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   The Northland School Board held their regular meeting on Wed., Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. and then conducted the Truth in Taxation meeting at 6:30 p.m. With no public in attendance for the Truth in Taxation, Lori Backlund with Arrowhead Regional Computing Consortium briefly discussed levy changes and potential revenue and expenses for the district. Backlund then recommended the 2025 payable 2026 Levy in the amount of $2,430,004.05, which was approved unanimously. The 2024 payable 2025 levy was $2,495,294.27

   High School Principal Mary Yakibchuk shared that the district will be receiving a donation of 149 “Supply a Student” kits from the Kids in Need Foundation, providing students with backpacks filled with essential school supplies. Yakibchuk also noted that the school is reviewing the potential use of vape-detector wands under Policy 502, which governs searches of student lockers, desks, personal belongings, and a student’s person. The district is looking at procedures used in other schools and, in the meantime, would follow existing search protocols. Students who refuse to cooperate with a wand alert would be sent home on out-of-school suspension.

   Yakibchuk also highlighted an upcoming event before Christmas break, sharing that the high school leadership team is planning an afternoon of activities for grades 6–12, including games, movies, gingerbread houses, and work time. She added that these types of experiences may be less accessible in online or homeschool settings.

   Additionally, Yakibchuk shared some ideas she has been exploring, including creating monthly student clubs during Religious Release Time for grades 6–12. Staff and student interest inventories would help determine which clubs to offer, providing students with high-interest activities and mentorship opportunities across grade levels. She also mentioned looking at ways to recognize students who complete a career pathway at graduation, possibly with a special ribbon. Last year, 15 students in grades 8–12 participated in pathways across construction, manufacturing, education, and healthcare.

   Elementary Principal Janessa Green also shared a report with highlights from the month. Fourth grade class did a “Thanksgiving Shopping Challenge” where they were responsible for budgeting and planning a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 guests and staying under $100. It was also stated the fourth grade class attended the Young Authors Conference again this year. 

   Green then mentioned some of the fun ideas of the elementary leadership team. They have decided every Friday is going to be “Eagle Pride Day” and have purchased “Eagle Pride” shirts for all students to wear and show their pride. They hand them out at the beginning of the day and students wear them over whatever they wore to school and then the shirts get collected at the end of the day. This way all students have shirts and they don’t get lost or misplaced at home. The leadership team has also purchased fun accessories for “Eagle Pride Day” such as beads and ribbons for students to get in the spirit.

   Both principals mentioned behavioral issues are significantly lower than previous years and the majors that are occurring in the elementary level are less explosive ones but rather the minor offenses that are occurring repeatedly.

   Superintendent Mark Morrison gave a brief report stating there are still some heating issues with both hot and cold areas in the school and the district is still in need of custodians, but there are individuals helping in those areas. Morrison shared he is currently working on an early draft of the 2026-2027 district calendar and stated the current activities calendar program was purchased by another company. Therefore, there have been some issues with games showing up in duplicate and not being allowed to schedule games for next year. It was mentioned most years volleyball games are already scheduled by now and basketball games are usually done by January for the following year. Therefore, Morrison  proposed the district purchase a different system to schedule district activities. A motion was made and approved unanimously a little later in the meeting.

   In other Board action:

   • Approved the 2025-2026 Minnesota School Employees Association Seniority List.

   • Approved the audit report presented during the last regular meeting.

   • Approved the 2026 Pay Equity Report.

   • Approved the agreement for meal services between ISD #118 and Northland Area Family Service Center.

   • Approved the hire of Tyler Seifert as a volunteer Wrestling Coach for the 2025-2026 season, with board member Seifert abstaining.

   • Accepted the resignation of Dan Rogers, Science Teacher, effective June 4, 2026.

   The board has scheduled the following meetings: the re-organizational meeting and regular meeting, Wed., Jan. 7, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. All meetings are held at Northland High School.

 

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