SCHOOL BOARD’S ROLE:
As individuals we hold no authority! As a Board, and only during meetings, are we empowered by State Statute. The School Board is primarily responsible the following:

• Certification of tax levies
• Hiring a Superintendent (the CEO of our District)
• Oversight of Financial, Facilities, & Human Resources of the District
• Establishment of Policy
• Setting the short and long term goals for the District, we then direct the Administrative team to implement those goals
• Represent the District in collective bargaining negotiations with our Staff
• And other various duties as defined in State Statute

We are a resource for you, to help guide the District. We do not manage the day-to-day operations of the District, Superintendent Ihrke is tasked with those responsibilities.   

FOR THOSE DESIRING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:
We welcome and encourage your participation at our meetings. If you desire to address the Board please refer to our Public Address Policy #206. When you address the Board this is your opportunity to share with us information you feel is important for us to know; it is our intention to follow the guidelines established in policy #206.

If you have a particular concern we direct you to first speak with the source of your concern, many times the issue can be resolved with clear communication. The building Principal would be the next person you should meet with, in the unlikely event you still have an unresolved concern we encourage you to make an appointment with Mr. Ihrke our Superintendent. The school board is your final point of contact.

MEETINGS:
Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in Room #162 of the Elementary School Building (unless otherwise posted prior to the meeting). Special or Emergency meetings will be scheduled as the need arises and announced within the parameters identified by Statute.  

All our meetings are open for you to attend, unless the topics of discussion are confidential as defined in our Open/Closed Meeting Policy #205, a notice of intention to close that portion of the meeting will be identified in the agenda. When a closure occurs the general topic of the proposed closure will be identified prior to closing the meeting, a statement regarding the closure and any decisions made will be provided at our next regularly scheduled meeting.   

Our Agendas are available online at On-Line School Board Agendas. The Administration often provides us with additional material to help prepare for School Board meetings, one copy of said material will be provided for the public’s reference at our meetings.

AGENDAS:

Our meetings follow a pre-established format. The agenda will include:

1. Calling the meeting to order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll call
4. Approval of agenda
5. Warrior Pride – We recognize individuals or organizations who contribute to the success of our District
6. School Board Showcase – We highlight significant events / efforts within our District
7. Student School Board Representative report – Student School Board members are ex-officio members of the School Board we encourage them to share current events in the High School and to provide input during the meetings –
8. Public comment
9. Consent agenda
10. Action items
11. Administrative reports
12. Old business
13. New business
14. Director reports
15. Adjournment

MINUTES:
Minutes of previous meetings are available for your review at School Board Meeting Minutes

YOUR SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTORS:

Mike Peterson, Chair
mike_peterson@cps.k12.mn.us
Phone:  (507) 250-1186
Serving Since:  2023
COMMITTEES: Administrative Negotiations Committee; Curriculum/PSEO/On-line Learning Committee; Facilities Committee; Alternate for Houston County Collaborative Committee; Strategic Planning Committee; and Teacher Negotiations Committee

Leigh King, Vice Chair
leigh_king@cps.k12.mn.us
Phone:  507-459-8604
Serving Since:  2020
COMMITTEES:  Activities Committee, Administrative Negotiations Committee; Finance Committee; Minnesota State High School League alternate; Qcomp Committee; Strategic Planning Committee; Technology Committee

Spencer Yohe, Clerk & Legislative Liaison
spencer_yohe@cps.k12.mn.us
Phone:  (320) 766-1934
Serving Since: 4-2006
COMMITTEES:  Community Ed Advisory Representative; Hiawatha Valley Education District Representative, Houston County Collaborative Alternate; Meet and Confer Committee; Minnesota State High School League Representative; Support Staff Negotiations Committee

Melissa Marschall, Treasurer
melissa_marschall@cps.k12.mn.us
Phone:  (608) 797-0270
Serving Since:  2017
COMMITTEES:  Community Ed Advisory Council Representative; Finance Committee; Support Staff Negotiations Committee

Derek Adamson, Director
derek_adamson@cps.k12.mn.us
Phone:  (507) 429-8800
Serving Since:  2023
COMMITTEES:  Activities Committee; Facilities Committee; Strategic Planning Committee; Support Staff Negotiations Committee; Teacher Negotiations Committee

Tim Gunn, Director
tim_gunn@cps.k12.mn.us
Phone:  (630) 297-9863
Serving Since:  2023
COMMITTEES:  Activities Committee, Community Ed Advisory Council Representative; Crisis Committee; Curriculum/PSEO/On-line Learning Committee; Facilities Committee

Dan Small, Director
dan_small@cps.k12.mn.us
Phone:  (941) 350-6461
Serving Since:  March 16, 2020
COMMITTEES:  Administrative Negotiations Committee; Crisis Committee; Facilities Committee; Meet and Confer Committee; Teacher Negotiations Committee; Technology Committee

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS (non-voting):

Craig Ihrke, Superintendent
craig_ihrke@cps.k12.mn.us
Phone:  (507) 725-3389
 
Maggie Ideker, Student Board Representative
Addison Fruechte, Student Board Representative