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   The Northland School Board held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 14. Board Chair Marc Ruyak accepted several donations, including: $300 for the senior class trip and $300 for youth wrestling from the Boy River HOBO Club; $500 for the trapshooting team from the Hill City Firefighters Relief Association; $100 for the trapshooting team from David and Sharon Rouse and snow removal services for the Longville bus garage during the 2024–25 school year, donated by EPIC LLC.

   Lori Backlund of the Arrowhead Regional Computing Consortium presented the business manager’s report and provided an update on the district’s preliminary financial outlook for fiscal year 2026. She explained that due to the ongoing legislative session, final state revenue figures are still uncertain. The district’s general fund, which includes Funds 01, 03, and 05 but not food service or community education, is currently projected to show a deficit between approximately $225,000 and $40,000. Backlund noted that the estimate is based on a number of variables, including student enrollment, Impact Aid, interest rates, county tax-forfeited land sales and potential changes in legislative funding. She also cautioned that these figures are subject to change and do not yet reflect any outcomes from current contract negotiations.

   Elementary Principal Janessa Green presented her report. She noted that preschool staff recently completed the LETRS program, a professional development course designed to deepen teachers’ understanding of the science of reading. Outdoor learning continues to be a focus, with preschoolers regularly spending time in the forest, at Lion’s Park, or in the outdoor classroom. Green said the school has seen more engaged students and a reduction in behavioral issues.

   Preschool enrollment is the highest it’s been in five years, with a peak of 36 students this year and a current enrollment of 32.

   Green also shared an update on the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. Both major and minor behavioral incidents have declined significantly. Last year, there were 351 major reports in grades K–5; this year, there have been only 147. Minor reports dropped from 1,119 last year in grades K–6 to 652 in K–5 so far this year.

   Leah Monroe, head of Indian Education, shared that the Indian Education senior celebration was held on May 7 to honor six graduates. She also reported that the Ojibwe Quiz Bowl team placed fourth in a recent competition in International Falls. Students who participated in Quiz Bowl and those in the High School Drum and Dance group will be recognized at the upcoming Awards Banquet on May 21.

   Monroe also announced that Northland’s UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) program has been invited to attend the national UNITY conference in San Diego, California, this June. UNITY is a national organization focused on promoting personal development, leadership, and citizenship among Native American youth.

   The board then discussed special education staffing. Last year, Northland eliminated two paraprofessional positions to hire a behavior interventionist. However, Principal Mary Yakibchuk noted that without paraprofessionals, the special education department has struggled, with one teacher sometimes responsible for 20 or more high-needs students. She proposed reinstating the two paraprofessional roles.

   The board initially approved adding the two paraprofessional positions, but later reconsidered due to budget constraints. Chair Ruyak pointed out that adding three new positions would not be feasible. Ultimately, the board rescinded the original motion and instead voted to hire a new Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teacher while reallocating current paraprofessionals to cover the duties of the eliminated behavior interventionist role.

   Other board actions included:

  •  Certified the graduating class of 2025 and recognizing Elizabeth Johnson as valedictorian and Jamison Connors Knapp as salutatorian.

  •  Approved fall, winter, and spring coaches and advisors for the 2025–26 school year.

  •  Accepted resignations from head coach Stacey Johnson, elementary special education teacher Eddie Barron, and AVID coordinator Katelyn Edstrom.

  •  Hired Megan Beck as special education teacher, Aryanna Wetteland as middle/high school science teacher, Danica Fairbanks as preschool teacher, Ashley Magruder as building substitute, and Julie Erpelding as Bookkeeper II

  •  Approved the elimination of the dean/behavior interventionist position for the 2025–26 school year

  •  Approved the closure of the custodial/maintenance supervisor position effective June 30, 2025.

  •  Approved postings for a lead custodian and a kindergarten paraprofessional.

   The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Northland High School.

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