Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein opened the meeting at 6:30pm.

Board members shared the following:

• Frozen Jr. was wonderful and showcased students from all 3 elementary schools


• FTEF Grant Patrols are taking place in the district


• Teachers of the Year have been named and will be recognized at the Nesties in April


• Spelling Bees finished at all 3 elementary schools and the middle school


• HHS Forensics Team won the Regional Championship


• HMS Forensics Team is Regional Runner up


• HHS Swim Team won Regions and go to State this weekend


• Girls Bowling is Regional Runner up and will go to State


• HMS had 13 students recognized in the Scholastic Writing and Art Contest


• HHS hosted an Archery tournament last weekend with over a dozen schools participating


• JES Academic Team won in their district


• WES Academic Team is runner up in their district


• HHS Dance Team won State for Pom and will travel to Nationals later this month


• HHS Cheer Team placed in the top 15 Nationally

HHS student Madeleine Foster shared her NaviGo experience so far this year with the Board.  Madeleine is a Spring NaviGo Scholar in the area of Mental Health.  The Board thanked Madeleine and presented her with a Certificate of Achievement and a Rich in Tradition t-shirt.

The Board recognized the following members of the Varsity:

Ellery Browning

Drew Ellison

Rose Ewald

Cate Fischer

Abigail Gabennesch

Sammy Gabennesch

Elise Hellmann

Brianna Horner

Meredith Kleier

Annie Kuhnhein

Abbie Rowland

Adalynne Shaw

Sarah Steiden

Lavin Stepner

Saryn Stepner

The Board congratulated the team and presented each with a Certificate of Achievement and and a Champions t-shirt.

• 4th grade Engineering Project Presentation

WES students from Ms. Roch's class presented on their Engineering project.  Students shared what they have learned and enjoyed most.  Those students were:

Harper Fraser

Greyson Jacobs

Hazel Klare

Rose Kremer

Paul Lubbers

Lane Pinguely

Georgia Pabst

Leo Travis

The Board engaged with the students, asking questions and presented each with a Rich in Tradition t-shirt.

Two HHS students (Trevin Urz and Cooper Eide) addressed the Board with concerns regarding going to school with sidewalks covered in snow and ice after the last big storm.  Board members thanked the students for expressing their concerns and reminded them to always make their safety a priority, making decisions with their parents/guardians regarding attendance during weather events.

• Staffing Guidelines Spring 2026

Order #2719 - Motion Passed:  Approval of the Staffing Guidelines for 2026-27 passed with a motion by Mr. Jeff Beach and a second by Mrs. Sarah Foster.

Chad Niedert shared the project progress with the Board, noting we are nearing the completion of the storage building on the opposite side of the track.

• Morel Pay App 19

Order #2720 - Motion Passed:  Approval of Pay Application #19 to Morel Construction Co. in the amount of $674,929.50 for the Highlands Athletic Complex at Tower Park Project passed with a motion by Mr. Clem Fennell IV and a second by Mr. David Russell.

Board Member David Russell shared at the recent Title IX meeting, there is a growing interest in Lacrosse among the HHS student body.  He also shared the Winter Athletic Signing will be held in the library on February 18.

Order #2721 - Motion Passed:  With all Board members having had the opportunity to review and pursue any questions about all of the items contained therein, approval of the consent agenda passed with a motion by Mrs. Sarah Foster and a second by Mr. Jeff Beach.

• Minutes - 01-12-2026 - Board Mtg
• Minutes - 02-02-2026 - Joint Mtg
• Minutes -02-05-2026 - Working Mtg

• 7 2026 BOE REPORT

• FOOD SERVICE SUMMARY 2026 SCHOOL YEAR

• 5th Month Attendance 25.26

• 7 2026 PAYMENT REGISTER

• FY2024-2025 FA FINAL

Employment of the following Classified Employee
Dana Hutchinson – Cafeteria I – HMS

Employment of the following Extra-Service Employees
Megan Boimann-Hennies – Senior Class Sponsor – HHS
Andrea Higgins – Envirothon Sponsor – HHS

Resignation of the following Classified Employee
Jasmine Pennington – Cafeteria I – HMS

Resignation of the following Paraprofessional Employee
Thomas Gray-Torsell – HMS Boys Track Coach and HHS Cross Country Varsity Assistant Coach

Board Chair Julie Kuhnhein adjourned the meeting at 7:14pm.