By Watertown Current - January 29, 2026 in OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS – BOARD OF EDUCATION
FLORENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT #14-1
Chair Rislov called the January 12, 2026, meeting of the Florence School District #14-1 board of education to order at 7:01 pm. Other board members in attendance were Bach, Hlavacek, Kahnke, and Maag. Others present were Ann Caulfield, Tracy Buisker, Mrs. Katrina Boyum, Lucy Kahnke, Mia Jaeger, Jaxton Waldner, Brandon Heim of the Watertown Current, Jason Kann of Co-Op Architecture, Travis Schmidt (MS/HS Princ), and M. Reed (Supt). S. Sumner (Business Manager) was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was in attendance.
Introduction of guests will follow the elementary & secondary reports.
Motion by Bach, second by Hlavacek to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
No conflicts of interest were announced.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to approve the minutes of the regular December 8th board meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to approve the following unaudited financial reports. Motion carried. REVENUE RECEIVED DURING DECEMBER 2025: Local Sources – General 32,155.21; Capital Outlay 52,926.89; Sped 27,603.90; Bond Redemption 21,855.22; Food Serv 9,418.55; DRED -0-. County Sources – General 1,440.62. State Sources – General 242,248.00; Sped 21,821.00. Federal Sources – Food Serv 9,258.68. CASH BALANCES DECEMBER 2025: General 762,890.97; Cap Out 247,417.78; Sped 23,375.19; Bond Redemption 48,997.23; Food Serv 20,737.15; Dr. Ed. 8,511.15.
Student Council members Lucy Kahnke, Mia Jaeger and Jaxton Waldner reported on the SC activities which include the Fantastic Four, Clean the School initiative, the music concert bake sales that funded the Angel Tree gifts, an item drive for the Beacon Center, a hat day that raised money for “Brothers and Sisters Behind Bars”, the speakers at the region student council meeting, cleaning the school one morning for a custodian that had a death in the family, upcoming Slush Week and upcoming State Student Council.
No questions on the School Board Forum this month.
Mr. Reed, Supt/Elem principal, reported that the elementary will have a Winter Olympics activity on February 12th, PreK screening will be February 20th, Missoula Children’s Theatre will be April 27th – May 2nd, District Information booklets will be available soon, Scholarship Night is scheduled for Friday, April 10th featuring a “Casino Night” and the band “My Monday Regret”. He extended congratulations to the following students as Principals for a Day: Finley Bach, Blair Wasland, Paisley Rossow, Lincoln Jordan, Gertie Shepherd, and Austin Reindl and to the Scholars of the Month: Ryan Fischer, Henry Riley, Jed Ronke, Blair Wasland, Liv Schwinger, Baylor Troska, Bellamy Moes, Quinn Kahnke, Esmee Moffenbier, and Austin Dahl.
Mr. Schmidt, MS/HS principal & AD, congratulated the Honor Roll recipients, the juniors as the Falcon Challenge winner, and the juniors for their excellent score on the ASVAB testing. National Guard recruiter Chris Fischer expressed that their test scores ranked in the upper tier. Third quarter continues to be busy. With the new semester schedule changes occurred. MS Smarter Balance test prep and junior ACT test prep has begun. ECC schools have started a “Be Better Than Your Neighbor” initiative on state testing scores. Local Science Fair will be held Wednesday, February 11th. Winter sports are already half over with games bringing in great attendance. He extended congratulations to the following students as Falcons of the Quarter: Roean Raymer, Dawson Hlavacek, Madelyn Klitzke, Jorja Nelsen, Missy Wright, Georgia Harrington, and Lennon Hlavacek.
Chair Rislov introduced Ann Caulfield and Tracy Buisker. They were in attendance to ask questions and express concerns about the revised Dual Credit policy. A clerical error occurred in the language of the requirements for the seniors.
Jason Kann of Co-Op Architects was in attendance to review the final Master Plans and to answer any last questions the board had. Supt. Reed presented a debt service schedule in the amount of $427,000 if the board was to proceed with only the HVAC renovation deferring the 2 classroom addition by 6 months with an debt service schedule (based on today’s rates) for the classrooms in the amount of $927,000 and a debt service schedule in the amount of $1,328,000 if they were to proceed with both the HVAC and the 2 classroom addition at the same time. Discussion followed. It was clear that deferring the 2 classroom additions by 6 months was not a financially sound decision due to a second set of closing costs +$26,000, interest paid +$73,373, and increased cost of materials.
NTHS and NESC points of interest were reviewed.
Supt. Reed reported on some plumbing issues in the Flyer gym bathrooms and in the men’s bathroom in the commons.
Supt. Reed stated that Kevin Duenwald has the used white minibus ready for sale. It is a needed addition to our fleet as it can be used for activities freeing up the 2 yellow minis for drivers that do not hold a CDL to help out on the routes when needed. A candidate for driving bus will soon be doing classroom instruction.
Supt. Reed reviewed legislative bills that would affect education.
