life and vision group benefits with superintendent Mitchell Reed delegated as our voting representative. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to set 2026-27 gate admissions at $3.00 students and $5.00 for adults. Adult 10- punch game passes will be $40 and student season passes will be $20. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Hlavacek to approve the July bills for payment. Motion carried. ASPi Solutions – AD event mgmt. 750.00; Associated School Boards of SD – membership 1066.85; D. Bistodeau -bookshelves 300.00; CBP – CPC & lease pmt 849.15; CheerSounds Music – competitive cheer mix 142.14; Cod. Co. Sheriff’s Dept. – school resource officer 14,343.37; DLD Technologies – subscriptions 4189.50; Doug’s Auto – terrain tires 630.00 & DRED serv 113.75; Elite Sportswear – add’l cheer unis 993.37; Florence Sewer & Water – June water & sewer 293.35; Foerster Testing Limited – bldg. construction compaction tests 4952.40; Infinite Campus – FS & parent messaging annual support 2056.75; ITC – 15752; Keller LawnCare – lawn care 135.00; KMI – serv 175.27; M. Koch – serv 1500.00; K. Lane – serv 1500.00; McGraw-Hill – licenses 3412.80; Menards – supp 56.57; MRG Hauff – FB jerseys 2420.00; Mystery Science- membership 999.00; NESC – assessment 12,123.15; Northwestern Energy – 5872.50; NWEA – MAP licenses 4727.50; Riddell All American Sports – FB supp 4397.77 Riverside Technology – 89 student & 14 staff computers 59836.00; Safe-N-Secure – serv 385.00; School Administrators – membership 1832.00 & conf reg 100.00; SD United School Association -lobby group membership 700.00; SDSTE – membership 30.00; Sherwin Williams – supp 75.60; Sheyenne Transport – serv & DOT inspections 6504.80 & balance of Flacon mini bus 20,000.00; SHI International – licenses 2782.5; Software Unlimited – annual support 4650.00; Sopriasapps – annual website host fee 1138.50; Teachers Pay Teachers – curr 227.78; Top Score Writing – curr 1458.00; TwoTrees Technology – backup 840.00 & 3 smartboards 8608.75; Watertown Current- publications 170.56; C. Busskohl – DRED instruction 6072.00; S. Busskohl – summer school 931.50; J. Cariveau – custodial 2475.59; S. Hulford – custodial 2387.03; K. Kitto – custodial 2941.59; K. McClure – DRED para 439.18; and S. Zubke – summer secretary 1881.49; Instructional Salaries 127,939.84; Supportive Salaries 40,477.91; Food Serv Salaries 4768.85; AFLAC – insurance withholdings 2213.78; Delta Dental – group dental ins. 3399.96; Equitable – annuities 40.00; IRS – FIT & FICA withholding 39,476.60; NPIP – group medical, vision & HSA accts 36,899.96; SDRS – contributions 21,958.38; SD Supplemental Retirement – contributions 3400.00; The Standard – life ins. $129.93.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to accept the 2026-27 school district budget and tax request. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Bach to approve the Elem handbooks with revisions. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to approve a 2026-27 Master Calendar revision adding Easter Monday as a day of school. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to approve the signed certified contract of Erin Johnson. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to accept the open enrollment applications presented. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to enter into executive session at 10:08 pm for SDCL 1-25-2.4 (negotiations). Motion carried.
Chair Rislov declared the board out of executive session at 10:25 pm.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to adjourn at 10:25 pm. Motion carried.
The following contracts and work agreements have been issued by the Florence School District for 2026-27:
Tara Aslesen $47,079; Becky Binde $65,306; Dawn Bistodeau $19.21/hr; Katrina Boyum $60,846 & $25.92/hr bus; Stacey Busskohl $60,939; Chris Cariveau $17.08/hr; Jeff Cariveau $19.08/hr; Melissa Comes $17.00/hr; Kami Dilworth $54,313; Joel Eisenbraun $55,204; Carie Flemming $20.24/hr; Paula Florey $62,864; Tony Fuller $25.92/hr; Tyler Grassel $63,507.25 with summer contract; Amanda Gross $19.56/hr; Tammy Hendrickson $47,079; Julie Hintz $20.56/hr-para, $25.15/hr-NTHS, $25.92/hr-bus and $7,635 bus supervisor; Mike Hintz $25.92/hr; Shelly Huffman $16.74/hr; Arsenia Hulford $16.26/hr; Laura Jacobson $16.74/hr; Rachael Jaeger $58,152; Erin Johnson $50,461; Mayce Kahnke $51,942; Kelli Kitto $18.94/hr; Marcy Klitzke $56,447; Adam Koll $47,079; Hannah Kranz $50,461; Jordan Lanke $57,351; Hilarie Lenox $65,416; Daniel Lund $64,693; Jennifer Lund $65,390; Laurie Maag $21.64/hr-head cook, $25.92/hr-bus; Kendra Mastel $21.09/hr; Kellie McClure $16.74/hr; Mitchell Reed $119,003; Shari Reed $55,204; Brittany Russell $57,351; Nathan Russell $48,096 & $25.92/hr bus; Alexis Schilling $16.26/hr; Travis Schmidt $82,377; Morgan Schroeder $47,079; Brooklyn Schulte $47,079; Lacey Sell $16.74/hr; Tasha Shepherd $25.92/hr; Misty Snoddy $57,580; Sarah Spiering $60,839; Sherri Sumner $72,436; Tammy Taecker $62,037; Samantha Toering $48,792 & $2644 Sped Asst. Director; and Sandy Zubke $20.48/hr.
Cory Rislov, Chair
Sherri Sumner, Business Manager
Published once on July 30, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $146.52 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.