Supt. Reed asked for input on the 2026-27 school calendar. Discussion followed.
Supt. Reed reviewed projected enrollment which he bases on seniors graduating, incoming Kindergarteners, and open enrollment requests. He also reviewed revenues and expenditures to date for the current budget year.
Homeschool, On-line, and Procedures in regard to participation in activities and accolades were reviewed and discussed in depth which also led to reviewal of Dual Credit procedures that were discussed last month. Supt. Reed surveyed other schools as to how they are handling the unfolding of all this, and it seems Florence may be paving the way.
Motion by Kahnke second by Hlavacek to approve payment of the bills presented. Motion carried. Active Heating – serv 2406.95; T. Aslesen – supp 19.39; BHSSC – tuition 2100.0.0; Bright Path Consulting – serv 1000.00; CBP – CPC & lease pmt 1468.71; Cole Papers – supp 1456.49; CWD – FS food 4480.89; DLD Technologies – site license 4189.50; Dramatic Publ – supp & fee 426.73; EasyVista – site license 675.45; Endres Construction – snow removal 1050.00; Family First Homecare – serv 5667.48; Flemming Electric – wire walk-in freezer 1819.05; Florence School Trust & Agency – reimb for supp, refs, reg 14890.64; Florence School Trust & Agency – Nat’l FBLA reg 5625.00; Florence School Trust & Agency – travel exp for Nat’l FBLA 5000.00; Florence Sewer & Water – 483.70; George’s Sanitation – Nov & Dec 510.00; ITC – 158.17; IXL – site license 1688.75; Jaymar Business Forms – supp 97.02; Jurgens Printing – supp 235.00; KSB School Law – legal counsel 775.00;J. Lanke -supp 21.64; L. Maag – supp 341.14; Mack Landscaping – serv 145.92; NESC – assessments 10910.51 & CB tuition 6427.73; MRG Hauff – track tent 313.07; Northwestern Energy – 8380.34; parent – milg 336.00; QuickCare – DOT physical (2) 170.00; Renaissance Learning – site license 2653.20; M. Reed – milg 49.77; SD Dept of Health – nurse serv 368.50; Sheyenne Transport – bus serv 6613.46; Sioux Valley Co-op – LP, diesel, gas 14751.33; Twin Valley Tire – bus tires (2) 1214.00; Watertown Current – publications 120.13; T. Aslesen – sub teach 1936.18; D. Harmel – sub teach 232.80; J. Hintz – activity bus trip 43.25; M. Hintz – activity bus trip 43.25; J. Kahnke – sub teach 116.40; D. Keller – sub teach 116.40; H. Kerkvliet – sub teach 189.73; L. Maag – sub bus & activity bus trips 385.70; Emily Mack – sub bus 64.90; K. Mastel – game custodian 92.00; J. McCreary – sub bus 32.45; S. Nelsen – sub teach 443.42; P. Raeder – sub teach 116.40; J. Raymer – sub teach 273.62 & kitchen 465.00; S. Rislov – sub teach 86.52; N. Russell – sub bus & bus activity trip 108.15; C. Schwinger – sub teach 108.15; Markie Kohlenberg – apprenticeship program 162.50; Emery Schamber – apprenticeship program 91.00; A. Koll – sub bus 43.25; P. Paulson – sub bus & activity bus trips 668.13; J. Cariveau – custodial 1758.02; S. Hulford – custodial 1703.37; K. Kitto – custodial 3358.58; Instructional Salaries 138,509.85; Supportive Salaries 43,328.19; Food Serv Salaries 4,169.64; AFLAC – insurance withholdings 2,305.37; Avanti Federal Credit Union – withholding 350.00; AXA Equitable – annuities 40.00; Delta Dental – group dental insurance 3,294.18; IRS – FIT & FICA withholding 44,381.98; NPIP – group medical, vision and HSA accts & fees 38611.28; SDRS – contributions 23,805.40; SD Supplemental Retirement – contributions 3,700.00; Standard – life ins. 170.53.
Motion by Maag, second by Bach to set the annual joint school board/town council election for June 2nd which is the same day as the Primary Election with Linda Peterson, Sue Flisrand and Tressa Flemming as election officials. (Terms of Scott Maag and Cory Rislov) Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Maag to accept the resignation of Gabrielle Englund, teacher. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Hlavacek to approve the signed contract of Tara Aslesen as teacher for the second semester in the amount of $23,423.75. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Bach to approve HVAC option of the Master Planning. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Maag to approve the 2 classroom and hallway addition option of the Master Planning. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Bach to approve the presented open enrollment applications. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Kahnke to enter into executive session at 10:33 pm for SDCL 1-25-2.1 (personnel matter) and SDCL 1-25-2.2 (student matter). Motion carried.
Chair Rislov declared the board out of executive session at 11:14 pm.
Motion by Bach, second by Maag to adjourn at 11:14 pm. Motion carried.
Sherri Sumner, Business Manager Cory Rislov, Chair
Published once on January 29, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $90.74 and can be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.